Re: Are we doubting the divison that brought us th (archive)

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: : I think the new M3 is going to be a wonderful car, at least I hope so. To start with I want to tell the people who have been agonizing about whether the new M3 will have a 3.25 engine or a 3.4 to worry about more important things. In my view and in some previous posts I read here the the most important thing is that the new M3 have a reasonably race car like driving feel. Some people have stated here that the new 3 series has a heavier feel and slower handling than the previous 3 and worry this will carry over to the new M3. This is an entirely legitimate concern. If the new M3 is going to have what I feel is the M driving experience, then BMW has to look for ways to reduce weight, even to the extent of making the car less luxurious. For people who want all the gadgets the M5 seems to be a perfect choice. I hope the new M3 will be a car owners can take to the racetrack and enjoy all the handling and performance BMW can give this car.

: : Final words; who cares if it's 3.4 or 3.25 or 340 hp or 320 hp? If I was buying an M3 what I would worry most about is what the thing is going to weigh. Vehicle wheight has a huge influence on acceleration, braking and handling. Anyone who has driven hard with passengers on board knows this. My thinking is that if BMW manage to keep the weight of the new M3 withing reasonable limits it will be a fabulous car. If this is not the case and the new M3 is too heavy, then maybe you would be better off hanging on to the old M3.

: : If I could get a new M3 which one would I want? The old 4 cylinder. Too bad BMW does not make them anymore.

It may be 'AWESOME', but against the Mercedes E55, it LOSES the cornering battle, due to too much plow and understear! Dont believe me...read it for yourself in the recent rodent track reviews pitting the 2 against each other. Just as the initial poster said, unless they deal better with this tendency of the E46s to put on weight, the M3 will also be losing the cornering battle, for the first time yet!

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