BMW M3

Well, what can one say about this car? It is a dream to drive it sticks to corners. It sounds fantastic when you push the throttle to the floor and so quick and sounds fantastic. Model I own is fully loaded with SMG, SatNAV, tele etc.

I chose BMW due to its reliability and build quality and the M3 and definitely has no compromise on any aforementioned points. Also to top it off as I do highway trips only, I get a decent 26 to 30 mpg depending on weight of foot and music blaring out the Harmon Kardon system which in itself gives out great sound.

I have had a few issues with the car but think that at least one of them was down to bad workmanship from BMW, one issue was break pads and disks which had to be replaced and the other was a warning light for the run flats which kept coming on but this was resolved via a ABS software upgrade.

Overall I think this car is stunning to drive and even after 2 and a but years of ownership its still a joy to get in and have the urge to put ones foot to the floor.

I am looking forward to the new M3 which I will wait at least a year before I purchase so that all the issues on first run models can be ironed out.

My wife has a BMW Z3, which I drove to collect my second hand E36 M3 EVO. All the way home I drove the M3 normally and changed gear at about 5000rpm. Although the handling and comfort was far superior to her Z3 I was disappointed with the performance. When we got home I took her for a little spin to confirm my disappointment. We joined the dual carriageway and I put my foot down, this time instead of changing gear at 5000 rpm I listened to that sweet exhaust note - Next thing I knew, I was thrown back into my seat and it took off. I had never smiled so much in my life. Try keeping me below 6500 revs now! Fuel consumption... who cares. Tyres... who cares. I smile every time I drive it. Followed a Maserati down the motorway a while ago, he tried to loose me but it was his nerve that got the better of me not his £80000 car.

This BMW M3 Coupe has always been my dream car. I have owned 4 BMWs in the UK (318is, 325, E36 M3 saloon, 535i) and am lucky enough to now have an E46 SMG.

To the crunch. This car has 2 personalities:

1) Well mannered

2) Aggressive, i.e. a race/track car

The beauty of this car is that you can drive around the town centre, and it behaves with the elegant and reassuring poise that you come to expect with the 3 series. This type of driving is best when not in sports mode.

Now, the other personality is activated when you do press the sports mode button. The engine notes it produces, in any gear, above say 2.5k rpm, is frankly Mozart to the ears. It purrs and roars at the same time. Plenty of torque and power in reserve in all gears, for most any normal driving situation and you know that you can pretty much always overtake anything you want because changing gears to allow the extra power is so quick and effortless.

It may not be as fast as a modern Ferrari (for that matter my wife's Cayenne Turbo seems as fast, in second gear anyway, mind you that does have 450bhp!) but you have the best of both worlds in this car. The best clutchless manual in production (outside of F1), the looks and gravitas of driving an M3, the comfort, finish and luxury of sitting inside one, and the frankly brilliant flat 6 343 BHP engine that just makes you want to drive faster. However, I feel this is a safe car as the M3's brakes, handling and cornering are all so pinpoint and sharp.

I test drove a new Ford Mustang GT before I bought this - very nice engine note (better than the M3 for me) and quick too, but it was like driving a speedboat - from the back. You couldn't see past the huge bonnet. With the M3, you have a shorter, stubbier front end, making you feel totally connected with the road and able to drive fast with utter confidence.

Final note - this thing also corners better than anything I have ever driven or ridden in. Go buy one. Own it for 2 years, then get a 911, but by then only the Turbo will do. After that, well, what is there left? Either you are a millionaire and keep both the M3 and 911 and add a Ferrari or Lambo to your collection, or frankly you just can't get any better for your money.

BMW M3 is 2dr six cylinder machine an expensive version of one of the most popular cars ever made. It has some interesting features for the more experienced driver;

a 6 speed manual gearbox,

A top of the range built in satellite-navigator so you know how to get to where you are going,

a TV,

a compact disc changer,

all as standard as most 'extras' are included in the price, like air conditioning and out side temperature gadget. The seats are red leather racing style. It's also got a locking fuel tank which holds 20 gallons, 19" alloy wheels which cost £120 each to clean, radar locks, and an alarm.

As for the performance it is electric, a 155 mph top speed is limited. 0-60 in 5 seconds and 0-100 in 11 seconds means it can really move fast. It is motorbike quick. With a hard sports car ride this will not suit everbody.

At £44000 it is rather expensive and BMW show rooms are used to the gross overcharging of their customers, it is then highly expensive to buy but this is not a problem as a company car all expense is covered and none is spared. The cost is £1 per mile to run for an average drive my brother has now covered 50,000 miles that is equal to £50,000 in running costs. Stage 2 service has just been done for £960 plus a few extras it was £1200 it total

It is then a quality product offering excellent performance and handling. Speeding can be a problem however as speed cameras have flashed 15 times on last count but not one had film in it. It will however cost a small fortune if it is run privately. Recommend to all those in the money.

BMW M3 2dr is a six cylinder machine. The expensive version of one of the most popular cars ever made; the 3 series BMW. It has some interesting features for the more experienced driver like a 6 speed manual gearbox. Also a top of the range built in satellite-navigator so you know how to get to where you are going a TV a compact disc changer all as standard as most 'extras' are included in the price like air conditioning an out side temperature gadget. The seats are red leather in the racing style. It's also got a locking fuel tank that holds 20 gallons, 19" alloy wheels which cost £120 each to clean, radar locks, and an alarm.

As for the performance it is electric a 155 mph top speed is limited. 0-60 in 5 seconds and 0-100 in 11 seconds means it can really move fast. It is motorbike quick. With a hard sports car ride this will not suit everbody.

At £44000 it is rather expensive and BMW show rooms are used to gross over charging of their customers it is then highly expensive to buy but this is not a problem as a company car all expense is covered and none is spared. The cost is £1 per mile to run for an average drive my brother has now covered 50,000 miles that is equal to £50,000 in running costs. Stage 2 service has just been done for £960 plus a few extras it was £1200 it total

It is then a quality product offering excellent performance and handling. Speeding can be a problem however as speed cameras have flashed 15 times on last count but not one had film in it. It will however cost a small fortune if it is run privately. Recommend to all those in the money.

I have had my 1996 BMW M3 Saloon 3.0 for about 4 months now. The car is great. The tyres are not the car just eats them and the fuel.

Anyway I haven't had any problems at the moment apart from the brake pads having to be replaced which is not the car's fault.

A lot of people go on about Evos etc but I agree with the guy at the top of this forum. Evo's are great for a couple years but when you go to sell it, which you will, can you honestly tell the person who's looking at it that you haven't hammered it into the ground? Every one knows they get punished which is why people buy them. I know my M3 is older but I am sure it's just as reliable as the New Evos of today. Maybe not off the mark it's as quick but it will keep very close and guaranteed to fly past as soon as it hits third gear. The power is shown going down the motorways, I have the model that came out just before the 155mph limiter and it's scary. The car will def do 155 mph! Remember this when your looking for a very fast car and your choice is the Evo, Impreza or the slightly more expensive M3. What will hold its value! Not knocking the power of these cars. I only have the 3.0 version with 281 brake (I mean only) I have spoken to people who have the M3 Evos of this generation and they will give anything a go in its range. Besides which what sounds better. I got a Mitsubishi or I have got a BMW?? Speaks for itself.

Lets get things straight, the BMW M3 Coupe is a four (adult) seat car with boot space, which can challenge a 996. It's bored out, tuned engine, and suspension, would leave any boy racers envious. Expect to have some come and speak to you at the gas station. Very quick, great leather (much better than all usual BMW coupe's). M series are a different breed there is little relationship between normal and M. Don't believe the dealers, worse residuals than BMW (normal) and Porsche. This, bought 2nd hand is for the wealthy, no such thing as cheap super cars. Watch the tyres and the depreciation.

Given the fact that this car will cost in the region of £10K to drive for one year (and ignoring that aspect), Its brilliant!!!! But I just tried part-exing mine, and was going to get another, until I realised how much they drop in value. I bought mine at 2 years old with 17K on the clock. It had dropped £17k in value (to £30K), I thought that was the bulk done, however I have just shopped mine for £20K for 47K that's £10K for another 30000 miles but £27k in three years for 47000 miles?

This type of motoring is not cheap, and it's arguable that if you don't have kids get a 996, however if you do get one of these... They are slightly uncool, but you will not care as they drive so well.

Be prepared for people wanting to race you, and for them to be ungracious. If you can handle it, buy this snorting, tyre shredding, adrenaline pumping big boys toy and enjoy. Everyone should have one at least once... I can't wait to get my hands on the M5.

Just bought a BMW2003 E46 M3 coupe with SMG, TV, Sat Nav and in individual atlantis blue (never seen another one in that colour). I have driven a lot of fast cars in my time but this is special ! 346 bhp through those 255/35/19 tyres is great fun. Having driven both the Manual and SMG versions the SMG comes out streeks ahead. It is one of, if not the best Paddle shift systems you can get. Gear changes in 0.4 of a second with the traction control switched off and on driving programe 6. It makes driving it more safe because your hands are always on the wheel plus you feel like Jenson Button. You will be faster than the manual. Tha auto is great to. you can alter when you want it to change gear to save fuel or let the misses drive. Ive had 165mph out of it and the limiter still didnt kick in. there is a chip available for it that increases the torque, bhp, improves the SMG system and best of all it de-limits it and she will go all the way to 198mph. It is a beast. Get yourself down to the bank and beg for the cash and go buy one. you'll love it.

I can't believe how many amateurs have this notion that because some cheap Nippon names that are totally void of quality and class, and for that matter, nothing impressive but an engine - would begin to compare cars like EVOs and WRXs to an M3.

You have to look at the big picture and the long term. Some of the things that the children miss in these equations are "will the car be worth fifty cents when I go to sell it?" and will it exude as much staying power class in a year as the Bavarian Bad Boy? Why screw around unless you just dont have the money? Then a JETTA is actually more fun than a EVO and looks better - otherwise boys, put your money where your foot is and don't forget to have the carboard in your spokes!

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.