Andy, I had one and sold it after 6 months. I had the MC shift Granturismo at the time and that showed how much better the Maser really was. The M6 needed highly illegal speeds before it came alive. I actually preferred my 2008 750i. Looks are personal but I fully agree that BMW have lost the way but Matt did make the key point. Who is the target market. I would wager not us and more likely 20-30 somethings in China and other much larger markets. The other thing that for me has deteriorated (possibly due to legislation) is the character of BMW engines. My E46 M3 and my E39/65 M5/6 had it as did the regular 3 litre six up until about 2006. Since then they are all a bit bland.
www.motor1.com
You can squeeze a zit, but it's still a zit!BMW look set to return to a more familiar design language, albeit as they herald the march to all things E.V.
2025 BMW Neue Klasse: Everything We Know
The first model on the BMW Neue Klasse platform will arrive in 2025. The architecture can support models making as much as 1,341 hp.
Following an E24 M635CSi, an E28 M5, Italian E30 320iS, which had been converted to M3 5-lug suspension and brakes, E34 M5 Touring, E39 M5, Z3MC G-Power, Z4MC, E61 M5 Touring, F85 X5M and about 8 E46 M3s - yes, I think the E46 M3 is the best ///M car ever made. Not the best in terms of power, speed, looks, involvement or quality, but it just massively exceeds the sum of the above…
Wow that's impressive I was driving them for 20 years and loved all the ones I had.
Completely get it!
Both Good but also totally different animals Dem.
No debate needed.
Don't get me wrong - the E36 M3, especially the LHD E36 M3 GT is a superb car and the chassis is to die for. I also really like the little driver orientated design flourishes in the interior, while the Vader seats are an all time design classic. Where the E46 M3 wins is the quality of materials and also the fact that they took the best bits off the E36 and just made them better - evolution and refinement in the style of the 911, rather than a radical departure like the E92 that followed. In my mind, the E46 M3 was the only time BMW took the fight to Porsche and its 911 and won. I have a Manthey 996 GT3 Club Sport, and have driven plenty of cooking 996s too. The GT3 edges the M3 (it's a draw with the CSL), but the standard 996 is no match for an E46 M3 if you are allowed only one car in the garage...
Alpina are indeed the masters of suspension, also their engines are great. I remember driving the Alpina Z4 roadster - the 3.4 stroker based on the old S52B32 was an absolute masterpiece, and somehow the car rode very well. Chalk and Cheese compared to my Z4MC at the time. The M3 engine was more dramatic upfront and the couple shape in my eyes was prettier, but that Alpina's ride quality was in a different league. Shame Alpina never worked over the Z4MC - that would have been some car...
