The ultra-potent V8 is quiet during gentle cruising, and it's got a dirty sounding idle note that turns heads. Thanks to variable timing, this engine is very flexible and smooth- even in high load, low-rev situations.

Gentle acceleration sees a hint of V8 sound effects entering the cabin, though it's the high revs where this powerplant really sings. The boss says we can't use foul language, but it suffices to say that the sound of the M3's V8 engine revving hard to 8000 plus is fundamentally awesome.

DSG: the ultimate transmission
The M3's new paddle-shifted dual-clutch gearbox keeps the next or previous gear cog just milliseconds away from the driver's fingertips. Set the shift-speed selector into its fastest setting, and downshifts call up throttle blips that cause deep, pit-of-the-stomach laughter from occupants. It's like summoning a thunder-clap with a simple click.

Gearing up at full throttle sees the car lurch forwards when the gears shift- rather than briefly losing momentum like most transmissions. Full out, the DSG transmission works fast enough to light the tires up into second gear, and chirp them into third. The sensation is absolutely unbelievable and leaves most passengers reeling. Well worth the $3,900 asking price for novelty alone.

Acceleration is fierce- though the M3 is less a torque monster and more like a four-wheeled street-bike. The screaming engine augmented by the forward-lurching gearshifts and F1 style shift lights add up to a performance of totally unparalleled magnitude.

As long as there's one in your driveway, it's like Christmas morning every day.

Braking and Steering
Of course, handling and brakes are engineered to match the power. Massive vented rotors in front and back provide devastating and fade-free stopping power, and the handling will slice any imaginable corner into bits. A stability control system keeps things in check as drivers explore the M3's limits, and the suspension can be tuned from comfortable to track-ready at the press of a button.

An insane rocket car for everyday use
M3 allows drivers to assign various settings to the steering wheel mounted "M" button- adjusting things like steering feel, suspension damping, throttle sensitivity and gearshift speed to their liking.

It's the proverbial big red button with the 'do not push' warning- though it toggles the M3 from a civilized, relaxing auto-shifting coupe into an all-out paddle-shifted factory racer in a fraction of a second. M3 will masterfully lap a circuit all day long, but it's also comfortable enough to drive your Grandma to church in on Sunday.

Complaints are few and far between. Rearward visibility is somewhat poor, the pop-out cupholders crowd the front passenger, and there's no sunroof available on the coupe. Gas mileage is hefty too- but that's to be expected. Seems at the end of the day that BMW's mainly taken the performance car compromise factor and hurled it out the window.

Not long ago, a car that could put down numbers like the M3 would have been much less civilized and far, far more expensive. If you can afford one of these, buy it- it's like getting yourself the ultimate toy. As long as there's one in your driveway, it's like Christmas morning every day.


Photo Credit : Justin Pritchard