Getting to know the ///M . . . .

[pvr]

Interesting, you are the first person to have ever debated the upgrade as such. I never, once, had a feel for the 3.0 when I moved to the M. But then I was ready for the power hike and everything-else-hike.

But in the end of the day, you have to drive what you like best of course.

 

[paulgs1000]

Lol at Tom

High revs / low gear in the M is the best place to drive it on a hoon, 3rd or 4th was where I was for most of the recent Kent run. But it can often feel like the car is almost more in control than you are - it's occasionally quite scary, and always requires all of your attention. I've not done what I said I would when I got an M and done some professional driver tuition, but I definitely need to now I've had it for a decent while. I'm sure there is more fun I could be having

That's where I love to be as well in the 3 litre (rev range) but so far I've been reluctant to go there in the ///M when the performance is so available lower down BUT as I've gained confidence in the engine (and it's harsh nature) I have just let myself enjoy the ///M and I'm beginning to see the attraction. It still doesn't need the balance of those revs and throttle at the road speeds I've been at, the handling is so much better at controlling the weight that you really don't need the throttle modulation, which I miss. There's no doubt the balance and control is very impressive. Now can I get used to the harshness of the engine? :?

 

[tomscott]

I found the I got the best out of the M when I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck. Maybe it was a mistake but I never really felt scared of the car it doesn't feel like too much power it feels just about right and the chassis is plenty competent with it making it a fairly easy to drive quick. In the rain is a different story.

Maybe I abused mine but I think its meant to be driven like that. When hooning always kept it high up in the rev range I love second and that change to third when you just about hit the limiter theres nothing like it, if anything it feels more epic than the Carrera S because it has much more low ground grunt 2000 rather than 3500 in the Porsche. I also wouldn't hesitate to leave it in gear and let the revs fall into a corner hearing it popping and breathing on overrun was half the experience. Although Tim wouldn't agree He has the mechanical sympathy too.

When in a normal driving situation I would leave it in a higher gear as it does have 'plenty of pull' but its all relative. It was designed to be useable on the road but it hits the max output at like 6500? off the top of my head.

Its getting used to it I suppose. I went straight from a 320SI 170hp to the Z4M and they had a similar power range with the SI having the race derived engine too for the WTCC although it had no power and I thought it was a bit s**t the technique was the same and they felt the same so I suppose I didn't really feel the engine was that harsh whereas the smooth 6 in the 3.0SI probably feels less harsh but potent.

 

[paulgs1000]

Interesting, you are the first person to have ever debated the upgrade as such. I never, once, had a feel for the 3.0 when I moved to the M. But then I was ready for the power hike and everything-else-hike.

But in the end of the day, you have to drive what you like best of course.

Hmm, perhaps I'm the first person to discuss it but it appears I'm not the first to experience it. Whatever the case, it's certainly provoked a lot of response and I've found it interesting. (And I do like posting :lol: )

The issue for me is that the ///M is such a different drive. So capable on the road, that a lot of the fun to be had, wringing the neck of the 3.0 litre and managing the weight transference of a less capable chassis, is lost at licence friendly speeds. When I search for the same results in the ///M I'm in difficult territory on the road. Steph and I love the back roads of Northumberland and honestly the 2 litre we had, we thrashed and had fabulous fun with, at relatively licence friendly speeds. For me, I'm finding that the fun is not all about how capable the car is but how much fun it is making the most of what's available (in relative safety on the road). I'm surprised that having more hasn't quite worked out as I'd hoped. Maybe it's not about having more necessarily. However, I was seeking more fun - that's the issue - which Zed will give me the fun and experiences I seek on the road? I'm not yet certain that the ///M, being so capable, offers us the same excitement at the speeds I want to drive on the road. As I've said before I feel like I'm driving in the bottom half of the ///M's envelope when I enjoyed driving in the top half of the 3 litre's. Perhaps we've taken the wrong decision - compound all this with my mechanical sympathy and the harshness of the ///M engine, well . . . . . :lol:

Having said all that (again), the drive over Hartside was brilliant :evil:

Now perhaps I'll leave it to the drive in the 3 litre tomorrow as I suspect it'll be enough for me to make my mind up. We shall see.

 

[paulgs1000]

I found the I got the best out of the M when I grabbed it by the scruff of the neck. Maybe it was a mistake but I never really felt scared of the car it doesn't feel like too much power it feels just about right and the chassis is plenty competent with it making it a fairly easy to drive quick. In the rain is a different story.

Maybe I abused mine but I think its meant to be driven like that. When hooning always kept it high up in the rev range I love second and that change to third when you just about hit the limiter theres nothing like it, if anything it feels more epic than the Carrera S because it has much more low ground grunt 2000 rather than 3500 in the Porsche. I also wouldn't hesitate to leave it in gear and let the revs fall into a corner hearing it popping and breathing on overrun was half the experience. Although Tim wouldn't agree He has the mechanical sympathy too.

When in a normal driving situation I would leave it in a higher gear as it does have 'plenty of pull' but its all relative. It was designed to be useable on the road but it hits the max output at like 6500? off the top of my head.

Its getting used to it I suppose. I went straight from a 320SI 170hp to the Z4M and they had a similar power range with the SI having the race derived engine too for the WTCC although it had no power and I thought it was a bit s**t the technique was the same and they felt the same so I suppose I didn't really feel the engine was that harsh whereas the smooth 6 in the 3.0SI probably feels less harsh but potent.

Your description sounds like my experience in the 3 litre Tom. The ///M's harsh engine note has inhibited me though - whereas the 3 litre remains smooth throughout.
Perhaps I'm getting too old
Nah :lol: (Not quite yet)

 

[Bing]

If the problem is the harsh engine note then you need to try and find a way to stop worrying. I was more worried about the tappity noises bouncing off the central reservation cruising on the motorway, but I know what you mean. It's very fucking angry sounding, however you just have to trust that, as long as it's warmed before you bury the loud pedal, it's designed to take it. By the BMW ///M division. One of the things I love is that it's quite well mannered driving normally, under 5k rpm which is all I need mostly, but there are 3k extra screaming banshees in every gear when I want them.

So, drive it more. I'm sure you'll soon discover that in 2nd or 3rd you can find that throttle modulation you're looking for... As well as feeling that LSD doing its bit as you slip and grip round a corner Thinking about it, have you played with the sport button yet ? That can be exciting :evil:

 

[Bing]

Lol at Tom

High revs / low gear in the M is the best place to drive it on a hoon, 3rd or 4th was where I was for most of the recent Kent run. But it can often feel like the car is almost more in control than you are - it's occasionally quite scary, and always requires all of your attention. I've not done what I said I would when I got an M and done some professional driver tuition, but I definitely need to now I've had it for a decent while. I'm sure there is more fun I could be having

no better place than here

Have you done that - and how much does it cost ?

 

[paddy wright]

Paul you know you love the //M- it even managed to keep up with my 2.2 over the tops!

 

[paulgs1000]

Paul you know you love the //M- it even managed to keep up with my 2.2 over the tops!

Now, now paddy, what did I tell you; it's the driver not the 2.2. In my case it's obviously pilot error . . .

 

[paulgs1000]

If the problem is the harsh engine note then you need to try and find a way to stop worrying. I was more worried about the tappity noises bouncing off the central reservation cruising on the motorway, but I know what you mean. It's very f***ing angry sounding, however you just have to trust that, as long as it's warmed before you bury the loud pedal, it's designed to take it. By the BMW ///M division. One of the things I love is that it's quite well mannered driving normally, under 5k rpm which is all I need mostly, but there are 3k extra screaming banshees in every gear when I want them.

So, drive it more. I'm sure you'll soon discover that in 2nd or 3rd you can find that throttle modulation you're looking for... As well as feeling that LSD doing its bit as you slip and grip round a corner Thinking about it, have you played with the sport button yet ? That can be exciting :evil:

It's good to read your comments bing, worries over pushing the engine have inhibited my driving style, no doubt about that. I did indeed find the modulation in the drive over Hartside and with the extra response it was exhilarating and came a long way in convincing me that fun could be had if I ignore my concerns about the engine noise. The LSD or 'M' diff has already made it's presence felt - it's one of the features I wanted and has been noticeable in combination with the general handling - our favourite routes have been made very different in feel!

 

[craig3.2]

As Tom and Bing said,it is designed to be driven sounding angry,lol...and grabbed by the scruff of the neck.

I spend most spirited runs,Nationals etc etc ,in 3rd gear at between 3k and 7/8k revs,as max power is about 7-7.7k rpm,just below where the limiter kicks in,so you need to get used to that and time your changes so the limiter doesn't hit.
I love mine,but understand where you are coming from.
For me,the M beats the 3.0 in every department,and while the engine is more vocal(especially above 3000rpm), wouldn't swap it for a 3.0i z4 e85/86 ever.
As Bing mentioned, you need to stop thinking you are doing it harm(as long as it's warmed upto 90/100c on the temp gauge,etc) it's fine to put your foot down.
I do remember when I got mine,asking John(sammyz),if his sound so "metallic" and gallery sounding as mine did,and if that was normal,to which the answer was,his sounded the same,as it's how it's meant to sound

I only use mine in higher gears when using it normally,i. E not on runs.....above 3000/5000 rpm is a great place to be,as it sounds like the racing engine that it is......and starts to drown out the exhaust
By that I mean u get the nice exhaust note,burble and backfire upto a certain rpm,then all you here higher up is glorious engine noise......I rarely listen to my stereo on a forum run

 

[craig3.2]

Paul you know you love the //M- it even managed to keep up with my 2.2 over the tops!

Was great to see you again,Paddy.
As I said,dont leave it as long the next time

 

[craig3.2]

Thats it Paul give it some beans and keep it high up in the rev range.

I can't believe at the national you were at the bottom end! Keeping up with John and Craig in 3rd of 4th car down I was in 2nd and 3rd gear all the time up at 6-7.5k it is just an incredible experience and don't be scared of getting it up there but I agree it does take some time to get used to it and driving it like that.

Glad you had an awesome weekend! How much do you want for the 3.0SI?

Totally agree,Tom.

Why don't you buy an M?
Still love t!he pics on here of your grey M Coupe with the CSL wheels...... cracking combo

 

[tomscott]

Thats it Paul give it some beans and keep it high up in the rev range.

I can't believe at the national you were at the bottom end! Keeping up with John and Craig in 3rd of 4th car down I was in 2nd and 3rd gear all the time up at 6-7.5k it is just an incredible experience and don't be scared of getting it up there but I agree it does take some time to get used to it and driving it like that.

Glad you had an awesome weekend! How much do you want for the 3.0SI?

Totally agree,Tom.

Why don't you buy an M?
Still love t!he pics on here of your grey M Coupe with the CSL wheels...... cracking combo

Just fancy something else now have a 30 mile commute everyday so I've been looking at 35i actually I was looking at the one John bought . The Ms are fantastic but they are getting old and most for sale are high milage and more than I want to pay. So they don't really seem good value for money for me. A good lowish milage one is 22-25k bit out of my price range atm looking more at 16-18 max.

 

[exdos]

paulgs1000

You're spending way too much time thinking about all this. In many ways, there's more fun to be had out of driving under-powered cars on public roads with poor suspension and little or no refinement near their limit and being able to do it well, rather than driving very able cars well within their limits. If you were to take your ///M on track and start really pushing it you'd soon see what it is really capable of doing and then you might just find it really is more of a car than you can handle or you'll fall in love with it because you've experienced its capabilities.

Having read your postings, it seems to me that your head tells you to stick with the car you know and love. If that's the case, then that's the choice to make and your confidence as a driver will return and you'll enjoy your motoring again. There's no harm in having tried the ///M and finding it's not the car for you.

Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[paddy wright]

Paul you know you love the //M- it even managed to keep up with my 2.2 over the tops!

Was great to see you again,Paddy.
As I said,dont leave it as long the next time

Was great to catch up with as well mate and no, I definetly won't leave it as long again! Thanks again for a great weekend!

 

[Popey]

I'm not a huge fan of the ///m's engine sound when plodding around. To me it sounds like it's about to fail anytime. It's all just a little harsh, however it is a special car and on the right road it makes me smile!

I have been looking at 3.0 coupe's recently, and will probably get one. However I think I will always keep the ///m

 

[paulgs1000]

Time to post this - through the advice, comment and encouragement of other forum members, particularly regarding the engine, I'm now growing to love the ///M! :lol:

The run back from the National's over Hartside started it and then further runs out on our back lanes where I've been driving the ///M like I drive the 3.0 litre - no more reluctance - using the revs, changing down early, matching the revs and having the control through the bends - back to the enjoyment to be had in the 3.0 litre.
The ///M does it as well but this time accompanied by the intoxicating (and I must say addictive) noise of the engine. After about 6 weeks I'm used to the aggression and metallic sounds and shed off the inhibitions that have been holding me back and it's been brilliant.

So I'm now sold on the excitement and pleasure of driving the ///M. It has taken time to get used to however (as many said) and I want to thank the forum members that have advised and commented. The last of my concerns :? were put to bed by Bing and I'm now a fully paid up member of the fans of the ///M, it's been an interesting journey (and it's not over yet).

It's taken some time and been equally frustrating and exhilarating - but now I think I can say -
I get it and most importantly, I'm back to having fun!

(Good job I've got an understanding wife that has encouraged me throughout - I nearly gave up early on but she insisted I give it time - wise woman my wife )

 

[Marlon]

Good to hear that you've finally bonded with the car Paul

 

[Guiseley]

It's taken some time and been equally frustrating and exhilarating - but now I think I can say -
I get it and most importantly, I'm back to having fun!

Great stuff - it's a beautiful car in great hands.