Holding onto the throne

Vital stats



Manufacturer: BMW

Model: M3

Years: Since 1983

Latest: E90/E92/E93

Varients: CSL, GTR, GTS (mass production models)

Version: Fourth
Body: Coupe / Cabriolet / Saloon (2 and four door)

Layout: Front mounted engine with rear wheel drive and 50/50 weight distribution

Engine: 4.0 litre V8

Transmission: 7-speed M-DCT

Power: 309 kw (419 hp)

Torque: 400 Nm

0-100 km/h: 4.7 (claimed)

Top Speed: 250 km/h (limited)

The BMW M3 is yet to lose its coveted crown. Not to say that there haven't been worthy challengers...

The BMW M3 became an instant cult car when the first E30 based model was launched. Its reputation swelled with every victory in the motorsport divisions in which it competed. Essentially it was a mid sized coupe that offered some practicality, raw speed and unadulterated handling.  The next model, the E36, took this a few steps further by offering four-doors and the first semi-automatic transmission in its class. The E36's handling was better than most sports cars and its acceleration was urgent enough to give it a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.5 seconds. It wasn't until the introduction of the E46 BMW M3 however that some real challengers came to the fore. The Audi S4, Mercedes C32 AMG and later the Mercedes C55 AMG took swipes at the BMW M3 but just could not match its sublime track performance despite having bigger engines.

Enter the current version of the BMW M3. Armed with a V8 that produces 309 kw and 400 Nm it is still not the biggest displacement or the most powerful amongst its peers. But it has an ace up its sleeve that its rivals cannot seem to overcome, its electronic limited slip differential. The limited slip diff enhances what is already an endowed handling package to keep the BMW M3 ahead on the track albeit so close. The Mercedes C63 AMG and the Lexus IS-F are ferocious in a straight line but just lack the poise when it comes to the corners whereas the BMW excels here. The BMW M3 manages to outshine even the hardcore rally king, the turbocharged AWD Subaru WRX STI when all manner of coners are brought in to settle the legendary dispute.

So what makes the BMW such a cult car? Believe it or not it has something to do with the way it looks as well as of course the way it performs. Many have noted how the BMW M3 turns am ordinary driver into a racing driver...well until he pushes it too hard too quickly in which case it will bruise your ego by snapping out of line and landing you in trouble very very quickly.