Re: BMW 'M' Trackday in SIC
Something interesting to read and comment...
1.
The Z4M as we all know is the base car that was chosen by PETRONAS SYNTIUM Team for Tokachi 24-Hours Endurance Race, a round in the popular 2007 Super Taikyu Endurance Series in Japan. Needless to say, the Z4M with its long bonnet, and engine positioned way back even behind the front wheel axle, effectively gives the car an almost 50:50 weight distribution. With its 6-cylinders 3.2 ltr S54 engine (same engine in the e46 M3) powering the small hatch, no wonder Fariqe, Hans-Joachim and Johannes did well throughout last year’s races. It was even gloriously leading the MME pack, even ahead of the Porsche RSRs before having to retire due to mechanical issues.
I personally had a blast in the Z4M! This M car is so neutral, so capable and so composed in the sweepers, and not short of power to sprint down the straights either. I dare to say it would easily keep up even with the famous Lotus Exige Mk 2 in its stock form. Super!
2.
The revolutionary DCT (Dual Clutch Transmision) is as good as the DSG in Golf GTI. We all know that these twin clutch gearboxes are the most superior setup in roadcars technology to date! However, without getting to drive the DCT in the M3 sedan, the only difference that I noticed during the taxi ride is the artificial ‘jerk/surge’ they try to incorporate onto every shift, just like the ’sensation’ u get in any traditional manual gearbox. This was PURPOSELY done since not every driver out there understand the true concept of sequential box, which is to get BETTER TIMING around a track, more than giving u the feel, the heel-toe exercise, the rev-matching, the blipping, the ‘control’, and the smile on your face when u get that PERFECT execution of shifts. That’s why some cars, come with sequential gears exclusively eg Enzo, Superleggera, Scuderia, Stradale, CLK DTM, M3 GTR and the CSL.
For daily driving, sequential gearbox offers the ease of an auto, but the efficiency of a manual, and that aspiring racer feel!! Apparently, they tune the software to ‘over-rev’ the next gear before engaging it, and once it engages, u’ll get that sudden ’surge’ feeling, just like dumping the clutch. You might ask why. Well, because the engineers at the BMW M Division are concerned with the infamous lack of ‘feel’ between shifts, as aparent in the DSG.
3.
The 4.0 litre V8 powerplant available in the new M3 (both sedan and coupe) is as good as ever, though I can’t help feeling that the latest 3series generation is a little too ‘grown-up’, both in styling and size. However, i believe these 3-series M cars got potential. The double-VANOS (double-VTEC equivalent) V8 roar with the stock exhaust when nearing the 8400rpm redline is a little muted, but still noticeable. Nothing an intake and titanium exhaust cannot solve.
To understand how much nicer the V8 is compared to the previous inline-6, just see it as a 4cylinders vs 6cylinders. The latter wud be more refined, smoother and less stressed on the limit. However, I still think the engine capacity is a bit too small for a V8 unit which makes it feel less industrious, and more mechanical than anything else.
4. All in all, the
BMW ‘M’ division is slowly evolving, from inline configurations to ‘V’ engine setups, and from dog-leg manual box to sequential transmission. I won’t be surprised if the next generation M cars would come force-induced, away from the famous NA of the current M flagship! Whatever it is, we can see how the BMW ‘M’ camp is slowly getting more recognition in the ultimate motor sports race, the F1. This is testament to their technological capability and dedication towards providing the masses with usable daily ’sports cars’ without sacrificing the safety, comfort, class and the whole purpose of the M series - to be the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’.
Simply brilliant!
full album and write up can be found
here
Apparently it's sold about the same price as the e92 here in Malaysia. Are they being sold in Spore yet?
