2003 BMW M3
- Size: Subcompact Compact
- Engine Size: 3.2L - 6 Cylinders
- Style: Performance
- Fuel Type: Gasoline
- Model: M3
- Year: 2003
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M3 lives off of unwarranted prestige
Pros
Fast in a straight line. Pulls off the 'neo-muscle car' look better than most.
Cons
Fun to drive factor lacking.
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
if you must have the BMW cache. But for the money, it is not a pure sports car. It makes too many concessions to luxury and comfort adding weight.
I preface this review- 2003 M3, SMG II, Dinan chip.
Previous cars -Toyota MR2 turbo 1993, Honda S2000, Honda CRX, BMW 318i, Mazda RX-7 turbo.
I returned the car bought used to the dealer after 5 days. I admit, the looks are pure muscle car. However it does not deliver on its promises.
At nearly 3400 lbs it is too heavy to be a true Sports car- a GT perhaps, but not a sports car. Worse still, you 'feel' the weight of the car. It doesn't feel as nimble as say a miata or even a honda civic.
The manual six speed is notchy, long throws. BMW put a fine short-throw unit in their 330i performance package (also a six-speed)-in fact the 330i seemed livelier than the M3 (probably due to lighter weight). Your typical Honda Civic has a better shifter than an M3. For the world's slickest shifter see Honda S2000. Short, accurate throws, works great.
The SMG-II works better for upshifts than down. That 0.08 seconds is real. Downshifts, rev matching is usually off by several-hundred rpm. You miss the involvement of both feet and both hands- but the unit works as advertized. And with the six-speed...
Highway. Of course it accelerates well. Lane changes are simple, but the back end gives little information about its limits. The car needs little driver involvement to drone on at insane speeds, which is good, if you're a drone. Seriously stated, anyone with a decent racing background will find the M3 dull. It is fast. It handles decently. But that connection, that reason you bought a sports car and not another AMG freeway cruiser is missing.
The interior. Oy! $50K for this. The BMW seats need an overhaul. Even if you are not svelte you will slide around, the side bolsters are useless unless you are 6'2'' 260lbs. The support of the seats is soft. The Recaros on my old CRX were better. The Recaro's on my S4 are ideal. In fact, Audi is making the best interiors these days IMO. Nav works decent. But overall the fit and finish seems at about the Toyota Camry level- not at the $50K level. The steering wheel is an absurdly swollen, too thick affair that feels like it's compensating.
If you want a pure, undiluted sports car look to an M-coupe/roadster, Cayman S, or Honda S2000. Which although it lacks the cache of a BMW. It fits the bill, it dares you to wind the engine to 8900 rpm (AP1 of course), the shifter is an extension of your thought and the steering is telepathic.
For once think. Are you buying the car for what it can do or what it represents? It's a balance. A vette is the best performance bargain...but it's a chevy. I don't think the BMW E46 should be given a free pass based on heritage. And the new E92 arriving with a V8 is the wrong direction. Heavier with more power doesn't equal more fun. Weight affects braking, inertia, springs. The Honda S2000 and Lotus Elise have the right idea that less than 3000 lbs and you don't need a huge, heavy engine to play in the big leagues. As well the lack of weight pays dividends in handling as well.
Previous cars -Toyota MR2 turbo 1993, Honda S2000, Honda CRX, BMW 318i, Mazda RX-7 turbo.
I returned the car bought used to the dealer after 5 days. I admit, the looks are pure muscle car. However it does not deliver on its promises.
At nearly 3400 lbs it is too heavy to be a true Sports car- a GT perhaps, but not a sports car. Worse still, you 'feel' the weight of the car. It doesn't feel as nimble as say a miata or even a honda civic.
The manual six speed is notchy, long throws. BMW put a fine short-throw unit in their 330i performance package (also a six-speed)-in fact the 330i seemed livelier than the M3 (probably due to lighter weight). Your typical Honda Civic has a better shifter than an M3. For the world's slickest shifter see Honda S2000. Short, accurate throws, works great.
The SMG-II works better for upshifts than down. That 0.08 seconds is real. Downshifts, rev matching is usually off by several-hundred rpm. You miss the involvement of both feet and both hands- but the unit works as advertized. And with the six-speed...
Highway. Of course it accelerates well. Lane changes are simple, but the back end gives little information about its limits. The car needs little driver involvement to drone on at insane speeds, which is good, if you're a drone. Seriously stated, anyone with a decent racing background will find the M3 dull. It is fast. It handles decently. But that connection, that reason you bought a sports car and not another AMG freeway cruiser is missing.
The interior. Oy! $50K for this. The BMW seats need an overhaul. Even if you are not svelte you will slide around, the side bolsters are useless unless you are 6'2'' 260lbs. The support of the seats is soft. The Recaros on my old CRX were better. The Recaro's on my S4 are ideal. In fact, Audi is making the best interiors these days IMO. Nav works decent. But overall the fit and finish seems at about the Toyota Camry level- not at the $50K level. The steering wheel is an absurdly swollen, too thick affair that feels like it's compensating.
If you want a pure, undiluted sports car look to an M-coupe/roadster, Cayman S, or Honda S2000. Which although it lacks the cache of a BMW. It fits the bill, it dares you to wind the engine to 8900 rpm (AP1 of course), the shifter is an extension of your thought and the steering is telepathic.
For once think. Are you buying the car for what it can do or what it represents? It's a balance. A vette is the best performance bargain...but it's a chevy. I don't think the BMW E46 should be given a free pass based on heritage. And the new E92 arriving with a V8 is the wrong direction. Heavier with more power doesn't equal more fun. Weight affects braking, inertia, springs. The Honda S2000 and Lotus Elise have the right idea that less than 3000 lbs and you don't need a huge, heavy engine to play in the big leagues. As well the lack of weight pays dividends in handling as well.
