[Palmnuts]

Well, after a period of 2-years 4-months exactly (and one M6, two C63's, a 997.2 Turbo and a Maserati GT-S), I am now legitimately allowed to post in the main section of this forum.

I'm back....but unlike a Take That revival, previous history probably says it's not going to be for good! You've got me and my antics for a few months though and if my first few hours with the car are anything to go buy, I'm bloody glad to be back.

Oh the joys of the razor sharp turn-in, the pointy front end and stacks of grip (it just doesn't run out of the stuff at the front at all), the playful rear end, the impeccable damping, tight body control and now, it's even blessed with feelsome steering. Whilst the C63 was inferior to the M3 in all the above (by hairs-bredths in some cases), one thing it did have was better steering feel as my original M3 had what I'd describe as gloopy steering feel that would noticeably change weight mid turn. They seem to have fixed it in this one with a nice consistence weight and more natural feel through the wheel...all good stuff really.

I'm also reintroduced to the first car since my last BMW to have an 'engine' note....the Mercs and the Maserati all produced loud, exhaust-orientated sounds (and very nice they were too) and the Porsche was just shit in this respect. The M3's is higher pitched in note which has a sort of high-tech sound to it and it gets better as the revs rise....I like it more than I thought I would coming out of the other motors and whilst I've got my eye on the BMW Performance exhaust, I'm honestly very reluctant as I don't want any boomy exhaust note to overshadow the V8 rasp.

The performance is OK I guess...the car really does need to be revved what currently feels to me as artificially high to get it to really move but this is a lot, lot easier now I've got the DCT 'box as you can whip between gears instantly....not 100 or 80 or 60ms like the best single clutch or auto units but INSTANTLY. You all of course know this and I am now a 100% DCT convert. It's no slower than my Maserati but I certainly won't be taking on any C63's in a hurry and luckily my 997 Turbos' thrust is but a distant memory (nothing is going to compare to that other than my next GT-R is it ).

To be honest, I like the fact that I can drive it quite hard within lower limits than I'd have been in quicker machinery and it's a car that will probably improve my driving skills rather than just using the brute force of power....back when I had my first M3 I probably didn't appreciate this as much because I never saw it as that much quicker than the (stock) 335i that I had before and I've spend a lot of improving my driving skills between then and now so hopefully I'm more experienced and better able to appreciate the M3's real dynamic advantages now.

I'm so glad I got the Bamboo Beige interior as without this it'd be extremely plain (some of you who know me will be more than aware of my likeness of different and interesting interiors) but so far it appears nicely made without any rattles or creaks....long may that continue but experience tells me not to hold my breath Maybe they have improved the build integrity over the years (both my 335i and M3 were 2007 build cars....i.e. very early) and it will stay as tight-feeling as it is now but what I can say is these new models appear to have suffered some COST CUTTING!! Why for instance is the following different:

• Windscreen wiper arms half the width and a lot less substantial-feeling? Do they still work as well?
  
• Sun visors now made out of plastic instead of being covered in the same material as the headlining?
  
• Headrests that have a fixed amount of tilt instead of being able to tilt them yourself.

The above three things show backwards steps when surely a model should progress throughout its life but hey-ho, at least the Harman Kardon stereo has improved. I had HK in my 335i and Individual Audio in my M3 and from the distant memory the latest HK (which has visibly different components) is much more punchy than Individual (which tended to lack a bit of bass) yet has a lot more clarity than the original HK system. Good system BMW, probably not one for the audiophiles as it's probably a bit too bassy/boomy but I don't mind that so much.

The latest iDrive is incredible compared to anything else I've used and a universe away from the one I had in my previous BMW's....I love the interface, the way it looks (the HD map is very crisp isn't it!) and I'd forgotten how useful the assist window is.

So, theres my first review on the car, all of which you all probably know and don't need to see again. Theres no pictures for now as the car is filthy....I asked Sytener not to wash it and give it to me dirty as I'll get my detailer to correct the sins they've already created by running it through their carwash Once it's looking spick and span at the weekend, I'll bang some polariods up


So before I finish, heres a couple of issues that I could do with some advice on....

• The car has a terrible orange-peel effect to it's paintwork. What causes this and is it something a detailer can improve?
  
• It makes a metallic rubbing nose from the rear which can be heard at low speeds with the window open (I doubt it actually goes away...you just can't hear it at higher speeds). It sounds just like a thin piece of metal (such as a heatshield) catching on something and only does it when the wheels are turning. Anyone experienced this or have any suggestions?

I'll be taking it back to Sytner for them to look at this latter issue and when it's there I'll probably buy myself a carbon rear spoiler and carbon front splitters. I wouldn't have minded a set of edition front grills (I like the black-chrome rather than just black of other variations) but they tell me you can only order these if you have an edition as they need a VIN. How shit is that!

[JLR1969]

The only way to get rid of the orange peel paint is to wet sand the whole car and machine polish to a mirror finish. I have seen it done on another forum but it takes huge balls and a lot of time and skill.

[gIzzE]

Orange Peel is just a thing on so many new cars, water based paints are shit for it, however BMWs do seem to suffer worse than others.


Sounds like a nice car. Enjoy!

[rogerxp]

Welcome back (not that you ever really went away ). Look forward to the piccies and it's progression over the coming months (maybe we should start by talking in weeks shall we ).

[F31-340i]

Sounds very nice.

Interesting colours too - red with bamboo. It'll look like rosso corsa with creme, and should be pretty cool IMO.

Looking foward to pictures.

[jimmylimmy]

linky to the KDS M3 wetsand to get rid of the orange peel

pm rjs regarding sourcing some edition grilles, he has a way around it I think

[hmi1750]

well done! where are the picks

[Real Thing]

Good short review as usual Andrew glad to hear your liking it so much although there's not much to dislike about an M3
PS: If you want the VIN number from my Dakar Edition let me know.

[peterg1965]

Great review as always Andrew!

[jinjur]

Hmm, bamboo interior....never heard of that one.

You going to hit us up with some pics chap?

Man, I wish I could afford this caliber of car

Andy

[jinjur]

Oh, and the metallic rubbing......could that just be a stone or bit if gravel stuck in the rear brake shield?

Andy

[MEGA]

Get some pics up matey boy..

[davyk31]

Sounds like a stone stuck to me as well, they should be able to sort that pretty quick and ordering parts using anothers car's VIN should be simple for them. Loads of us have got genuine M3 boot lip spoilers from dealers who officially should have an M3 chassis number to order with.

[gangzoom]

Originally Posted by MEGA

Get some pics up matey boy..

+1

[zaheer]

Hey great write up, you must be balling with the line up of cars you have had in the past. Just curious, what type of business are you in?

[zltm089]

nice write up....any picssssssssssss?

[M3-FAST]

Hey Andy - seems you had to find a car that would keep up with me at the Stafford Meet eh

Looking forward to seeing the pics of it tho! That colour combo sounds very nice, I also like a good contrast, can't stand boring combo's!

I have had the brake disc backplate rubbing on mine, and it does sound like that's what yours could be. I picked up some grit in mine on the North Weald track day whilst out drifting on the runway lol - managed to shift the grit but it kept coming back then after heavy braking and hot brakes. I used a large screwdriver and just pished it back a little away from the discs and it has never done it again since. Try that, may save you a journey back to the dealer. Don't even need to take the wheel off as you can do it through the spokes!

As for the orange peel, as others have said, wet sand only I am afraid BUT the results are stunning afterwards! Should be easier to do on a flat coloured car as it won't be lacquered like a metallic finish so less risk of breaking through the top coat.

You will notice other cost cuts as time goes on! Lack of air-con in the armrest cupholder, no rechargeable torch in the glovebox, no storage nets on the back of the front seats, etc - very poor considering the cost of the car.

Pleased you got a DCT version though - you can now see why most people prefer DCT to manual. I never thought I would personally ever say that, and most 'auto' haters will say the opposite, but I actually find the DCT more involving than a manual in the M3. The blips on downshift etc.. are all in keeping with the aggression of the car and the feeling of the instant shifts are very 'race-car' like! Perfect for M3 driving

Can't wait to see the pics of the detailed beast!!

[rsmallwo]

what happened to his Masser? I've not being paying attention....sorry

[davyk31]

Its all been a quick process, Masser fell out of favour, test drive in an M3 and now its on his drive. Tune in again in 6 weeks for the M3 departure me reckons !!!

[m1bjr]

Originally Posted by Palmnuts

It makes a metallic rubbing nose from the rear which can be heard at low speeds with the window open (I doubt it actually goes away...you just can't hear it at higher speeds). It sounds just like a thin piece of metal (such as a heatshield) catching on something and only does it when the wheels are turning. Anyone experienced this or have any suggestions?

Could be touching the tin shield, easy to slide under and give it a little tug inboard.
Otherwise it may be a disc with excess runout. Can happen even from new.

Steve

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by rsmallwo

what happened to his Masser? I've not being paying attention....sorry

Keep up.......

http://www.redlinespecialistcars.co.uk/car.php?id=1720

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

Keep up.......

http://www.redlinespecialistcars.co.uk/car.php?id=1720

Someone's going to get a bargain, 2008 Maser with zero miles on it!