New BMW M3 review

The first M3 was an out and out racing car but demand from customers for a road and race version has evolved the M3 through four generations of models to the latest Coupe which goes on sale in September.

The new M3 Coupe may not be such an ‘edgy’ difficult-to-drive-on-public-roads car as the original, but it is now far more refined, it’s faster for acceleration, more responsive, totally more civilised anf the car you can drive day in, day out, on public roads and then take to the race circuits for use at track day events.

Some motoring pundits will say the M3 has gone soft, it hasn’t it is now more in keeping with what the real world of high performance, useable sporting cars is all about.
The power and acceleration is awesome, the rear wheel drive and 50-50 weight distribution gives it superb handling, the steering is sharp, the suspension is absorbing and compliant, everything a modern day car needs to be for daily use.

Then you push the ‘M’ button and everything gets even sharper and you have a track-day car ready for use. All you have to do is install your individual various motorsport settings in the MDrive Manager, a bit like personal preferences for a computer, push the ‘M’ button and the M3 is a track car. The M3 is two cars in one, both extremely good.

Inside the two-door car things are much the same as any other 3-Series Coupe but with the wizardry of the ‘M’ departments attention to sporting detail.

More substantially bolstered sports seats hold the occupants firmly in place through high speed cornering, the instruments look race-bred and the hallmark ‘M’ series of warning lights that go out as the engine warms up indicates this is no normal road car.

The all-aluminium V8, 4-litre, high compression, normally aspirated petrol engine produces 420hp at 8,300rpm, it loves to be revved. The driver just needs to learn to use the extra 2,000rpm to get the optimum performance out of this unit.

Push the accelerator and then push it some more for the ultimate M3 experience. For the record it sound fantastic as well. The 400Nm of torque is available from 3,900rpm up to over 6,000rpm before it tails off so not only does the M3 have speed it has real ‘grunt’ as well.
Although the media first drive included driving sessions on a racing circuit in France, where the M3 was impressive and durable, it was the fast, traffic free winding roads around Pau that the M3 excelled.

Even in towns and heavier stop-start traffic, the M3 coped really well; it is not a bit temperamental in such an unfriendly environment. The steering is not too heavy at low speed, the clutch is not heavy to use and the six- speed gearchange is slick and precise to operate.

The capability for the M3 Coupe to provide fast, safe, responsive and above all comfortable driving was proved. In all areas, other than fuel consumption, a little over 14mpg at worst, 21mpg at best with an average of 18.5mpg overall, the M3 Coupe is a new performance car classic.
MILESTONES

BMW M3 Coupe

Price: £50,625 (as tested £55,500)

Engine: 4.0-litre, V8, normally aspirated petrol 420hp, 400Nm of torque

Performance: 155mph (electronically limited), 0-62mph 4.8 seconds, 22.8mpg (18.5mpg actual), CO2 295g/km, VED Band G £300

Insurance group: 20

For: Looks, awesome performance, refinement, quality, easy to live with, good space for four people with boot size to match.

Against: Fuel thirst
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