Introduction
Want a BMW M3 but need more than two doors? BMW offers its potent 4.0-litre V8 engined supercar chaser in more sober-suited saloon guise to create the perfect stealth performance car.
What are its rivals?
There are only a handful of cars that you can line up alongside the BMW M3 saloon as genuine direct rivals. The most obvious is the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG and the slightly leftfield - and significantly cheaper - Vauxhall VXR8. Both these four-door super saloons feature big capacity V8 engines under their heavily sculpted bonnets and plenty of power. And that is exactly what the M3 offers too. In the BMW you get a 4.0-litre V8 engine with an ample 414bhp on tap, enough to enable it to reach 62mph in just 4.9 seconds and onto an electronically limited 155mph. Audi will return with an M3 rival soon in the form of a new RS4 model, but until then your choice of silly power V8-engined compact saloons is limited to just three.
How does it drive?
The biggest compliment to the M3 saloon is that it drives exactly the same as its coupé relative. Indeed, if anything it's perhaps a bit more enjoyable thanks to its stealthier looks. There's no attention-grabbing carbon fibre roof in the saloon. That might mean the centre of gravity is a touch higher than in the coupé, but if you're sensitive to tiny details like that behind the wheel you should be a manufacturer's test driver or take up motorsport. F1 perhaps.
With 414bhp on tap, the M3 is never anything less than rapid. The V8 engine is a seriously impressive unit. It is high-revving and sounds fantastic when it's reaching for its lofty 8,500rpm redline. Given the headline bhp figure, the 295lb.ft of torque this engine produces seems a bit meagre, but few will find complaint with its low-rev urgency. Learn to drive it in the upper, manic, reaches of its wide spread of revs and the M3 saloon is sensationally fast. The ride - so long as you don't mess around with the damper settings - is firm without being overly compromised and the steering decently weighty if lacking a bit in feel. Like its M5 and M6 relatives there's an M button that can be programmed to your favourite settings for the electronic stability system, throttle sensitivity, M differential and suspension. Take some time to set it to your preferred selections and one press of the button is all it takes to turn the civilised saloon into a far more entertaining, involving driving tool.
What's impressive?
That M button really defines the dual-natured aspect of the M3 saloon. You could take the kids to school in it with everything set to its softest, safest setting then take the back road home or to the office and arrive grinning manically. It's as practical as any 3 Series saloon, which means a decent-sized boot and more useable rear seats than in the coupé. At under £49,000 it's way cheaper than the supercars its performance rivals.
Wickedly fast when you want it to be, the M3 saloon is a hugely entertaining drive and the engine rewards not just with scintillating performance but also a rousing soundtrack. Being the saloon, this M3 does without the coupé's rather attention-grabbing carbon fibre roof so it's more discreet for those liking their performance cars a touch less obvious. The ride when the dampers are on their softest setting is impressive - though you do have to pay to have the selectable dampers, as they're an option.
What's not?
This is a near £50,000 car, so the omission of kit like Bluetooth communication and a USB connection for MP3 players from the standard equipment list is pretty unforgivable. Space in the back isn't brilliant either, rear legroom tight for passengers and although the boot is a decent size the opening is rather narrow. The interior, even with a smattering of M badging doesn't feel that special given the M3's price tag.
We'd always have the manual gearbox over the self-shifter even if it means sometimes jerky slow-speed progress - the clutch and manual gearbox is only really smooth when you're pushing it hard. Of all the complaints levelled at the M3 though there are two that stand out: to really enjoy it you need to be travelling ridiculously quickly thanks to sky high limits of adhesion, traction and the need to be in the engine's upper rev range. Secondly, it likes a drink. The V8 engine absolutely guzzles down super unleaded fuel. Figure on high teens (mpg) in daily driving and much less if you're prone to exploring those addictive and necessary upper reaches of the sonorous V8's rev range.
Should I buy one?
Of the M3 range the saloon appeals the most thanks to its slightly less overt looks and still sensational performance. We only wish that BMW would offer it as an estate too to join the saloon, cabriolet and coupé models. If you want a fast BMW 3 Series saloon it ticks every box, though many will find the more rounded performance of a 335d saloon far more accessible - and the fuel bills significantly more acceptable.
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