The BMW M3 is one of the finest driver’s cars ever made, and I was finally lucky enough to spend a week with one. The heart of the M3 is an exquisite 4.0L V8, making 414hp at a wild 8300rpm. Peak torque is 295 lb-ft, but that entire figure is available at just 3900rpm, a stunning mark of tractability in such a high-revving screamer. Our test car was equipped with a 7-speed DCT (BMW’s name for the fancy dual-clutch gearbox), and the transmission—like other vehicle characteristics like throttle response and suspension—can be adjusted from ‘nice and easy’ to ‘neckbreaking.’ 2011 M3s equipped with this transmission have gone as low as 3.9 sec to 60mph, and 12.5 sec in the 1/4-mile. Yet due to the engine’s powerband, it’s remarkably civilized around town. Gearing is perfect; even in 7th gear, the car is never caught flat-footed. In fact, at 2000rpm in 7th the car will be going just 50mph! That is great for acceleration, bad for fuel economy: the M3 manages just 14 mpg city and 20 highway and gets slapped with the gaz-guzzler tax. That’s really the only chink in the car’s armor, and the M3 instantly became the car by which I measure all sports cars by. —Ross Rapoport, Road Test Editor and Video Host Download the window sticker and see additional photos of the M3 at roadflytv.com Vehicle 2011 M3 Coupe Base Price: 400 Price as tested: 925 Engine: 4.0L 32V V8 Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DCT) Horsepower: 414 @ 8300 rpm Torque: 295 lb.-ft. @ 3900 rpm 0 …
Video Rating: 4 / 5
@XXXCompAssesXXX
yup
nobody cares about mpg.. they want a car with more performance enhancements..
look what fast & furious has? done to them
Or? get a CTS-V xD
Great review! So much better than other that try to be funny like jeremy clarkson and just? fails every time. respect to you, and the car of course!
Im thinking of buying a E60 BMW M5 in the “near” future because the acceleration up to 120mph/200kph is so amazing and thrilling. Does this accelerate as brutal as the e60 M5? Thats what gets MY blood pumping!
@AbacoBahamaMan Thats some nerve you have… Uttering the words GT2/GT3 in the same sentence? as M3. Utter sacrilege to Porsche as far as I am concerned.
I’ve never owned an M3 (although I came close), but I’ve driven many. My personal favorite is the E46 CSL. Quite fun, very emotive, but also fairly fragile. Maybe I’m just too young to enjoy V8 sofa. Personally, unless its Porsche I’d avoid German altogether. I want to feel alive when I’m driving.
I forgot to mention this car walks all over the Audi RS4, S5, and just about everything else around it’s class. However in a straight line it will get walked on by the C63AMG or Z06/ZR1. I did hold my own against a GT500. He had more power, but he? ran out of revs and had to make 5 shifts where I made 3. The 8400 v8 really can run on the lower rev limit cars. I would not try that against a supersnake however. 307Z, G37, Stock GT no problem.
@MastroCicio Jealous much??
@scrfce123 Personally it’s obvious you have never owned nor driven? a real M3. Any of your friends who do own one don’t know what they are driving or they were dropped on their heads as a kid. Yes the e92 is heavy, but it’s still very very well balanced on a track. I really am worried about your friends if they didn’t like this car. What do they drive a Porsche GT2 or GT3? That’s about the only car I’ve even driven that has felt better driving. the AMG? NAH! RS4 sure… Z06/ZR1 maybe?
Mr Rappaport. I worked as much overtime as I could get and saved for about 5 years as I knew this was the car I wanted to own. I? spent that five year savings on a ’10 e92 APW m3 with CF roof, tech package, navi, EDC and 6 speed. I skipped the extended leather, but got the CF dash. Basically, this car is everything I dreamed about for those 5 years. It is just flat out sick in every way. Torque is low, but the quick rev and 8400RL makes up for it. It will flat out spin the tires in 2nd. BEAST!
Every E92 M3 owner whom I’ve personally known has either kept theirs for less than 6 months and made? a HUGE loss or is currently looking to sell. It is nothing special at all. Just a vague, dull car that only becomes slightly interesting on a race track.
The steering and suspension are pathetic. I’ve gotten better road feel from a bagged Range Rover Sport.
Also, I prefer manual too, but if I absolutely HAD to get an M3, I’d buy one with the DSG box to make use of what little torque there is.
@middeleastmusician If you buy an M3 your a poser with no class.? BMW’s are like ass holes … everyones got one
I can? tell it was a pain in the arse to pay attention and keep a steady stream of commentary going at the same time he’s ripping
Audi for? life.
@XXXCompAssesXXX : I do?
this guy is really boring…?
@XXXCompAssesXXX The people that buy the car care. ?
this? car just does not look muscular or aggressive enough
DO I LOOK LIKE I CARE? ABOUT TORQUE RIGHT NOW?!! hahaha
ok this was the first roadfly video watched by me and? I must admit, that was a really good review! The least I could do now is to subscribe.
its not about how much torque it has, its about where that torque is… you can hear by the way it revs that it makes near enough 295 throughout? the rev range… 400ft/lb of torque is useless if it only comes in one lump for 1000rpm …
@XXXCompAssesXXX americans… they love it…? their supercars have an overdrive gear… sad
@77shaster over the M3 ???
)
I like how he references the 35K MGT as an almost equivilent! Thanks for the ride, I’ll? buy the Ford.
Great vid. Not a bad host for? once, smart man.
@ianmason2003? I had an audi that had what didn’t seem like alot of power, but it used it really well and was a blast. So I would love an M3, but it’s out of my range right now.