Test Drive BMW M3 Sedan E90 since 2008 Sedan

Family M.

This is a special story of cars with Litera M in the model range of the Bavarian Concern. The embodiment of the spirit of the brand and an ultimatimative application for technological opportunities. Therefore, they, Emki, always appreciated the very first copies of finding in good condition is now almost impossible. Because the products from M-GmbH in a certain sense are unique and not too numerous, it has a very little common with civilian products. For example, the new BMW M3 family is relatives with conventional rush only 20% of parts of glass, doors, lighting and one rear lever in the suspension. Everything else is either done from pure sheet, or significantly upgraded.
The test of the sedan, coupe and cabriolet, I must say, was long. But it was possible to try out all three cars in different conditions. On a closed military airfield in Bataysk, which is near Rostov-on-Don. In dense Moscow traffic. At night loose highways of the capital and winding paths of the suburbs. Verdict: All three versions of M3 are cute crucibles that can instantly turn into cruise animals.
Defecting appearance
Outside, it seems to be anything special, some kind of outstanding treshka. Such comments I heard my own ears. Although take M3 for the usual version of the BMW of the 3rd series, albeit with a powerful motor and sports suspension, can only finished amateur. But I believe that such a bit. People who are not alien to the world of cars and who are familiar to the feeling of speed, for the most part perfectly understand what the blue-red Schildik M3 means. They know that bloated wings, hump on the hood, 18-inch wheels, a powerful front air intake, overlays on the thresholds, a small spoiler on the lid of the trunk and, finally, the four pipe of the exhaust system in the center of the rear bumper, all this is not good, and certainly not for decorations.
Hi, formula!
Under the hood of the BMW M3, a V-shaped 8-cylinder power unit with a volume of 4.0 liters was installed. And he certainly deserves a separate story.
I think this motor to this day is one of the most, if not the most technological in the world. Of course, from those that are installed on machines available to anyone. It was created on the basis of the 10-cylinder engine M5 / M6, which, in turn, is structurally similar to the BMW racing motor, which is used in Formula 1. The cutting off of two cylinders led not just to a decrease in the volume of exactly 1 liter. The nature of the engine itself has changed a little enough that 105 forces are removed from the liter instead of 101.4 at M5 / M6.
Motor is made in the BMW light metal casting shop in Landshuta, where the blocks of engines for the BMW Sauber F1 team are produced. The cylinder block is made of special silicon aluminum alloy, which made it possible to abandon traditional sleeves. Instead, the cylinder mirror is formed as a result of the formation of solid silicon crystals. The pistons with the iron coating move directly in these, not hanized the honked holes. Two blocks of cylinders are located at an angle of 90 degrees to each other.
Lubrication system is generally a miracle of engineering thought. Without going into technical subtleties, I will say that it has two crankresses, two pumps, and provides sufficient oil in the most extreme conditions.
Each 0.5 liter cylinder has its own throttle. At the same time, four valves of each row of cylinders control its servomotor. No mechanical communication of the gas pedal with the engine is not, and the electronics guarantees the highest possible response to work accelerator. Naturally, the direct injection of fuel, catalysts and the exhaust norms of Euro-4.
And finally, the most remarkable: power unit has become lighter than 15 kilograms compared to a six-cylinder engine on the previous model. And for ideal weighing over the axes, the battery is located there, where the outlet. And yet: the ratio of power to mass at the cabriolet is 4.3 kg / 1 hp, and the coupe has 3.8 kg / 1 hp In addition, the Motor standard is aggregated with a 6-speed mechanical CP, and an absolutely new gearbox with double clutch M DCT is proposed as an option. This is a very compact mechanism where the gears of seven steps are sequentially located on two parallel shafts. Each shaft has a wet clutch disc, which guarantees the most fast switching.
And this is really so m DCT differs from SMG on M5 / M6, like a hound from the turtle. The first transmission is turned on to prepare the second, on another shaft, and the transition from one step to another takes only a few milliseconds. Speed \u200b\u200bThis driver itself is the driver with small keys located near the gear lever. In the standard automatic mode of such settings, five, and in the sports manual, which is only available in well-equipped M3 with M DCT six.
It's all about the button
It was richly equipped with M3, namely, I would recommend to acquire, have one button M in a circle on the steering wheel, which means the presence of a special M DRIVE system. And she, believe me, changes much. But stop! It should be said here in order, and, above all, to assure the reader that with a button or without a button, and the power of the motor and the torque does not change 420 hp, 400 nm, and such a moment value is achieved already at 3900 rpm. It is quite good, you will agree.
In reality, on the asphalt is even better. After a few kilometers in good mode of movement, the car captures you completely, it seems that this is not you, and he gives the team for next actions. I would like the tachometer shooter to never fall below 4000 rpm, since it is from this mark that the motor anger is felt. Moreover, the version with M DCT up to a hundred accelerates 0.2 seconds faster than M3 with mechanics. Even in a cabriolet, which, at the expense of more weight, the slowest of all m3, it is quite feel that this engine can turn the car into a bullet in the blink. By the way, for more efficient implementation of dynamic potential in the rear axle, a self-locking differential is installed.
That's when all this understands, it's time to click on that very button M, if any. The accelerator pedal becomes more sensitive; Baranca, which has not seemed to be lightweight; M DCT, and before the teams unquestionedly performed, begins to act just lightning. She simply does not give the tachometer arrow to drop below 3000 rpm, constantly undergoing reduced transmission at the time of the gas reset. We strongly recommend riding in this mode. But at night, or on the free country track, and even better on the racing track you can try to cope with M3. Why cope? Because in sports mode, the threshold of the DSC stabilization system is significantly moved. It, by the way, can be completely disabled, relying on your own skills, but also with a pressed button, it allows you to even drift. DSC will connect when the corner of the drift exceeds 90 degrees and the risk of turning will arise, but it will not fight with the bounce wheels.
But how tacken M3 holds for the roadbed! As well as the usual treshka, M3 is endowed with almost neutral turning, which develops into excessful, only if the accelerator pedal is thickened. In addition, the car is equipped with an EDC system that independently changes the characteristics of damping shock absorbers and their rigidity depending on the style of driving and the quality of the roadbed. Top versions, with M DRIVE system, allow manually adjusting suspension stiffness. But even in the most important mode, no body rolls are observed. And in sports, you can even feel the coin lying on the asphalt.
It's nice that the stability and predictability does not depend on the body type. Even the convertible, which is heavier and tends to curl shows a remarkable ability to keep the road. In addition to the undisputed advantages of this embodiment include the fact that when the roof removed (which requires 22 seconds and one button press), it can be enough to enjoy the sound of the power unit and the exhaust system sports. The main thing in these moments clearly realize that you're on the road is not one. Of course, powerful brakes M3 able to quickly stop the car, because they are building ventilated discs with a diameter of 360 mm front and 350 mm at the rear. However, all the time to check their power, at least in the city, still not worth it. Fortunately, even after a series of slowdowns when the discs are heated to red, braking efficiency is not reduced.
To help the driver created an aggressive and responsive, with excellent feedback steering. In some moments it seemed to me personally, I feel his hands, as the wheels run on the asphalt damn nice! Naturally, the parking wheel is not so heavy that makes the daily operation of the car is quite convenient. And in the cabin comfortable.
M3 interior is almost exactly copies the interior is richly staffed treshek, but some items are directly set up a fighting mood. First of all, this seat has excellent lateral support and provided with a full range of adjustments. They can be electric, albeit with mechanical no problems. The steering column is adjustable in height and on the flight. Bagel plump has coarse stitching thread on the inner side of the letter M and at the bottom. The same letters are printed on the instrument panel, sills and gear lever. And, of course, the M3 can be equipped with all necessary equipment, such as a High-End audio system, parking sensors and navigation, which operates in Russia.
choice of difficulty
On what Ehmke stop if the coupe and convertible, and sedan look and go almost equally aggressive and fast? It all depends on the subtleties of taste and, in my opinion, from the residence of the owner. My personal choice, coupled with DKR. However, in any case, almost racing V8 makes the M3 a unique vehicle.
True, many will have to pay no less than 2.6 million rubles.
In a number of competitors, I would not put Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (although it is actually a direct competitor), but rather Nissan 350z, Infinity G37S and, perhaps, Audi RS4. In this company M3 looks worthy, although it is more expensive.
Bataysk Moscow
Andrei Osipov
Photo BMW.

 

A source: Magazine Automotive News [August 2008]