Fueling the fire with gasoline
The automobile could very well be the greatest social status symbol. It's the most effective way to demonstrate the thickness of one's wallet as well as a taste for luxury, power and the beautiful things in life.
A large selection of vehicles can satisfy the need for performance and style. And for a good flashing show at an affordable price, the M Roadster is hard to beat.
For most people, $69,900 is not at all affordable. But for those who have a six-digit salary, that sum is reasonable for a car that offers a performance level that's on par with exotic sports cars that cost two or three times the price.
Under the hood of the M Roadster is the M3's marvelous engine, a 3.2-liter V6. With 330 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque on tap, this engine bolted into a car that weighs 100 kg less than the M3 coupe guarantees blazing acceleration times. You'll achieve incredible (and illegal) speeds behind the wheel of this car. And to crown this adrenaline rush, the soundtrack of this beast's engine will give you goose bumps.
It not only accelerates, but it also negotiates twisty roads and brakes at one's will. In a neck of the woods that disposes only of sinuous back roads, and whatever speed I was driving at, the M Roadster's tires never emitted the slightest squeal. This little convertible brushes off speed like if it was hitting a concrete wall. However, the car hammers its occupants on rough roads, which becomes aggravating in the long run.
Press the DSC button, and the traction control system deactivates. But with all that power, I should warn that turning off this safety aid is as imprudent as a kid running with scissors. If you fiercely launch the M without the DSC's assistance, you'll instantly lose all traction, and the rear
tires will wave a white flag as soon as you take your foot of the clutch pedal. I didn't try it twice.
If the top is up, accessing the cockpit is a little difficult. But you won't care, because once you're settled in, the seats wrap around you and give the support necessary for sporty driving. The fat steering wheel has a small diameter and fits perfectly with the tight and direct steering. Like in most convertibles, visibility out back is quite limited. The hood is so round and bulbous that it's ever-present when looking through the windshield.
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| 2006 BMW M Roadster (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
A large selection of vehicles can satisfy the need for performance and style. And for a good flashing show at an affordable price, the M Roadster is hard to beat.
For most people, $69,900 is not at all affordable. But for those who have a six-digit salary, that sum is reasonable for a car that offers a performance level that's on par with exotic sports cars that cost two or three times the price.
 |
| 2006 BMW M Roadster (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
It not only accelerates, but it also negotiates twisty roads and brakes at one's will. In a neck of the woods that disposes only of sinuous back roads, and whatever speed I was driving at, the M Roadster's tires never emitted the slightest squeal. This little convertible brushes off speed like if it was hitting a concrete wall. However, the car hammers its occupants on rough roads, which becomes aggravating in the long run.
Press the DSC button, and the traction control system deactivates. But with all that power, I should warn that turning off this safety aid is as imprudent as a kid running with scissors. If you fiercely launch the M without the DSC's assistance, you'll instantly lose all traction, and the rear
 |
| 2006 BMW M Roadster (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
If the top is up, accessing the cockpit is a little difficult. But you won't care, because once you're settled in, the seats wrap around you and give the support necessary for sporty driving. The fat steering wheel has a small diameter and fits perfectly with the tight and direct steering. Like in most convertibles, visibility out back is quite limited. The hood is so round and bulbous that it's ever-present when looking through the windshield.