How to make the perfect BMW M3

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Feature 23 November 2012

A new BMW M3 will arrive in 2014, but what should it be like? Steve Sutcliffe puts three of its predecessors through their paces at Brands Hatch to find the perfect ingredients.

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Comments
12

Mmmmmmmm, yummie!!!!!!

25 weeks 5 days ago

I want mine back!,wasn't a CSL of course,but close enough......sob sob.

Peter Cavellini.

Subject to Availability

25 weeks 5 days ago

Were all the E36s busy that day?  Smile

Nice video.  Thanks.

If I knew what I was getting into, I wouldn't have done it...and I would have been wrong.

Perfect M3?

25 weeks 5 days ago

1300 KG, 6 Speed manual, 400hp NA Staight 6, no driver's aids save for power steering (not electircal), ABS & an unobtrusive traction control that can be switched off 100%. And no silly 'sport' buttons or 'M' maps with 729 potential suspension settings. Oh, and big bucket seats and lots of Alcantara and carbon fibre body panels.

Everyone has their own opinions, but an M3 has to have a NA straight 6!  I'm not a fan of the V8 in the current M3 and altough the turbo sixes are massively impressive, it still feels 'wrong' to me. Smile

I agree! CSL's engine note

25 weeks 5 days ago

I agree! CSL's engine note is, for me, one of the best I've ever heard (Italian V8s included). I think we've seen the last of them now though, unfortunately!

Pretty Much Spot On

25 weeks 5 days ago

I have to say, your thoughts of the CSL as being the modern bench mark is probably about right.

In reality any enthusiast would love it to be a modern interpretation of the E30 but modern regulations will have scuppered any plans of BMW ever producing a car like that again.  The CSL is probably as close as we are likely to get now but that is no bad thing.  I just hope the new blown engine still has the response of the NA M3's.

Have to say, watching the cars at Brands that day both the CSL and V8 M3's are very impressive track vehicles bearing in mind they are road cars - the V8 in particular looking very quick and sounding fantastic.

 

 

It's all about the twisties........

fdsa

25 weeks 4 days ago

ONLINE STORE—“   http://al.ly/4RKChristan Audigier bikini $23Ed Hardy Bikini $23Smful short_t-shirt_woman $15ed hardy short_tank_woman $16Sandal $32christian louboutin $80Sunglass $15COACH_Necklace $27handbag $33AF tank woman $17ddddddpuma slipper woman $30

what ?

25 weeks 3 days ago

Is it just my latop,? i could hardly hear  the commentary ,oh well saw the pics

-

25 weeks 1 day ago

I love the E30 M3 but just wish it was a touch faster with a proper engine note....

This would be perfect Smile ----> http://www.intheonion.com/index.html

Honda CR-V ES 2.2 i-DTEC/Citroen DS3 1.6 VTi DStyle Plus

But, where is the most

25 weeks 1 day ago

But, where is the most remarkable M3? The E36 3.0!

Firstly : no turbo!

A NA L6 (you know BMW made L6...and even RWD. I'm preparing the future)

Manual or dual clutch gearbox

No all those teenagers buttons, but only one for the DSC: on, DTC and off.

No more than 4,50m.

An good finish (come back to the E46)

Two trims : base (without leather, etc.) and M Pack

No carbon or too much ostentation

Must say that for as many

23 weeks 5 days ago

Must say that for as many people that dont like the smg...i love it.  About as manual as you can get without the third pedal.I have driven other dual clutch and newer systems, including the new m3's offering.  Dont like them.Anyhow, throwing my e46 m3 around the track is just fun, it will turn any month, week, day from bad to great.

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