Summed up everything that annoys me with modern cars.

After watching the gazillion settings for the traction control and the fact that you could set different settings to a button on the steering wheel and blah blah blah

You would have been lapped four times by a squirrel on a skateboard by the time you had chosen your settings

Aaaaaaargh.Whats the point for the normal or even slightly talented driver.?

I thought exactly the same on bros 335d, granted not as many settings as the M3 but still too many. Before we got the car we weren't a fan of the i-drive but after using it and having the option to change the settings it's actually good fun. Guess its a marmite thing, some people love it, others hate it. Mercedes and Audi have followed BMW's i-drive, and although I haven't used those two I really do think it's the way forward.

Summed up everything that annoys me with modern cars.

After watching the gazillion settings for the traction control and the fact that you could set different settings to a button on the steering wheel and blah blah blah

You would have been lapped four times by a squirrel on a skateboard by the time you had chosen your settings

Aaaaaaargh.Whats the point for the normal or even slightly talented driver.?

no you wouldn't, you'd just press the "m" button and get on with it :confused:

have you seen how many settings the TC on the lotus 2-Eleven has :P

If anyone wants to lend me a M3 to test.. ill gladly do my best

Summed up everything that annoys me with modern cars.

After watching the gazillion settings for the traction control and the fact that you could set different settings to a button on the steering wheel and blah blah blah

You would have been lapped four times by a squirrel on a skateboard by the time you had chosen your settings

Aaaaaaargh.Whats the point for the normal or even slightly talented driver.?

I take it that you can't afford one then?

no you wouldn't, you'd just press the "m" button and get on with it :confused:

No you wouldn't - you'd turn it all off and actually drive the car :P

Chris

No you wouldn't - you'd turn it all off and actually drive the car :P

Chris

yeah, but i thought you could personalise the "m" button

But that's the sort of thing you'd do when you bought the car and leave it alone.

It's not something you'll play with every time you get in the car

But that's the sort of thing you'd do when you bought the car and leave it alone.

It's not something you'll play with every time you get in the car

Well said Mr Z.

It's a bit like yer radio.......you set the stations you like and then leave it alone.

Anyone know how to remove the remote locking, the electric windows, the power steering and the climate control.......as these advances in technology are driving me mad.

Also, any advice on how to convert the brakes to drums?

I take it that you can't afford one then?

Don't see how my personal finances come into a discussion on the merits of this car's traction control package?

I simply think there are far too many options for the TC setting and certainly far too many for average joe who will be buying one.

Don't see how my personal finances come into a discussion on the merits of this car's traction control package?

I simply think there are far too many options for the TC setting and certainly far too many for average joe who will be buying one.

What about the performance? Do you think the average person needs all that performance? And the cost, do you really think average Joe (ignoring lease/hire etc) is going to buy one, insure it, service it, put fuel in? It's a car marketed towards a certain type of consumer, and I think it does it well

Its a perfectly balanced drivers car, with as i see it, a choice of TC options to suit a wide range of driving styles. I cant imagine for a second you have to set it up each time you drive the car.

What about the performance? Do you think the average person needs all that performance? And the cost, do you really think average Joe (ignoring lease/hire etc) is going to buy one, insure it, service it, put fuel in? It's a car marketed towards a certain type of consumer, and I think it does it well

I just preferred Top Gear and clarkson with the M5 and the 'press this nice M button'

I just think the M3 has gone over the top.Lovely or not.

So much for including all the bells and whistles if the suggestion is people will simply set it to 'medium' and leave it for the rest of the time they own it.

On or off.Simple:thumbup: (mind you,not sure where the windows,central locking and climate control come into it)

Anyone know how to remove the remote locking, the electric windows, the power steering and the climate control.......as these advances in technology are driving me mad.

You'll have to wait for the CSL version for that

Chris

I'd have one!

I just preferred Top Gear and clarkson with the M5 and the 'press this nice M button'

I just think the M3 has gone over the top.Lovely or not.

Isn't the M5 similarly OTT though...11 gear change settings and all that?

And I thought the M-button was just a "set some presets" option, so you set a load of personalised choices and then assign that to the M-button...so it's just a "shortcut key". So you'd have to go through the same initial setup on the M5 as you would on the M3 (or use the default M configuration).

Know what you mean though, I'm a fan of simplicity and I'd rather have a car that was fun to drive rather than perfect...

Rob.

Know what you mean though, I'm a fan of simplicity and I'd rather have a car that was fun to drive rather than perfect...

Rob.

I know what you are saying, but - could the m3 not be both perfect and fun? Is it possible that all the settings can be adjusted to suit your own driving style, and then the most possible fun could be had from a perfect set up. Thats just the way I see it being. I may be wrong.

The Fabia is fun. It couldnt be farther from being perfect though.

Perhaps this explains the lack of indication by BMW drivers........ they're all too busy looking for the indication option in the i-drive menu

I know what you are saying, but - could the m3 not be both perfect and fun? Is it possible that all the settings can be adjusted to suit your own driving style, and then the most possible fun could be had from a perfect set up.

Quite possibly - certainly it looked like a very balanced and controllable car when Tiff was driving it on track with the driver aids, etc. "reduced", so being able to fine-tune it could make it better.

However with that many options, do you reckon you'd be able to get it "right"? To draw an example...when I'm faced with a driver's seat which is adjustable in every which way, no matter how much I adjust every single little thing, I can never get comfortable. However, one which is well-contoured and moves backwards and forwards, I usually have no problems getting comfortable in.

Rob.

.

However with that many options, do you reckon you'd be able to get it "right"? To draw an example...when I'm faced with a driver's seat which is adjustable in every which way, no matter how much I adjust every single little thing, I can never get comfortable. However, one which is well-contoured and moves backwards and forwards, I usually have no problems getting comfortable in.

Rob.

I agree with that lol!

Perhaps this explains the lack of indication by BMW drivers........ they're all too busy looking for the indication option in the i-drive menu

:orb_lol:

I agree it over the top a tad.

For me the 335D is the one to have. Superb engine, economical AND all the toys too. Oh......and.........£20,000 less!!!!

and (assuming that's the one that went round the track on topgear:O ) ultimately not as quick?

I simply think there are far too many options for the TC setting and certainly far too many for average joe who will be buying one.

it's got three settings, two of which are "on" and "off"

I agree it over the top a tad.

For me the 335D is the one to have. Superb engine, economical AND all the toys too. Oh......and.........£20,000 less!!!!

Im fairly certain...ok 100% sure that an M3 buyer will not be swayed by a derv. I would also stick my neck out and say that it is an entirely different market to a diesel. I would also say that an M3 buyer will love the toys, and the performance, and not give a ****e about mpg etc.

It has a v8 engine.......that in itself will sell it.

Id have one without question. In white.