2009 BMW M3: A beast, but a sober one
People often ask me what my favourite car is or what car I’d like to own. Since I like so many different vehicles, this question is pretty hard to answer. I often say that while I love the way roadsters look and drive, sport sedans are a lot more suited to my needs. Imagine a stylish, powerful, dynamic car that can take five adults and all their gear for a weekend away, regardless of the road conditions. That’s what I want, and that’s why the BMW M3 always makes my list.
With the M3, you compromise little and you can genuinely appreciate its capabilities on a daily basis. It’s no fun having to leave your hotrod at home when you want to head out with the family, and with the BMW M3, you don’t have to. What’s more, take this vehicle out on the road circuit and you’ll leave plenty of people in your dust. After having pushed the M3 to its max several times on the Mont-Tremblant circuit (during the BMW advanced driving course), I can safely say that this car is able to withstand a full day of hard driving without the slightest complaint.
A diverse selection
Should you decide to succumb to the M3’s charms (though admittedly this car is simply not in everyone’s price range), you’ll be able to choose from several different versions, depending on your needs. Purists will turn to the two-door coupe, as it offers the best performances thanks to its light weight and superior rigidity. It’s also the sportiest in terms of looks. Meanwhile, the M3 sedan is more practical with its four doors – particularly handy if you’ve got a family. Finally, those who love to feel the wind in their hair will undoubtedly turn to the convertible. This option is obviously the most appealing for summer drives, but it comes at the expense of performance, which is hindered by the vehicle’s extra weight (200 kg) and reduced chassis rigidity. You win some, you lose some. Ultimately, it’s all about what you prefer.
Look out for the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG!
Although they’re different on the outside, the M3 trio shares the same mechanical components. Under the hood they all get a 4.0-litre V8 that churns out no less than 414 hp and 295 lbs.-ft. of torque. All this power is directed to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox or a sequential seven-speed. This makes it more powerful than the Audi S4 (which is also more expensive), but not quite up to the Mercedes C63 AMG, which boasts a 451-hp 6.2-litre V8. Oh yeah, and the C63 AMG costs some $8,000 less. Between the engine and the price tag, my heart’s been leaning toward the C63 AMG this year.
As far as style goes, the M3 differentiates itself from the 3 Series with a few subtleties. In addition to the M emblem found on the body and inside the car, discerning eyes will note that the front end is more aggressive, the fenders are more flared and the rims are rather particular. Then there’s the carbon-fibre roof, unique side mirrors and quad exhaust pipes. And yet, the M3 remains a sober vehicle. While BMW tends to produce extroverted vehicles, I find that this one just isn’t as distinctive as what we used to see. In fact, my neighbour didn’t even realize it was a mythical M3 and mistook it for a 3 Series. Again, I give the upper hand to the Mercedes C63 AMG, which has a more aggressive look to it. Sure, some will argue that it’s just a matter of taste, but, in my view, if you’re paying for an extraordinary machine, you want people to notice it!
Inside, the M3 has a few special features you don’t find in the classic 3 Series, but nothing major. In terms of space, the coupe offers enough but is not what you’d call generous. Larger folks will have a hard time getting comfortable, regardless of whether they sit up front or in back. This is even more true in the convertible, which really has limited space in the back. Overall, the ergonomics are quite good, but once again you’ve got to deal with the iDrive system. I’ve whined about this control on several occasions, so I won’t bore you with the same complaints again.
On the highway
Take the M3 out on the highway and you’re in for some very impressive performances. In fact, you even have to be gentle with the gas pedal, lest you get some unpleasant surprises. I became most excited about its capabilities when out on a windy road. The M3 handled like a true sports car. The suspension is firm, minimizing weight transfer when braking and turning. Now, don’t expect gentle or flexible highway driving, especially if you’ve got 19-inch wheels under you. However, this car is perfectly adapted to sporty driving. The suspension and precise steering allow the M3 to take curves without flinching. This is the vehicle’s key asset.
The M3 is equipped with four large disc brakes, which are both powerful and effective. They can also endure quite a bit of work, as we spent hours putting them to the test with intense braking on the track. In fact, the vehicle is perfectly balanced and the Bavarian manufacturer has managed to offer what no other comparable vehicle has been able to attain: the absolute best in driving pleasure.
It’s no secret that the M3 is not an affordable vehicle and its numerous options are extremely pricey to boot. But if you’re asking about my dream car, the BMW M3 always comes to mind as it really doesn’t compromise much.
