DRIVERS LOG: 2008 BMW M3
Thursday, April 24, 2008
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MOTORSPORTS EDITOR MAC MORRISON: Even five minutes is enough to tell you that BMW has once again captured thunder and lightning on wheels. The previous model (E46) was--and remains--one of the most entertaining cars on the planet, and the new E92 version retains its trademark nimbleness while upping the power substantially.
The new high-tech, superlightweight V8 revs as eagerly as the old straight-six, and because it actually weighs about 30 pounds less than the six, any fears that the car would feel nose-heavy and less tossable evaporate the first time you pick off an apex. Or, better yet, the first time you rotate past one in a smooth sideways drift. I was happy to find that the M3 is still one of the most easily controlled powersliders extant. That?s not exactly the quick way through a corner, but it feels so right in this car that you can?t help yourself.
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As for everything else a driver could desire, the steering, brakes and suspension are world-class. And thank you, BMW, for giving us the six-speed manual and not shoving some convoluted paddle-shift system down our throats right off the bat. A double-clutch paddle shifter is on the way, and that?s fine for those who want it, but they?re going to miss out on some fun.
Speaking of convoluted, my only complaint at this point is that the car might just be too good. This bad boy makes you do things you should not do. And it is now so damn fast that you are really asking for trouble when you do them. The problem is the same one encountered with most 400-plus-hp cars on public roads: The M3 makes you rip corners as though you?re racing for the GT2-class lead at Le Mans. The engine revs past eight grand, and the sound pretty much forces you to let it out to the limiter in every gear (unless you have way more willpower than I do). But if you do that, you?ll quickly be banging the speedo up to 150 mph and beyond with no effort.
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JONATHAN WONG: What a monster. As Morrison said, the previous M3 is one of the most rewarding drives out there, and the new car retains all of the traits you expect from an M3. The chassis, the brakes and the ideal steering feedback and weight are phenomenal.
With peak power way up at 8300 revs, you have no choice but to wind it up to the stratosphere, which the V8 does eagerly. The power is something new to the M3 experience and requires a little getting used to in handling all of it and staying disciplined to avoid being hauled off to the slammer.
When you start tossing the car around, the familiarity returns. Find the apex, and turn the thick steering wheel to dance easily through even the most difficult succession of turns. The body stays flat and planted when you want and drifts in a controlled manner with little effort. Be warned: The 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sports are rock-hard when cold and will have you struggling if you get excited before some heat gets into them.
With the grabby brakes and quick throttle response, drivers need to be smooth and delicate on the pedals when getting all their downshifting done before a corner. After you come to terms with that and get used to the V8, the M3 will reward you with a thrill ride you won?t soon forget.
I never found the ride rough or jarring over our less-than-spectacular pavement. In fact, it?s very civilized when motoring around town on a daily basis. One passenger wished for more of a ?sporty? cabin, but the steering wheel and heavily bolstered buckets were good enough for me.
Honestly, I don?t think BMW needed to shovel this much power into the M3. Most owners will never tap into the engine?s full potential, and if it weren?t for the arms race being waged by the Germans, I?m not so sure BMW would have gone with all this grunt.
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