Driving a sedan with a 4.0-liter 414-horsepower V8 engine shouldn't be this easy.
It's impossible to get a sloppy shift. The BMW gearbox is too forgiving.
If you're stopped uphill at a red light and some joker pulls within an inch of your bumper, have no fear. The new BMW M3 has a hill-hold feature.
Need to match revs on a downshift? The M3's pedals are placed close enough together that even my small feet can manage it.
Shouldn't you have to work much harder to enjoy this much sophisticated power?
Has BMW made driving too easy?
Our 2009 BMW M3 is Car of the Week.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
hondacura4 says:
08:41 PM, 09/ 6/09
The M3 hits most if not all of my requirements. In this price range of high performance sedans only the M3 and CTS-V would get my money. However, the M3 holds a slight edge over the CTS-V because of its high revving, high strung character and more compact dimensions.
Likes:
- Glorious 8200 RPM REDLINE!
- Nimble, athletic, responsive chassis.
- High revving, ultra refined engine.
- Standard manual gearbox.
- Steering tactility and precision.
- Great fade free brakes.
- Rock solid structure.
- Understated yet purposeful exterior design.
- Aggressive wedgy stance.
- Solid construction.
- 4 door practicality.
- Overall size.
- Simplicity in its delivery of technology.
- Finesse/technique over brute force or brute power.
- True drivers car.
- Free maintenance.
- M pedigree and M philosophy.
- Little compromise in development.
- Potential aftermarket support.
Dislikes:
- Pricing structure.
- Break in period is stressful.
- No oil dipstick.
- Interior design is too muted and cold.
- Its a bit porky.
- No carbon roof option for the sedan.
- Exterior isn't as detailed and crisp as the E46 M3.
- Potential maintenance costs after the warranty.
- Overall reliability record.
jeevsdew says:
08:54 PM, 09/ 6/09
You all should pick up the new IS-F to see how well Lexus did as its first entrance into performance, and compare it to this M3.
kingkhalas says:
09:06 PM, 09/ 6/09
I want this car.
altimadude00 says:
09:09 PM, 09/ 6/09
Hondacura4--You forgot to mention that this car is so anonymous now that you can mistake it for a Honda Civic sedan with stick-on fender vents.
Its identity has been watered down. Shame.
louiswei says:
09:12 PM, 09/ 6/09
@ jeevsdew
I like the IS F idea, however that's just not going to happen since Edmunds IL hates the IS F with a passion...
retiredtwice says:
09:23 PM, 09/ 6/09
Donna, have you noticed that you can easily drive the car at an idle ??
The computer will keep the revs at the correct number no matter what gear you are in. Just be a bit careful with the clutch, upshift after it stabilizes, and the car will drive away just fine (dont do this in traffic..LOL).
The engine is just too smooth and drivable for a 100hp per liter engine.
Im an old school guy and it should lope and be touchy at low rpms, but it is tractor smooth and thereby elicits no attention from passersby. (after a short warm up of course).
Phil (2008 Coupe)
It is an absolutely amazing engine.
pengwin says:
09:42 PM, 09/ 6/09
+1 on the IS-F idea
blueguydotcom says:
10:47 PM, 09/ 6/09
I wish they'd make a CSL version of this car. And a bit porky is a nice comment considering it weighs over 3600 lbs.
FWIW, the interior feels a bit too flashy for me. And way too passenger friendly. It's been 4 years with the e90 and I still can't get used to the console that isn't canted toward the driver. Sorry but the passenger is irrelevant.
@altimadude, only some Americans want the M class cars to be noticed. The e36 M still slips along nearly invisible. The last gen M5 (e39) was purposely designed to really only be noticed by enthusiasts who spotted the more aggressive airdam and modified rear bumper. Sadly the e90 (and e46) and e60 M cars are now catering too much to the look at me world with the gills and powerdome hoods.
roadburner says:
06:33 AM, 09/ 7/09
"only some Americans want the M class cars to be noticed"
That would be me. One friend of mine had a heavily modded E36 M3 that he tracked and autocrossed. He removed the M3 emblem and fitted a 316d badge. A few months later some poor fool had a letter printed in European Car Magazine asking where he could buy a 316d, as he had seen one at an autocross set FTD...
hondacura4 says:
06:52 AM, 09/ 7/09
"Hondacura4--You forgot to mention that this car is so anonymous now that you can mistake it for a Honda Civic sedan with stick-on fender vents."
Altima, I did mention the exterior in my dislikes. I don't mind the overall shape but its a bit generic now compared to the E46 as it no longer has the crisp, lean lines or the detailing of that car. However, the stance alone tells you this isn't a Honda Civic or a regular 3 Series.
I actually like the idea of a performance car that subtly shows off its performance potential in its styling but I like details also. BMW shouldn't have skimped here.
"I wish they'd make a CSL version of this car. And a bit porky is a nice comment considering it weighs over 3600 lbs."
Blue, a CSL version of this car would be fantastic but I don't know if we would see it here in the U.S. Id also like to see a ZHP trim available on the 335i. I absolutely fell in love with the 330i ZHP I drove 2 years ago. Quite a car.
someguyposting says:
08:45 AM, 09/ 7/09
"Has BMW made made driving too easy?"
How about you loan me the car for a while so I can formulate an informed opinion? I promise to report in full detail in a blog like the folks testing the Mini-E and Fiesta. ;-)
blueguydotcom says:
02:20 PM, 09/ 7/09
@hondacura,
The ZHP was easy to love. And a 335i version would be nice. God how I'd love to hear my engine the way my ZHP's engie growled at start-up. Starting that car in the morning made everything worthwhile.
roadburner says:
04:55 PM, 09/ 7/09
In my area It's easier to find a nice E46 M3 as opposed to a ZHP.
hondacura4 says:
06:24 PM, 09/ 7/09
"In my area It's easier to find a nice E46 M3 as opposed to a ZHP. "
Very true Road as I'm in Ky also. Unfortunately, you don't see many M3's here either. I couple of years ago I did run across a mint 04 or 05 330i ZHP, black over black with low miles and all service records at a local pre-owned leasing dealer. I drove the car 3 times but was reluctant to purchase because I was scared of the potential reliability/maintenance costs. Not because I cant afford them, because I didnt want to afford them. Awesome car though.
jkp1187 says:
08:49 AM, 09/ 8/09
Donna:
Seriously, is this all you have to complain about regarding the M3?
Do people want the M3 to have annoyances in it because that's what they're used to cars having, instead of having conveniences that actually add to the driving experience?