The success of BMW’s M Division is owed to its ability to take cars seen by many as the de facto choice of middle-management types and transform them into fire-breathing motorsports inspired monsters.
Of all BMW M’s achievements, the M3 is undoubtedly its best-known and greatest, having almost single-handedly pioneered the performance saloon format with the introduction of the original E30 M3 in the 1980s.
Four more generations have followed since, each more powerful than the last, but with the latest F80 M3, there are some who say that the car has lost its way. There’s less of that motorsports magic and more of the soft, plush luxury that’s come to be expected of BMWs.
It’s now the smaller M2 which stands as the closest to BMW’s original vision for its M cars, but all the same the M3’s evolution hasn’t blunted its prowess as the king of the supersaloons. Here’s why.
1. Speed, and lots of it
Despite the fact that performance cars are faster and more powerful nowadays than ever, make no mistake about it: the M3 is still insanely, incomprehensibly, mind-warpingly fast.
With a 0-62mph sprint time of 4.1 seconds with launch control engaged and a 155mph top speed, it runs circles around smaller, lighter rivals like the Porsche 911 Carrera – which also happens to be more expensive.
It’s also lighter and faster than the bigger M5, while adding the Competition Package raises power to a full 444bhp and drops the 0-62mph sprint time to four seconds flat. Yowza!
2. Aggressive, aberrant performance
Time to address the elephant in the room: it might still be wickedly fast, but the current F80 generation M3 is the porkiest there’s ever been, and it shows in how the car drives.
Compared to the M3s of old, it’s noticeably softer, very noticeably more tail happy and more than a little bit scary as a result. But all the same, if you want to absolutely murder a racetrack, the M3 is still one of the best weapons with which to do it.
It helps to load the car up with as many extras as possible like adaptive M suspension and carbon ceramic brakes which vastly enhance the experience, and we defy the staunchest of critics to spend half an hour in one and not come away pasty-faced and utterly thrilled.
3. Manual still comes as standard
Thank God for the fact that BMW is one of the few remaining manufacturers which listens to its fanbase and which continues to offer a manual gearbox as standard on cars like the M3.
Out of the box, your M3 will come with a slick six-speed DIY option, though you can choose the seven-speed dual-clutch if you want. Don’t though, because that’s bad.
Inevitably, there will come a day when the M3 - like many of its contemporaries - becomes auto-only. With rumours that the next version will be a hybrid too, now could be one of your last chances to buy a relatively unfettled, pure-bred sports saloon.
4. It can be as hardcore or as luxurious as you want
Enthusiasts are often caught between the choice of a hardcore performance car with a stripped-out interior and something that’ll go like the clappers but that’s actually nice to spend time in.
If you ask us, the M3 straddles the right line between hardcore and luxury. As standard it comes with essential things like climate control, BMW’s neat iDrive system and Bluetooth, but the plusher stuff is optional only.
If you’d rather have a fully tricked-out car that you can race on Sunday, but commute in on Monday, you can add things like the Executive Package. This features a heads-up display, rear-view cameras and in-car Wi-Fi, along with a whole host of other top-shelf kit.
5. It’s pricey, but it’s still good value
Can you believe that back in the 1980s, the original E30 M3 would have cost you only £25,000 or so? Nowadays, the sticker price for the M3 starts at £56,605 as an absolute minimum.
Pricey, then, but compare that to cars like the Mercedes C63 AMG which has a basic price of £61,195, while the 911 in its entry-level format is an eye-watering £76,412.
Yes, you can get the M2 and still have as much fun for quite a bit more, but compared to its main competitors the M3 is probably still the best value car in its segment.
