Ever since BMW began tagging its models with the M banner there has been a super sporty version of an existing sports saloon or coupe in its model line up. BMW M3 Sports Cars have developed a standard of engineering that allows road users, albeit fairly wealthy ones, to enjoy the kind of performance expected of racing cars. However, simply building a racing car for the road would never have been enough to achieve the kind of success associated with a BMW M3 Coupe. The BMW designers also share in the glory of their creation with a seemingly flawless design that is as stunningly attractive as it is menacing.
Performance
The reason anyone buys a BMW M3 Coupe will primarily be for its performance. The fact that few other cars can live with it on an open road is an allure the enthusiastic driver would always find difficult to ignore. The BMW M3 Coupe is a point and squirt machine that gets its driver around slower moving traffic without panic. There is no need to spend time calculating whether an overtaking attempt is feasible because the BMW M3 Coupe gives you the time. Only insanity would make anyone attempt the unachievable in one of these cars.
The incredible performance comes courtesy of a 3.2 litre motor that punches out 343 bhp. From this you can expect a top speed just below 160 mph and zero to sixty miles an hour in under 5 seconds. For an additional £20,000 there's also a stripped out version called the CSL, which should improve on the performance figures quoted above should you really think it necessary.
If the performance figures really do not interest you, and all you want from your BMW M3 Coupe is a slow drive down to the shops, then the car will willingly oblige without any fuss or mechanical disapproval at being used in such a way. Although you might make the neighbours ponder on your choice of automobile.
Ride & Handling
As you might expect the ride and handling characteristics of the BMW M3 Coupe are a little different to that of the standard model in order to cope with the additional power. The ride is proves firmer at lower speeds, but for that you get to enjoy incredible handling at stretched new limits. Feedback from the steering is accurate which aids maintaining fast progress without any dramas.
Comfort
The BMW M3 Coupe combines performance with comfort although noise levels are a little higher than in standard models. The seats provided offer very good support with universal adjustment.
Economy
Not the issue a BMW M3 Coupe buyer might initially consider, but if they did they would not be disappointed because the M3 Coupe is quite capable of between 25-30 mpg, depending on the restraint exercised by its driver.
Safety & Security
Passenger protection is provided by six airbags, while outside the cabin ABS brakes and a traction control system help to prevent anything untoward occurring. Security is comprehensive.
Reliability
BMW engineers expected their M3 cars to be pushed hard, and engineered this factor into their calculations. The result is sport cars that seem able to take any amount of abuse without any sign of temperament.
Values
You would have to wait for a new BMW M3 Coupe which would set you back around £44k. There are however plenty of used cars available, but do not expect to find a cheap one unless there's something seriously wrong with it. Over three years, 36,000 miles and with a Full Service History (FSH), a BMW M3 Coupe will still be valued between 60-67% of its original value.