As a member of the BMW CCA, I get some pretty amazing perks. One of these was going on a club-only test drive of some of BMW's new cars. The two I got to drive was the new E93 M3, and a Dinan tuned 335i. Here are my impressions and reactions to both.

M3

As an AP1 owner, naturally I respond well to High revving engines, and this car's 8,400 RPM redline is right up my alley. At normal driving speeds and under low to moderate acceleration, the car is quite composed, and if one didn

 

two thoughts jump to mind.
and not really being snitty or critical.

1.) f = ma, how much does an M3 weigh now?

2.) how much does the Dinan cost?

 

1) roughly 3600 pounds. It's rather overweight but with the power and M technic suspension you only really feel the weight during transfer.

2) The setup I drove cost roughly $70,000.

 

$70,000 can buy a new GTR, pre-owend 996 turbo, pre-owned E60 M5, Z-06, S2000 with an full Amuse GT1 set up

 

[QUOTE=ehaffey,Mar 30 2008, 03:12 PM] As a member of the BMW CCA, I get some pretty amazing perks. One of these was going on a club-only test drive of some of BMW's new cars. The two I got to drive was the new E93 M3, and a Dinan tuned 335i. Here are my impressions and reactions to both.

M3

As an AP1 owner, naturally I respond well to High revving engines, and this car's 8,400 RPM redline is right up my alley. At normal driving speeds and under low to moderate acceleration, the car is quite composed, and if one didn

 

What I meant was the power of the M3, even in its powerband, wasn't as explosive and forceful of my AP1 in it's powerband. I do agree with you though that the M3 had much more power across the range, which was very impressive.

Did you get to drive any other cars? Maybe the supercharged M3?

 

nope, we did the drive at the Norwell BMW dealer. the other major thing i noticed being a e46 M3 owner, is how light the clutch feels compared to the e46. night and day.

 

70K can not buy you a new GTR in the states.

 

yeah I'm going to sell my A4 for a 335xi...soon hopefully.

 

If you do, the Dinan tuning is just... amazing. I've driven a stock 335i before, but the handling, power, and uncomprimising comfort just aren't the same.