Car Enthusiast - click here to access the home page


 



Cruise missile. Image by Dave Jenkins.

Cruise missile
There's no doubting the formidable talents of the M3 Convertible, but most of us could make do with a 335i M Sport...

   



<< earlier review     later review >>

Reviews homepage -> BMW reviews

| Week at the Wheel | BMW M3 Convertible |

Inside & Out: star star star star star

Aesthetically, the latest generation of M3 is much more overt in announcing its identity; roof down or up the M3 stands out as something significantly more special than a more tame 3 Series offering, but not garishly so and the Convertible's lines are classy and pleasing as a consequence. The interior, in common with other 3 Series's, is well finished and fitted with sound ergonomics - further aided by simplification of the iDrive interface. The roof mechanism itself is a crowd pleaser with many people almost as keen to watch it go through its balletic motions as they were to get in the car. As a display of breadth of engineering expertise inside, outside and beneath the heavily sculpted skin, this car represents an impressive technological showcase.

Engine & Transmission: star star star star star

Many would argue that BMW makes the finest range of engines in the real world and the M Division create the crown jewels. This latest V8 is no exception. Essentially four fifths of an M5 V10, the 4.0-litre unit pushes out 414bhp and a not inconsequential 295lb.ft. Up to 5,000rpm or so the M3 feels rapid enough, but it's beyond this point that the V8 masterpiece begins to reveal its true talents. There's a definite kick in the back as the needle sweeps clockwise and the power builds and builds up towards the redline.

The way the engine continues to rev - accompanied by an ever intensifying aural pleasure - is addictive and endlessly amusing; proving itself to be giggle inducing to those who experienced it. It's so strong that it can make the lower range performance feel a little weak but one never tires of excursions to the latter quartile of the tachometer and its docile driveability at lower speeds is most welcome when driving in traffic or, as befits the convertible's nature, cruising country lanes.

Ride & Handling: star star star star star

As in other M3s, the Convertible's chassis can be specified with adjustable damping, programmable into the M button on the steering wheel that allows one to tailor the set-up to preferred levels of compliance. It's a useful function as it enables a softer setting to be employed around town and when wafting along that gives an altogether acceptable ride. The harder settings obviously trade absorption for additional control and poise but in most cases buyers wouldn't consider the Convertible for ultimate driving thrills.

There is a definite deterioration in outright ability relative to the Coupé and a discernible loss in structural integrity that's almost physically impossible for engineers to negate without excessive weight gain. In practice the chassis's talents are still significant and, particularly with the roof up, it can be pleasurable and involving to push. It is an obvious compromise though and the pleasure of driving is as much to do with roof down motoring rather than adrenaline inducing dissection of B-road challenges.

Equipment, Economy & Value for Money: star star star star star

Our test car, suitably laden with equipment, weighed in at around £50k. Given the technologies involved, not least that remarkable roof, and the engineering beneath the skin, one can see where that money goes but given the Convertible's remit, perhaps at odds with the harder core ethos of the M Division, it's hard to justify the premium over a 335i.

In terms of running costs the M3 has two major weaknesses. Firstly, depreciation in the current economic climate looks like it will be savage. Early coupés are losing 40% of their value in the first year of their life. Secondly, the M3's appetite for fuel is, in short, incredible. No matter how it was driven it couldn't be coaxed beyond 20mpg and a real world average in the high teens is the best one could hope for. The limited cruising range of a little over 200-miles is seriously restrictive; fuel pumps are an overly familiar sight.

Overall: star star star star star

On paper the BMW M3 promises to be an incredible car. The list of its talents is long and seductive and the actual experience does not fall short of its latent potential in many ways. In isolation, any car of this ilk is hard not to love, but in the cold light of day the M3's weaknesses cannot be ignored. As a coupé, the M3's purpose in life is clear but as a Convertible the lines begin to blur, almost to the point where image and aesthetics begin to rank higher than driver focus in terms of priority. Overall, objectively the 335i does 90% as much for significantly less money. In short, you really have to want the M3 badge and the kudos it brings to justify this purchase.

Dave Jenkins - 9 Jan 2009



  www.bmw.co.uk    - BMW road tests
- BMW news
- 3 Series images

2008 BMW 3 Series specifications:
Technical specifications for 2008 BMW M3 Convertible with M DCT

2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.

2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.



2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.
 

2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.
 

2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.
 

2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.
 

2008 BMW M3 Convertible. Image by Dave Jenkins.
 






 

Internal links:   | Home | Privacy | Contact us | Archives | Old motor show reports | Follow Car Enthusiast on Twitter | Copyright 1999-2024 ©