To be fair it can be driven with a lighter touch, the gearbox position in automatic mode and set to its longest interval. Feathering the throttle will move the car forward slowly and smoothly, but try to accelerate in this mode and that long shift interval will have driver and passengers bobbing fore and aft in an uncomfortable fashion. There are five shift interval positions, from relatively sedate to quicker than the average driver can shift, so it's possible to personalize the SMG gearbox to suit taste or mood.
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| The M3's 333-hp 3.2-L inline-6 loves to rev, peaking at a lofty 8,000 rpm, and hits 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
Being a bit of an impertinent schoolboy myself, at least in attitude, I left it in its fastest shifting mode, switched the sport button to the on position and slapped the shift lever to the right to engage paddle shift operation. A solid foot on the right pedal results in an overwhelming 5.2 second rush to 100 km/h, very close to Porsche's 5.0 second sprint. But it's not just its rapidity that stimulates the senses. The M3's 333-hp 3.2-L inline-6 loves to rev, peaking at a lofty 8,000 rpm in what seems like an endless rush of mechanical endorphins. Above 6,000 power comes on like there's no tomorrow, peaking at a stratospheric 7,900 rpm.
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| The M3's Michelin Arctic Alpine run-flat performance tires provide out of this world traction and handling, even in less than perfect conditions. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
The sensation comes close to Honda's hyper-tech S2000, but the BMW's extra 1.2-L of displacement adds gobs of torque breaking the rear tires free at takeoff when the traction control is switched off. When it's on, an automatic process engaged at startup, the rear tires grip and shoot the car forward even in standing water. The Michelin Arctic Alpine run-flat performance tires had a lot to do with its wet weather traction as well, 18-inches in diameter on base M3s and 19-inches on my test car. I truly appreciated the ½ inch ridge Michelin incorporated into the sidewall, protecting the rims from curbs.
That grip translated into tenacious handling on the winding seaside road that snakes out to my mountain home. All 3-Series models deliver impressive road manners, but the M3 is out of this world. On and off the throttle, surging from apex to apex it begged to be pushed harder. Tauntingly seductive, this car could even get a pillar of the community in trouble with the law.