2008 BMW M3
Given the ho-hum response to the AMG CLK63 Black Series post and to other fancy sports sedans on this blog, I'm guessing not many of our Car Lust regulars will be singing the praises of the 2008 M3. Given my obsession with sedans that perform like sports cars, though, I just can't ignore this car. Besides, I've been waiting for the V-8 M3 for years, for reasons I'll detail below. Don't worry, folks, we'll be back in the bad cars soon enough.
In the high-pressure world of international sports car racing, highlighted by the 24 Hours of Le Mans and similarly prestigious long-distance races, Porsche and BMW have a highly entertaining red-hot rivalry. The two proud German manufacturers have been engaged in a back-and-forth hammer-and-tongs battle for supremacy for some time, resulting in an arms race that would not have been out of place in the Cold War.
In 2001, when I was covering sports car racing, private Porsche teams were beginning to reverse what had been several years of factory BMW dominance. The balance of power was shifting, and Porsche was ready to take charge. Until, at least, BMW tired of the trench warfare and invented a nuclear missile. Put another way, BMW decided to bring a gun to a knife fight. For the season-opening Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, instead of the familiar and brilliant BMW straight six, BMW brought an M3 GTR loaded for bear with a 32-valve V-8. The effects were predictably dominant. The tricked-out M3 relegated the Porsches to junior varsity status, and the cries of complaint nearly drowned out the V-8's sweet rumble.
What does any of this have to do with this M3, you might ask? While that ridiculously dominant V-8 M3 was eventually outlawed from the racetracks, its allure as the unstoppable renegade lived on. I've been waiting for a V-8 M3 for this entire decade--pointlessly, of course, since I can't afford one, but the part of me that likes to see large-caliber hardware on the street is pleased that it now exists. While the V-8 isn't a race car engine, and is unrelated to the howitzer that terrified Porsche, it does crank out 414 horsepower and an eye-watering 8400 RPM redline. All this, and the engine actually weighs less than the previous-generation's six--meaning the M3's legendary balance isn't hampered by a big lumpen V-8.
In fact, the M3's traditionally wonderful handling copes easily with the power; most of the road tests I've seen claim the M3 actually could use a little more power to keep up with the AMG CLK63 and Audi RS4. How strange is that? We have here a car that is much faster than its cousin, the twin-turbocharged BMW 335i (another future Car Lust), which itself was as fast as the previous M3. The 335i could have been a supercar a decade ago, but the new M3 puts it in the shade. We've made this point before, but it's an amazing commentary on the automotive world in which we live that a BMW M3 could pack a V-8 that generates upwards of 400 horsepower and still be considered a little underpowered. I have a hunch that in a decade when we're all driving gas misers, we'll think back to this era with reverence and awe.
All of this comes at a price, of course--the M3 starts in the mid-$50K range. That's reasonable considering its raw performance, but it's certainly not the relatively inexpensive pocket rocket it used to be.
--Chris H.
Ian on August 25, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I'm with you on this one, Chris. I've always thought the M3 was lust-worthy.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on August 25, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Mechanically-speaking, it is very, very lust-worthy. In terms of styling, I can't get warmed up to the low-drag carved-bar-of-soap look that's all the rage these days. Wrap it in late-80s 3-series sheetmetal, and I could get very, very excited.
Big Chris on August 25, 2008 at 03:15 PM
All that comes to mind when viewing this car is Wayne and Garth's "Schwing!" Such a fantastically beautiful car. Curvaceous lines and gobs of power. Luxury throughout the inside - I need to invest in a drool proof laptop!
Big Chris
Rob the SVX guy on August 25, 2008 at 03:49 PM
McFat.
E30 M3: 2733 lbs
E36 M3: 3219 lbs
E46 M3: 3415 lbs
E90/93 3704 lb
And before anybody mentions my SVX tips the scale at 3525lbs, point well taken, but the SVX is a touring car, not a "drivers car". It may be fast and have lots of grip, but that comes at a price. You'll go through balljoints, brakes, transmissions, etc... lowering the weight improves ALL aspects of performance, and the new M3, despite some very amazing qualities, is just too fat for me to be a fan.
Mochi Mochi on August 25, 2008 at 03:58 PM
I tend to agree with Cookie that the soap bar styling is less then entirely appealing to me. There's a blandness that comes with it that is not nearly as exciting as the crisp and/or slightly awkward or even funny lines that BMWs of the 70s had.
But to contradict myself completely I was watching a Brit crime drama the other night and this new soap bar based BMW rolls in to frame. It dawned on my how much this is a car for the camera, and a car as an accessory that proclaims just the right socio-economic footing. In those conditions it is perfection. I realized that in a decade or two or three (after we've tired of this look and moved onto a new style), this style of car will appear to be a classic design of our times - something like how a 1938 Bugatti is entirely enchanting. Time can make so many thing better.
From an engineering perspective this is with out question a lovely piece of work. What was the displacement of the racing V8?
JEM on August 25, 2008 at 04:30 PM
There's two flavors of BMW - the ones that Joji Nagashima designed, and everything else. Nagashima did the E36, the E39, and now the E90, and they're far and away the best-looking of the last two decades of Bimmer. Okay, the E90's got some clutter, the non-M3 sedan nose is full of Bangle jaggies and they can look a little chubby on small wheels, but the basic shape is right. The M3 coupe doesn't quite do it for me, but the sedan just oozes rightness. The 3-series interior is less screwed up, less '70s German hotel room, than the E60 and E65, but that's about the best that can be said for it. The powertrain...we'll see. I'm not a fan of buzz-bomb motors, the E60 M5 isn't all that, I haven't driven an E90 M3 yet but I'm suspecting it's going to be a case of "nice car, but it'd be REALLY nice with a GM LS7."
JEM on August 25, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Oh, and I might note that back in 1976 the future looked like 120HP groanmobiles; we've now had two decades of some of the best hardware ever built. Hopefully we won't end up with another Jimmy Carter...
O'Rourke on August 25, 2008 at 04:55 PM
For about 11k out the door you can buy a brand new motorcycle which will go 0-60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds, 0-100 mph in well under 6 seconds, run the quarter mile in well under 10 seconds at well over 140 mph and return 40+ mpg on the highway. If you want performance bang for the buck, buy a bike. Spend the rest on the nicest mini-van you can find.
Mochi Mochi on August 25, 2008 at 05:22 PM
The Z3 Coupe by Joji Nagashima - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:BMW-Z3-Coup%C3%A9.jpg - is a very cool and quirky car. Call it a coupe or a Shooting-brake - I don't care but I want one.
O'Rourke: I'm with you on the bike for pure performance, but may I suggest a nice used motorcycle for a lot less than $11k. Make it a 2-stroke and I'll be really happy.
John Capozzi on August 25, 2008 at 05:50 PM
I own a 130hp liter bike and a supercharged E36 M3 (396hp at the wheels). Both provide thrills, but in different ways. If I had 70 large sitting around just begging to be spent on a car, the new M3 is on my short list.
The E90 M3 is one heck of a technological marvel, putting out 414 HP from 4.0 liters, and doing it sucking in air the old fashioned way. Wish it was a bit lighter, though after a test drive, it feels less porky to me than the E46 M3.
As for a future issue of car lust concerning the 335, don't forget to mention the lighter, less expensive but just as powerful 135
Anthony Cagle on August 25, 2008 at 07:01 PM
JEM: "The M3 coupe doesn't quite do it for me, but the sedan just oozes rightness."
I agree, though I think they're both beautiful. BMW styling never really grabbed me before, but these I just stare at. I think it's well-nigh perfect, styling-wise.
golem on August 25, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Well, theres a reason these cars have received a ho-hum response. Every model, the M3 gets heavier, more mainstream and more expensive, putting it out of enthusiasts' reach. The CLK Black series is probably one of the few Mercedes that drives decently out of the box and it's priced into the stratosphere. Anyone can make a great car for the right money, the trick is making an amazing car that people can actually afford, while not being special enough for car people to really lust after.
Try featuring a ride we might possibly afford, like the 135/335 suggested above, or something truly lust-worthy like the GT-R or R8.
golem on August 25, 2008 at 09:43 PM
oops i meant:
"Anyone can make a great car for the right money, the trick is making an amazing car that people can actually afford. The M3 and CLK B's pricing are a bit too high while not being special enough for car people to really lust after."
dramaturge on August 25, 2008 at 10:34 PM
I really like this car. Beautiful, quick, great engine. Too bad I can't afford one. haha
proximo on August 26, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Wait 3 or 4 years and the price will be right. I have a 2004 E46 M3 that cost $60k with options, tax and title. They can be had in the mid-30s these days.
Stevethepatentguy on August 26, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Top Gear considered the M3, C63 and RS4 and the choice was M3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNDA7wMp8WE
Chris Hafner on August 26, 2008 at 09:04 AM
golem: "Try featuring a ride we might possibly afford, like the 135/335 suggested above, or something truly lust-worthy like the GT-R or R8"
Well, if you're looking for affordable, we've recently featured the Volkswagen Vanagon and the Renault Fuego. You could buy one of each for the cost of your 30,000-mile service on an M3.
I think we'll touch on all of those mentioned above in due time.
Rob the SVX guy on August 26, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Your volvo came with two boys?
Paul C. Perkins on September 03, 2008 at 09:30 AM
Of all the coupes BMW have ever made - only two are worthy of lust. . .
BMW2800CS
BMW3.0CS/CSi
Everything else they've made since look like potatoes on wheels by comparison. . . IMHO
Paul
Elan Sprint DHC
Rob the SVX guy on September 06, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Paul: BMW 850CSI