BMW M Series 2006-2015 M3 Coupe

M Series 2006-2015 M3 Coupe Review

Continuing the tradition of the M GmbH in an endeavour to fetch performance engineering from the racetrack to the road, BMW has come up with its latest offering of another ‘ultimate driving machine’ in the form of BMW M Series M3 Coupe . This latest sporty addition to the exclusive M Series range of vehicles is constituted upon high engine output and precise handling. Lightweight construction augments the Cooper's roster of merits; with a lowered centre of gravity, a CFRP roof, lightweight front section, bumpers, wheels as well as the engine; the vehicle is loaded with superior agility. Furthermore, everything has been tested on the Nürburgring Nordschleife, which is considered to be the toughest proving ground in the world when it comes to motorcar testing.

Exteriors

A snazzy, stylish look has been a regular feature of the cars manufactured by BMW. The BMW M3 Coupe is no exception to this general rule. With its uber-smart, incomparable design come its set of distinguishing features too. The exterior of the vehicle is customised with M aerodynamic bodystyling, and supplied with a power dome with airvents. The powerful headlights of the car are electronically adjustable with supplementary fog lights at the front as well as the rear end of the vehicle. The exterior rear view mirror is also power adjustable and the rear view mirror itself is electronically foldable. A rain sensing wiper at the back is a useful tool, helping to create a safer driving and travelling experience. Small yet indispensable gadgets like rear window defoggers come in handy too. This model comes with factory-fitted alloy wheels, which however lack covers. The exterior mirrors are aspheric, blue tinted, heated, electronically adjustable with memory feature, as well as aerodynamically optimised with a two-leg base. This new offering from BMW comes in 7 distinct colours - Black Sapphire, Silver Grey, Alpine White, Silverstone II, Sepang Bronze, Interlagos Blue, and Indianapolis Red.

Interiors

The interiors of the car are elegant and superior in quality. The instrument panel comprises of red-illuminated needles and a white-illuminated display with variable M rev limiter, with gauges for fuel consumption and oil temperature. Door sill finishers with BMW M3 designation, electric windows, multi-function leather steering, and a steering column with manual reach and rake adjustment afford the passengers with a ride that can be best defined as intensely luxurious. The M3 Coupe has been provided with extended lighting, which includes door handle illumination, exit lighting and footwell lights in the front, luggage compartment light, reading lights in both front and rear, and sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors. Furthermore, there are storage compartments in the door trim panels and the rear centre console, along with a folding compartment with an integrated section for sunglasses and coins.

Engine and performance

Fitted with a 4.0-litre, 414bhp V8 engine, BMW M Series M3 Coupe can effectively displace 3999cc . The lightweight V-configuration engine has the potential to produce a maximum of 414bhp at 8300 rpm, while the maximum torque it can produce amounts to 400Nm at 3900 rpm. This beast of an engine contains 8 cylinders with 4 valves per cylinder. The car has been tested to give a mileage of 5.45 kmpl in the city, and an increased mileage of 8.93 kmpl on the highways. It only takes 4.8 seconds to reach 0 to 100 kmph (4.6 seconds with optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission with DRIVELOGIC) , thus the acceleration and pick-up of the vehicle is quite competent with the drag coefficient being 0.31c. The engine is contrived to reach a top speed of 250 kmph , in accordance with the company's promise of combining legendary motorsport character with everyday functionality. Total engagement ensures that the high-revving engine responds instantly to the lightest touch of the accelerator. Aided with optimum gearing and the variable M differential lock, the car furnishes the driver with a balanced and satisfying experience. 

Braking and handling

The front suspension is a twin-joint spring strut axle, sub-frame with tie-rod & stiffening plate, while the rear suspension is a sub-frame rear axle in steel, track control arm and spring strut . Power steering connects the driver to the road with gratifying immediacy while confidence is inspired by instant, direct responses. The newly-constructed lightweight chassis enhances the stability of the vehicle. Both the front and the rear brakes in the car are of the disc type. These high performance brakes, with perforated compound discs, retain formidable stopping power.

Safety features

BMW M Series M3 Coupe is equipped with countless safety features such as brake force display, electronic immobiliser, cruise control, daytime running lights, dynamic brake lights , and head airbags in the front and the rear. While inertia-real seat belts with pyrotechnical belt latch tensioner and belt force limiter afford safety at the front, there is a child seat fastening (ISOFIX) which renders the rear safe, especially for children. This Cooper has a unique Dynamic Stability Control Plus (DSC+) with MDynamic mode, which comprises of not only an Anti-Lock Braking System(ABS) with Cornering Brake Control(CBC) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution(EBD) , but also Automatic Stability Control(ASC), engine drag torque control and hill-start assistant. MDrive Manager along with head restraints in the front and rear, windscreen washer jets and wipers as well as Xenon headlights provide extra protection. Features such as park distance control and tyre puncture warning system augment the overall smooth experience of the ride in this coupe. 

Comfort features

BMW has striven to make the passengers' ride as comfortable as it can get. The car comes with automatic air conditioning with two-zone control, which includes AAR, fogging, solar sensors, and residual heat button. There are air outlets in the rear. Driver and passengers both get the easy entry function. The M Sport seats are precision-designed to provide an optimum fit for the human form. The height and the backrest width, for lateral support in fast bends, are electronically adjustable for the driver's seat. Additionally, the electric seat adjustment comes fitted with a memory function for the driver's seat. Moreover, the M3 Coupe's key functions can all be controlled with ease and convenience via the M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel; the MDrive button allows the driver to make any kind of immediate changes to the vehicle settings for any given stretch of road.

Pros 

A newly developed high-revving V8 engine, outstanding agility and unparalleled driving dynamics; lightweight construction, higher cornering speeds, shorter braking distances, and an ultimate driving pleasure.

Cons  

Expensive to buy with high running costs.