Chris Harris Favorite Cars of 2014 - M3 makes the list

[SMURFDADDY]

Originally Posted by justiw

Great Vid! Not sure why the P1 is missing on this list though. IMO, P1 > 918 spyder

Because its a "whole new thing"

[sonicgrounds]

Originally Posted by Bosozoku

Probably couldn't live with the Mgane as a DD.

Or carry four people on a long driver in comfort and all their belongings too. Different cars for different needs.

[sonicgrounds]

Originally Posted by ZEEM3R

Am I still the only one that thinks the M3 looks better than the M4?

Probably not but what does that mean really? Every M4 owner would think otherwise all day long. Me being one of them thinks the M3 looks like a modded 3, whereas the M4, a bespoke sports coupé. Not hating on the M3, but the looks a such a subjective thing. Comments like x is better looking than y is like saying brunettes are hotter than blonds.

[ChrisMT79]

Originally Posted by sonicgrounds

Probably not but what does that mean really? Every M4 owner would think otherwise all day long. Me being one of them thinks the M3 looks like a modded 3, whereas the M4, a bespoke sports coupé. Not hating on the M3, but the looks a such a subjective thing. Comments like x is better looking than y is like saying brunettes are hotter than blonds.

Interesting perspective you have, a modded 3, really? I am trying to visualize, but honestly my initial impressions when they were first launched was the exact opposite, lol. To me, the M4's long rear quarter panels effectively reduced the visual impact the width/fender flares provide, which is part of what (visually) differentiates them over the standard models.
But I disgress and agree, it is merely subjective, and honestly I wouldn't mind owning a cabrio M4 as well.

[GTR33to///M3]

EPIC VIDEO!!!

[Dave2011M3]

Originally Posted by fcman

Would kill for one here in the US. Now I'm just hoping we get the new Focus RS

Its confirmed the US gets the new Focus RS with AWD.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/mega-ho...d-for-america/

Dave

[solstice]

I was listening to the whole thing today while acting life guard for my kids in the pool. I agree with what he says about the car ( which ain't much ) especially just be patient, I.e throttle modulation and the car is not a handful or very oversteery, the great engine,chassis, the practicality, best in it's class all true and a great package, fun.

However, just listening I can't help reflecting at how much the NA engines sound really matters to me. When he starts up the 918 it sounds amazing, the F12 is about 10x better...the M3 well it's ok but not much more but about the best we can expect from a 3 liter turbo engine. I also wonder if the torque fill from the 918 like hybrids is really adding anything to the driving pleasure? Is the 918 really more fun to drive than the F12? I doubt it. Fast like a bat out of hell yes, no doubt about that part but the silent power as Chris puts it, is it just a distraction to winding out that phenomenal V8 to get that high rpm pull? Maybe it's just better to design the electric engine to be a plug-in hybrid for no emission inner city driving and let the NA engine work by itself when really driving?

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Am I the only one shocked that a Renault hatch down 100 plus HP did the same lap time as the M3?

I remember I saw a test in the mid 90's where a Dodge Neon SRT-4 ran the same or quicker lap times than an E36 M3. I was mortified then, but now I'm not surprised. It's all about power to weight and having great traction.

[M4GTS]

It's nothing to do with Power:Weight, a little to do with traction and a lot to do with cornering speed and braking which is more about mass and mass distribution.

We're talking 8.6 0-100mph M3 vs 12.5 for the Megane. It's all in the car's ability to maintain speed in cornering and get its power to the ground.

[fcman]

Originally Posted by ChrisMT79

Interesting perspective you have, a modded 3, really? I am trying to visualize, but honestly my initial impressions when they were first launched was the exact opposite, lol. To me, the M4's long rear quarter panels effectively reduced the visual impact the width/fender flares provide, which is part of what (visually) differentiates them over the standard models.
But I disgress and agree, it is merely subjective, and honestly I wouldn't mind owning a cabrio M4 as well.

Yeah I think the rear of the M4 is a bit of a turn off for me, I prefer the M3 to the M4. It just looks a bit better proportioned. But everyone has different tastes

[CSanto]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Nope. +1

Looks better + More Utility. Thats a win

[X2Board]

Originally Posted by sonicgrounds

Probably not but what does that mean really? Every M4 owner would think otherwise all day long. Me being one of them thinks the M3 looks like a modded 3, whereas the M4, a bespoke sports coupé. Not hating on the M3, but the looks a such a subjective thing. Comments like x is better looking than y is like saying brunettes are hotter than blonds.

Looks are subjective, indeed! I think the M4 looks like the 435 M sport, nothing "bespoke" about that.

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by e92V8

It's nothing to do with Power:Weight, a little to do with traction and a lot to do with cornering speed and braking which is more about mass and mass distribution.

We're talking 8.6 0-100mph M3 vs 12.5 for the Megane. It's all in the car's ability to maintain speed in cornering and get its power to the ground.

Okay. But I'm still not shocked.

[M4GTS]

Originally Posted by Alpine F31

Okay. But I'm still not shocked.

Yeah, I'm more shocked the Megane is nearly as fast on the 12.88 mile Nurburgring given how much of it is high speed.

I did expect the M3/4 to be up there with the Carrera S' time.

[Dalko43]

The 2 things that he said that really captured the essence of the M3:

"It's a little kind of German/muscle saloon."

and


"It's a bit more AMG-like than perhaps people were expecting."

[ChrisMT79]

Originally Posted by Dalko43

The 2 things that he said that really captured the essence of the M3:

"It's a little kind of German/muscle saloon."

and


"It's a bit more AMG-like than perhaps people were expecting."

So being from Michigan, where "muscle" cars were born and bred, and having never driven an AMG. One could see why this car is quite literally close to perfection for me?

[N & M]

How does a FWD Megan costing half as much better a 400+ beast with carbon bits and mega tech? Even Mustangs and Camaros handle circuits well now...

Come on BMW!?! Where is that DTM know how?

To all the hate mob that will assemble; I am since 1995 a devout M customer so please respect the fact that I say this with love for the brand.

[vantagesc]

Originally Posted by N & M

How does a FWD Megan costing half as much better a 400+ beast with carbon bits and mega tech? Even Mustangs and Camaros handle circuits well now...

Come on BMW!?! Where is that DTM know how?

To all the hate mob that will assemble; I am since 1995 a devout M customer so please respect the fact that I say this with love for the brand.

I think everyone wants to evaluate the new M3/4 compared to pure sports cars designed to go around the circuit. But the M3/4 is an everyday usable car with tons of space and comfort. That is the compromise. What Chevy did with the Z28 is impressive but they made many compromises. BMW wasn't willing to do that with the standard M3/4, but maybe they will do so with a GTS or CSL model.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by vantagesc

I think everyone wants to evaluate the new M3/4 compared to pure sports cars designed to go around the circuit. But the M3/4 is an everyday usable car with tons of space and comfort. That is the compromise. What Chevy did with the Z28 is impressive but they made many compromises. BMW wasn't willing to do that with the standard M3/4, but maybe they will do so with a GTS or CSL model.

For the money charged for the M range I expect more than a mere compramise. I think it is not a matter of potential as much as it is honing and fine tuning. Driving the Competition package version Of the suspension on the M6/M5 I get all comfort and refinement I expect and all dynamics that should have come with standard car at launch. I wonder why that should have been the case at this premuim level?

Sorry, but as car guy this excuse just does not hold value anymore.

[M4GTS]

To be fair to the M3, I'm pretty sure it would be 4-6 seconds faster with Trofeo R tyres.

For track work:

Trofeo R < Trofeo, Cup 2 < Cup < SS < PZERO

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by N & M

How does a FWD Megan costing half as much better a 400+ beast with carbon bits and mega tech? Even Mustangs and Camaros handle circuits well now...

Come on BMW!?! Where is that DTM know how?

To all the hate mob that will assemble; I am since 1995 a devout M customer so please respect the fact that I say this with love for the brand.

Sorry, but that sounds like a criticism of someone who doesn't have a ton of track experience. Tires and suspension setup have a profound effect on lap times.

We all know damn well that the M3's track times are a massive leap forward from the last generation, which was already impressive. People need to get over the fact that it doesn't have to be the fastest car for the money.

[JoeyBananas]

Originally Posted by sonicgrounds

Probably not but what does that mean really? Every M4 owner would think otherwise all day long. Me being one of them thinks the M3 looks like a modded 3, whereas the M4, a bespoke sports coupé. Not hating on the M3, but the looks a such a subjective thing. Comments like x is better looking than y is like saying brunettes are hotter than blonds.

Exactly, my wife thinks the M3 looks like a three series "hooked up" and modded by a teenager