2008 BMW M3

When the sixth generation BMW 3-Series stormed into showrooms for 2006, it didn’t take long for it to once again establish itself as the quintessential sport sedan. But, for die hard BMW fans, the arrival of the new M3 was just the opening act. What they were waiting for was the main event - the BMW M3. Well, it’s here, and the curtain is up. So, let the show…boating begin.

Of all the car names that have excited enthusiast drivers over the years, few have had the electrifying effect of the BMW M3, and for 2008, BMW designers and engineers have pulled out all the stops to produce the most formidable M3 family ever.

As always, they started with a beefed-up version BMW’s highly acclaimed 3-Series chassis, available in coupe, sedan, and soon to be available hard-top convertible body styles.

They cloaked it in über-muscular bodywork that includes a tall power dome hood, wider fenders, and deep ground-hugging aerodynamics all around, and then they proceeded to pack in the power. To reach the ego level that they wanted, that meant that the M3’s muscular 6-cylinder engines had to finally make way for an even more robust V8.

It’s a 4.0-liter V8 capable of 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It spins to a way-up-there 8,400 rpm, thanks to low friction technology from BMW’s Formula-1 racing program.

Power punches to the rear wheels through a Getrag 6-speed manual gearbox. BMW’s trick new 7-speed dual-clutch M-DCT automatic is an option in the M3 Coupe, and will be available in the Convertible and Sedan in late summer.

The wheels themselves are 18-inch lightweight alloys, with 19-inchers available.

Now, the majority of our M3 miles were in a sedan, and as soon as we punched the pedal we knew that the BMW engineers had outdone themselves.

Our best 0-to-60 time was a short 4.3-seconds; 7/10 quicker than our last 6-cylinder M3. The quarter-mile was a mere 12.7-seconds at 112 miles-per-hour; or 8/10 and 5 miles-per-hour quicker.

As we expected, the V8 pulls like a freight train from idle to redline. But it also revs faster than the old six, its high speed spin delivering a beautiful exhaust note.

Both clutch and gearbox are tight and positive, units well worthy of their M car application.

Of course if it wears an M badge, it better deliver in the curves as well, and even on a cold, damp day at West Virginia’s Summit Point Raceway, the M3 sedan proudly strutted its stuff.

The M3 chassis is superbly balanced, and on this day with just a touch of understeer as it sliced through corners. The engine’s huge torque means that you’re never caught in the wrong gear, and with the help of the M3’s Variable M Differential Lock, is delivered so smoothly that you can maintain total control over the rear wheels even on slick roads.

If you do get a little too sloppy with the go pedal, the standard Dynamic Stability Control engages smoothly too, rather than simply shutting the car down like so many other systems. A real boon to the serious enthusiast driver.

Another bonus is the available MDrive system, which features driver-selectable maps for throttle, suspension and steering, with personalized combinations stored in the iDrive control system.

As the track dried out and we were able to push it even harder, the M3’s tremendous grip and lightning-fast direction changes came to the fore. We would like a little more steering feedback, but that’s our only complaint.

No criticism for the huge ABS-equipped cross-drilled disc brakes, however. They pulled the M3 down from 60 in a very short average of only 110 feet and do so with rock solid stability and ease of control.

That same performance precision transfers over to the street. Other than a rather heavy clutch pedal, there’s little to detract from the M3’s performance as a day to day driver.

Except of course its government fuel economy rating of 14 city/20 highway. We averaged 18 miles-per-gallon of premium gas. 

And speaking of premium, the latest M3 packs all the upscale amenities the BMW crowd demands, along with a sporting style that’s as sharp inside as outside.

Deep leather clad sport seats, face a thick rim steering wheel and driver involved dash which boasts a full compliment of high tech goodies, from BMW’s notorious iDrive to the optional navigation and high-end audio that includes satellite and HD radio, plus a USB port for iPods and iPhones.

And it can all be yours for a mere $54,575 for the M3 Sedan and $57,275 for the M3 Coupe. Convertible prices are not yet out, but should run about $63,000.

Okay, that’s hardly cheap, but it’s also a lot less than cars that are not remotely as capable. Clearly, the 4th generation, 2008 BMW M3 is not your average high performance car. It is the climatic evolution of the quintessential sport sedan. A sure fire show stopper, that’s now storming into a showroom near you.