Let's all take a moment of silence to think back on our fondest M3-inspired memories. I know you each have at least one. Why look back on memories? Well, it'll be rather hard to make new ones as this is the last generation of M3 coupe we'll see on the roads. As the M4 coupe is slotted to take its place, we'll bid the E92 M3 adieu.
Before you get all up-in-arms about it, the sedan (the F80) will still remain. I know, I know, not the same bit it will have to do!
The M3 coupe is more than just a car, it is a brand unto itself. This vehicle deserves its spot in the performance automotive history books, and after my week behind the wheel of the bright orange M3 I have to wholeheartedly agree.
What is the BMW M3?
An easier question might be: what isn't it? This vehicle is so much to so many: sports car, icon, performance vehicle, family car, track star, city slicker, dream car, poster child, The One. The M3 is, perhaps, one of the most well-rounded cars on the road today. Equal parts sporty and practical with great exterior looks and a comfortable interior, the BMW M3 might just be BMW's best-known model -- and rightfully so.
2013 BMW M3 Price and Specs
With a starting price of just over $71k, the 2013 BMW M3 doesn't come cheaply. However, it's worth every single one of those 7.10 million pennies it would take to purchase a naked one. You might want to start counting them out now...
For those many pennies, you get a beast of a coupe with a naturally aspirated 4L V8 crouching beneath its bonnet that'll give you 414 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, all pushed out the rear wheels. Controlling that power is BMW's 7-speed M-DCT, a dual-clutch transmission that's almost as good as Porsche's PDK (yes, I said it).
Driving the 2013 BMW M3
Driving the BMW M3 is bit like I'd imagine bungee jumping to be like: It's thrilling, exciting, scary at times, but you know you've got the right safety equipment so you let loose, maybe even cry out a little with glee, and enjoy every moment.
That's the beauty about this latest (and last) generation of the M3 coupe: Sure, it's gotten bigger, fatter, and heavier, but it's all in the name of safety and keeping the driver (and other occupants) safe no matter what the driver tries to pull.
With a multitude of adjustable bits and bobs with the likes of the M button (for maximum throttle response and gear ratios for performance) EDC control and the like, the 2013 BMW M3 can be as tame or as savage as you want. What kind of drive would you like to have that day? You decide. Brilliant.
The 7-speed M-DCT truly is a pleasure to swap gears with. The steering wheel mounted paddle shifters (large and metallic) are perfectly placed and flicking from gear to gear with them is just fantastic. Downshifting just to hear that exhaust burble and the V8 grumble is an intoxicating habit.
With responsive steering (that did feel a bit light at times), the 2013 BMW M3 seems to know where you want it to go before you've even told it. While one of the only complaints I have about the car is that it feels a bit fat, it still manages to throw itself beautifully around each corner in a well-sorted way.
Inside and Out of the 2013 BMW M3
With minimal overhang up front and in the rear, the 2013 BMW M3 is a contained beast with bulging bits here and there, as if its savage innards are trying to break free and wreak havoc on the road (because they are).
I adore the hood-vents hugging the vulgar bulge in the middle, as well as the deep air vents behind each front wheel. Add the carbon-fibre roof to the mix along with the oh-so-subtle decklid spoiler and quad exhaust tips and you've got yourself an extremely good looking automobile, no matter what colour you drape it in.
Inside, typical BMW fare is found. I'm not a huge fan of the stunted, gimpy-looking shifter knob that's basically a glorified button, however, it is functional and suits the centre stack.
My favourite part of the 2013 BMW M3's interior? The fat, chunky, fits-perfectly-in-my-hands steering wheel. There's something to be said for a well-made steering wheel, and the M3 has one of the best in the entire industry in my opinion.
Before you get all up-in-arms about it, the sedan (the F80) will still remain. I know, I know, not the same bit it will have to do!
The M3 coupe is more than just a car, it is a brand unto itself. This vehicle deserves its spot in the performance automotive history books, and after my week behind the wheel of the bright orange M3 I have to wholeheartedly agree.
What is the BMW M3?
An easier question might be: what isn't it? This vehicle is so much to so many: sports car, icon, performance vehicle, family car, track star, city slicker, dream car, poster child, The One. The M3 is, perhaps, one of the most well-rounded cars on the road today. Equal parts sporty and practical with great exterior looks and a comfortable interior, the BMW M3 might just be BMW's best-known model -- and rightfully so.
2013 BMW M3 Price and Specs
With a starting price of just over $71k, the 2013 BMW M3 doesn't come cheaply. However, it's worth every single one of those 7.10 million pennies it would take to purchase a naked one. You might want to start counting them out now...
For those many pennies, you get a beast of a coupe with a naturally aspirated 4L V8 crouching beneath its bonnet that'll give you 414 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, all pushed out the rear wheels. Controlling that power is BMW's 7-speed M-DCT, a dual-clutch transmission that's almost as good as Porsche's PDK (yes, I said it).
Driving the 2013 BMW M3
Driving the BMW M3 is bit like I'd imagine bungee jumping to be like: It's thrilling, exciting, scary at times, but you know you've got the right safety equipment so you let loose, maybe even cry out a little with glee, and enjoy every moment.
That's the beauty about this latest (and last) generation of the M3 coupe: Sure, it's gotten bigger, fatter, and heavier, but it's all in the name of safety and keeping the driver (and other occupants) safe no matter what the driver tries to pull.
With a multitude of adjustable bits and bobs with the likes of the M button (for maximum throttle response and gear ratios for performance) EDC control and the like, the 2013 BMW M3 can be as tame or as savage as you want. What kind of drive would you like to have that day? You decide. Brilliant.
The 7-speed M-DCT truly is a pleasure to swap gears with. The steering wheel mounted paddle shifters (large and metallic) are perfectly placed and flicking from gear to gear with them is just fantastic. Downshifting just to hear that exhaust burble and the V8 grumble is an intoxicating habit.
With responsive steering (that did feel a bit light at times), the 2013 BMW M3 seems to know where you want it to go before you've even told it. While one of the only complaints I have about the car is that it feels a bit fat, it still manages to throw itself beautifully around each corner in a well-sorted way.
Inside and Out of the 2013 BMW M3
With minimal overhang up front and in the rear, the 2013 BMW M3 is a contained beast with bulging bits here and there, as if its savage innards are trying to break free and wreak havoc on the road (because they are).
I adore the hood-vents hugging the vulgar bulge in the middle, as well as the deep air vents behind each front wheel. Add the carbon-fibre roof to the mix along with the oh-so-subtle decklid spoiler and quad exhaust tips and you've got yourself an extremely good looking automobile, no matter what colour you drape it in.
Inside, typical BMW fare is found. I'm not a huge fan of the stunted, gimpy-looking shifter knob that's basically a glorified button, however, it is functional and suits the centre stack.
My favourite part of the 2013 BMW M3's interior? The fat, chunky, fits-perfectly-in-my-hands steering wheel. There's something to be said for a well-made steering wheel, and the M3 has one of the best in the entire industry in my opinion.
Comparing the 2013 BMW M3
While the Beemer has some stiff competition in the likes of the RS5 and [link artid="54077">C 63 AMG[/link], there's something about an M3 that I believe will always make it come out tops. It is, after all, an M3. Storied and glorified, the M3 has every right to have the following it does. It is sad to know the coupe will no longer be, but here's hoping the M4 will bring in a new era of M-love.Inside, typical BMW fare is found. I'm not a huge fan of the stunted, gimpy-looking shifter knob that's basically a glorified button, however, it is functional and suits the centre stack. (Photo: Philippe Champoux)
2013 BMW M3 video | Photo: Dominic Grimard
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