04-16-2014, 06:00 PM
I'd guess your E46 M3 has a much sharper response from the factory than a non-M 1-series. On most drive by wire cars I've driven, there is a small delay between an input in the pedal and the motor actually reacting. Be it breathing on it just to inch the car forward or giving it the boot.
It's not that noticeable in a 2-pedal car, I've either got my foot on the throttle or I don't, and then the power feels slightly elastic anyway because of the turbo. But if you're used to driving, say, a '95 M3 with an old old school drive-by-cable throttle, a half-second delay in the throttle pedal really throws you off your groove.
It's only really an issue when you're starting from a stop, you have to hit the throttle pedal more than you feel like you should, and with the CDV you have to let the clutch out faster than you feel like you should. The other big thing is I can rev match the M3 just giving it the slightest tap with my pinky toe, in the 128i you basically have to smack the throttle all the way to the floor for a second to actually get the revs up. Otherwise it isn't an issue, and if you're more used to a modern car than I am, it probably doesn't bother you at all.
Pedal sensitivity is another thing that drives me nuts. My mom's 5 speed Scion TC opens like 80% of the throttle in the first 15% of pedal travel. The pedal goes down like another 3 inches with absolutely no effect. I think they try to make it feel "sporty," but it just makes it super jerky and irritating to drive.
It's not that noticeable in a 2-pedal car, I've either got my foot on the throttle or I don't, and then the power feels slightly elastic anyway because of the turbo. But if you're used to driving, say, a '95 M3 with an old old school drive-by-cable throttle, a half-second delay in the throttle pedal really throws you off your groove.
It's only really an issue when you're starting from a stop, you have to hit the throttle pedal more than you feel like you should, and with the CDV you have to let the clutch out faster than you feel like you should. The other big thing is I can rev match the M3 just giving it the slightest tap with my pinky toe, in the 128i you basically have to smack the throttle all the way to the floor for a second to actually get the revs up. Otherwise it isn't an issue, and if you're more used to a modern car than I am, it probably doesn't bother you at all.
Pedal sensitivity is another thing that drives me nuts. My mom's 5 speed Scion TC opens like 80% of the throttle in the first 15% of pedal travel. The pedal goes down like another 3 inches with absolutely no effect. I think they try to make it feel "sporty," but it just makes it super jerky and irritating to drive.
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S