M3 970 miles in

BMW M GmbH & Alpina Burkard Bovensiepen GmbH
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DuncS3
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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by DuncS3 » Fri Nov 04, 2011 2:16 pm

opps 390, yes.

new M3 is meant to be more forgiving than the previous/older models.

I'm not questioning the move to M3 - its all about as you say, learning the car and its new charateristics, I'm pointing out the traction issues really as I think it might be interesting for people to hear how the M3 is different to the RS4. The M3 has many qualities that I am still exploring.

I'm not really into racing around in the wet tbh.

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by Steve_C » Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:26 pm

Just been out - its was fairly wet but not raining and not much standing water. Also, I was really going for it just to see where the limits of the car are.

I found that the traction light comes on a fair bit more than it did with the RS4 although it must only be cutting in slightly as it didn't seem to affect the power much. Bumpy/uneven surfaces tend to trigger it the most (I was on B-roads mostly). I did have one 'moment' as I went over the crest of a hill, full throttle, slight right turn - the wheels left the ground slightly and things got a bit sideways when I landed (the electronics tidied it up before I had a chance to react). As I say, this is going at full chat which I wouldn't normally do in the wet/damp - I'm just trying to find the limits of the car.

The worst I have found the traction control in terms of interference was in the dry when going around a roundabout at speed. If you partially turn it off in this scenario it is fine though.

It would be interesting to meet up with an RS4 to have an on the road comparison - both in the dry and the wet - although apart from straight line drags the comparison would be as much of the drivers as it would the cars.
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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by DuncS3 » Fri Nov 04, 2011 3:51 pm

Steve - traction partial off - is that M dynamic Mode?

maybe we can have a little M3 forum on here since its such a great forum (joke)

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by Steve_C » Fri Nov 04, 2011 4:02 pm

DuncS3 wrote:Steve - traction partial off - is that M dynamic Mode?

maybe we can have a little M3 forum on here since its such a great forum (joke)
Yes, MDM.

Looking at the recent posts I thought this had turned into a M3/Merc/car-parking forum! :wink:
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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by HYFR » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:15 pm

not bad then if a 5 years old RS 4 can match a 2011 M3 .... no ?

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by Steve_C » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:44 pm

aka_dk wrote:not bad then if a 5 years old RS 4 can match a 2011 M3 .... no ?
The M3 is nearly 5 yrs old in design.
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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by HYFR » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:48 pm

the RS 4 is prob 10 years old in design

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by Steve_C » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:54 pm

Okay, not design but launch date - you know what I mean! There was only 2 yrs between them.
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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by lengster1 » Sat Nov 05, 2011 8:29 am

I think the RS4 will be miles ahead very shortly......... :biggrin3:

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Brooner
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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by Brooner » Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:50 am

Let's hope so :bowdown: :nogarors4:
2018 B9 RS4 Navarra Blue
2013 B8 RS4 Sepang Blue
2007 B7 RS4 Avant Sprint Blue
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1993 B4 S2 Avant laser Red

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by adsgreen » Sat Nov 05, 2011 12:40 pm

Yes but new m3 to be announced soon too

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by lengster1 » Sat Nov 05, 2011 1:21 pm

Oh I think it will happen sooner than you think...........unless we have a late wint :bigblink: er

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Re: M3 970 miles in

Post by DuncS3 » Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:10 pm

Had my first play since the running in service - it was dry out, roads were clear and used the M Dynamic Mode settings for the first time. Balance is great for going round bends, the ride is exceptional and very planted on even bumpy B roads (non EDC car) - DCT is sublime with full boar gear changes (except when I let my mate have a go and he thought he had to let off the throttle to change gear :))

According to the journey computer did about 91 miles, averaged 13.3 mpg - had a lot of fun - the M Dynamic mode (basically traction control on but it allows some play) seemed perfect for me, allows you to power out of corners and have the rear step out but always felt controllable. Now the rear stepping out under power was a good laugh.

Just to add to the fun, I live near McLaren and we spotted a new MP4 on shakedown tests so we decided to follow him around the empty B roads where they test for about 20 minutes - he was quite a bit quicker than me :)

You know you had fun when you and your mate laugh out loud.

Obviously when the winter kicks in I wont be laughing :)

Dunc

disclaimer - PS I am not saying M3 is better than RS4 - just sharing information - I still have an Audi and am still a big fan.

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