[cstavaru]

Today I participated at a BMW M Drive event...I received an invitation from a friend at the last moment. Needless to say, after I left the event I needed sickness pills, and I'm not joking ! I really can't stand high G's...

There were 3 parts: an obstacle avoiding course in the X5M and X6M, a slalom course in the new M5 and the "old" M3, and a "taxi" in the new M5 with a professional race driver, including a 500m sprint and some wet surface sliding

The X5M and X6M: these are very powerful cars, they are not short on power at all ! Felt just a little bit slower on acceleration than a full bolt-on 335i with stock turbos (or maybe not !), but it's impressive how much power they pack ! In the corners the heaviness is revealed but most of the heaviness if felt on braking. You really have to prepare ahead for braking on these, or you will slide and slide. The X6M seems more aggressive tuned than the X5M, it sounds louder too, and feels faster on acceleration.

The new M5: I wanted to like this car, it's the impressive new M5 ! The engine is very powerful. When I was in the passenger seat, I felt that this accelerates quicker than my full bolt-on 335i. In the driver's seat I didn't really have much room to accelerate but it felt very powerful too. So on acceleration, it's really impressive. The gearbox is very good, the exhaust makes like a "pop" sound at every gear change But what disappointed me is the handling on that short course. This car is Heavy and it shows. The nose doesn't listen to you on tight corners, it understeers quite a bit. The suspension is too soft even on the stiffest settings. Overall, I would NOT buy this even if I had the money ! The exhaust sound is very quiet and muted, inside and outside de car. You can feel that synthetic sound that BMW feeds via the speakers. I think that the synthesized sound worsens the audible experience as opposed to enhancing it.

What I am going to say is that the car that impressed me (and most of the other participants) most was the goold old e92 M3. It also looked better than the M5 in my opinion. The one I drove had DCT and EDC. Not only it accelerates decently (suprisingly !), but the suspension...oh my God...the suspension on this thing is outstanding. Razor sharp without being harsh. I don't think my 335i could match that even with many suspension mods. Feels like a whole other car compared to the 335i Needless to say I got a better lap time in the M3 than in the M5. However, the DCT gearbox did left me with zero power after a hairpin turn. That thing could really use more torque. Also the throttle response on this car is incredible.

The "taxi" with the professional race driver in the new M5 was incredible, really. That car had grip as good on wet surfaces as on dry ones ! The Michelin PSS tires probably help alot. The race driver said he uses one set per day The braking power on that car was incredible (I felt like my face peeled off on braking), as well as the acceleration. The handling was very good on the wet course because of the good driver and good tires, but the car would not flow "naturally", it felt a bit heavy.

Some pictures and movies from the event below...enjoy

[E90Company]

Thanks for the write up. M3 supercharged is still the king IMO

[sammy_0559]

No fair... I wanna drive a bunch of M's too

[amclint]

Dang that sounds awesome, they should do stuff like that in the USA

[mo2566]

Originally Posted by sammy_0559

No fair... I wanna drive a bunch of M's too

+1000

[OkashiiKen]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

oh my God...the suspension on this thing is outstanding. Razor sharp without being harsh. I don't think my 335i could match that even with many suspension mods. Feels like a whole other car compared to the 335i Needless to say I got a better lap time in the M3 than in the M5. However, the DCT gearbox did left me with zero power after a hairpin turn. That thing could really use more torque. Also the throttle response on this car is incredible.

Truth - great write up . Looks like an awesomely fun day.

I love the torque in my car, but it certainly doesn't take corners like the M3 in M mode.

[Longboarder]

Thanks for the write up. I tested the X5M and M3 for about an hour each and would agree with your comments. The X5M surprised me at it's handling capabilities for being so large. The off-the-line acceleration is fun, wet or dry.

Interesting about the M5. I tested a new 550 and it felt like a boat. I figured M would have taken care of that but I guess not.

[mave198]

U lucky SOB.

Shocked at ur impression of the M5 considering the hype

[mashimarho]

No 1M love

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

the goold old e92 M3. It also looked better than the M5 in my opinion. The one I drove had DCT and EDC. Not only it accelerates decently (suprisingly !), but the suspension...oh my God...the suspension on this thing is outstanding. Razor sharp without being harsh. I don't think my 335i could match that even with many suspension mods. Feels like a whole other car compared to the 335i

Cool write up

My exact feelings when I made the switch to an MT M3 the suspension was ..coming from a modded 335i I definitly noticed the lack of low end torque..the M3 likes to be reved and being in the right gear is a must

[Fester]

Very nice write up!

Have you driven Porsche 991 S yet? How does that compare to modded 335i?

[TurboBimmer]

Nice write-up!

I guess it's time for some more suspension mods for you

[Yvette]

everytime I see this kinda review, make me want to buy m3 SO BAD

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by mashimarho

No 1M love

Unfortunately 1M was not present. However a friend of mine finished first at the last M drive with the 1M, beating the M3s (new M5 was not present then).

Originally Posted by Fester

Very nice write up!

Have you driven Porsche 991 S yet? How does that compare to modded 335i?

I wish...but unfortunately no.

Originally Posted by Autobahn335i

Nice write-up!

I guess it's time for some more suspension mods for you

I don't want to chase the impossible, I will only upgrade what I see fit. I am more of a drag racing person anyway, I don't really lust over the M3 suspension. But I do lust over their new M3 sedan with turbo engine, if it lives up to the expectations

[nitehawk]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

I don't want to chase the impossible, I will only upgrade what I see fit. I am more of a drag racing person anyway, I don't really lust over the M3 suspension. But I do lust over their new M3 sedan with turbo engine, if it lives up to the expectations

Thanks for sharing. I've always wondered how a 335i upgraded with all the M3 bits and LSD would stack up in handling against an actual M3?

I see that you have the M3 bushings and LSD. I guess the swaybars and the control arms do make a great improvement...

[JB335]

Ugh. To order a '13 m3 or not. That is the question.

[Doctor///M]

Thanks for sharing! Great write up and footage!

My single M-car experience was the passenger seat in a 1M. It was beyond fantastic!! I didn't care that I was getting a little stomach sick on the track. One day... :-)

[jippii ensio]

Originally Posted by nitehawk

Thanks for sharing. I've always wondered how a 335i upgraded with all the M3 bits and LSD would stack up in handling against an actual M3?

I see that you have the M3 bushings and LSD. I guess the swaybars and the control arms do make a great improvement...

You can fit M3 suspension, so I cannot see why 335i withh M3 suspension would feel different from M3 suspension. However, I'd upgrade the shocks and springs even more over the M3 bits.