M3 Coupe - First impressions w/pictures -
Well, I had ordered my E92 M3 back in May. After exactly 3 months, I have picked the car from the custom last Thursday.
Here is the link "My M3 Coupe Order":
www.rennteam.com/forum/page1.html
I have done about 500 km with the car.
First of all, I want to start with 3 unknown things before I deliver the car:
M-DKG : The transmission of the car was one of the important question in my mind. I haven't driven it before. I very much like SMG II system on my E46 M3s, especially 03 E46 M3 which had a more brutal SMGII software.
I also like the double clutch on my TTS, S-Tronic, eventhough I had small complaints such as the tranny let you kick down even in manual mode, it upshifts to next gear at the rev limiter even in manual mode, and you can't upshift, lets say from 1st to 2nd, below 2000 rpm. But I like the "pop" sound coming from the exhaust on upshifts and it was smooth.
My biggest concern about the M-DKG was that I fear that it will be like playing play station. Very quick, insanely fast BUT no mechanical feel, just a video game.
However, happily, I was wrong. I keep the tranny mode always in S5 or S6, and even shifting up around 5000 rpm with 1/3 throttle input, there is very nice push from behind @ every shift. It is smooth but you feel the mechanical change and push. I haven't driven Porsche's PDK system, but I like M-DKG very much. All of these double clutch systems are fast. What is important for me is the feel of the gear change. And my M3 has the right feel for me.
And the downshifts are better. Evenif you are not on throttle, M-DKG blips the throttle aggresively from 2200 rpm to 3500 rpm (my roughly approximation) And it is better when you downshift 2 gears at once; it just blips the throttle and directly downshifts to 2 gears lower; let's say from 4th to 2nd while driving around 2500 rpm.
It kicks from the back and you don't feel like you are tearing the diffrantial apart as I was feeling in my E46 M3. If you are upshifting while the car is on throttle oversteer, let's say in 2nd gear, the change becomes more smooth. It doesn't up set the car or cuts the power absurdly so that back of the car cripples.
All in all, I'm happy with the transmission. I only use "D" when I'm on the phone while driving.
Also, there is "stop&start" tech. if you drive in "D" mode. I used it couple of times. Actually it is interesting. The car shuts down while I am waiting in the traffic lights but once I touch the throttle, it starts very quickly and goes.
I decided to decorate every post with small picture of my car which shows a nice detail I like about the car.
I like the "start/stop" button on the dash which is covered with carbon/leather texture trim just behind the steering wheel. Red line zone starts at 8.300 rpm in the rev counter.
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ONUR
11 M3 Coupe AW
09 Audi TTS Coupe - 07 997 Carrera S - 05 M3 Coupe - 03 M3 Coupe - 96 M3 Coupe EVO (PASS TIME HISTORY)