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Not allowed to drive, but was driven in the new M3 this weekend. Actually, it was much better than all the reviews I've seen so far. Obviously a proper drive is needed to clarify details, but what I can tell is that the engine has a substancially harder edge to it than the RS4. For my money it felt quite a bit more lively and felt like it went harder than the RS4. On the downside the cabin is dull.

Well worth a try though and it will be a very interesting car with the dual clutch gearbox when it arrives. The photos of the saloon version look ok too.

I've already driven a new M3, its a great drivers car make no mistake - you really have to go to 9/10's before you seen any difference between the RS4 or M3 so for the average drive i don't think there is anything in it, but BMW still have no answer to the avant and theres still no security of quattro which really always gives you the confidence to press on in bad weatehr when id be inclined to back off in the BMW.

martinhans wrote:I've already driven a new M3, its a great drivers car make no mistake - you really have to go to 9/10's before you seen any difference between the RS4 or M3 so for the average drive i don't think there is anything in it, but BMW still have no answer to the avant and theres still no security of quattro which really always gives you the confidence to press on in bad weatehr when id be inclined to back off in the BMW.

I also have drive two M3's and can agree, nothing in it for everyday stuff, flat out in the dry nothing in it. In the wet/ damp UK RS4 wins.

I came head on with the first one (white) I'd seen in the flesh on the wrong side of the road on the A30 going into Egham at the weekend at about double the speed limit passing a line of cars.

Kicked up a load of gravel which showered my car as he went past.

Talk about fitting the M3 stereotype...

<beep>.

M3 = CHAV.

88wiff wrote:M3 = CHAV.

Here here !! fed up listening to it to be honest. M3 is not in the same league and doesnt deserve to be even mentioned on this forum, why fuel the the pups egos even more by keep going on about it?? Personally its been thrashed on more on one occasion and in several different catogories, so job done,lets talk about more measured competition You can take the car out of chavsille but you cant take the chav out of the car !!

MEV wrote:

88wiff wrote:M3 = CHAV.

Here here !! fed up listening to it to be honest. M3 is not in the same league and doesnt deserve to be even mentioned on this forum, why fuel the the pups egos even more by keep going on about it?? Personally its been thrashed on more on one occasion and in several different catogories, so job done,lets talk about more measured competition You can take the car out of chavsille but you cant take the chav out of the car !!

You can tell alot about someone and how threatened they feel by the tripe they post. Thanks for proving it.

i saw one up close other day very nice.

I will be very interested to see the M3 evolve over the next few years. Remember their first V8 in M3 platform, they will tune this thing, lighten (CSL) and probably DSG box or similar. I love my RS4, its my third child, but gee wiz THE M will rip in future models.

RS4 Molar

If the do an M3 touring then it will be for serious consideration, however the C63 AMG is the one I'll be taking for a test drive. It may well blow both my RS and the M3 into the weeds.

true, looks nice

I drove a couple of laps in the new M3 at a customer launch day at a local track in New Zealand.

Great engine, definitely felt very strong once you hit 5000RPM or so right up to its redline. The RS4 is probably its equal up until around 7500RPM, after which the RS4 power seems to drop off a bit more. RS4 definitely has better low RPM torque, so all in all I'd say in terms of straight line performance, they are about equal.

Handling wise, it has a great chassis and is very balanced - although changing down throws the rear of the car off balance a bit pre corner. Steering is a less precise than the outgoing M3 but difficult to separate it from the RS4. Transmission is where the M3 is let down - clutch is too soft and will not take a beating, and the gear box is pretty average. Throws are very long, shorter throws in the RS4 suit aggressive driving more IMO. Also the change from 2nd to 3rd and vice versa was difficult - this was on both M3 cars that were at the track day.

Good thing about the day was I also got to drive the M5 and M6 - the M3 will easily keep pace with the M5 on the track, but the M6 ultimately is a faster car when driven to the limit. That said, the M6 is a tough drive, where as the M3 is more forgiving and suits the average driver more.

Here's some pictures I took - http://www.flickr.com/photos/11933854@N ... 236816497/

Mmmmmm....C63 AMG. I love the RS4 but, hey, you've got to be ready with a "my next car" shortlist at all times, right?

Is it just me, but the back end of the m3 looks really bad. the exhausts look as though they should be part of the bumper but they couldnt make it fit so the they just stuck it underneath.

The C63 AMG is almost the only Merc I've ever seen that actually draws me towards it. It isn't the type of "I have to have it" feeling I got with the RS4 but it is more desirable than an M3 (IMO).