street // drift // race // life March 2010

M3 Power//

E92 Edition
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 Capital fun
with the
Mmm factor
Fancy a night out with a couple of high performance models? Start
off slowly with some dodge and weave commuter shapes. As the
midnight party hour approaches hit a cool nightclub to experience
the prohibitive door policy. Head east to London’s Victorian tunnels
and play hide and seek among the suburban rat runs. And as dawn
breaks, take a rejuvenating cuppa at the tea hut on Chelsea Bridge
(no expense spared on the Stiff entertainment budget).
Our guests for the The first few miles on recently but right
evening were a the test drive were now I’m looking out
couple of BMW M3s hairy to say the least. of the window at an
– an E92 Edition and The adaptation Alpine White BMW
an E46 CSL. Both were to LHD was taking E92 ‘Edition’. What
dressed to kill and longer than does that mean?
our aim was to have planned and I shall For starters it has a
a fun night out in the never forget how carbon roof that
capital and then frightened the sales looks absolutely
swap notes about man looked as we stunning against the
the respective merits headed towards the white paint, It has
of these flagship oncoming cars. black nostrils and
performers. black wheels and
Since that first BMW finishing off this street-
But first some M3 I have dropped inspired stance is
history. My first BMW downhill gradually, a 25mm drop, just
was an E30 M3, first to an E30 318is enough to tighten
Zinnobar red, 215bhp and then the well the handling without
with the cat. It had known 320 E36 compromising the
the optional 16inch project car. While ride too much.
cross spokes and an these cars aren’t M
Evo steering wheel. division models, they So that’s the outside,
Even at the tender still have a balance but how does it
age of 21, I liked the and involvement that drive? Inside this
look of the M3s, but just doesn’t come model has the 7
had no idea just how with other cars. speed flappy paddle
involving the drive double clutch
would be. Sadly the E46 has gearbox and while
eluded me until very I don’t normally

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condone such things in a
car made for driving, this
box is by far the slickest
I have had the pleasure
of sampling. It inspires
confidence in your driving
where normally I find
paddle gearchanges more
of a distraction.
So it looks good and it
changes gear well, but
does it deliver that raw
driving sensation of the
E30? Well, no, but then in
these safety conscious
times perhaps that kind
of feel can’t be achieved
in a car built to still take
4 people safely home
day to day and then
turn trackmeister at the
weekend.
This is where I think people
do not really understand
the modern car. In order
to conform to the current
laws and safety regulations,
many of the classic cars But we headed east into
we love would have to be the Victorian tunnels and
altered beyond recognition.
So the new challenge is
to create a car that is as
involving as possible but
keep it safe, economic and
green. The Edition does this
In fact it smashes it. I took it
to London for the day, sat
in traffic, ate much lunch
in there and generally used
it as a commuter would. It
was great, quiet, smooth,
fairly economic considering
the driving conditions and a
rather pleasant place to be.
As the night drew in, I
hooked up with the E46
CSL and on the stroke of
midnight we headed into
town for a bit of fun. Parked
up outside a nightclub, one
reveler was on his knees
worshipping the car. I guess
he liked it! A few blips of the
throttle and he stumbled on
home, soon to forget his M3
night’s experience.
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roads that make London the
place it is. The reality is that,
when following the CSL there
is not a hope in hell of hearing
what the E92 sounds like in
a tunnel (it sounds good, I’m
reliably informed) but it has
the CSL licked in almost all
other areas.

We chase one other round the

back streets for an hour or so
until the sky starts to lighten and
we head back to the tea hut
on Chelsea Bridge for a chat
about the two cars. You can’t
deny the Edition looks amazing
and it provides a comfortable
driving experience. Whilst not
as raucous as the CSL, it isn’t
compromised either and iIm still
feeling fresh at this point, despite
the ungodly hour. But the CSL
driver is looking decidedly doggy
and ready for bed.
E46 CSL
Second opinion

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Quite often online, you get - everything about this car is
the fantasy garage question - probably close to perfect for a
Unlimited money, what 5 cars fully air conditioned road car.
would you buy? They include
a Veyron Grand Sport, a SWB The chassis is extremely well
Ferrari 250 in race trim, a Rolls judged - the balance at low
Royce Phantom, a LP640 SV, and high speed is exceptional
and an E46 CSL. The CSL is by (a cheeky powerslide round
the far the most humble. But a famous London landmark
also, without a fraction of a proved it’s wonderful stability),
doubt, the one that would see and riding over London’s
more miles than any other. horrible speed ramps - it never
For one, it’s discreet, and so much as clunked or jolted
handsome. Those 19” alloys me once.
transform the aura around the
car - it’s a timeless classic. If I could change anything,
it would be the brakes, and
I’ve driven a heavily tuned CSL the slightly dopey gearbox.
around the Nordschleife, and it You can change fine without
was a wonderful car - taught, jerking and jolting if you
directional, stable, but to me it use full manual in its most
felt like a car that I would hate aggressive setting, but my
the second I got back on the loan car gave me a gearbox
B258 towards the ‘Tunnel. But warning on the dash and
our press loaner was without a sometimes refused to change
doubt the most magical I’ve gear. And the brakes, whilst
driven on normal roads. It’s not abundant with feel did start
very stripped out for a start, to show their weakness after a
plastic rear seats just mean you few spirited stops.
hear that battering exhaust
noise, suede steering wheels So BMW - if you’re reading, I’d
and one piece bucket seats like exactly the same car, but
give you the perfect driving with the AP’s that adorns so
position, the sport button many CSL’s on the market these
that noticeably sharpens up days, plus one of your rather
the throttle response and lovely manual DSG’s. Then,
pours that glorious induction you’d have the perfect car.
hammer sound into the cabin Al Clark
Thanks to
Martin Harrison
at BMW
www.bmw.co.uk

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