E92 M3 for a week..so far

[NZ_M3]

For what the E92 M3 was intended as, it does it very well to be honest. It was never meant to be a CSL replacement - never was and never will be.

I've not had an issue with the seatbelt receiver thing ever - works brilliantly everytime. In fact when I get in the CSL now, I am always forgetting that there's no such thing and I keep waiting for something to pass the seatbelt to me

The variable steering ratio does take a little bit getting used to (do bear in mind it has a wider range than the fixed steering ratio in the CSL - in fact at its fastest setting it is about 20% quicker than the CSL steering) - but I do find it nicely weighted when it goes heavy at high speed. The car communicates in a different manner to the CSL, and trust me the grip level is amazing in this thing once set up correctly (mine had terrible geo new from the factory, it was unbelievable).

I actually felt the built quality was quite a step up in the E92 M3, perhaps yours has been lent out one too many times.

I do agree that the warm up lamp looks kinda of cheapish compared to the LED styled warm up lamp - however, I do believe it adds a 'mechanical' feel to the gauge and interior to something that is already an interior packed with electronic wizardry.

Suspension wise, having owned 2 E46 M3s, I'd pitch it somewhere between the CSL and the E46 M3 to be honest. It's actually not that soft and rather jarring at times (take it on a really rough road and you'll notice how well the whole chassis reacts and how composed the car is compared to the old M3).

I do agree the jewel of this car is the engine itself - now imagine this engine in the CSL chassis ... that'd be something quite fun I gather.

If I was only given the choice of owning one car as something that I can use as a track car and daily drive, I'd pick the E92 M3 hands down to be honest.

Will report back on how the E92 M3 is on the track after my driver training next Wednesday ....