2010 BMW M3
- Used BMW M3
BMW M3 - What the Auto Press Says
The 2010 BMW M3 is a phenomenal performer -- providing speed, agility and comfort all in one package.
The M3 is a performance-tuned variant of the highly-acclaimed BMW 3-Series, which many auto critics assert sets a benchmark for performance in the class of upscale midsize cars.
Whereas the 3-Series impresses, the M3 astounds. Introduced in 1988, the M3 has quickly risen to become an industry favorite for combining the 3-Series' unparalleled balance and handling dynamics with a smooth 414-horsepower V8 engine. Together, the M3 is nothing short of incredible. Road and Track writes, "[I]t's hard not to fall for the M3's rev-happy V-8, sensual steering and ultra-predictable chassis - not to mention the versatility of the model's platform configurations."
The M3 is available in three body styles: coupe, sedan and convertible hardtop. New for 2010, BMW makes HD radio standard and auto high beams optional.
- "It doesn't get much better for enthusiasts than the...BMW M3, which offers near-supercar performance and daily-driver livability in coupe, sedan and convertible body styles." -- Edmunds
- "Mega performance and approachable driving thrills combined with the space and usability of a daily driver have helped the M3 coupe win all four comparison tests we've entered it in." -- Car and Driver
- "This is a sporty-looking, fast-driving and easy-handling car that turns heads wherever it roams. It's more than a little luxurious, but maintains its overall sense of drivability first." -- Carseek
- "Everything is configurable on this hyper-tech machine, especially compared with the one-form-fits-all 911. ... You can change the shock stiffness, vary the steering weight, and pick the shift speed and harshness from one of six settings. All for a price that, with the other options, still undercuts our Amish Edition 911 by $7845." -- Car and Driver
The Bottom Line
The BMW M3 is an extraordinary machine. It isn't, however, without fault. Similar to its 3-Series sibling, some drivers will find its backseat cramped, electronic controls confusing to master and cargo room limited. While such gripes don't usually dissuade performance-vehicle shoppers, part of the M3's appeal is that it's an easy to live with on a daily basis. Not surprisingly, the BMW M5 and M6 feature similar drawbacks.
For increased passenger and cargo room, check out the Audi S4. Its electronic controls are also criticized for being confusing, but reviewers find Audi's Multi-Media Interface much easier to master than BMW's iDrive. The S4 is about $9K cheaper than the M3 too. Nevertheless, the M3 provides 74 more horsepower, quicker acceleration and more balanced handling.
Both the BMW M3 and Audi S4 are great performance-tuned upscale midsize cars. Car shoppers, however, will need to ask themselves which they value more, performance or utility.
Performance Dynamics
The 2010 BMW M3 blasts like a rocket and handles with ease, leaving test drivers thoroughly impressed. While most reviewers favor its six-speed manual transmission over the optional M Double-clutch, all agree that the M3 is an engineering marvel.
The M3 comes equipped with a 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 414-horsepower at 8,300 rpm and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Though a six-speed manual transmission is standard, an M Double-clutch Transmission with Drivelogic is optional. BMW reports that the M3 has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds with the coupe, 4.8 seconds with the sedan, and 5.1 seconds with the convertible.
According to the EPA, the '10 BMW M3 nets a city/highway fuel economy of 14/20 mpg.
Aiding performance for the rear-wheel drive M3 is vehicle-speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering that BMW calls M Servotronic. The M3 also features a sport-tuned M suspension system. While high-end models like the M5 and M6 come equipped with standard electronic damping control, it's only available as an option for the M3. What's more, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) helps the M3 maintain road composure, while an Anti-look Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Brake Control bring it to a safe and secure halt.
- "The M3 is a rocket that gives up only a bit of midrange torque to other V8 sports cars." -- Consumer Guide
- "The high-performing engine will actually scare you a little the first few times driving this car. It's powerful. It's sharp. It delivers drivers the pleasure of feeling like they are commanding something that should almost be illegal." -- Carseek
- "I've just spent a week in a BMW M3 with the much-anticipated M-DCT dual clutch automated manual transmission, and although it's impressive for what it is, I can't help but feel that for all the hype about this technology, it's ultimately not as satisfying as a traditional manual or even a good automatic." -- Automobile Magazine
- "With the M3's many buttons, you can make of it what you want: loafing commuter, track animal, high-speed touring express. But no matter how you set it, the M3 astounds. There's more front-end grip than most people have the guts to exploit, the steering wheel able to carve perfectly elliptical arcs up a winding road at foolish speeds. Where the 911 battles each corner, sometimes in a nerve-jangling sine wave of alternating grip and push, the M3 is dead calm. It shows hardly any body roll or bobble, the chassis balanced with the poise of a Bolshoi star." -- Car and Driver
- "Riding on a specially modified all-aluminum suspension, with 18-inch wheels and tires (19-inchers are optional) and a variable locking rear differential that optimizes traction on a wide range of road surfaces, the BMW M3 handles like few models this side of an exotic sports car." -- Forbes
- "Braking is phenomenal -- in our 60-0-mph braking test, the M3 came to a halt in just 100 feet, which is among the shortest distances we've ever recorded." -- Edmunds
