Just wanted to share my experience:

Today, I had a chance to drive my uncle's new M3 Comp. Pack. The main diferences between the regular M3 and this one are pretty noticable. The comp. pac. sits on 19" BBSs, special midnight blue paint, and upgraded upholstery. It seems like sitting a little bit lower as well. The gauges are orange as opposed to red on other BMWs, but all M3s have orange illumination. The vehicle has an SMG transmission, which takes a little time to get used to. The other difference was the hood, which seperates from the the M3. A nice, tasteful experience tought me once again why M3 is one of the superior sport cars in the market. Agile, exciting, yet a good boy unless you step on the gas pedal.

You can easily feel the power under the hood, suprisingly the vehicle drives like a 3.30ci under 3K rpm, everything is under control, you are driving a nice coupe BMW, kind of boring, makes you think "is this an M3?". You step on the gas pedal a little bit more, the car starts to get momentum, between 3-6k rpms, it is really getting exciting, but still thinking "my MCS can do this", and after 6k the real **** starts, everything you see down the roads gets behind you in split seconds, the car accelerates, accelerates, and accelerates, never ending power, the power of the most refined inline motor in the world, you quickly go through the gears, 2-3-4-5-6, bam bam bam, you are over 140 before you hit the speed governor. IT IS STUPIDLY FAST. But it makes you feel comfortable, safe, not like an EVO that makes your teeth shake, or a good old push rod Corvette that fishtails all over the place.

I had issues with the SMG transmission, which was not enjoyable. After a few hours, figured out how to work with it, and the funny thing, it learnt to work with me, we were like newly weds, in love, in harmony. I am still questioning in my mind, how about the regular 6 speed? Would it be faster, probably a little bit more, but the Formula 1 feel is priceless on the SMG. BMW still needs a lesson form Audi on its DSG transmission, which is far too superior to the SMG, kind of different characteristics though, but the DSG is faster. SMG feels like power shifting without the clutch. I still would get the standard.

There is no words to express how excellent the handling was. I have to say, with the DSC on, it is hard to get the car out of control, however, the power of the car was always in back of my mind, and my little angel on my shoulder engaged before the DSC got into action, I was a good boy most of the time. Overall, the car handles like a dream. Thanks to the M suspension and the 19" BBS rims with super stickies.

Comfort was suprisingly much better than what I expected, made my MCS felt like a tractor, which is sad. The seats are almost perfect, material quality is almost close to the best money can buy. There is plenty of room in the back for even tall people like me.

The only thing that I did not like was the nav. I do not know what BMW is thinking, but seems like they are falling behind on this issue.

Overall, BMW M3 Competition Package, is the most refined M3 ever, sad to know that M division is leaving the inline six motor on the M3, but I can see why; it already reached to its limit. Can it get any better than that? A good question.

Like I said earlier, today I was a good boy, just to get a feeling how the M3 behaves, tomorrow, I will take it on the twisities and a Hill Country driving. I can not wait....

Cheers,

Berk

 

berk- how much does such machine cost? (ball park is fine)

 

I think you get one at like $54K MSRP with some options, that's the comp. pkg with addt'l options

 

This one had all the options available, $57K and change if I am not mistaking.

 

No pics?

 

yep, tomorrow

 

d - r - e - a - m - c - a - r

 

I'm definetly looking forward to Dec. because my dad is either choosing between the new Jeep SRT 8, which does 0-60 in like 5.6 or something ridiculus like that, or forking out some more cash for the M3 with the competition package. He also would get the Intergalos blue which is what berk is describing. Either way my car won't be the fastest in the garage any more. He was thinking about getting a used M5 (03) but he decided to get a new car instead!

BMW by the way is not keeping the inline six for the '07 new body styled M3, they're going to a V8 that has 425hp+, myself and my dad included like the e46 the best though.

GREAT WEBSITE ABOUT THESE CARS


Mikey

 

New spy pics of e90 M3:

 

Here is a link to a sick M3 video, download the codec first though! It will take awhile if you have dial-up but it is well worth it. Also Version two is on the last page:
Sick Video Thread
Whenever I'm not on NAM I'm on e46 fanatics!

Mikey

 

$57k... not bad! im considering after my G35C, the upcoming M3 or
the Infiniti GT-R...both should be around $60k-$65k range. MY08/09
timing.

 

Correct, for the price, you are really getting a nice looking, fast, sophisticated car, can't beat that.

 

i live the color...mmmm....interlagos blau