Re: What I mean by "skewed toward racing"... (archive)

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: I, personally, shy away from cars that have very stiff/low suspensions and very wide, ultra-low-profile tires (for example, 265 mm width and 35 aspect ratio). Such cars tend to have a very harsh, or even punishing, ride (a ride that might be outstanding on the track, but would be very unpleasant day in and day out). Also, such tires tend to be very expensive and have poor tread life (feel like spending $900 for tires every year?), and provide poor protection for the wheels (feel like replacing bent rims whenever you hit a pothole?). And you absolutely MUST use snow tires on such a car. Finally, the manufacturer might well use very low gearing (in order to optimize acceleration), entailing more frequent gear shifts in everyday driving and (especially when combined with a high-output engine) compromising fuel economy.

: Now, BMW tends NOT to produce such one-dimensional cars, since even the majority of "M" buyers aren't racers or enthusiasts. So I'm hoping the new M3 will be designed more toward my end of the spectrum. I don't need, require, or want a car that can keep the body square and all four wheels flat to the ground when screaming around an off-ramp at 80 mph, because if the car gives me that, it'll take away a lot in other areas (as I've indicated).

: I don't have a problem with those who want to race (or who just want to drive really, really hard [or who, regardless of their actual driving habits, just can't stand not having the "best", even if only for one model year]), but that's not why I buy a car.

: : yesterday you mentioned that you wanted some assurance before buying that the new m3 was not going to be too skewed toward racing. could you explain what you mean, what you will be looking for to base your decision.? (just the basics please, I am not a mechanic or an engineer) thanks

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you also mentioned in the original post that you were inclined to wait until March 2001, to hear the impressions of the drivers who ordered first.

1. Won't we be hopefully hearing from the first European customers or American's residing in Europe ? I was expecting to hear initial impressions from them.

2. Someone mentioned official specs will be available at the Geneva show or at least by the time the European's place their orders; I assume that would include tire size and the nature of the suspension, basic performance tests, est. MPG, etc and gearing. What other technical data, if any, would you still need to feel comfortable about ordering? (I am not writing to be provocative, just to inform my own decision making process)

I have the 328i which is terrific but the idea of an m3 is intriguing and an adventure. I don't want BMW to go overboard with this either, in price or in "off road" specs, and if they do I will just keep my 328i, for a long time.

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