AUTOFILE: 2008 BMW M3: Mmm, good: BMW's M3 is close to perfect
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
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To the glee of enthusiasts everywhere, BMW has unleashed the latest take on its stellar M3. And while we tested a coupe, the launch proved to be doubly good news for enthusiasts who felt shut out of the previous M3 experience because they were "saddled" with families. BMW has wisely moved away from the two-door-only formula and resurrected a sedan version of its marquee car.
"When I found out that BMW was going to make the new M3 in a four-door," wrote one owner, "it sounded like the perfect family car to me. Who said a family car has to be boring?"
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Boring the M3 decidedly is not. The high-revving V8 is a work of art, with a redline way up in the 8,000-rpm range and more power and throttle response than you need in a road-going car. And grabbing gears in the six-speed manual is done with ease.
The car has way more power than it can use around town. In normal driving conditions, the traction control often kicks in and bogs down the engine, but even on the drag strip, it wants to go sideways in first and second gears and spins its tires halfway through second gear. The engine turns out power all over the tach, giving as much as you ask for with your right foot.
The sound was described by one owner as "intoxicating," yet others felt it could use even more exhaust note.
From a standstill, 60 mph is reached in just 4.7 seconds, but perhaps more striking are the car's rolling-acceleration numbers. It takes just 1.5 seconds to travel between 20 mph and 40 mph, 2.1 seconds from there to 60 mph and another 3.2 to 80 mph--enough to keep you solidly pinned in your seat the entire quarter-mile.
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