BMW M3 2014 review

After three generations of cracking good M3s, the pressure was on BMW to make the latest and greatest just that. Has it succeeded? Maybe.

DESIGN

The new M3 looks awesome, with a pronounced crouch to its stance and those punched out guards with the low ride height. The carbon roof adds to the M3's allure as do the numerous subtle body aero add ons.

All controls are easy to operate thanks in part to the simple iDrive controller dial and supplementary buttons. The touch screen is large at 8.8 inches.

SOUND

Straight up, the new $156,900 straight-six twin turbo model doesn't sound as good as any of its predecessors – the naturally aspirated straight sixes and the recent 4.0-litre V8. The new one sounds a bit like a boat.

That distinctive metallic howl of the earlier straight six is no more and the V8's rumble...well.

So, one cross.

PADDLES

The new M3 also has a paddle shift mounted to the wheel and not on the steering column which can be problematic when you are vigorously turning the wheel while trying to make gear changes. You can always leave it in D though.

ENGINE

The engine is a 3.0-litre unit with two single-scroll turbos, variable valve lift and timing and direct fuel injection for 317kW/550Nm output.

It has extremely large tyres on forged 19-inch alloys and numerous electronic 'go fast' modulations to get you where you want in a hurry.

Though 'only' a rear wheel drive, the clever 'active' multi plate differential acts like torque vectoring ensuring everything stays ship shape at the limit.

The transmission itself is a seven-speed dual-clutch MDCT unit with small increments between gears for a real close ratio effect.

No hesitation here, no creeping at idle, no stumbles, no wrong cogs thank you very much.

It still sips fuel at 8.3L/100km.

DRIVING

The last annoyance is the fact you only get about three quarters of the potential performance unless you disengage stability control - despite all the M, Sport and Sport+ buttons and drive select options. The difference is monumental, akin to taking a sock out of the exhaust.

Much of the drive feel in the new M3 is better than ever. It's certainly the fastest and quickest M3 ever and we don't really believe the 0-100km/h claim of 4.1 seconds. Whack it in launch control, rev it up, sidestep the brake and this 1600kg four-door sedan fairly rips off the mark.

Out on a random back road, even we could clock a 4.0 second pass and we're mugs. So, sub 4.0 seems a more likely claim.

Though its sounds bad, the M3 is unreal to drive offering incredible cornering, steering, braking, grip and acceleration.

On a tight winding road the M3 is a treat punching from apex to apex, hard braking (thanks to massive discs), flicking up and down on the paddle shift and placing the car on a pin head thanks to the sharp steering. Talk about engaging.

The ride is comfortable ranging up to firm depending on driver selections and the car itself is crammed with luxury kit, safety and driver assist features - it is after all the top 3-Series.