How often in your life have you had the chance to drive a new BMW M car? I’ve ridden in a few and today the number of new M cars I’ve driven totals 2. A friend at work has the new BMW M3 sedan. This is the first M3 to cross the 400hp mark and the first M3 to be powered by a V8.
When I sat behind the steering wheel of the M3 the first thing I noticed was how the driver’s seat grabbed me. The side bolsters just hold you snugly in place. Actually, the side bolsters are like those Select Comfort beds and are totally adjustable to your personal liking. The steering wheel is a thick meaty control interface that allows you to get a great grip on the direction of the M3.
The thing that the M3 reminded me of when I drove it is what the middle letter stands for in BMW. For those of you that don’t know the “M” stands for “motor”. BMW’s have always been powered by great motors and the M cars get the best motors.
When BMW first started producing V8s, I remember an automotive journalist who summed it up like this. “BMW has a long history of making 4 cylinders that compete with other companies V6s. They make 6 cylinders that compete with other companies V8s. What happens when this company makes a V8?”
Well, engine technology has come a long way since BMW introduced its first modern V8 and it may not quite be light years ahead of the competition. However, BMW still makes superior power plants, especially when the M division builds that engine.
Anyway, back to the test drive and the amazing V8. A V8 that redlines over 8000 rpm, an 8400 rpm to be exact, nearly 2000rpm over where the V8 in my GTO redlines at. It was great fun to rev out the 4.4liter German of jewel of an engine to the stratosphere of V8 rpms. It doesn’t just rev high; it revs silky smooth all the way through the tachometer applying its power smoothly all the way the shift point.
Oh and the shift points, they deserve their own paragraph. The M3 in question controls its power through a 6 speed manual transmission. This transmission has all the snickety-snick goodness that one wants in a manual transmission. The throws are short and very precise. If you properly snap through the gears you will be treated to 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear scratches. This was the first time I’ve caught a chirp on the way to 4th gear, it was a little surprising and just good fun.
The M3 is also very fast. It builds its speed very smoothly and deceptively, triple digits arrive quicker than you can say “What seems to be the problem officer? We were just out for a little test drive. What do you mean I’m going to jail?”
It also handles like a BMW. Volumes have been written about the epic handling of the Ultimate Driving Machines. It’s not just a marketing slogan, especially when you are behind the wheel of the Ultimate 3 Series. I’m not going to say much about the handling other than it feels like a precision instrument. It is like signing your name with fine tip Mont Blanc pen versus a Marksalot.
The M3 is also nicely styled car and full of some great technology. You can read about on BMW’s web site. I just wanted to share my impression from my short time with the M3. Thanks to M3 owner who let me appreciate this automotive masterpiece. If you get a chance to ride or drive in the M3, take it.
So is the M3 faster than the GTO? It’s hard to tell. It would sure would be fun to find out some day.
