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Walk Around

The exterior appearance of the M3 coupe is suitably distinctive, front, side, rear and roof, compared to any other 3 Series coupe. Especially the roof, which, while it is exactly the same size and shape as the rooves on other 3 Series coupes, is made of carbon fiber, to lighten the body considerably and lower the center of gravity for better handling and left/right/left maneuvering at speed.

The body of the new M3 is a combination of steel, aluminum, and the aforementioned carbon-fiber roof panel, with an aluminum hood that carries a distinctive power bulge to clear the V-8 engine underneath it. The widened, flared front fenders carry the M3 trademark gill slots, and the rear end shows the other M3 trademark, four tailpipes. A new front air dam under the bumper and a very smooth, flat bottom add up to excellent aerodynamics, with a drag coefficient of only 0.31.

Interior

2008 BMW M3

The M3 interior design scheme is racy from every angle. It carries a special small-diameter, high-grip leather-covered M steering wheel with redundant controls for the audio system and optional telephone. To complement the wheel, there is a set of competition-flavored, body-gripping bucket seats up front, each one built with a special foam inside for excellent upper body support in fast corners. There's the usual array of discreet red, white and blue M decorations on the seats, door panels, and instrument panel. The white-on-black instruments are typical BMW, with red pointers, and the tachometer can change its yellow-line and red-line limits depending on engine oil temperature, a featured designed to prevent premature engine wear on cold days.

The new M3 center console goes all the way to the rear seats, and wraps around the driver seat to make a cozy, comfortable and eminently usable cockpit. With the M3, there are no interior color choices. Whatever you want, you get dark anthracite, a feature that BMW says helps keep driver distraction to a minimum.

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