E90 BMW M3 DCT sampled at Sepang circuit, Malaysia

BMW's answer to the Audi RS4's (B7) and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG's practicality is finally here in Malaysia. Yours truly was there to sample the twin-clutched version aka DCT in the E90's 4 -door saloon form of the latest M3.


No, the above wasn't the writer in all his crowning glory (or the lack thereof) as the delegates of Destination M were only being ferried in the new M3 around the Sepang F1 Circuit. Upon close observation (thanks BMW Driver Trainer Kevin for that exhilarating ride!) the 7-speed DCT is as good as VAG's famed DSG but it was manic the way the manual cogs were being abused around the track. At one point the robotised tranny got confused when more than a couple of cogs were dropped in an instance.

The M engineered 4.0L V8 sounded pretty sedate at revs below 4000rpm but beyond that the V8 growl is unmistakable. That said, I found that most kinetic action took place circa 5000rpm, 6000rpm and above all the way to its lofty 8200rpm redline. No dramatic pinned-in-your-seat or eyeballs-pushed-into-your-orbital-socket feeling. But its darn quick around those turns, in fact as fast as 160 t0 180 km/h!





The BMW M3 sedan with DCT retails for RM713,800 (excluding insurance) and is available for booking now at Auto Bavaria and other BMW Malaysia's dealers. Be prepare to wait for more than 6 months if you want that E92 form of M3 with DCT.

For most of us regular drivers, we'd be better off on the streets with the 335i sedan (pictured below) or the sleeker E92 335i Coupe. The twin turbo 3.0L in-line 6 would be much more tractable, responsive and peppier in town or city traffic, more often than not. After all, the 335i's forced-induced torque is a more useable 400Nm beginning at 1300rpm and stays accessible (plateau) through to 5000rpm; as opposed to new M3's similar torque figure of 400Nm at a headier 3900rpm. A couple of the highly skilled and qualified Malaysian BMW Driver Trainers attested to this fact as well, after having driven a 135i Coupe that was on track that day.

The 335i is now available as 335i sedan Individual costing a shade over RM500k, with special paints, interior trims, more distinct alloy wheels and individualised specs.

Related posts:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/12/bmw-driver-training-malaysia.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/04/bmw-m-division.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/driven-exhilarating-e60-bmw-m5.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-2008-bmw-m3.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/12/bmw-e92-m3-coupe-for-rm668800-in.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/road-test-bmw-335i-coupe.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/bmw-335i-coupe-drive-in-malaysia-more.html

BMW (E92) M3 Coupe for RM688,800 in Malaysia

BMW’s new (E92) M3 Coupe is now officially available from BMW Malaysia – via its dealers - for RM688,800 (sans insurance premium). Surprisingly, there is already a waiting list with ardent M-fan who has placed bookings since early March of this year! Despite a 6-speed manual version being the only option available now, with the twin-clutched DCT expected only by Q3 2008.

As most of you automotive enthusiasts and BMW fans alike would have known by now, the all-new M3 is powered by a manic-revving 4-litre V8 petrol engine punching out a maximum of 420bhp at 8300rpm. This, along with a maximum torque of 400Nm from a low 3000rpm through to 5600rpm, enables the coupe to rocket from 0 to 100km/h in only 4.8secs and marches on to an electronically-limited Vmax of 250 km/h.

By the time you read this, the waiting period for the new M3 – much like the delectable 335i coupe – would have stretched to one year or so in Malaysia.

Related posts:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/new-2008-bmw-m3.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/04/bmw-m-division.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/10/bmw-e90-m3-sedan.html

You may want to read these:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/road-test-bmw-335i-coupe.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/09/bmw-335i-coupe-drive-in-malaysia-more.html

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/driven-exhilarating-e60-bmw-m5.html

BMW 335i with DINAN remapped ECU

BMW's high performance 335i coupe (E92) gets tweaked by tuner Dinan, by way of ECU reflashing upgrade. Throttle response is further sharpened (as if the stock standard one isn’t responsive enough!) with horsepower hiked to a loftier 384hp (from standard 306hp) at 5700 rpm while torque is a wrench-bending 570Nm at 4300rpm! For just the ECU remap job, you need to fork out USD$1,999 – but that’s the main mod in order to extract the IL6 twin turbo’s higher potential. However, with the turbocharged 6-pot running much hotter, an additional oil cooler is warranted, which will further add cost to the upgrade.

For Wheels’ associate Dan who had sampled a PROcede modded BMW 335i with about 350hp (the owner requested anonymity) said it was bloody wicked and deceptively rapid. While the PROcede conversion nulls and void BMW’s original warranty, the Dinan guys (at least over in the U.S.) claim to be able to offer a warranty that parallels the original manufacturer’s.

Watch out BMW (E92) M3!

Related post:

http://cwmak.blogspot.com/2007/10/bmw-335i-coupe-test-driven-on-malaysian.html

BMW 335i Coupe drive in Malaysia: More pictures and specifications

By Dr Long

BMW 335i Coupe E92

Specifications:

Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Engine: In-line 6-cylinder, 2976cc, twin-turbo with direct fuel injection
Maximum power: 306bhp @ 5800rpm
Maximum torque: 400Nm @ 1300rpm
Weight: 1615kg
0-100 km/h: 5.5secs (as tested)
Top speed: 250km/h (claimed, limited)
Price: RM468,000

Verdict: Pricey but one of the best (brand-new) Teutonic super-coupe money can buy. Twin turbo mind blowing. Excellent chassis balance for a highly involving drive.

Road Test: BMW 335i Coupe

By Dr Long

Click on images to enlarge

A turbocharged car or a supercharged one for that matter is more often than not, very lively and responsive to pilot. The E92 335i coupe, being the first BMW to come from the manufacturer that profess ‘Sheer Driving Pleasure’ to have forced induction since the last two decades or so, is simply brilliant.

Brilliant because it has that wicked twin turbo that induces pulling power palpable from a low 1500rpm and kicks up a typhoon that sweeps the speedo past the 100km/h mark in 5.5secs (as tested). From here on, my associate and I managed 160km/h, then on to 200km/h and a little past 240km/h before the super coupe worn out our nerves. The winding up the speedometer needle on the 335i looked effortless, much like a PS2 video game. Awesome.

Front end grip is so phenomenal that it just refused to break away in those U-turn like 270 degrees highway exit and entrance route. That was despite three digit speed, something almost untried in my regular ride. Steering feel and weight is just right, well maybe a tad ‘dead’ heavy at parking speed but nice. However, the rack may be over-sensitive at lofty three digits velocity, even to the point of unforgiving. Comparing it to a Brabus K4 and my regular E200K, the 335i’ rack induced oversteering and swaying if your input for lane change gets just that little over-enthusiastic. On two occasions, DTC intervened furiously, as visible with its flashing lights in the instrument panel. Something Peter and I both concurred on undisputedly. A price to pay for steering sharpness and over-incisiveness, we reckoned. Strictly 9-3 o’clock grips at the thick gauge M-steering wheel in 'rigor mortis' state recommended, if you want to maintain autobahn speeds or if you’re bent on chasing that Porsche Cayman S or something.

BMW’s award-winning turbocharged 3.0L IL6 makes a glorious growl as you rev up to mid and upper band but typical of any powerplant with turbo plus direct injection (think VAG’s TFSI in Golf and A4), it does get little hoarse towards the absolute redline. NVH refinements even on those triple digit runs were excellent, with nary an out-of-place howling wind noise or tyres rumble. The 3rd gen run-flats were soft and pliant despite the E92 coupe’s sport suspension set up. Surprisingly liveable for a BMW with ambitious sporting intention.

The E92’s chassis balance is brilliant too with stringing corners from apex to apex grin-inducing. That said, while it’s sure-footed almost all the time, the undulating surfaces of highways may ruffle its planted composure for just that half a second or so. More so during medium speed lane change or during a mild sweeping corner when you hit small bumps on the tarmac. In all honesty, this is something not troubling the Peter’s last (original) Brabus K4. It’s also easy to induce power-oversteer with that max 400Nm driving the rear wheels since I felt the rear end steeping out a little sideways on one wide corner as I powered out of its apex, experienced just moments before the safety-driving electronics kicked in.

With so much speed and zippiness it is very heartening to have brakes as reassuring and quick acting as the one in the 335i. It’s very responsive yet offers a good range of brake pedal modulation. Splendid.

Much has been said about the quick-shifting new generation torque convertor ‘box in the 335i coupe. Though the toggle-paddle shifters looked great in aluminium and all, I have yet to find a need to tug-and-push them so far. For really urgent ‘emergencies’ a flick of the gear lever to the left into ‘DS’ will suffice. Serious.

You may want to read this:
http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/03/driven-exhilarating-e60-bmw-m5.html

AC Schnitzer GP3.10: Gas Powered and Manic!

Click on images to enlarge
Having boosted, tuned and dressed up BMWs over the good part of 20 years, AC Schnitzer will present a gas (LNG) powered GP3.10 super 3-series coupe (E92). Equipped with a modified version of the BMW M5/M6’s 5.0L V10, the engine – which can also burn petrol - produces 552hp (+45hp vs standard M5/M6) and kicks out 540Nm of maximum torque. When it alternatively uses LNG (which is significantly cheaper than petrol) the V10 spews about 15% lesser CO2. Yet, imagine lining up with LNG-powered taxis in Malaysia - for the limited gas refuelling island(s) - at only certain fuel-filling stations!

Under the ventilated hood lies BMW’s award-winning V10 engine additionally equipped with sequential LPG system consisting of two parallel 5-cylinder vaporizers. Impressively, there's no loss of power and its delivery dynamics, with sprinting to 100 km/h in 4.5secs, and the 200km/h attained in just 13.9secs! It will spurt all the way to 320km/h if you’ve got the gall and mental strength. Racing suspension from Aachen sharpens stability and handling in view of the massive power and torque hike. Just as important, brakes are uprated too: 8-pot fixed calliper brakes with perforated vented discs of 374mm x 36mm up front, while the rear axle gets a 4-pot brake system with 350mm x 24mm rotors.

The rear styling with its bulbous-concave contours, the rear skirt with integral diffuser and the rear roof wing with carbon centre part are muscular and menacing. Just as aesthetically aggressive is the distinctive front skirt with coarse-mesh sports grille lining the massive air dam. Equally jaw-dropping is the racing rims Type VI, also by Aachen which combines the classic Y-spoke appearance with five striking hollow spokes, both items in different shades.

At a glance: AC Schnitzer GP3.10

Maximum power output: 552hp @ 8000rpm
Maximum torque: 540Nm @ 6200rpm
0 - 100 km/h = 4.5secs
0 - 200 km/h = 13.9secs
Top speed = 320km/h

Related post:

http://for-wheels.blogspot.com/2007/08/ac-schnitzer-e92-3-series-coupe.html