Considering a M3

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Psycho792

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Hey, new user here just lookin for some input. The lease on my 330xi will be up within less than a year and i'm starting to think about my next car. I love the feel of the 3 series and I am now considering on getting a M3. I'm doing some research on the car because it is going to be a big investment, so maybe I could get some helpful posts. My first concern was a rumor about the new E46 M3's having faulty engines (blowing up...) Also, I am contemplating whether to get manual or SMGII. I am not an experienced manual driver but I am willing to learn [:)] Those are the two main concerns in my mind as of now, I will post more later on, thanks [|)] .
 
MrElussive

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Welcome to the forum!
The M3 is definitely a great idea. It was only very early 2001 model year M3's that had that engine problem, none of them after that have that issue at all. As for the transmission, the SMGII transmission is a great tranny. It works very well in manual mode and it feels impressively sporty but I think manual is the way to go. SMG is really a great tranny but the 6-speed manual is the way to go. My opinion of 6-speed over SMG is based on several reasons.

1.) If it doesn't have 3 pedals, it's not a sports car.
2.) Rather than selecting from 5 different DriveLogic modes, hill-start control, and Launch function, just avoid all that bullshit and get a manual.
3.) Having control of the clutch is a good thing.
4.) Full manual is more fun.

My point is that even though SMG is really a manual transmission with a computer-controlled clutch, it seems more like an autotragic with paddle shifters....boooorrriiiinnnngggg.

Go with the manual and get the full experience out of the M3.

Normally, I don't really care about what I have to say and spreading my ideas/opinions, but I really do feel strongly about the whole 6MT vs SMG debate regarding the M3. But the thing that bothers me most is that I don't think BMW would agree with my choice of 6-speed over SMG.
 
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Psycho792

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Well the reason I am leading towards a SMG is because i'm not a very advanced manual driver, so it would take me a while to learn how to get the full potential out of the car... but i'm still debating it, the manual does have better luanch times [cheers]
 
MrElussive

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Yeah, the M3 is definitely not a good first manual car and manual is seriously a bitch in the city (I know this because I take my car into NYC on week-ends). The SMG transmission probably suits you better.
 
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gpoints

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MrElussive said:
Yeah, the M3 is definitely not a good first manual car and manual is seriously a bitch in the city (I know this because I take my car into NYC on week-ends). The SMG transmission probably suits you better.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the M3 manual is a bit on the tough side. I've driven nothing but manual cars and still had a hard time with the M's manual.
 
Nataku

Nataku

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gpoints said:
Yeah, the M3 manual is a bit on the tough side. I've driven nothing but manual cars and still had a hard time with the M's manual.
Click to expand...
what is it that make the M3 more difficult to drive ? too much power, the clutch let up ?
 
flashinthepan

flashinthepan

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Nataku said:
what is it that make the M3 more difficult to drive ? too much power, the clutch let up ?
Click to expand...
It is not a difficult car to drive whatsoever. Clutch is comfortable and yes there is a lot of power but common sense says be careful.
 
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gpoints

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Nataku said:
what is it that make the M3 more difficult to drive ? too much power, the clutch let up ?
Click to expand...
In my opinion, more power makes a manual easier to drive.

This is my opinion of what is "difficult":
- Soft(er) clutch than I'm used to
- Notchy feel of shifter
- Performing really smooth shifts when cruising
- 1st to 2nd shift takes a bit to get used to

More than anything else, "difficulty" is determined by the mannerism of the previous car. Because not many cars drive similar to the M3, many (generalization) find it difficult.
[:)]
 
MrElussive

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The M clutch is just noticeably stiffer.

My car's clutch is quite stiff (stiffer than 3-series BMW's, Audi A4's, the new Audi S4, and other cars...basically stiffer than most manual cars). You get used to it after a little bit, I can even do stop-and-go traffic for 1 or 2 hours at a time but that does get tiring. Driving a manual in NYC is kind of a pain in the ass....you're just shiting constantly, 1-2, 2-3, 3-2, 2-3 etc. You're changing gears more often than you are in a gear itself which just makes your left foot/ankle tired after a while but it all depends on how traffic is flowing and what's cool about NYC is that you can just speed a lot and you probably won't ever get pulled over, and if you do, the cops just wanna make sure you're not drunk and they'll let you go.
 
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Psycho792

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LOL "what's cool about NYC is that you can just speed a lot and you probably won't ever get pulled over, and if you do, the cops just wanna make sure you're not drunk and they'll let you go." that isn't exactly the case but ya... its true about the constantly shifting between 1-3, i drive with steptronic and its like that, but once im on the highway its a lot more fun, plus i dont live in manhattan so its a bit less crowded here
 
Nataku

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gpoints said:
In my opinion, more power makes a manual easier to drive.

This is my opinion of what is "difficult":
- Soft(er) clutch than I'm used to
- Notchy feel of shifter
- Performing really smooth shifts when cruising
- 1st to 2nd shift takes a bit to get used to

More than anything else, "difficulty" is determined by the mannerism of the previous car. Because not many cars drive similar to the M3, many (generalization) find it difficult.
[:)]
Click to expand...
I have the 330ZHP I experience the same as you. I really have to ease the clutch to get smooth transition in 1st and 2nd. 3 - 5 is much easier. The ZHP has the short throw shift. Are these more of a BMW MT trait ? Others I talked to say the BMW is generally more difficult MT to drive.

I driven a honda bf. It was cake - short clutch travel and light pressure.

This is my first MT so my launch time is not greater without alot of jerkiness. If launch time is your thing perhaps the SMGII would be the better choice. But, I love the whole involvedness of the MT - no contest for me MT wins. [headbang]
 
Dave8812

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Ok, get the manual transmission. Don't worry about it being too hard to drive... It's REALLY easy to just drive around normally in a standard tranni. It may take some time to get the full potential out of it, but it will come to you very quickly.

So basically a manual transmission is:
Easy to learn
Fun to drive
Better than anything else
Looks cooler
And did i mention better?
 
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