a MB E36 AMG?? never seen one of those before!(e) (archive)

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: Let me start by referring you to the thread below on this board, NSX vs M3. I posted some of my opinions there. I got a few replies and in response to them I promised to post some quotes about the M3 from the UK motoring press.

: Before I continue I would like to make a statement. The M3 is a great car. For many people it is close to perfect. It is fast, refined and handles well. I however don�t like the new ones as much as I like some other cars. I prefer the old 4 cyl. M3 to the new one. Why? Because the old 4 cyl. was less compromised. The 4 cyl M3 was built as a homolagation car so BMW could field competitive cars in touring car racing. The 4 cyl is hard, noisy and not as comfortable as the new M3. It was more of a race car for the road. To me the new M3 is too heavy, too civilized and too anasthetisized, but then I am a total car nut. I like driving for drivings sake. As A to B transport the 6 cyl M3 is brilliant. It is fast, quite entertaining and unfatigueing. I also, believe it or not prefer the Integra Type-R over the new BMW M3. Why? Because driving the Type R is a more involving experience.

: Here is a sidenote about the Type-R. If you think the Integra Type-R, ITR is a body kitted Civic, please read this. The ITR is not a Civic. Quote from the Uk's most respected motoring magazine, Car magazine, November 1997 page 34:

: "Only a few hundred Type-R's will be available from early next year, priced somewhere between 20 and 25 grand sterling; for that you get MORE THAN two-thirds of an NSX for one third the price, some indisputably clever engineering and a truly UNCOMPROMIZED DRIVING EXERIENCE."

: "Brilliant. Absolutely and utterly brilliant. The Type-R is a SUPREME DRIVERS CAR at a price which makes sense and with enough civility and carrying capacity to make the grade as everyday transport. It's extraordinary performance combined with it's excellent chassis dynamics give the Type-R enough point-to-point potential to embarrass supercars and make you question the need to spend anything more than 20 grand on a sports car. Given that the Integra base car it's built around really isn't up to much, the R represents a FAR GREATER ACHEIVEMENT by Honda than the built-from-scratch, money-no-object NSX. The Type-R looks set to become a cult."

: If you still think the ITR is some kind of Civic I don't think I will be able to convince you. If you still think the ITR is some kind of Civic after reading all this I don�t think I will ever be able to convince you of anything...

: Back to the M3. Here are the quotes about it that illustrate my point of view, the reason I prefer more raw, harder more uncompromised cars than the current 6 cyl M3. Car magazine, December 1996, page 41. (This is from a handling test conducted on a racing circuit with 20 cars. This is the European spec M3 with the 321 hp engine).

: "Many of us thaught the M3 might win this test. That it failed to do so - and by some margin - is testament to how good some of the newer cars are. And a reminder that, after much recent work BMW still hasn't got the M3 quite right. On the track, the M3's overall balance is flawed: it often strays into either slight understeer or snap oversteer. You are endlessly making slight steering corrections, to keep the show on the road, continuously playing with the throttle to alter the cars behaviour. In some circumstances, this can be entertaining. But in absolute competence, the M3 just can't compete."

: The M3 finished this test in 15th place of 20 behind cars like a Subaru Impreza Turbo, Jaguar XK8, Nissan Primera Sri, Mercedes Benz E36 AMG, etc... For a more recent opinion turn to Car magazine from December 1999, page 61. Here the designer of the fastest road car ever, the McLaren F1, Gordon Murray offers some thoughts. Gordon enjoys driving and he wants feedback in a motor car. Word for word he writes:

: "The old four-cylinder M3 is ONE OF THE BEST SPORTING SALOONS I HAVE EVER DRIVEN, but it is slowly being synthesized to appeal to a broader market. The new M3 may be quick, but the brakes are too sensitive, the gearchange feels rubbery, and the throttle travel and weighting are wrong. My point isn't just that we're losing rear wheel drive to front-wheel drive. No, it's worse than that: unfortunately you can have a rear wheel drive car and still destroy the driving pleasure."

: I have to agree with Murray here. I would prefer a rear wheel drive car based on the same philosophy as the ITR. If BMW where to introduce a light powerful relatively reasonably priced car in the same style as the old 4 cyl M3 I would sell my ITR and be the first in line to buy one.

: I hope someone appreciates the work I have out into typing this and that this does not all fall on deaf ears. My most fervent wish is that a great car maker like BMW will start making real drivers cars again. If they do, this will all be worth it.

: I would like to end by congratulating most owners of BMW M3's out there. For you the M3 is a fantastic car and it offers you most of what you are looking for in a car. For me, and some other car nuts however the current M3 is not enough and therefore we look elsewhere for out kicks. Live and let live, and be happy with what you have...

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