My impressions of an 02 M3

[WRXtranceformed]

My supervisor took me to lunch in his bone stock M3 yesterday, gorgeous looking grey with the SMG package (?). Had the SMG tranny with the tiptronic type thing and the paddle shifting on the wheel. I'll give my overall impression since I'm bored and a little hungover.

THE EXTERIOR.
I've always thought the M class BMWs are sexy as hell. I like how the rims on this car have the M3 logo built into them. The ride height is money, the exhaust looks nice, and the paint appears to be very thick and quality.

THE INTERIOR.
I admittedly don't know much about these cars, so I couldn't tell you whether this interior is the same as all M3s. It's pretty freakin dope though, I must say. M3 door sills, black leather with tan leather seats and inlays on the doors. Everything seems to be in its proper place and you definitely feel one with the car. The exhaust note is surprisingly quiet, but the engine sounds amazingly refined. Maybe I'm just spoiled because of aftermarket exhausts.

PERFORMANCE.
Honestly, I was really surprised at the lack of smoothness of that transmission (and keep in mind that really doesn't mean shit, because I was riding shotgun and not driving). I really think that car would have much better power delivery with a manual tranny, which should be obvious. In automatic mode, the car really hesitated on downshifting and it was no better when using the "tiptronic" thingy or the paddles. I guess I expected it to be on par with the smoothness of the Audi S4 I test drove a while back.

It definitely didn't have neck-snapping torque, but it seemed to have a very very smooth power band and pulled solidly all the way to redline. There was a comforting sense of security at high speed in that car; it seemed to hug the road nicely and enjoyed travelling fast. Again I think I'm a little spoiled right now, but I was expecting a little more power out of that engine. My car when it was at stage 2, just from teh butt dyno comparison, felt like it would have kept up with it in a straight line no problem.

OVERALL.
A gorgeously sexy car. I can see why people fall in love with these. Everything about it is well thought out and comfortable. As much as I'd really like to own a sports car with a tiptronic / clutchless transmission, if I bought this one I'd definitely get it in a manual version. I'd also put a blower on it and make it a monstrosity ***fights back the urge to mod every car I ever own!!!****

[ScottyB]

nice review! i'm jealous, i've only been in an E36 M3 and it was no dissapointment.

[Beej]

It has a clutch, it's just controlled by some computer instead of your left foot.

I know most people know, but somebody had to say it.

[WRXRacer111]

I've flogged a friend's E46 M3 at his request... the engine's a little raspy at high rpm, not quite as smooth as the E36 M3 motor. But damn does it pull hard at high rpm. I found it to be a little pushy, but it's smooth to the point that you have NO idea how fast you're going until you look down at the speedometer and realize you need to hit the brakes BIGTIME. Brakes are pretty stout too!

[WRXtranceformed]

It has a clutch, it's just controlled by some computer instead of your left foot.

I know most people know, but somebody had to say it.

Meh, that's what he told me. Told you I don't know shit about BMWs 8)

[MpoweredM]

If the SMG isn't smooth it is because the operator can't or doesn't make it smooth. SMG can be as smooth if not smoother than an automatic. You have to consider also, it is a manual where you don't release the accelerator. If you aren't racing and you want to have smooth shifts, you simply let off the accelerator slightly and then press it again as it shifts and guess what, a smooth and still fast shift.

The rasp in the exhaust is only found in the M3. Some are able to hear a very slight rasp in the S54 M coupe, but due to the short exhaust it is somewhat different sounding. It is caused by what is known as the section 1 and 2 pipe. With two mods, it is easily removed by modding those two sections.

And coming from an owner of the M3smg, it ISN'T an auto/tiptronic. It doesn't have a torque convertor, hence making it a manual. If one is to look at the transmission, you will see a manual transmission with an add on (SMG). It quite amazing. A person actually just put one together and showed very detailed pictures. It was one amazing write-up.

Um, yeah, that's all that I can think of to say now. Cya.

[WRXtranceformed]

Got a link? I'd like to see how it works.

[MpoweredM]

2,256 repsonses, and well over 300,000 hits...

enjoy,
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[ScottyB]

so you can convert a SMG back into a 6 speed? wow....basically the same trans after all.

[Nis01]

Didn't read all of it.. but pretty interesting.. I think I'd prob. just go with the 6-speed though.. 8)

[WRXtranceformed]

Didn't read all of it.. but pretty interesting.. I think I'd prob. just go with the 6-speed though.. 8)

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