BMW M3 Coupe: Test Drive

Date: 15 August 2007   |   Author:

Category: Sports Prices: £50,275 Key rival: Porsche 911

This is the fourth generation M3, and there will be a saloon, as well as a convertible and potentially even an estate in time. There's been a pretty hefty price hike over the previous generation £42,450 M3, with the new car already over the £50,000 mark before you delve into the options list.

But the most important addition is under the bonnet where an extra pair of cylinders turn the M3 into a V8.

The new 420PS engine is actually lighter than its 360PS predecessor. BMW also claims an 8% average fuel economy boost and 9% CO2 improvement, though that's still only to 22.8mpg and 295g/km, and we only managed around 17mpg during a very brisk run on single-lane and dual carriageway roads.

The economy and emissions improvements are achieved through elements of BMW's Efficient Dynamics programme that's being used across its model line-up. In the M3's case, brake energy regeneration is used to help efficiency, with the driver also benefiting from weight-saving measures such as carbon fibre roof and a gearshift indicator light.

Predictably, the M3 is very, very quick. It devours the speedometer, especially in second and third gears, and makes high speeds feel absurdly slow thanks to the rapid acceleration and impressive refinement. The ride is also surprisingly compliant - there's not the harshness you might expect from a car with rivals that include the Porsche 911. And that's in standard mode, with comfort and sports settings also available if buyers opt for the £1295 Electronic Damper Control system.

The increase in price makes the car significantly more expensive than Audi's S5, yet significantly cheaper than the 911 or Mercedes' performance coupe, the C63 AMG, and means it's tricky to select genuine rivals (see box, below). The Audi RS4 isn't included because it's only available as a saloon or estate, and production is winding down as the new A4 arrives next year.

The M3's styling is more subtle than might be expected from a £50,000 3-series, especially from the front where the large bonnet bulge is the only major clue. At the rear, the quad exhaust pipes and wider track give away the M3's potential, but it's still not a particularly macho design; despite the high £1265 optional price, BMW says 98% of advanced orders specced the 19-inch wheels even though 18-inch alloys are standard.

The interior is instantly recognisable to anyone who's driven a 3-series, and a little disappointingly it doesn't feel as different from a lower-spec 3-series than the likes of Audi's RS4 does from the other A4 variants. But that doesn't mean it's not a good interior, with comfy sports seats and a great steering wheel being particularly pleasing.

The M3 is easier to live with than ever before, but has lost none of its appeal or performance. It's certainly not a cheap car to run, especially with the increased environmental focus on vehicles over 225g/km, but the rewards are well and truly there if the pocket can cope.

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