NZ_M3
27-04-2010, 04:36 AM
So I finally got around to tracking the 'daily hack' :thumbs:at Pukekohe race park here in New Zealand.
This is the track that I head to most regularly as it is convenient to home (40 minute drive or less) and it's reasonably high speed with some rather enjoyable corners (and did I mention cheap? NZ$80 for a full day of racing - that's about 37 pounds in Queen's money)
I've driven around this track in the CSL three times and 4 times in an E46 M3 and numerous times in an Integra Type R. I also have had driver training on this track with the BMW driver training instructor, so I am fairly familiar with the track.
I am however just a "hobby driver."
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/4553686833_ab3d5d83e0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/4553686833/)
Here's my report and completely subjective comparison of how this car compares to the CSL (bear in mind that only earlier this month I took the CSL around the same track, so the feeling was fresh in my mind).
The positives first then:
- The brakes ... honestly, I know I am going to sound like "you know who" ... but fxck me the stock brakes were impressive. Sure it doesn't have the stopping powers of the Alcons (although I am sure with better pads it'd be almost as good), but for such a heavy car, the stock brakes actually worked brilliantly lap after lap (without any noticeable degradation). It was easy to modulate, the car felt balanced under heavy and light braking - I was honestly impressed!! Certainly a step up from the stock E46 M3 system!! There's really only two heavy braking zones on this track, so I guess the system coped quite well as a result.
- Predictable Handling. Whilst the CSL had the edge in terms of overall handling and cornering speed, being some 300kg heavier the E92 M3 did rather well in the handling department. It was not as lively as the CSL under turn in, but man it had whole lot more front end grip (LOT less understeer compared to the E46). The front end simply grips better whilst the rear end simply followed where ever you point it. The steering did feel a bit numb, and the weight a little artificial as a result of the electric power steer system, but point to point it was direct and EASY!!
The car had no nasty traits like the E46 chassis if you acted stupid (I had the traction turned off and power mode on) and it lost grip progressively and predictably, similarly to the CSL (except I would say the CSL was a little more snappy in the rear end).
The front end of the car did bob a bit under quick directional changes, and seemed to be under-sprung to me, but helped with pitching and roll in corners.
The rear end felt planted almost all the time, but did feel a little unsettled over the most nasty bumps (this was quite a bumpy track). I felt that it probably needed a slightly larger rear sway bar to keep the rear end in control given how softly it was dampened.
- The power - no doubt in my mind that the engine is the jewel of this car. It just pulls relentlessly in any gear and almost at any revs and a freaking rocket near the end of the rev range. The motor also never feels stained like the CSL motor does (what I mean by this is the CSL motor feels likes it's reached its upper limits, but the V8 just feels like it has potential for another 50 or so horses and would do so effortlessly). Corner exit also a heck of a lot easier and felt quicker compared to the CSL.
- Easy - by far the easist car I've had around this track. Easy to go fast, neutral characteristics, everything controllable via the loud pedal - no nasty traits anywhere around this track.
- The drive home - I've never had a drive home so comfortable. It was amazing. Packed everything up after the day, put the power seats back into comfort cruising mode, turn up the sound system, set the navigation and bluetooth phone, turn on the aircon and off I go ... it was nice and relaxing drive home (you'd honestly never know I'd just been to the track!)
The Negatives (not that many really):
- Slightly numb and detracted steering feel - the one thing that really got me was the artificially weighted steering feel. Yes the car had plenty of grip and had good turn in, but it felt a little detracted compared to the CSL, where you knew and felt what was going on all the time - you feel more on edge with the CSL (which in reality you probably are haha). You'd have to be pretty picky though to be honest. It's actually not as bad as I make it out to be.
- too easy to drive perhaps? It was seriously a very easy car to pilot and go fast, with no real nasty traits that could put you in trouble. It was well balanced almost to the point that it actually felt a little bit boring after quite a few laps. But man for a heavy car it was impressive.
- Power steering cap - I have to mention this one because come on BMW ... you'd think they can design a car where the power steering cap wouldn't leak - mine leaked lap after lap - I had to keep wiping it clean after each session ... what's up with that??? :banghead::banghead:
- Fuel Consumption - I've never seen anything so thirsty at the track honestly!! I got probably 80km out of 3/4 of a tank of fuel it was ridiculous!!
So overall a positive experience. I do believe this car has a lot of potential given the right money spent on the right components. It would be quite a track weapon.
This is the track that I head to most regularly as it is convenient to home (40 minute drive or less) and it's reasonably high speed with some rather enjoyable corners (and did I mention cheap? NZ$80 for a full day of racing - that's about 37 pounds in Queen's money)
I've driven around this track in the CSL three times and 4 times in an E46 M3 and numerous times in an Integra Type R. I also have had driver training on this track with the BMW driver training instructor, so I am fairly familiar with the track.
I am however just a "hobby driver."
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/4553686833_ab3d5d83e0.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/talan-chen/4553686833/)
Here's my report and completely subjective comparison of how this car compares to the CSL (bear in mind that only earlier this month I took the CSL around the same track, so the feeling was fresh in my mind).
The positives first then:
- The brakes ... honestly, I know I am going to sound like "you know who" ... but fxck me the stock brakes were impressive. Sure it doesn't have the stopping powers of the Alcons (although I am sure with better pads it'd be almost as good), but for such a heavy car, the stock brakes actually worked brilliantly lap after lap (without any noticeable degradation). It was easy to modulate, the car felt balanced under heavy and light braking - I was honestly impressed!! Certainly a step up from the stock E46 M3 system!! There's really only two heavy braking zones on this track, so I guess the system coped quite well as a result.
- Predictable Handling. Whilst the CSL had the edge in terms of overall handling and cornering speed, being some 300kg heavier the E92 M3 did rather well in the handling department. It was not as lively as the CSL under turn in, but man it had whole lot more front end grip (LOT less understeer compared to the E46). The front end simply grips better whilst the rear end simply followed where ever you point it. The steering did feel a bit numb, and the weight a little artificial as a result of the electric power steer system, but point to point it was direct and EASY!!
The car had no nasty traits like the E46 chassis if you acted stupid (I had the traction turned off and power mode on) and it lost grip progressively and predictably, similarly to the CSL (except I would say the CSL was a little more snappy in the rear end).
The front end of the car did bob a bit under quick directional changes, and seemed to be under-sprung to me, but helped with pitching and roll in corners.
The rear end felt planted almost all the time, but did feel a little unsettled over the most nasty bumps (this was quite a bumpy track). I felt that it probably needed a slightly larger rear sway bar to keep the rear end in control given how softly it was dampened.
- The power - no doubt in my mind that the engine is the jewel of this car. It just pulls relentlessly in any gear and almost at any revs and a freaking rocket near the end of the rev range. The motor also never feels stained like the CSL motor does (what I mean by this is the CSL motor feels likes it's reached its upper limits, but the V8 just feels like it has potential for another 50 or so horses and would do so effortlessly). Corner exit also a heck of a lot easier and felt quicker compared to the CSL.
- Easy - by far the easist car I've had around this track. Easy to go fast, neutral characteristics, everything controllable via the loud pedal - no nasty traits anywhere around this track.
- The drive home - I've never had a drive home so comfortable. It was amazing. Packed everything up after the day, put the power seats back into comfort cruising mode, turn up the sound system, set the navigation and bluetooth phone, turn on the aircon and off I go ... it was nice and relaxing drive home (you'd honestly never know I'd just been to the track!)
The Negatives (not that many really):
- Slightly numb and detracted steering feel - the one thing that really got me was the artificially weighted steering feel. Yes the car had plenty of grip and had good turn in, but it felt a little detracted compared to the CSL, where you knew and felt what was going on all the time - you feel more on edge with the CSL (which in reality you probably are haha). You'd have to be pretty picky though to be honest. It's actually not as bad as I make it out to be.
- too easy to drive perhaps? It was seriously a very easy car to pilot and go fast, with no real nasty traits that could put you in trouble. It was well balanced almost to the point that it actually felt a little bit boring after quite a few laps. But man for a heavy car it was impressive.
- Power steering cap - I have to mention this one because come on BMW ... you'd think they can design a car where the power steering cap wouldn't leak - mine leaked lap after lap - I had to keep wiping it clean after each session ... what's up with that??? :banghead::banghead:
- Fuel Consumption - I've never seen anything so thirsty at the track honestly!! I got probably 80km out of 3/4 of a tank of fuel it was ridiculous!!
So overall a positive experience. I do believe this car has a lot of potential given the right money spent on the right components. It would be quite a track weapon.