Some believe that anything having to do with the No. 13 is unlucky. However, when the 13th letter of the alphabet, M, is sandwiched by the letters B and W and followed by the No. 3, then I'd say that's a great combination.
Since the previous-generation M3 was such a wonderful car, many wondered how BMW would make the car better when it was announced that an all-new fourth-generation would debut for the 2008 model year.
Well, wonder no more. BMW has struck and the current M3 is a masterpiece. I recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2009 BMW M3 sedan. At times I wished the company had never come back for it. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
For 2009 you can get the M3 in sedan ($54,850), coupe ($57,850) or convertible (retractable hardtop - $66,500) trims.
If you are not familiar with the M3, you might balk at its hefty price. Take my word for it: It is worth every penny. There would be one in my garage if I could swing it.
There really isn't anything else available in this price range that offers as much performance and agility. Plus, when driven with civility, the M3 behaves nicely enough to be an everyday driver.
The M3 is a beautiful car, too. My M3 sedan tester looked sumptuous thanks to its optional Melbourne Red Metallic finish ($550), engaging design, muscular tones and bulging hood. That bulge merely hints at one of the things that make this car so exhilarating to drive.
The fourth-generation M3 is the first to benefit from a V-8 power plant. This is not just any V-8, though; the M3 is powered by a sophisticated, high-revving 414-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-8 that launches this car to life with every press of the pedal.
The V-8 features a high 12:1 compression ratio and its redline is set at 8,400 rpm. A separate throttle butterfly is used for each cylinder. This is a feature adapted from BMW M's racing heritage.
A six-speed manual gearbox is standard. Enthusiasts will want to step up to the optional seven-speed M double-clutch transmission, or DCT.
The DCT takes the driving experience to higher levels with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that instantaneously make the shifts when desired. Also, the DCT features an automatic mode.
All M3s feature a specialized locking rear differential to manage the transfer of torque to the rear wheels. This car is a hoot to drive. Save for the fact that it doesn't get good fuel economy and there's a $1,300 gas guzzler tax applied to the price of admission.
