Second Hand SenseWHEN CONSIDERING a car like the BMW 3-Series M coupé, you might ask whether owning a car developed on a racetrack and responsible driving are mutually exclusive. Many would say that they aren't, but what can't be argued with is the car's blistering performance and impressive technology.
BMW's M GmbH division produced the first M version of the 3 coupé in 1986 and all cars in the company's range come in uprated M versions these days. Many of the innovations introduced in BMW cars over the years were tested and refined by M GmbH on the infamous Nurburgring race track.
The minute you step into an M3 you know you are in for a rather different motoring experience. The low slung profile of the car is accentuated by its narrow wheels and tyres and the very distinctive aerodynamics of the body.
Under the bonnet is a 3.2-litre petrol engine (since last year it has increased to 4.0 litres), producing 343 horse power, or almost five times that of a small hatchback. In one sense, that pretty much sums up the M3. It is a very fast car with powerful grip and built to deal with the kind of driving demands that no one is normally going to encounter. Those with an appreciation for engineering will, however, see more to the car than just its capabilities. It is also a very finely tuned machine, both in terms of its engine and its suspension.
As a car it is a specialist collector's item. Notwithstanding its lack of practicality in terms of interior space and accommodation, awful fuel economy and uncomfortable ride on bumpy surfaces, the M3 is also very expensive. A new one will cost you about €130,000, but at least reliability is not a BMW issue in general and the standard 3-Series crash test yielded good results.
In fairness, you do get a lot for your money. A 2005 model with 67,000km on the clock, leather upholstery, 19-inch alloys, sports suspension, bi-xenon headlights, dynamic stability control, cornering brake control, parking distance control, ABS, electric seats, cruise control and, oddly, a single CD player has an asking price of €56,500. A 2007 model with 28,000km and the same equipment is on offer for €59,950.
STAR RATING: 6/10