Enthusiasts will exult at the fact that unlike many modern sports models, this latest M3 is offered as standard with a six-speed manual transmission.
It’ll even throw in throttle blips on downshifts too. BMW’s M Division engineering chief Albert Biermann apparently viewed a manual transmissions as a “non-negotiable part” of the package.
There is a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox available as an option and it’s sure to be popular, but for the hardcore, there’s no substitute for three pedals and a stick.
The engine is a lugger too. Where the V8 in the previous M3 had to be led by the nose to 3,900rpm where it made most of its torque, this twin turbo 3.0-litre straight-six is doing its best work from just 1,800rpm, offering it a huge advantage in real world driveability.
Peak power is rated at 425bhp, with a massive 406lb/ft of torque available; an increase in torque of some 40% over its predecessor.
The sprint to 62mph takes just 4.1 seconds with the dual-clutch gearbox, which is half a second quicker than the old M3 and betters the Mercedes C63 AMG as well.
Unlike in the last generation of M3, where the coupe model got the sexy carbon fibre roof and the saloon had to make do with metalwork up top, this time the M3 four-door gets the CFRP roof treatment.
This brings weight-savings of 5kg and lowers the vehicle’s centre of gravity, the highest part of the car being the point where additional weight is most keenly felt.
The interior is beautifully executed, with front seats that take inspiration from the bucket seats fitted in racing cars, and feature a full-size, single-piece back panel. There’s electric adjustment and heating as standard, while the upholstery is segmented and has some lovely stitching and perforation details.
The M3 retails at just over £56,000, which is around £500 cheaper than its two-door stablemate. Of course, as the two cars are mechanically identical, it’s only fair to see them priced so similarly, although historically, that hasn’t stopped BMW pitching cars that are broadly similar under the skin at vastly different prices.
M5 and M6 anyone? Nevertheless, just over 56 grand might seem quite a whack for a fast BMW 3 Series and some will ask whether the M3 is really worth all the extra over the quite extravagantly talented 335i M Sport.
Others will look at what Mercedes wants for a C63 AMG or what Lexus charges for an IS-F and conclude that the BMW might just be the bargain of the bunch.
Standard kit includes adaptive M suspension, 19in M light alloy wheels and front and rear park distance control, exterior-folding mirrors, ‘Shadowline’ exterior trim and a full BMW Professional Media package with upgraded Bluetooth system.
BMW has made great strides in improving the M3’s economy and emissions and to put those figures into perspective, let’s wind the clock back a bit to the previous six-cylinder M3, the E46 generation. That car, which was only retired in 2006, emitted 287g/km and managed a combined fuel economy figure of 23.7mpg; this from an engine that developed 335bhp. This current F80 generation M3 develops a massive 425bhp yet can see 34mpg and 194g/km when fitted with the twin-clutch transmission. That’s not 10% better economy. That’s a hoofing great 43% improvement in fuel consumption.
Insurance is as expensive as you’d expect from a car with that sort of potency under the bonnet, so younger drivers ought to ensure they can get halfway sensibly priced cover first. Residual values should hold up well too. This isn’t a tired old platform that’s being rolled out for one last hurrah. Used demand for this generation M3 should prove very healthy indeed.
It’s tempting to think of this car as a retrenchment, that it might be an M3 that has dialled back the extremity of its predecessor. While the straight-six twin-turbo engine doesn’t deliver quite the aural dynamics of its eight-cylinder, normally-aspirated predecessor, that’s a small price to pay for a car that’s just flat-out faster.
Faster and more talented in corners too, thanks to a better chassis and less weight to lug.
Faster, more composed and far more efficient as well. And better equipped and better value. You can see where we’re going here. Did we mention it’s faster? It’s certainly a better car and if in becoming so, you need to make one or two compromises, then perhaps that’s a reasonable trade.
BMW has moved adeptly with the times with this model and should be rewarded for doing so. The company is interested in building performance cars for a real and rapidly changing motoring environment and that’s what it’s done with this M3.
It has embraced efficiency improvements while still offering old-school interaction – via three pedals and a stick should you want it. It’s a very smart blend of the traditional and the modern and looks to move the game on by quite some margin.
Model: BMW M3
Price: Over £56,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin turbo producing 425bhp and 406lb/ft of torque
Performance: 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds
Economy: 34mpg
CO rating: 194g/km