2009 BMW M3 Coupe

M-pressive

The BMW M3 Coupe continues its reign atop the 3 Series line with a burly V8 engine and assorted performance enhancements.

After taking the 2007 model year off, the BMW M3 Coupe rejoined the lineup for 2008. As with its predecessors, the fourth generation M3 is essentially the current 3 Series Coupe amped up in every regard, with a correspondingly higher sticker price.

The BMW M3 Coupe’s exterior doesn't look dramatically different from the standard-issue 3 Series two-door, though most body panels are model-specific. It’s dressed up with a few added touches like different bumpers, air intakes, flared wheel arches, a prominent “power bulge” in its aluminum hood, unique side-mirrors, and a small rear spoiler that’s claimed to improve aerodynamics.

As with its larger and more flamboyant M6 counterpart, the BMW M3 Coupe includes a carbon fiber-reinforced roof for added structural integrity and weight reduction. It also helps lower the car's center of gravity, which enhances handling and agility.

The upgrades that truly differentiate a BMW M3 Coupe from the rest of the line, however, are more mechanical than aesthetic. Prime among them is a lightweight 4.0-liter V8 engine that develops well over 400 horsepower, which is roughly on par with the Chevrolet Corvette (though the latter’s small-block V8 generates about a third more low-end torque). The M3 Coupe can reach 60 miles per hour from a standstill in just under 5 seconds, with a top speed that’s electronically limited to 155 mph.

The BMW M3 Coupe’s engine includes a variation on the regenerative braking systems found on most hybrid-powered vehicles. Here, it takes electrical power recovered while braking to recharge the battery and power various systems while the car is moving; this means the alternator can be disengaged from the engine under most operating circumstances and the engine's power can be used to generate maximum acceleration.

The V8 channels power to the rear wheels via a beefed-up six-speed short-throw manual transmission, which is the only available gearbox. Though some may lament the lack of an automatic, a stick shift is the configuration of choice among the enthusiast crowd at which the BMW M3 is targeted.

• BMW M3 Coupe Vehicle Summary

Riding on a modified all-aluminum suspension, with 18-inch wheels and tires (19-inchers are available), and a variable locking rear differential that affords top traction on a wide range of road surfaces, the BMW M3 handles exceptionally well. You’ll pay the price, however, in terms of a harsh ride over bumps, potholes, and imperfect pavement. Still, the M3's generous wheelbase (measured from the centerline of the front wheels to the centerline of the back wheels) makes it much more comfortable over uneven pavement than the average two-seat sports car.

As in the M5 and M6, the BMW M3 Coupe includes an MDrive control system that lets the driver tailor the car’s performance and handling characteristics to suit individual driving styles and preferences. It can get complex, but those who are so inclined can fiddle with the engine management (for more lively throttle response), suspension damping (to choose a stiffer or more comfortable ride), and the optional Servotronic power steering system (to change the steering response at varying speeds).

The BMW M3’s standard Dynamic Stability Control system, which uses throttle and brake input to help minimize wheel spin and prevent a loss of control during extreme handling maneuvers, can be turned off altogether, which allows the car to be coaxed into controlled skids around curves.

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The BMW M3 Coupe's interior is similar in appearance to the rest of the 3 Series line, but with richer materials and various M-specific embellishments. For example, the dashboard features a gauge that indicates how much of the engine’s power is available based on the temperature of the engine oil. The cabin can be dressed up with various leather and trim treatments and front seats feature optional adjustable-width backrests to enhance lateral support through sharp turns.

And yes, the BMW M3 Coupe does include the automaker’s counter-intuitive iDrive system to govern the entertainment, navigation, communication, and climate-control functions; as in the 5 Series, 6 Series, and 7 Series cars, it clumsily replaces individual knobs with a single joystick and hierarchical menus displayed on an LCD screen.

Like the 3 Series Coupe, the M3 Coupe has a useable backseat and decent sized trunk, which make it much more practical than most sports cars it competes with.