scuderia
10-02-2005, 04:02 AM
Today, I had a chance to drive my uncle's new M3 Comp. Pack. The main diferences between the regular M3 and this one are pretty noticable. The comp. pac. sits on 19" BBSs, special midnight blue paint, and upgraded upholstery. It seems like sitting a little bit lower as well. The gauges are orange as opposed to red on other BMWs, but all M3s have orange illumination. The vehicle has an SMG transmission, which takes a little time to get used to. The other difference was the hood, which seperates from the the M3. A nice, tasteful experience tought me once again why M3 is one of the superior sport cars in the market. Agile, exciting, yet a good boy unless you step on the gas pedal.
You can easily feel the power under the hood, suprisingly the vehicle drives like a 3.30ci under 3K rpm, everything is under control, you are driving a nice coupe BMW, kind of boring, makes you think "is this an M3?". You step on the gas pedal a little bit more, the car starts to get momentum, between 3-6k rpms, it is really getting exciting, but still thinking "my MCS can do this", and after 6k the real shit starts, everything you see down the roads gets behind you in split seconds, the car accelerates, accelerates, and accelerates, never ending power, the power of the most refined inline motor in the world, you quickly go through the gears, 2-3-4-5-6, bam bam bam, you are over 140 before you hit the speed governor. IT IS STUPIDLY FAST. But it makes you feel comfortable, safe, not like an EVO that makes your teeth shake, or a good old push rod Corvette that fishtails all over the place.
I had issues with the SMG transmission, which was not enjoyable. After a few hours, figured out how to work with it, and the funny thing, it learnt to work with me, we were like newly weds, in love, in harmony. I am still questioning in my mind, how about the regular 6 speed? Would it be faster, probably a little bit more, but the Formula 1 feel is priceless on the SMG. BMW still needs a lesson form Audi on its DSG transmission, which is far too superior to the SMG, kind of different characteristics though, but the DSG is faster. SMG feels like power shifting without the clutch. I still would get the standard.
There is no words to express how excellent the handling was. I have to say, with the DSC on, it is hard to get the car out of control, however, the power of the car was always in back of my mind, and my little angel on my shoulder engaged before the DSC got into action, I was a good boy most of the time. Overall, the car handles like a dream. Thanks to the M suspension and the 19" BBS rims with super stickies.
Comfort was suprisingly much better than what I expected, made my MCS felt like a tractor, which is sad. The seats are almost perfect, material quality is almost close to the best money can buy. There is plenty of room in the back for even tall people like me.
The only thing that I did not like was the nav. I do not know what BMW is thinking, but seems like they are falling behind on this issue.
Overall, BMW M3 Competition Package, is the most refined M3 ever, sad to know that M division is leaving the inline six motor on the M3, but I can see why; it already reached to its limit. Can it get any better than that? A good question.
Like I said earlier, today I was a good boy, just to get a feeling how the M3 behaves, tomorrow, I will take it on the twisities and a Hill Country driving. I can not wait....
Cheers,
Berk
You can easily feel the power under the hood, suprisingly the vehicle drives like a 3.30ci under 3K rpm, everything is under control, you are driving a nice coupe BMW, kind of boring, makes you think "is this an M3?". You step on the gas pedal a little bit more, the car starts to get momentum, between 3-6k rpms, it is really getting exciting, but still thinking "my MCS can do this", and after 6k the real shit starts, everything you see down the roads gets behind you in split seconds, the car accelerates, accelerates, and accelerates, never ending power, the power of the most refined inline motor in the world, you quickly go through the gears, 2-3-4-5-6, bam bam bam, you are over 140 before you hit the speed governor. IT IS STUPIDLY FAST. But it makes you feel comfortable, safe, not like an EVO that makes your teeth shake, or a good old push rod Corvette that fishtails all over the place.
I had issues with the SMG transmission, which was not enjoyable. After a few hours, figured out how to work with it, and the funny thing, it learnt to work with me, we were like newly weds, in love, in harmony. I am still questioning in my mind, how about the regular 6 speed? Would it be faster, probably a little bit more, but the Formula 1 feel is priceless on the SMG. BMW still needs a lesson form Audi on its DSG transmission, which is far too superior to the SMG, kind of different characteristics though, but the DSG is faster. SMG feels like power shifting without the clutch. I still would get the standard.
There is no words to express how excellent the handling was. I have to say, with the DSC on, it is hard to get the car out of control, however, the power of the car was always in back of my mind, and my little angel on my shoulder engaged before the DSC got into action, I was a good boy most of the time. Overall, the car handles like a dream. Thanks to the M suspension and the 19" BBS rims with super stickies.
Comfort was suprisingly much better than what I expected, made my MCS felt like a tractor, which is sad. The seats are almost perfect, material quality is almost close to the best money can buy. There is plenty of room in the back for even tall people like me.
The only thing that I did not like was the nav. I do not know what BMW is thinking, but seems like they are falling behind on this issue.
Overall, BMW M3 Competition Package, is the most refined M3 ever, sad to know that M division is leaving the inline six motor on the M3, but I can see why; it already reached to its limit. Can it get any better than that? A good question.
Like I said earlier, today I was a good boy, just to get a feeling how the M3 behaves, tomorrow, I will take it on the twisities and a Hill Country driving. I can not wait....
Cheers,
Berk