bmw m3 coupe review

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Average Ratings

Performance	9.5/10
Practicality	8.8/10
Reliability	9.1/10
Value for Money	9.2/10
Reviewer Rating	9.4/10
Overall Rating	8.8/10

94% Recommended15 out of 16 Reviews

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By Late Flyer on 13th Feb 2005

Late Flyer's Ratings

Year Manufactured	2002
Length of ownership	2 Years
Performance	9/10
Practicality	9/10
Reliability	8/10
Value for money	10/10
Overall value	9/10
Late Flyer's recommendation

Good Points

Roadholding, acceleration, stopping power. Ability to carry four adults and luggage, looks, driving pleasure.

Bad Points

High engine and exhaust noise (depends on your outlook), hard suspension, fuel consumption. Easy to kerb the alloy wheels.

General Comments

My BMW M3 Coupe Sports car is the manual 6 gear current version (not as shown above), is two years old and owned from new. It superceded a 328i Coupe'. It is definitely a driver`s car. If all you want is transport, buy a Mercedes. In the dry, it corners without any drama whatsoever at higher speeds than I am prepared to use on public roads. It is another story in the wet, but the traction control keeps things fairly safe. Acceleration is very good and sufficient to make good any overtaking opportunity, but the engine needs to be at around 5000rpm to deliver properly. Vented discs stop it very well. Acceleration is noisy which is slightly embarrassing when passing traffic, unless that is your thing. High speed cruise is fairly quiet and progress is pleasant on smooth roads. Prepare to be jolted around on bumpy roads, although the car does not deviate from where it is aimed, unlike the previous 328i. The car really comes into its own on twisty country roads though and can provide real fun driving without breaking speed limits, purely because of its cornering powers and acceleration. The steering is fairly positive, but at slower speeds, I would prefer sharper response around the straight ahead position. The car has been reliable except for the replacement of the starter motor, which appears to be a weak spot on some batches. Standard fittings are good, including leather upholstery (in the UK). Front seats are adjustable in just about every sense, including side and lumbar support. Fuel consumption is between 22 and 26 mpg. Altogether the car is excellent value for money.

Total Respect: +1