BMW M3

[diesel2029]

Hi all, I test drove the M3 and found that the ride seemed to be a little bumpy or "firm" as some people call it. Is this because the car is lower to the ground than most cars ??? Are all sports cars (Corvette, Porsche 911) like this ??? I found the handling and acceleration of the M3 to be excellent; it's just that you do feel every bump on the road.

[LateNightCable]

Yes, a " firm " ride is a general characteristic of cars with sporty suspensions. The degree of firmness of course varies from car to car. Some cars ride very stiffly, while others can get the same job done with less stiffness - this is ideal. A sporty car, like the M3, must be this way in order to provide the driver with the utmost control, and to have the reflexes that is has.

Lower to the ground is one reason for the firmness, but mostly because of the springs, shocks and lower profile tires which are all designed to handle high loads. And in some cars, a high performance oriented suspension geometry could play a part.

[skyline_r34v]

Well it is the "SPORTS" version of the 3-series so yeah it's gonna be a lil firm but not enuff 2 feel every bump in the road. I don't know y u felt every bump in the road but when i test drove it it was a very comfortable ride.

U tend to feel every bump in the road if u aim for chuck holes and large cracks .

[bleh]

yes yes, i think its safe to say, on smooth roads, we like a firm feel around curves....

[reggid]

did it have 18" or 19" wheels. 19" wheels would tend to make the ride poorer.

[skyline_r34v]

The one i test drove in Jackson, MS had 18" wheels and was lucky 2 have ONE M3 much less an M3 with DVD Navigation or 19 inch wheels.

It's pitiful even the capital of MS only had 1 M3 jus like Meridian. tsk tsk

[zit]

i bought an m3 some 2 years ago for £35 grand and i love it to bits!

[thepolarfoxqx]

man, you britons get bent over a barrel on car prices. 35k sterling is awful expensive.