The M Roadster's pavement-searing handling is a blast on the right roads at the right times. Regrettably, for most of us those occasions are all too rare yet we must live day-to-day with the hard ride that makes such

(Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com)

automotive agility possible. Too bad the technology to adjust spring and damper rates isn't available on BMW's hot little roadster. I'm afraid that over time, one might become disenchanted with the vehicle's unforgiving ride treatment if it is utilized for daily commutes over deteriorated, inner-city road surfaces. If such usage isn't part of the ownership equation, suck it up and forget what I said about an unpleasant ride and just enjoy the thrill imparted by extraordinary handling thresholds. Much of the vehicle's pavement prowess can be attributed to an extremely rigid chassis. This is one drop-top that suffers no cowl shake or nasty reverberation when driven hard over irregular road surfaces. When cessation of movement becomes necessary, nothing more than a light touch is needed to forcibly clamp the M Roadster's antilock discs to its fully ventilated rotors, with linear brake actuation and impressive stopping distances the result.

Notwithstanding superior braking, collisions are sometimes unavoidable. In such cases front and side airbags along with a roll bar are in place to

(Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com)

protect occupants. Happily, the passenger's airbags can be deactivated to accommodate children. Despite the cockpit's rather sparse, business-like atmosphere, BMW has loaded it with features such as premium audio, power windows with one-touch operation, cruise control, heated seats and many other niceties including dual cup holders. Perhaps nicest of all though is the rapidity of its power-operated soft-top that collapses flat in just 5-seconds- much shorter that any stop light in my town. As good as the multi-layer roof is at mimicking a hardtop, one must accept greater road and wind noise plus reduced visibility as inescapable detractions. Ah- but such detractions disappear when the sun reappears.

Open-air roadstering under an expansive blue sky or a sheet of twinkling stars is perhaps the finest form of automotive indulgence ever. Few

(Photo: Rob Rothwell, Auto123.com)

modern roadsters are capable of combining the experience with a more entertaining or gratifying driving venture than that provided by BMW's M Roaster. Like roadsters of yore, this long-hooded beast sits the driver just ahead of its rear axle, amplifying a visceral sense of connectivity with the car that's as much spiritual as physical. Of course with a base price of $69,900, connecting financially with an M Roadster isn't an inexpensive proposition unless you consider the staggering price tags dangling from some of the competition, such the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes SLK. Greenbacks aside, the open air 330-horsepower M Roadster is a mighty performer; just be careful when poking the lion. It has the bite to back-up its roar.