My FH5 Log: G80 M3

The BMW G80 M3 is no doubt one of the most controversial cars ever made due to its polarizing front face which caused a lot of mixed reactions when it first came out in 2021 and now that it made the rounds in Forza Horizon 5 via the Horizon Creatives update, the time's come to experience behind the wheel of one of the most controversial Bimmers of all time.

Obtained from the Horizon Creatives' Wet Season Playlist, the all-new G80 BMW M3 kickstarted the lineup of BMW models coming to this update in addition to two vehicles from a certain brand making its Forza franchise debut. It's spoilers but let's focus on this big-grilled Bimmer teased and taunted the world over.

The G80 M3 marks the third time BMW made a four-door M3 since the E90 and the F80 models. It features the controversial vertical kidney grille slapped on the front, which caused outrage from the motoring community. Putting aside its controversial front face, it is armed with the 3.0L turbo six-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox if you're into the more powerful Competition variant with 510PS of power, 650Nm of torque, and a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds. It also comes with an upgraded suspension and chassis setup to make it wider, lower, more rigid, and more enjoyable to drive than its predecessor.

I already drove the G82 M4 a long time ago in the game and this four-door equivalent feels pretty much the same to me, although the sedan is slightly heavier than its coupe equivalent. Like the G82 M4, it's rear-wheel-drive in default and I have the option to have it equipped with xDrive all-wheel-drive system but I'll think about it because it's a little surprise that I'm experimenting later on.

While figuring out what kind of surprise I'll make with the G80 M3, I've picked a certain EventLab creation to test this monster-grilled abomination since we're in the month of Horizon Creatives after all. I've selected one of Twisted Knot's creations and this EventLab creation is the ideal place to let the G80 M3 loose. Let's roll the tape.

A slight mistake but hey, this M3 proved its point.

Love it or hate it, this big-grilled BMW M3 is a proven super saloon in its own right and looks like I'm starting to get hooked on it amid its horrifying looks. Forget face value, this is the M3 you would want to come back for more if you're brave enough to do so.

About the little surprise, I said for the G80 M3, I'm currently working on it so watch this space.

BMW M3 Competition Touring

For decades, the idea of an M3 Touring is nothing but a far-fetched dream until now, the dream of an M3 Touring became a living reality, and looks like the first-ever M3 Touring will have the Audi RS4 Avant in its crosshairs.

2023 BMW M3 Competition Touring

Priced at 97,800 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever BMW M3 Competition Touring is a dream come true for speedo boys wishing for an estate version of the M3. Because this is an M3, there are some ups and downs with this dream-turned-reality.

Because the M3 Competition Touring is basically a G21 3-Series Touring with the face of the G80 M3, you can expect lots of complaints from the design department because of the controversial kidney grilles that became the new normal for BMW but because this is the M3 Touring, they'll let it slide for now.

On the interior, it still operates and feels just like their normal equivalents, apart from the annoying but clever BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that works like your Amazon Alexa device as well as the M-specific treatments that differentiate them such as its sports seats, buttons, and some extras. Because this is the Touring variant, you can expect 500 liters of boot space with the rear seats present and up to 1510 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded down, meaning this M3 is ready for everything.

Under the hood, the M3 Competition Touring is powered by the same 3.0L twin-turbo six-cylinder engine as its siblings, and because this is set in Competition spec with xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the only gearbox you'll get is an 8-speed automatic. It produces 510PS of power, 650Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 3.6 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph. 280kph with the optional extra on, which is 10kph less than its sedan equivalent.

Despite being heavier than the sedan version, the M3 Competition Touring still packs a punch with its M-tuned dynamics, adaptive dampers, variable-ratio steering, and others. With such track-tuned dynamics, it's no wonder it became the fastest wagon to lap the Nurburgring in 7 minutes 35.06 seconds.

With the dream of the M3 Touring becoming a living reality, it's time to get egoistic about it because love it or hate it, this is the high-performance station wagon Bimmer fanatics want...or not.

Photo: BMW AG

My FH5 Log: Hardcore M3

Obtained from FH5's Rami's Racing History Hot Season Playlist, the ultimate version of the E92 M3, the M3 GTS, is now joining the party. My party. Now that I got one, it's time to get to know the ultimate M3 speedo boys loved.

The M3 GTS is a stripped-off version of the E92 BMW M3 Coupe with all of its comforts removed and increased the size V8 engine to 4.4L, resulting in 450hp of power output, while mated to a seven-speed M DKG Drivelogic with the race-bred gearshift. Apart from that, the M3 GTS features high-performance suspension, high-performance brakes, and improved aerodynamics, giving it a more race car feel on the go.

With the quick introduction done, it's time for the M3 GTS to have a manly street race against the world's best drivers while having fun with its signature dynamics that made the GTS the ultimate E92 M3 from its time. Roll the tape.

The M3 GTS stayed true to BMW's vibe; The Ultimate Driving Machine.

Enjoy your new ride!

BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82)

Well, it had to happen. After so many complaints from speedo boys ranting about the terrifying vertical kidney grille slapped on the second-generation 4-Series' face and feared that the next M3 and M4 could get the same treatment as the one mentioned, the new generation BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe have arrived and yes, it dons the terrifying vertical kidney grille that had most speedo boys complaining. So, behind the terrifying grille, what's it feels like to be with the new model?

2022 BMW M4

2022 BMW M3

The new BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe have arrived with the terrifying vertical kidney grille slapped on the front, the kind of grille most speedo boys are complaining about, probably because our favorite German luxury car maker's gone progressive in every way, but behind the grille, the new models featured reworked dynamics, improved performance, cutting-edge tech, and more, keeping in tune with BMW's motorsport knowhow as well as...the times.

Of course, as speedo boys keep complaining about the massive vertical grille on the face, there's more to this design that polarizes them. On the interior, it still operates and feels just like their normal equivalents, apart from the annoying but clever BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that works like your Amazon Alexa device in every way or so but since they're potent versions of the 3-Series sedan and 4-Series coupe, you are greeted by the M-specific treatments that differentiate them such as its sports seats, buttons, and some extras. The carbon fiber trim's a bit tacky by the way but being tacky is what these new models do best.

Under the hood, the new models are armed with the 3.0L twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a no-nonsense 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox if you're into the more powerful Competition variant with 510PS of power, 650Nm of torque, and a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds. As speedo boys complained about the looks but went to buy one anyway, looks like the less powerful base variant with the manual gearbox is the best pick because speedo boys love sports cars with a manual gearbox. Hey, the one with the manual gearbox can be so much more fun to drive than the new Toyota GR Supra, which has less power and no manual. Cue the raspberry sound effects, boys.

While the performance is somewhat rewarding for speedo boys who didn't bother about its controversial looks, the new M3 and M4 are getting more fun to drive than their predecessors. That's because they have updated its suspension and chassis setup to make it wider, lower, more rigid, and more enjoyable to drive than the previous models. There are also clever bits as well such as the M Dynamic Mode on the stability control, updated TCS, M Drive Professional system with M Traction Control, and more, giving you more ways to get intoxicated by its addictive dynamics that made you want to drive for more.

In standard rear-wheel drive specs, the new M3 and M4 really show some vitality through the corners and when you try oversteering it, you should be just fine. Speedo boys really dig the ones with rear-wheel drive configuration but with the all-wheel-drive variants arriving later, there's so much to get hooked with the new models because, for those who have experience with the all-wheel-drive M5, you can expect near-similar results with these two.

The case of "bad plus good equals better for everyone" could be the ideal summary for the new M3 and M4 because with the design that attracts so much heat from complaining speedo boys, the improved performance and dynamics, as well as the manual gearbox, are what made them good. Think about it, if you still complaining about the looks, why are you driving one?

Photo: BMW

Forza Horizon 4: Hardcore Beamers

From the legendary M3-GTR to the questionable M4 GTS, BMW is known for making hardcore versions of its ever-popular models based on the 3-Series architecture and for wooing enthusiasts everywhere, these hardcore Bimmers are known for being track-focused, meaning they have stripped every concession of comfort in the pursuit of being driver-focused, go-to, track toys.



Although drivers can take them on the road, they feel like they're not judging the fact that these Bimmers stripped every necessity for weight-saving purposes, but when taken to the track, these Bimmers surely shine themselves like gymnasts. Let's get to know those hardcore Bimmers from the M3-GTR to the M4 GTS.



The BMW M3-GTR remains a legend in BMW M Power history and this road-going version is no exception. Made for homologation purposes, the E46 M3-GTR is the first ever BMW to be powered by a V8 engine, a 4.0L one derived from the racing version, producing 380HP of power and mated to a 6-speed manual. It is capable of getting 0-100kph in over four and a half seconds. BMW only made ten of these, making the M3-GTR road car an ultra-rare machine to hunt for even if it was labeled as the "Most Wanted." Pun intended.



Next up is the M3 GTS, a stripped-off version of the M3 Coupe with all of its comforts removed and increased the size V8 engine to 4.4L, resulting in 450hp of power output, while mated to a seven-speed M DKG Drivelogic with race-bred gearshift. Apart from that, the M3 GTS features high-performance suspension, high-performance brakes, and improved aerodynamics, giving it a more race car feel on the go.



Lastly, for now, is the BMW M4 GTS, the lightweight version of the BMW M4 Coupe capable of getting through the Nurburgring at 7 minutes and 28 seconds. It is the first to use water injection that pumps more power to its turbocharged six-cylinder in-line 3.0L engine, resulting in 500hp of power and 600Nm of torque. With the 7-speed DCT equipped, the M4 GTS can go 0-100kph in less than four seconds and onwards to 305kph. Apart from that, the M4 GTS weighs 1,510 kg thanks to its removal of interior comforts, extensive use of CFRP, and more. They've even reworked the chassis and driving dynamics to make it more track-focused while keeping its road-legal status at the same time.







So, now that I got the chance to know about these track-day BMWs, how about sending these three for a time attack...with a twist? Since we've used a Street Scene stage somewhere in Edinburgh, the objective the cars will do is to set a fast time while avoiding traffic. I know it sounds outrageous but hey, challenge accepted.

After surviving the night around Edinburgh, here are the lap times;

M3-GTR - 2:24.211
M3 GTS - 2:17.437
M4 GTS - 2:16.417





From M3-GTR to M4 GTS, it took almost eight seconds to evolve these hardcore Bimmers from the former to the latter and it seems that BMW had done a pretty good job shaving off some fat to make their fast cars even faster than they were in the last decade.

I just hope this go-faster recipe will never change even if it's in the hands of a much terrifying replacement coming soon.

Forza Horizon 3: Burnt some midnight oil to get one...

See this E36 BMW M3? I got it from a Midnight Battle, and if you're wondering what's it all about, this classic Bimmer is just one of the few cars you can win on Midnight Battle. To do this, you need to win enough Street Races to access to this duel where a prize car is at stake.

Here's what I did...

Heh, looks like I've been trying my "Vin Diesel" impression to take care of that prized Bimmer but in the end, it's always "eyes on the prize" and with such win, I finally got my hands on this sick Bimmer that can't wait to put on its cool bodykit sourced from Japan. I'm talking about Rocket Bunny, of course, and it seems odd for an German sportscar to wear such a bodykit made specifically for Japanese sportscars like the 86 and the BRZ, but what the hey? The E36 M3 is one of the best cars a speedo boy would love.

With the bodykit on, the E36 M3 it looks like if tonight's serving is a bratwurst dipped in wasabi and the beverage for the day was cerveza negra. Don't know what a cerveza negra taste like but with a unique serving and a unique lifestyle brew, the E36 M3 with the Rocket Bunny kit sure knows how to living the lifestyle after hours, unless it knows what its doing right now.

Uh-huh, perhaps it could use a little more work on the performance side that can balance both its offense and defense because this car's still on the defensive post but still, I had fun driving an E36 M3 that comes with a Rocket Bunny kit for its new kind of attitude for a classic German hi-po sportscar that has been the hallmark for every Bimmer aficionados since the first one and while I had fun driving the latest BMW M4 with the Liberty Walk look a few moments ago, it has a lot to learn from this car.

Still, this is a prized car worthy to be admired for not just for its looks, but for attitude as well...

30 Years of BMW M3

BMW M3 30 Jahre

Three decades ago, the first-ever BMW M3, based on the E30 3-Series, went on sale, and now, it's the 30th anniversary of the BMW M3. For five generations, the BMW M3 has been catered even the most astute of car enthusiasts who wanted a car with a motorsport pedigree Bavaria's finest deserved. Because this is the car's 30th anniversary, let's have a mini history lesson about BMW's high-performance version of the 3-Series.

E30 (1986-1992) - The first BMW M3 comes with the S14B23 2.3L engine, which comes with basic block layout from the M10 4-cylinder overbored and reinforced to similar specifications of the BMW M88 inline-6.  This car participated in numerous touring car championships and the E30 M3 was meant to be a homologation for Group A Touring Car racing purposes.

E36 (1992 -1999) - Based on the E36 3-Series model, this M3 comes with a 3.0L straight-6 engine that generates 280HP of power. During its lifespan, the E36 M3 is offered in 2-door coupe, cabriolet, and a 4-door saloon. There were special-edition models made on this generation such as the Canada-exclusive Euro-spec, LTW, GT, GT-R, R, and the Imola Individual, as well as an Australian-exclusive Anniversary Edition.

E46 (2000 - 2006) - The E46 M3 comes with 3.2L DOHC straight-6 engine and it was based on the E46 3-Series that underwent a full model change in 1998. This engine produces 338HP of power and 269ft-lb of torque. Initially, it was mated with a 6-speed manual but later, an SMG II double clutch gearbox was offered.

E90 (2007 - 2013) - For an unsuspecting twist, the E90 M3 replaces the 6-cylinder engine to a more powerful 4.0L V8 engine, producing 414HP of power, while mated with a 7-speed M DCT. Apart from the performance, the E90 M3 is lighter than the previous one thanks to new components such as a high-strength carbon fiber roof, and aluminum for the suspension parts, resulting to 1630kg of weight.

F80 (2014 - onwards) The latest-generation M3 marks a bold start for BMW because this model is now available exclusively as a 4-door saloon. The old M3 Coupe is now renamed as the BMW M4. Whatever that is, both the M3 F80 and the M4 F82 now comes with a turbocharged 3.0L straight-six engine, which produces 431HP of power and 405lb-ft of torque, while mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DCT. Electric power steering is now standard for the first time in this one, though. Apart from that, the F80 M3 uses high-strength steel and carbon components, resulting to 83kg of weight loss, perfect weight distribution, and dynamics similar to the E46 M3.

To honor such occasion, BMW offered a commemorative special edition model called the M3 30 Jahre, which comes with an exclusive Macao Blue paint (Frozen Silver for UK customers), 20-inch alloys, Merino leather, carbon trim, and it's based on the Competition Pack, with added 19bhp on the 6-cylinder turbo engine on it as well as updates on the suspension, differential, and stability systems. Oh, and it's available exclusively with a 7-speed DCT. This model is strictly limited to 500 units worldwide and it will cost 90,000 Euros.

Wir sagen Happy Birthday!

BMW M3 (F80) and M4 (F82)

2015 BMW M3 and 2015 BMW M4

For many years, the BMW M3 has been the German muscle of our generation. From its humble beginnings since the E30, its numerous regenerations, new breakthroughs, involvement in the motorsport world, the 3-Series with the muscle is one of the most iconic high-performance German machines in the history of mankind and here we are, the new chapter of M3 is finally unfold and this is not like any other M3s we remembered because starting now, the M3 is now available exclusively as a sedan while its coupe version now gets a new name...M4.

This is all part of BMW's revised naming strategy of using odd numbers for saloons and even numbers for coupes with some minor exceptions to the rule. If the naming is least of our problems, the chassis codes now come with a plot twist that we never expect to happen. 3-Series models bear the F30 code while 4-Series models bear the F32 code but the new M3 now bear the F80 code while it's F82 for the M4. Why? Anyway, there has been some conspiracy theories going on about why the chassis code for the new M3 and M4 are way different than the regular 3-Series sedan and 4-Series coupe. Some say...it's different in uses of various materials as the regular F3x models are made of steel while F8x features a combination of high-strength steel and carbon composites. Other possible theories state that this ludicrously new codes reflect the change on how the corporate office manages the finance books on those models. This is still a conspiracy but we'll let that one on the running. Anyway, the car...

2015 BMW M3 and 2015 BMW M4

By the looks of it, they're look identical to each other but the only main difference are the doors themselves. The M3 opens four doors while the M4 opens only two doors. Simple as that. What's also change is the fun factor because the previous model's V8 engine sounds more baritone, a bit more muscle car in the noise stakes. For those new models, the magnificent V8 engine has been thrown away to the trash can and replaced by the 3.0L straight-six twin turbo engine. When you listen to that, it sounds like your average sportscar and I'm not quite down to the big upset because there's the same stuff you find on the current M5: something that fires a synthesized exhaust note from the speakers. Sinister but cheating.

Although the new straight-six engine maybe a bit of a problem for us but there's an upside to this one; this engine produces 431PS of power output and 550Nm of torque, that's plenty than the old model's V8 engine. With the 7-speed DCT equipped, both the M3 and the M4 can do 0-100kph in 4.1 seconds and top speed normally limited to 250kph or 280kph with the available M driver pack. Plus it's now more economical than ever because both of these can accumulate 12.05km/L of combined fuel economy and CO2 emission of 194g/km. This engine is Euro 6-compliant.

Thanks to the use of high-strength steel and carbon components, they've managed to shave off 83kg of weight, resulting to a perfect weight distribution and a little reminiscent from the E46 days. As for handling, it's not quite bad even though these two now come with power steering for the first time. I'm not a fan of power steering though because they feel less communicative when cornered. Be warned though because while it maybe a good car to thrash about, commuting in one of these can be very drastic thanks to the fact that the suspension has been stiffened. Despite setting this one to the comfort setting, it doesn't feel as comfortable as your parents' van on a turnaround part where it leads you all the way to the top of the parking area.

2014 BMW M3 interior

2015 BMW M4 interior

Should you buy it? Well, let's calculate their starting price first because the M4 will cost you 72,200 Euros while the M3 costs 71,500 Euros, a 700 Euro difference. Even though the new M3 sedan is cheaper than its M4 coupe equivalent, they're still very expensive to own unless you have enough funds to invest in these Bimmers. If there's something I would love about these two; it's all in the styling, interior, the handling that you can really thrash around when the timing's just right, and being light on weight. Things I hate would be the lack of throttle response, redundant straight-six noise, power steering and wait for it...the pricing. But still I hate the M4 more than the Corvette C7 Stingray.

Why I hate the new BMW M4? Well, remember the whole thing happened to the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray? Well, I'm proven wrong many times by those idiots and just when I though that the C7 Corvette's going to be Gran Turismo-exclusive, looks like someone done a little extortion to feature it on another racing game because they're just too jealous to feature. Jealousy forces them to steal what is supposed to be Gran Turismo exclusive and here I am, traumatized by that situation when some of the Gran Turismo exclusives got trafficked to other video games like human trafficking.

2015 BMW M3 and 2015 BMW M4

If there's one thing you need to know for those in charge of racing video games, you'd better not to lay a finger on the BMW M4 because of its Gran Turismo exclusivity and it wishes that it should not end up on the same mistake as what happened to the Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray. I would repeat this once and only once that the BMW M4 is Gran Turismo-exclusive and no other game should lay their hands to extort it for the sole purpose of featuring it on another racing video game. That means you Forza. Feature this and let Sony sue Microsoft for unfair competition on showing a Gran Turismo-exclusive car. Guess I'll just leave this one in the running while our new M3 friend is awaiting its own verdict from the driving gods.

The BMW M4 should stay with the other rest of the Gran Turismo exclusives like the Autobianchi, the Deltawing, the Dome Zero, Tommykaira ZZ-S, Group C Le Mans from Toyota and Nissan, and any other cars I've mentioned that are Gran Turismo exclusive. That's a direct order and that is the end of it.

Photo: BMW A.G.

Forza Motorsport 5: The ultimate BMW touring car

This is the 2013 BMW M Performance M3 Racing, a M3-based touring car that shows how capable BMW is after their two-decade absence in the DTM and their comeback is proven to be a successful one. This M3 touring car is one of the cars you can find on Forza Motorsport 5's Meguiar's Car Pack, now on sale.



When in 2012, BMW returned to the world of DTM with their BMW M3 Touring Car and its comeback is successful thanks to Bruno Spengler winning the 2012 championship as well as naming Augusto Farfus as the "Rookie of the Year".

 

In 2013, BMW Motorsport successfully dominated the DTM season with that year's BMW M3 Touring Car and proved their effort having accumulated five wins, twelve podiums, four pole positions, and four fastest laps in 2013 as well as accumulating their Manufacturer's title win. No other DTM-participated car company comes close.

Overall, BMW drivers in the 2013 DTM scored 369 points, while in the Team competition, BMW Team RBM placed 2nd with 148 points. Augusto Farfus was one of the best-known BMW drivers at the 2013 DTM after finishing as a runner-up at the Driver's championship with 116 points while BMW Team MTEK's Marco Wittmann is recognized as one of the most successful rookies of the 2013 DTM season.



Unlike any other racing machines destined for GT Racing, this M3 Touring Car is unlike any other touring machines I have tasted in Forza 5 because the way it handles is incredibly epic indeed. It feels so easy and it doesn't matter if you're not paying attention because while being focused for GT Racing in mind, those aerodynamics planted on this car really made it as precise as a surgeon's blade as well as its perfect weight distribution that balances the yin and yang from within. Having driven this ultimate touring machine in FM5, it left me a big impression in my face, stating that BMW's return to its touring car racing roots has proven their rivals wrong.

It kinda reminded me of a British sci-fi show that was once axed in the late 1980's but returned in the mid-2000's with incredible results in so many ways. I can hardly imagine why...

Alpha-N Performance gives E92 M3 one last chance

Alpha-N Performance M3 E92

The BMW M3 is dead, at least in 2-door coupe form. Yes, there will be a new M3 in the future but sadly, it's going to be available only in F30 sedan variant. Because the 3-Series Coupe will be replaced by the 4-Series, we're not sure what would the M version would be but that doesn't stop the aftermarket industry to spice things up for the retiree.

Alpha-N Performance, a tuner based in Bad Neuenahr, Germany, decided to give the now-defunct E92 M3 one last chance to set it right by providing the necessary tuning needed to make it more aggressive and more powerful. Called the BT92, this M3 E92 now sports a wide body kit, characterized by its curved lines. It also comes with a new bonnet, new tailgate, new bumpers, side skirts, fenders, and new wheel house shells made out of Kevlar. The body kit will cost 15,000 Euros but depending on the paint, it could cost from either 25,000 or 28,000 Euros, depending on special requests.

In terms of performance, Alpha-N can also provide increased displacement from the E92's V8 engine from 4.0L to 4.6L along with a new crankshaft. The result, 490HP of power and 470Nm of torque. Top speed is now 315kph.

Source: MSN Auto Germany

Forza Horizon: A few good BMW's

Bimmers love the open road of Colorado, especially in a game of Forza Horizon but sometimes not all Bimmers are good, well they are better or BEST! There are a good bimmers, some better ones, and the BEST BMW cars offered on Horizon. For me, the best Bimmers I have ever drive were...

...the normal BMW M3 E92...

This is like a promotional video!

...the BMW Z4 E89, which is the dinosaur ravaging through Horizon...

Beware of the dinosaur with big meaty testes!

...the BMW 1M Coupe, which maybe old but still a goodie for the enthusiasts...

The other Annoying Orange...

...and the BMW M5 F10, which is definitely the best BMW 4-door high performance sports saloon which loves to pull some moves for the sake of its popularity...

This driver's had a cousin in Yorkshire!

Those beamers were the best! It really showed me how "Freude am Fahren" they are, sticking true to its BMW slogan and you know it.

Forza 4: How to make a BMW M3?

Roll Call!!!

Copying a page from Autocar's pages, we might have a speculation of what the future M3 would look like. The next M3 may come with a 6-cylinder turbo engine that develops 450HP and 48lb-ft of torque. It would be stiffer than the previous model it replaces and lighter thanks to carbon fiber and aluminum. Question is, will it have the same handling of the M3 from yesteryears? To find out, I decided to use the Top Gear Test Track on Forza Motorsport 4 as a speculation zone to speculate the future M3's what-will-it-be scenario...

It may not arrive until next year but until now and then, all we have to do is speculate about how good or otherwise the new model might be but it might be half as soulful as this...

BMW M3 E30

...the original E30 M3, the first M3 ever built. If it weren't for this model, BMW wouldn't made an executive high performance sports saloon money can buy. Even though it's no longer as quicker as its successors, the handling and steering are still at it through the years. It's really quite a well balanced car and don't worry about this one not being a quick because this car really doesn't matter if you're not concentrating.

BMW M3 E36

This applies the same on the M3 E36 of the 90's. If I remember correctly, Car & Driver said that the E36 M3 is one of the best handling cars of the 90's because of its benign handling and balance and popular among circuit racers and track enthusiasts. To be honest, this is more of a high-performance version of the car my dad used to drive. Ah the memories...

Anyway, enough of memory jibber jabber, we used to have a BMW but then because of our family climate, we decided to give it away from our cousin, who moments later swapped for a Mazda RX-8. Well, long story short. Here I am...

One thing I'm going to like about the E36 was its jumpy handling, it is as frightening as a frightened woman and the toaster but it sure is planting my face a huge smile or better yet, WINNING FACE. Innit though....

BMW M3 E46

The E46 M3 though...that's probably the best handling M3 for me. That's definitely something what the next model would learn lessons from. There is a mantra that goes the suspension needs to be faster than the engine itself so what BMW's M division did is to rework the suspension to cope up against the raw power from its 6-cylinder engine. Furthermore, this is more well balanced than its predecessors and also, it's much more fun to drive even for those who are not concentrating.

BMW M3 E92

And this...the soon-to-be-discontinued E92 M3 is somewhat the moral opposite of its predecessors because in the past, most M3's are forgone the inline engine treatment but for the E92 model, the biggest twist involves on putting a big V8 engine on it. It might be more challenging to master but it's still a sublime machine with a big power. What's addicting about this E92 M3 is the noise from its V8 engine. It sounds like an American muscle car with a German twist and also if you have the space and the tire budget, this is much more fun to drift but in terms of its drifting talent...what can I say? PLENTY OF SMOKE BUT NO CIDER. Sorry about that but still, it's still a quick car. The quickest M3 of all but when I pit this one against the E46 M3, seems that the handling of the E92 is nowhere near as good as the E46 and the game of catch-up will leave me bored. Still, on the straights, it's definitely quicker than the E46 if I'm honest.

So, what I want for the next M3 is that it has to be as faster as the E92, as jumpy as the E36, and as easy to handle as the E46. Hopefully, BMW would get that memo...

Forza Horizon: Huge power or good handling?

There were two cars that were part of Forza Horizon's November Bondurant Car Pack. The one that possess an insane amount of power of its class and the other which is a hardcore lightweight version of a high-performance German sports car.

First off, I'll start the first one and this one here is the Shelby 1000, a GT500-based machine that became the last to be commissioned by the founder before his death. It maybe a muscle but with such power output that no other muscle car can get this, this is no other muscle car that I have ever driven in the whole game.

An overpowered workhorse

So how did the Shelby 1000 became the only muscle car that can handle such a big power like these? For starters, there is no production muscle car that can accumulate a thousand horsepower engine because with an overpowered engine, a muscle car can't survive and then it starts to disintegrate. That sounds risky but for Shelby American, what they do to make a thousand-horsepower muscle dream into reality, is by giving a GT500 donor car some strengthening needs such as a special subframe connectors, a new tubular chrome-moly front subframe, and others that can help survive the raw power of the thousand-horsepower engine.

I can't believe I got a chance to duke out one of Shelby's 50th anniversary offering, it's like trying out one of their biggest tributes for their anniversaries but such impressions aren't always welcome unless you have shown interest to the Shelby 1000. The sound? For a tuned 5.4L V8 engine on the Shelby 1000, it's giving me a different kind of nostalgia, something that the 1000's demonic whining of its engine reminds you of. Tell you what, does this sound familiar to you? It sounded like the Lizard Nightmare from R4 (Ridge Racer Type 4). Forgive me that I'm mentioning a very very old video game some of you heard of but yes, it does sound like it.

Because of such a heavy power, the handling of the 1000 is very diabolical. It doesn't kill you like a Third World Dictator but it will when it does. You need to be extra careful because the Shelby 1000 is not the kind of car for noobs of all kinds but for a real noob, consider this...

It's as serious as a racing driver as complexed

This is the BMW M3 GTS. It's a lightweight, hardcore, stripped out version of the E92 BMW M3. It may have the same V8 engine that powers the M3 but more importantly, it's 300 kilograms lighter than the standard model. The supercar marketing ploy that goes if you take away something from the car like for example some radio, carpets, aircon, and something to reduce weight, you'll charge more for not giving it to you. That's exactly what this is. Well, it may not be a supercar but look at it, some scaffolding occurred so what can I expect on the M3 GTS is simple; no radio, bucket seats, roll bars, no rear seats, no aircondition, no concession of comfort, nothing. It doesn't matter though because the GTS is a serious sports car with a serious attitude. It's easier to handle too so it doesn't matter if you're not concentrating.

I think that the M3 GTS is my pick because it may lost some of its concessions of comfort but it's a corner-munching leviathan I really love to drive. It kinda reminds me of the M3 GTR from the past. As for the Shelby 1000, it's the power that made me drunk for speed every time I set foot. This is the kind of muscle car that demands fear and respect to the Horizon drivers.