Nick Hall reports on BMW's M3 CS, a carefully polished diamond that is built for car enthusiasts, even though it's a little on the expensive side FirstDrive: BMW M3 CS
Niche cars are out of control in the modern world and if you want a two-seater Sports Utility MPV Hatchback Turbo, you'll find it somewhere. Some are utterly pointless - think Golf Plus. Some, like the BMW M3 CS, however, are carefully polished diamonds.
This is a halfway house between BMW's outgoing BMW M3, soon to be replaced by the new shape 400bhp fire-breathing 3 Series, and the formidable M3 CSL.
The strictly limited CSL was launched in 2003 and instantly became a legend, taking the fight to Porsche's 911 and Ferrari's 360, but at almost €98,000 it was an awful lot of money for a 3-Series BMW.
It also came with just one transmission choice: the SMG semi-automatic.
Undoubtedly it was the fastest way to change gear at the time, and BMW is at the vanguard of the F1 style paddle-shifters.
However, while perfect clutchless gearchanges are available at the blink of an eye, speed through technology isn't for everyone.
Taking the clutch and manual box away sterilises the experience and robs the driver of the satisfaction achieved from a perfect downchange on the way into a corner, with the merest hint of opposite lock to catch the slide.
So this, the last model that will come from the E46 line-up makes an awful lot of sense.
At €97,590 it's expensive, but still in touch with the real world, and it's different enough from the standard M3 to be well worth the investment - sharing many of its more exclusive predecessor's features without impinging on its exclusivity. And it has a proper six-speed gearbox, complete with clutch.
Inside there's an Alcantara-clad steering wheel, which adds to the sporting vibe, but isn't the most comfortable thing on a long trek.
You'd need to think twice about buying one if you do high miles and like to relax.
The M3 is the best compromise between performance and practicality in its class, but it's firm and the wheel needs a strong hand to keep the car online at cruising speeds.
But when this car hits one of those back roads, you won't care. It's here that the M3 CS comes to life.
The quicker and more sensitive steering rack has a major plus side: racecar sharp turn-in. It's as if front wheels are connected to human hands by nerves, rather than a medley of components.
Bodyroll is negligible and BMW's famous 50/50 front/rear weight balance means that the M3 CS will flick through bends with perfect sportscar poise.
With the electronics off it will slide, but it's never threatening and you'd have to really provoke it to throw this car into a hedge. It's a four-seater that behaves like a thoroughbred, which is amazing when you think about it.
It's not the lightest machine in the world, thanks to being loaded up with creature comforts and none of the weight-saving measures of the CSL, but a well balanced car can handle a few extra kilos on its hips without sacrificing that all important poise.
The 3.2-litre six cylinder that powers the M3 CS has won the engine 'Oscars' for five consecutive years, which isn't surprising when you feel how the 343bhp and 269lb ft of torque are delivered.
It accelerates to 100 km/h (60mph) in 5.2 seconds and will hit the electronically limited 249 km/h (155mph) top speed without trauma.
Mid-range acceleration is ballistic and, for a car with four seats, it's hard to believe the sporting intent in this machine with the loud pedal pressed full down.
Pushed hard it also produces a metallic scream that will stay with you right until the 8000rpm redline, and potentially forever.
Outside of the exotic supercar class occupied by Italians and €300,000+ Porsches, this is one of the finest sounding engines money can buy, and it's one of the best in the real world.
The new M3, when it arrives in 2007, will boast a 400bhp V8 engine and far more tricks than this machine.
Until then, this is the finest enthusiast's car in the BMW range, including the technical marvel that is the M5.
It's potentially the best M3 ever.
BMW M3 CS
Price: €97,590
Power: 343 bhp
Torque: 364Nm
0-60mph: 5.2 seconds
Top speed: 249km/h
Weight: 1,570kg