German Car Zone

Mmm, good: BMW's M3 is close to perfect

To the glee of enthusiasts everywhere, BMW has unleashed the latest take on its stellar M3. And while we tested a coupe, the launch proved to be doubly good news for enthusiasts who felt shut out of the previous M3 experience because they were "saddled" with families. BMW has wisely moved away from the two-door-only formula and resurrected a sedan version of its marquee car.

"When I found out that BMW was going to make the new M3 in a four-door," wrote one owner, "it sounded like the perfect family car to me. Who said a family car has to be boring?"

Boring the M3 decidedly is not. The high-revving V8 is a work of art, with a redline way up in the 8,000-rpm range and more power and throttle response than you need in a road-going car. And grabbing gears in the six-speed manual is done with ease.

The car has way more power than it can use around town. In normal driving conditions, the traction control often kicks in and bogs down the engine, but even on the drag strip, it wants to go sideways in first and second gears and spins its tires halfway through second gear. The engine turns out power all over the tach, giving as much as you ask for with your right foot.

Full Article:

AUTOFILE: 2008 BMW M3 - AutoWeek Magazine



LIKES

--Superb electronic damping control

--Comfortable, supportive seats

--Gobs of power, chassis to match


DISLIKES

--Run-flat tires

--Not enough exhaust note

--Must get iDrive to get navigation



OTHERS CONSIDERED

--BMW M5

--Audi RS4

--Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG



OWNERS SAY. . .

The M3 has exceeded my expectations in every way. The motor is a masterpiece that never stops revving and climbs smoothly to the stratospheric redline. The sound is so intoxicating that I usually leave the stereo off! Shifting is quick and precise; the clutch is perfect. I was able to get 23 mpg on one highway trip, which I'll live with. The car looks stunning. No photograph I've seen accurately depicts the dramatic look.

Larry Engel, Westfield, N.J.


Full Story:


AUTOFILE: 2008 BMW M3 - AutoWeek Magazine


M

One error: --Run-flat tires, M3 do not have runflats

...and they consider a car you can't buy an alternative, along with the E63 instead of the C63.

Review written Sunday at 3 AM?

Well this is an Autofile thingy meaning those are the choices M3 buyers wrote in saying they considered, not the editors. As for the RS4, there were still a few on the ground over the summer here in the U.S.

M

Oh NOOOOOOO! The end of the world for the idiot journalist who can't use a freaking computer.

Give me a break! I can't believe they still have to whine about this in all those American magazines. Whine. Whine. Whine.

LOL....consumer is whining, not the magazine. This is a profile/survey of M3 owners.

M

^ lol

Ok. They can stop whining soon overseas, because the M3 has a completely new iDrive system now, just like the 7er.

the owners are clueless? Run flats What is it they dont like about the tires?