With a range of high-powered motors coming on stream before July, Paddy Comynfinds the new BMW M3 saloon to be something of a wolf in sheep's clothing, and a match for all its rivals
IF THE M3 coupé is a little too impractical, there is always the equally spicy saloon. It is very hard not to give a wry smile when we read about the prospect of us all turning into diesel driving, biofuel burning, guilt-ridden motorists from July of this year, when there is a 420bhp V8 M3 sitting in the driveway.
With all the phone calls to radio shows going on about which car to buy, and whether to wait until July, it is ironic that over the past few weeks here in Ireland, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and now BMW have launched executive saloon cars with V8 engines that all produce over 400 bhp. For the motoring enthusiast it is like the final booze-up before prohibition starts. For the green lobbyists, it must be like the apocalypse.
Following last year's launch of the M3 coupé, BMW has followed this with not only a convertible M3, but also with something for the buyer who simply can't be without the practicality of a "normal" car. Feast your eyes on the BMW M3 saloon.
Or rather squint your eyes. When the silver M3 arrived outside the office last week it looked, well, kinda normal. And that is simply wonderful.
Sure enough there is a rather bulbous bonnet, under which they have wedged in a 4.0-litre V8 and the usual mix of air intakes, side vents, and a rear diffuser.
The trademark twin exhaust pipes at the rear are clues to the true fans, but with no carbon roof and the fact that there are now so many 3-Series with large alloys and body kits, my silver test car almost went unnoticed.
But there is the matter of the engine to consider. Seat yourself in the cabin, which is pretty standard high-end fare apart from some extra buttons beside the gearstick and on the steering wheel, push the starter button and, wham, the V8 barks at you like a Crufts winner.
The noise is absolutely delicious. It tells you that this car is refined, but you know it will gnaw on your licence within days given half a chance.
There has been a saloon version of the M3 before, briefly, some 13 years ago and fans of the M3 have been desperately hoping that a saloon would once again appear.
Here is a car that has virtually all the performance potential of the coupé, but with a decent-sized boot and space for two or three in the back.
And the M3 has been a car that has been one of my favourite cars growing up.
While my friends had pictures of the Ferrari Testarossa and Lamborghini Countach on their walls, I preferred the E30 BMW M3. It looked like a normal car, but was anything but. And this is partially the joy of the M3 saloon.
Like the coupé, the M3 saloon feels instantly impressive. Aside from the delicious sound from the V8, there is a great driving position, hugely supportive seats and a really great gearbox. Getting to grips with the slightly over-eager throttle can take a little getting used to, but in town and at normal speeds, the M3 is surprisingly comfortable, especially with the optional Electronic Damper Controls which were fitted to our car, and allow you to choose between Normal, Comfort and Sport settings.
As usual with M models, there are more than a few different settings to tailor your car just the way you like it for whichever driving situation you happen to be in.
This will either infuriate you, or if you like pressing buttons, delight you.
You can tinker with the DSC+ traction control and the engine control maps to get quicker throttle response and steering if desired.
Unlike the M5 and M6, the M button on the steering wheel doesn't summon up all the available power, but it does alter how quickly the car turns from docile to demonic.
This means that you can have a car that will be beautifully well behaved in town or for picking up the kids, but should you wish to take it to Mondello for a track day you can set it up to be razor-sharp. This flexibility is probably one of the car's greatest strengths.
Given that we have already driven a version of this car on a racetrack, there is no doubting this car's outright ability.
It is wickedly fast and the gearbox and brakes in particular deserve a metaphorical tipping of the hat.
The steering can feel a little on the vague side at times, with a smidge more feedback on our wishlist for next time.
But in terms of ability there really is no compromise between this and the coupé.
Why should there be? It sits on the same wheelbase and has the same front and rear track widths as the coupé.
It is also wider and a little taller with just 25kg extra weight. It is just as poised and balanced as the coupé as well.
There are drawbacks to spending €101,500 on the M3 and that would be that you would appear not to be finished at that.
Our car has almost another €9,000 in optional extras fitted, including 19-inch alloy wheels which I was so terrified of scuffing that I ended up parking so far from the footpath that I was in the middle of the road.
You also have to pay extra for parking sensors and, bizarrely, €420 for a USB interface. Plus there is the problem of having to make sure that you aren't too far away from a petrol station wherever you go.
Sure enough, BMW has employed efficient dynamics in the M3. It features Brake Energy Regeneration.
This technology uses an Intelligent Alternator Control and Absorbent Glass Mat battery to recognise when the engine is on over-run, and activates the alternator to charge the battery with what would previously have been wasted energy.
It also uses lightweight materials throughout. However, bury your right foot and the V8 munches petrol at an alarming rate.
But we guess that if you have dropped this sort of money on a performance saloon, then you won't worry too much about the fuel bills. The obvious and rather unavoidable question is of course, whether you should buy this car, the Lexus IS-F, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG or the Audi RS4.
While the RS4 is out of production there are still some about, so it is still an option.
The IS-F is really impressive and as we saw recently in Motors does impress not only for its refinement, but also for its sheer ability.
The Mercedes C63 starts to look like something of a bargain at "just" €99,505 for 457bhp from a 6.2-litre engine and the RS4, while an old model is a really well-balanced four-wheel drive that inspires confidence and flatters every driver.
That particular shoot-out will come soon, but until then, it's safe to say that it will be an irresistible showdown.
The Mercedes looks on paper as if it should win, but it will need to be brilliant to match the BMW's overall refinement and sheer competence.
What we do know is that should you want an M3 saloon, then now is the time to buy, as six weeks from now this car goes up in price by €8,108 and you will pay €2,000 per annum road tax if you wait until then. So you really should do as the M3 does, and don't hang about.
Factfile
Engine:3999cc V8 petrol engine putting out 420bhp @ 8,300rpm and 400Nm of torque @ 3,900. Six-speed manual transmission
Specification:Standard features include 18" dark graphite alloy wheels double spoke design, electric windows front and rear, electric door mirrors, heated door mirrors, remote central locking, automatic air conditioning, multi info display, leather steering wheel, start/stop button, multi-function controls for steering wheel, ABS brakes, front and side airbags, electronic traction control, dynamic stability control
Options:electronic damper control, €2,650; 19-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, €2,580; armrest, front with sliding adjustment, €215; interior trim finishers aluminium grey, €505; park distance control (pdc), front and rear, high-beam assist, €190; voice control, €575; DAB digital radio, €575; USB interface, €420; exterior trim, high gloss shadowline, €705
L/100km (mpg): urban:17.9 (15.7); extra-urban: 9.2 (30.7); combined: 12.4 (22.7)
CO2 emissions:295g/km (Band G - 36 per cent VRT post-July 1st)
Tax:up to July 1st - VRT: 30 per cent, annual road tax €1,491. From July 1st - VRT: 36 per cent, annual road tax: €2,000
Price:€101,500