|
|
|
BMW M3 Coupe Review
By Don Booker MBE
 Thinking about motoring icons, we usually look back on the VW Beetle, Morris Minor, Ford Escort and the Mini. We tend to forget that BMW have a car in this category.
Just over 20 years ago I made my first trip abroad to test a car – it was the BMW M3 Coupe. The promenade at Nice and the mountain roads behind were ideal settings for such a fantastic motor.
At that time it created a new segment for super-high performance compact cars and in the past 20 years the M3 has proved a success on road and track bringing with it three generations carrying the same badge.
BMW M3 Review - Full
|
With such power and acceleration, consumption available is still nearly 30mpg. This is eight per cent better than the previous version.
The engine sound is superb and is as fast as a Porsche 911, but all the technology does not come entirely from the engine itself but from BMW’s efficient dynamics programme. This uses brake-energy regeneration to lower emissions and that consumption.
When the engine is on over-run, it activates the alternator to charge the battery with energy that previously would have been wasted.
There is a power button near the gear lever that gives extra throttle response, in other words, turning the car from one that can be driven to a supermarket to one that will out-drive most cars on the track.
With a super BMW look from the front and rear end that still seems to carry a look of earlier cars, the M3 is the first production car in its class to feature a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic roof panel with exposed weave.
It also has plastic front wings – ideal for fighting back against supermarket trolleys – and a lightweight alloy suspension. The MDrive button operates personalised car functions and for the optional electronic damper control there are normal, comfort and sport settings.
The response rate for the power steering can be controlled with a button on the steering wheel.
A powerdome and two air intakes in the alloy bonnet cover the new V8 and help engine cooling. However did we manage without alloy wheels? This newcomer has 18-inch double spoke alloy wheels with a 19-inch wheel an option.
Door mirrors can look ugly, but on this Coupe they have been aerodynamically designed to provide a degree of downforce.
The M3 is the ultimate sporting Coupe and costs £50,625. But if you want four doors and clearly an M car, then a saloon version will be available early next year.
Sandal BMW - telephone 01924 433500.
Published Winter 2007. All information correct at time of print
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
