msm
Well-known member
So it's been one month since I've had the E46 M3 and decided to share my experience. So far, one of the most common questions I've been asked by fellow fanatics is how does it compare to Miss Marple (My ex E90 330d). So here's my impression of my E46 M3 in direct comparison to my (ex) 330d.
Firstly, for those newbies hearing about Miss Marple for the first time, this is no ordinary 330d I'm comparing my E46 M3 to - this particular 330d made about 10KW-20kw more than a stock E46 M3 on the same dyno on the same day, BUT with almost double the torque. So yes, Miss Marple was special, but how does she compare to the E46 M?
Firstly, let me explore the daily drive to work (medium to heavy traffic between Midrand and Bryanston):
MORNING WARM-UP:
I usually drive my car conservatively after start up for about 5 mins to let it warm up. With the 330d, the car feels normal after a few seconds of driving. It quietens down, gear changes feel smooth, etc. A nice relaxing first few mins in the 330d with early gear changes. Any passenger sitting next to me would not know the difference between this car and a 320i - it just feels so calm when driven sedately.
The same few minutes in the E46 M3 feels very different. On cold start, this car feels "clumsy". It's noisy, you can feel the gearbox change cogs, you can feel the "rougher revs". I've got a speed hump about 20meters out of my driveway and driving a cold E46 M3 over that hump slowly in the morning, feels like it's putting strain on every part of the car in comparison to the relaxed E90. About 5 mins into the drive, the oil needle starts lifting and then this car starts to feel different. The engine feels smoother, the exhaust note sounds deeper, the SMG box changes become smoother... the beast within finally awakens. HOWEVER, another 5 mins or so of gentle driving is still needed before the oil reaches around the 11PM position. So almost 10 mins into the journey and the M3 is "normal".
THE DRIVE:
Depending on what time I leave, I sometimes take the highway (before 6AM) or the back-roads. With both cars warmed up, they have some unique similarities and yet are remarkably different. With the 330d, you find a gap in traffic and put your foot down. Whether the auto box is in D or S, you're not more than a gear away from that manic torque boost. Within a split second, the 330d turns from being something quite regular to an epic monster - the torque, the exhaust note, the throttle response feels more like a V8 than a diesel tractor. The transformation is seamless - the 330d really has that dual personality that can change within a fraction of a second.
The M3 on the other hand is very, very different. On paper a good M3 driver will shred the 330d to pieces, but in practical driving conditions it's a different story. You see, in the M3, you can cruise sedately at low RPM. Feels normal, feels "regular" just as it did in the 330d. But here comes the difference: you see a gap in traffic and it's a completely different story. You need to be in the right rev range (for the same type of acceleration as the 330d), which is sometimes at least 2 gears away. Then you need to decide whether you're in Sports mode or not, for that crisp throttle response. Then perhaps you need to check if the SMG box is set to S5 for quicker gear changes. This transformation needs a bit more thought and time than the 330d. However, once it's done, you once again have another beast which sings rather than growls. Gear changes that kick you, rather than change smoothly. Set it up right and the M3 feels like an M3 should - pure driving heaven. In the 330d, you feel the torque surge which makes you grin like a little girl. In the M3, you feel a tingling of the senses - it stirs you emotionally. But there's a catch - put the M3 in Sports mode, put the SMG box in S5, you realise a problem. The M3 feels restrained. It feels like a fast car being driven slowly. It feels almost wrong. Dare I say, I don't feel like driving this car - it's frustrating when driven sedately, especially in traffic.
END OF THE WORKING TRIP:
Here's an interesting situation. At both home and work, I've got some nasty speedhumps and driveways. You have to drive the cars very slowly at times - almost walking pace. With the 330d, you simply ease off the throttle and it goes back to it's calm mood. With the M3, you HAVE to switch Sports mode off to get it smooth at walking pace. Reversing uphill slowly over a speed hump with sports mode on is very difficult. With the SMG box, you don't have a clutch to help you "regulate" the power. It sometimes feels like an on-off switch when you drive very slowly. One month later, I'm starting to get smoother with it - however, once again, you have to take time to figure out which settings work. It's not a seamless transition like in the 330d.
SUNDAY DRIVE
So Sunday drives with the family is a bit of different situation. Yes, the roads are quiet, but well, the family is with me, so I have to restrain myself. Occasional bursts to the red line whenever I get a chance, but brisk driving otherwise. Once warmed up, I put the car in Sports mode, SMG box to S5 and change as close to the red line as possible - the immediate reaction from the wife: "Is it supposed to be so harsh". She doesn't like the almost violently quick gear changes, she complains the ride is too hard and I'm forced to drive it conservatively to be comfortable. The 330d is different. Accelerate hard and the torque rush almost brings a smile to the wife - she enjoys it, yet it's very comfy when pushed. You could almost argue that the 330d has the perfect balance. The M3 is clearly not a comfy family car. For the record, I've got the same 19" wheels/tyres on the M3 as I had on the 330d, yet the 330d with M sport suspension is much, much smoother. Yes, I'm aware that the handling will be better in the M3, but I'm currently out on a family drive and ask the wife or passenger which she prefers: it's the 330d.
QUIET DRIVE ALONE AT "ODD" HOURS
Thankfully, I sometimes get to drive at slightly odd hours of the night or very early in the morning. These are when I get to push the car beyond my limited driving abilities. I consider myself average in terms of driver skill. The similarities: Both the 330d and M3 are very fast and very capable. Both will get you into trouble really quickly. However, when the roads are quiet and you're in the mood to push these cars, there is again one more difference between them. Accelerate hard between 60-160+ and the 330d feels "sedate". It simply delivers all you throw at it. It makes you smile. My (ex) E90 330d was amazing. Accelerate hard with the M3, you feel different. You need to be awake, you need to watch the red line, you're a lot more engaged. At 1AM in the morning, I'd prefer driving the M3 - it doesn't just keep you awake - it's a driving experience 2nd to none.
CONCLUSION
So ultimately, which would I take? If I had to have one car only (as a family car, commuter and weekend toy), it would have to be my (ex) 330d. It is everything you need in a car. If you've never driven a decently modded 3.0d before, you simply have no idea what you're missing. However, since I've already got a sensible (and rather slow) family car in my garage (Lexus IS250), so for me, the M3 compliments it perfectly. It's the 2nd car I love. It's bearable in heavy traffic, but when the roads are quiet, when the mood is right, I simply love it. Yes, a chipped x35i is faster and you can have one for about the same price nowadays. For some people, that matters. For me, the M3 has that X factor or rather ///M factor - it's worth getting up at 4AM in the morning for.
Thanks for the read.
DISCLAIMER: I'm sure some people may disagree with what I have to say, but this is just my opinion and not based on any factual matter.
Firstly, for those newbies hearing about Miss Marple for the first time, this is no ordinary 330d I'm comparing my E46 M3 to - this particular 330d made about 10KW-20kw more than a stock E46 M3 on the same dyno on the same day, BUT with almost double the torque. So yes, Miss Marple was special, but how does she compare to the E46 M?
Firstly, let me explore the daily drive to work (medium to heavy traffic between Midrand and Bryanston):
MORNING WARM-UP:
I usually drive my car conservatively after start up for about 5 mins to let it warm up. With the 330d, the car feels normal after a few seconds of driving. It quietens down, gear changes feel smooth, etc. A nice relaxing first few mins in the 330d with early gear changes. Any passenger sitting next to me would not know the difference between this car and a 320i - it just feels so calm when driven sedately.
The same few minutes in the E46 M3 feels very different. On cold start, this car feels "clumsy". It's noisy, you can feel the gearbox change cogs, you can feel the "rougher revs". I've got a speed hump about 20meters out of my driveway and driving a cold E46 M3 over that hump slowly in the morning, feels like it's putting strain on every part of the car in comparison to the relaxed E90. About 5 mins into the drive, the oil needle starts lifting and then this car starts to feel different. The engine feels smoother, the exhaust note sounds deeper, the SMG box changes become smoother... the beast within finally awakens. HOWEVER, another 5 mins or so of gentle driving is still needed before the oil reaches around the 11PM position. So almost 10 mins into the journey and the M3 is "normal".
THE DRIVE:
Depending on what time I leave, I sometimes take the highway (before 6AM) or the back-roads. With both cars warmed up, they have some unique similarities and yet are remarkably different. With the 330d, you find a gap in traffic and put your foot down. Whether the auto box is in D or S, you're not more than a gear away from that manic torque boost. Within a split second, the 330d turns from being something quite regular to an epic monster - the torque, the exhaust note, the throttle response feels more like a V8 than a diesel tractor. The transformation is seamless - the 330d really has that dual personality that can change within a fraction of a second.
The M3 on the other hand is very, very different. On paper a good M3 driver will shred the 330d to pieces, but in practical driving conditions it's a different story. You see, in the M3, you can cruise sedately at low RPM. Feels normal, feels "regular" just as it did in the 330d. But here comes the difference: you see a gap in traffic and it's a completely different story. You need to be in the right rev range (for the same type of acceleration as the 330d), which is sometimes at least 2 gears away. Then you need to decide whether you're in Sports mode or not, for that crisp throttle response. Then perhaps you need to check if the SMG box is set to S5 for quicker gear changes. This transformation needs a bit more thought and time than the 330d. However, once it's done, you once again have another beast which sings rather than growls. Gear changes that kick you, rather than change smoothly. Set it up right and the M3 feels like an M3 should - pure driving heaven. In the 330d, you feel the torque surge which makes you grin like a little girl. In the M3, you feel a tingling of the senses - it stirs you emotionally. But there's a catch - put the M3 in Sports mode, put the SMG box in S5, you realise a problem. The M3 feels restrained. It feels like a fast car being driven slowly. It feels almost wrong. Dare I say, I don't feel like driving this car - it's frustrating when driven sedately, especially in traffic.
END OF THE WORKING TRIP:
Here's an interesting situation. At both home and work, I've got some nasty speedhumps and driveways. You have to drive the cars very slowly at times - almost walking pace. With the 330d, you simply ease off the throttle and it goes back to it's calm mood. With the M3, you HAVE to switch Sports mode off to get it smooth at walking pace. Reversing uphill slowly over a speed hump with sports mode on is very difficult. With the SMG box, you don't have a clutch to help you "regulate" the power. It sometimes feels like an on-off switch when you drive very slowly. One month later, I'm starting to get smoother with it - however, once again, you have to take time to figure out which settings work. It's not a seamless transition like in the 330d.
SUNDAY DRIVE
So Sunday drives with the family is a bit of different situation. Yes, the roads are quiet, but well, the family is with me, so I have to restrain myself. Occasional bursts to the red line whenever I get a chance, but brisk driving otherwise. Once warmed up, I put the car in Sports mode, SMG box to S5 and change as close to the red line as possible - the immediate reaction from the wife: "Is it supposed to be so harsh". She doesn't like the almost violently quick gear changes, she complains the ride is too hard and I'm forced to drive it conservatively to be comfortable. The 330d is different. Accelerate hard and the torque rush almost brings a smile to the wife - she enjoys it, yet it's very comfy when pushed. You could almost argue that the 330d has the perfect balance. The M3 is clearly not a comfy family car. For the record, I've got the same 19" wheels/tyres on the M3 as I had on the 330d, yet the 330d with M sport suspension is much, much smoother. Yes, I'm aware that the handling will be better in the M3, but I'm currently out on a family drive and ask the wife or passenger which she prefers: it's the 330d.
QUIET DRIVE ALONE AT "ODD" HOURS
Thankfully, I sometimes get to drive at slightly odd hours of the night or very early in the morning. These are when I get to push the car beyond my limited driving abilities. I consider myself average in terms of driver skill. The similarities: Both the 330d and M3 are very fast and very capable. Both will get you into trouble really quickly. However, when the roads are quiet and you're in the mood to push these cars, there is again one more difference between them. Accelerate hard between 60-160+ and the 330d feels "sedate". It simply delivers all you throw at it. It makes you smile. My (ex) E90 330d was amazing. Accelerate hard with the M3, you feel different. You need to be awake, you need to watch the red line, you're a lot more engaged. At 1AM in the morning, I'd prefer driving the M3 - it doesn't just keep you awake - it's a driving experience 2nd to none.
CONCLUSION
So ultimately, which would I take? If I had to have one car only (as a family car, commuter and weekend toy), it would have to be my (ex) 330d. It is everything you need in a car. If you've never driven a decently modded 3.0d before, you simply have no idea what you're missing. However, since I've already got a sensible (and rather slow) family car in my garage (Lexus IS250), so for me, the M3 compliments it perfectly. It's the 2nd car I love. It's bearable in heavy traffic, but when the roads are quiet, when the mood is right, I simply love it. Yes, a chipped x35i is faster and you can have one for about the same price nowadays. For some people, that matters. For me, the M3 has that X factor or rather ///M factor - it's worth getting up at 4AM in the morning for.
Thanks for the read.
DISCLAIMER: I'm sure some people may disagree with what I have to say, but this is just my opinion and not based on any factual matter.
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