BMW M3 E92 (Coupe) Review

Overall Rating

E92 BMW M3 coupe in Melbourne red acquired as a demonstrator with 2000 miles saving just over 7k off list.

Despite wet conditions all day I put 100 miles on the clock on the first day of ownership and conclude I am well pleased with my purchase on day 1.

If you are in the market for an M5, make sure you try the M3 as it is proper grown up now with more room in the back and more comfortable with EDC in normal mode.

Having put up with Porsche's larger diameter thin rimmed steering wheel it is a pleasure to get a nice thick grippy steering wheel that is just the right diameter IMO.

The M button was preset by the dealer for all settings at their most sporty setting. I love the way the steering wheel firms up and the throttle mapping becomes more aggressive. Unlike Porsche's PASM, the firmest EDC is usable on the road. From memory, slightly softer than the CSL. At motorway speeds I have never driven a more satisfying car by a long way. I am comparing with M5, M6, 997 C2S and C4S, various AMG, Lotus, Ferrari, Lambo, Aston and Lada. None of them match the meaty steering feel of the new M3. The sportier cars are too nervous and light at higher speeds while the GTs are too vague. It's been a while since I had a Lada so I'm not 100% sure the M3 is better than that beast of a car.

I haven't managed to red line the car yet (it was wet after all). But what a glorious sound. Not as good as the Aston Vantage at low revs but just as good if not better above 5k revs.

I did manage to get the back end out on a deserted bend in MDM mode and was impressed with the level of intervention. It brought me back in line just before I was about to catch it myself. Elsewhere, traction in the wet was excellent. I like this chassis. Not quite the old pair of slippers feel you get from an E46 M3 or Boxster but very exploitable.

The 8 programmable keys are useful. I've set them to 4 phone numbers, 2 Nav destinations, 1 radio station which can't be named and 1 CD Foo Fighters "In Your Honour" which makes the car go a lot faster. If you haven't yet got the Foo Fighters mod on your M3 get it now. It's the cheapest way to increase the performance of your car!

The only negative I've noticed so far is I haven't yet mastered a smooth gear change between 1st and 2nd. Given that this is day 1 and I've swapped between M mode and normal at least 10 times, I'm sure I will master this soon.

Also, thumbs up from wife and daughter who thought my A8 was more suited to the flat capped thrill seekers amongst us.

My iPhone paired properly with full address book functionality. The bluetooth option is much better than separate SIM cards like on my 911. The steering wheel controls are better than Porsche and Audi (ie 1 touch changes station/track). The DAB radio hasn't found a signal yet which is a pity as I did fancy planet rock on the move. I look forward to trying MP3's from the USB input.