E90 BMW M3 DCT sampled at Sepang circuit, Malaysia

BMW's answer to the Audi RS4's (B7) and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG's practicality is finally here in Malaysia. Yours truly was there to sample the twin-clutched version aka DCT in the E90's 4 -door saloon form of the latest M3.


No, the above wasn't the writer in all his crowning glory (or the lack thereof) as the delegates of Destination M were only being ferried in the new M3 around the Sepang F1 Circuit. Upon close observation (thanks BMW Driver Trainer Kevin for that exhilarating ride!) the 7-speed DCT is as good as VAG's famed DSG but it was manic the way the manual cogs were being abused around the track. At one point the robotised tranny got confused when more than a couple of cogs were dropped in an instance.

The M engineered 4.0L V8 sounded pretty sedate at revs below 4000rpm but beyond that the V8 growl is unmistakable. That said, I found that most kinetic action took place circa 5000rpm, 6000rpm and above all the way to its lofty 8200rpm redline. No dramatic pinned-in-your-seat or eyeballs-pushed-into-your-orbital-socket feeling. But its darn quick around those turns, in fact as fast as 160 t0 180 km/h!





The BMW M3 sedan with DCT retails for RM713,800 (excluding insurance) and is available for booking now at Auto Bavaria and other BMW Malaysia's dealers. Be prepare to wait for more than 6 months if you want that E92 form of M3 with DCT.

For most of us regular drivers, we'd be better off on the streets with the 335i sedan (pictured below) or the sleeker E92 335i Coupe. The twin turbo 3.0L in-line 6 would be much more tractable, responsive and peppier in town or city traffic, more often than not. After all, the 335i's forced-induced torque is a more useable 400Nm beginning at 1300rpm and stays accessible (plateau) through to 5000rpm; as opposed to new M3's similar torque figure of 400Nm at a headier 3900rpm. A couple of the highly skilled and qualified Malaysian BMW Driver Trainers attested to this fact as well, after having driven a 135i Coupe that was on track that day.

The 335i is now available as 335i sedan Individual costing a shade over RM500k, with special paints, interior trims, more distinct alloy wheels and individualised specs.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/12/bmw-driver-training-malaysia.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/04/bmw-m-division.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/driven-exhilarating-e60-bmw-m5.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-2008-bmw-m3.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/12/bmw-e92-m3-coupe-for-rm668800-in.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/road-test-bmw-335i-coupe.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/bmw-335i-coupe-drive-in-malaysia-more.html

BMW M Division: High Performance Inspiration

By Dr Long

– That one letter that inspires automotive passion and desire. Unadulterated high performance and technical perfection are the DNAs of BMW M cars.

BMW Motorsport GmbH was born in May 1972 as a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich. It was founded by Jochen Neerspach and Martin Braungart, two ex-Ford racing executives - with just eight employees. Neerpasch was formerly a factory Porsche driver, while Braungart was a rally team driver for Mercedes. Also known as M-Technik or just “M” for Motorsport, its initial objective was to facilitate BMW’s racing program. BMW Motorsport’s New Class and New Six cars in the late 60s and early 70s were very successful at racing.

BMW M first project was the 3.0 CSL. An acronym for Coupe Sport Leicht or Lightweight, 1265 examples were built from 1972 to 1975. This first M coupe won seven European Racing Car titles.

With the growing market for high performance sports cars, M introduced cars for sale to the public. The M1 debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 1978. Since then, BMW M has tweaked nearly every car on BMW’s production line (with exception of the 7 series and the X-series Sport Activity Vehicle).

This was followed by the 1979 release of the M535i which changed the direction of M division, towards high performance everyday car. Hereafter, like they always say “…And the rest is history”. To this day, BMW M offers modified engines, suspension, interior trim, enhanced aerodynamics and body works. The result is some of the most highly tuned street-legal cars. The objective of M division is to sell factory production sports cars that are comfortable enough for daily commuting while offering uncompromised driving satisfaction and performance.

In 1993, BMW Motorsport GmbH was renamed BMW M GmbH, Gesellschaft für individuelle Automobile. The three business groups BMW M Cars, BMW Individual and BMW Driver Training make BMW M GmbH an all-inclusive product and service company that has been developing sports and high-performance engines for more than 20 years.The M1, M3 and M5, the M635CSi and the 850CSi - to name but a few examples - have not only found a place in the hearts of automobile fans but their presence on the world's streets over the last 20 years has developed M into a legend. Not simply "old-fashioned" classics, they are living proof of the power of innovation and the fascination of BMW M.

These M classics include:
M1 1978
M635CSi 1984
M5 1984
M3 1986
850CSi 1992
M3 1992
M Roadster 1997
M Coupe 1998
M5 1998
M3 CSL 2003

Although part of BMW, the M Division charts its own direction. For example, the Z4 M Roadster/Coupe has hydraulic power-assisted steering because the M-engineers think this is better than the electric power steering of the standard Z4. Interestingly, BMW’s famed Active Steering and run-flat tyres are also not being favoured by the M-engineers for they distort the true sporting dynamics of an M car!
The development of high-performance cars that combine racing performance characteristics with absolute everyday practicality demands technically inventive acumen. At BMW M highly qualified technicians, engineers, designers and test drivers work hand-in-hand creating technological highlights where not only the high-performance BMW M sports cars benefited but the whole BMW cars program. As such, BMW M is also a synonym for BMW innovation.

Some of the notable innovations encompass:
Lightweight bumpers
SMG Drivelogic
M high-rev concept
Four-valve technology
EDR
M double-Vanos
Variable M differential lock
M compound brake system

Current BMW high-performance M models are:
M3 coupe
M3 convertible
M5
M6

At the top end of the range are the BMW M6 and BMW M5, both powered by a V-10 engine developing 500bhp @ 7,750rpm and 520Nm @ 6,100rpm. It’s a brand new motor made by BMW M division, rather than a bored-out 4.8 liter engine in the BMW 650i. This magnificent F1-inspired engine drives through a superb seven-speed sequential gearbox (SMG).

The world is now eagerly awaiting the new V8-powered M3 capable of pushing out a phenomenal 415bhp.

M Division aftermarket parts are also found standard in some markets, to upgrade the sporty appeal as well as performance of the mainstream 1, 3 and 5 series. These are sometimes known as M-Sport models, not necessarily carrying an ‘M’ emblem but have M-sport suspension, M-alloys, M-bodykit and other M-accessories. In the local scene, these are being marketed by BMW Malaysia as the 325i Sports and the 525i M-Sport.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/driven-exhilarating-e60-bmw-m5.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-2008-bmw-m3.html
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/bmw-m5-to-dream-or-not-to-dream.html

New 2008 BMW M3

By Dr Long

This is one highly anticipated E92-based variant from BMW, seeing that the newly-launched BMW 335i coupe is about as fast as the outgoing E46 M3. Without a doubt, this 2008 M3 will be even faster and all the more furious…naturally (pun intended)! Under the shapely and muscular hood is likely a 4.0L V-8 that punches out power figures in excess of 400bhp circa 8,000rpm. Century dash is expected to be sub-5secs and top end nothing short of 300km/h if unlimited.

These are pictures of the upcoming all-new M3 being shown at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon as a concept. The production car is expected to look no different. Remember the E60 M5 Concept shown the same way a few years ago? Anyway, notable changes as compared to the ‘lesser’ coupe include the power-bulged hood, more aerodynamic wing mirrors, fussier looking front/rear bumpers, rear diffusers, carbon fibre roof and vented front plastic fenders with that all-iconic embedded M3 emblem. The other body parts of the 2008 M3 are however nicked off the standard 3-series coupe production line. These are regular items like BMW’s signature angel-eye headlamps, E92 taillights, doors, windows, windscreens and boot lid.

The sixteen-spoke 19" M-alloys should make it to the showroom unit. BMW’s M division manic-revving V8 ‘monster’ will transmit its brute to the tarmac – by way of the rear wheels, of course - via a conventional six-speed manual transmission or a robotised dual-clutch unit, not unlike Volkswagen-Audi Group’s DSG. It looks like the still-juddery and lurchy SMGIII (as featured in the M5) is history in the books of high performance BMW M cars, if the new M3 is the yardstick for things to come.

* Watch this blog for an upcoming drive report of the BMW E60 M5.