E46 M3 Coupe Test drive
05-17-2008, 08:18 AM
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E46 M3 Coupe Test drive
As you may have read from other thread I had a test drive in an M3 with a view to buying one. It was today. The roads were damp and I never really got a chance to fully let it rip however:
It was an 03 facelift model, show 19's (not CSL) coupe. 52,000 miles, Steel grey.
First impressions, doesn't feel too big or heavy. Boot seems miles away though.
Steering is nicely weighty but not a massive amount more feedback than the S.
The chassis is slightly more understeery than the S. But this is partially down to where you sit in the car. However because the throttle response is marvellous, it can be dealt with very easily. It feels like you could play with the car. You're not quite as involved all the time, but I need to move away from that. It is after all, primarily a road car.
Considering what it is, the ride is very good. The ride is not as firm as I thought it might be, but then again I think it's probably because the ride felt better damped than the S. It doesn't crash and bang like the S. The car feels equally at ease just cruising as well as being chucked around. I will be more relaxed doing motorway miles in this than the S.
It was interesting getting back in the S. The S didn't feel a whole lot more focussed than the M3. You sit lower in the S, and further back
So my overall impression of the M3 is that it's an effortless car. It fulfills its brief very well. It can seat 2 very comfortably, the rear isn't as tight for space as I thought it might be. I'm not tall so you can fit 4 adults in the car.
End result, I am going to buy one. As soon as I can find the right one really. Just not the one I test drove as the grey leather interior it had was hideous. Really. And I'm going to get the rear M badge removed and have it badged as a 318d.
It was an 03 facelift model, show 19's (not CSL) coupe. 52,000 miles, Steel grey.
First impressions, doesn't feel too big or heavy. Boot seems miles away though.
Steering is nicely weighty but not a massive amount more feedback than the S.
The chassis is slightly more understeery than the S. But this is partially down to where you sit in the car. However because the throttle response is marvellous, it can be dealt with very easily. It feels like you could play with the car. You're not quite as involved all the time, but I need to move away from that. It is after all, primarily a road car.
Considering what it is, the ride is very good. The ride is not as firm as I thought it might be, but then again I think it's probably because the ride felt better damped than the S. It doesn't crash and bang like the S. The car feels equally at ease just cruising as well as being chucked around. I will be more relaxed doing motorway miles in this than the S.
It was interesting getting back in the S. The S didn't feel a whole lot more focussed than the M3. You sit lower in the S, and further back
So my overall impression of the M3 is that it's an effortless car. It fulfills its brief very well. It can seat 2 very comfortably, the rear isn't as tight for space as I thought it might be. I'm not tall so you can fit 4 adults in the car.
End result, I am going to buy one. As soon as I can find the right one really. Just not the one I test drove as the grey leather interior it had was hideous. Really. And I'm going to get the rear M badge removed and have it badged as a 318d.
05-17-2008, 08:21 AM
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Nice one, can't say I'm hugely surprised, it's a superb car.
I am just terrified of it's thirst
. They aren't that stealth though, so putting a 318d badge on the back will just make it look like an M3 with a 318d badge on it . Or a 318 with alot of money in it to make it look like an M3 
I am just terrified of it's thirst
. They aren't that stealth though, so putting a 318d badge on the back will just make it look like an M3 with a 318d badge on it . Or a 318 with alot of money in it to make it look like an M3
05-17-2008, 03:27 PM
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I've seen a CSL with a 316 badge. Non car people will think it's fake exhausts. Because lets face it, what sort of idiot would put a 316/318d badge on an M3?
