Test BMW M3 DKG, you will love falling into excess (with video)

Test BMW M3 DKG

I'm going 100-110 km/h on the highway, I'm not in a hurry. A car pulls up to me, I look and the driver gives me a thumbs up while putting on a mischievous smile. I return to my journey, to my path, also to the hump on the hood that can be seen, and will be seen, for a whole week. I go in a BMW M3, just a few kilometers after picking it up, and everything indicates to me that I am at the controls of a piece of history.

As you well know, BMW has changed the names for its sports sedan. While the M3 is the sedan as such, the old M3 Coupé has been renamed the M4 and the convertible M4 Cabriolet. So, by boat soon, you know I'm at the controls of the 5-seater sports saloon, without coupe features or convertible roof. In other words, at the controls of the most rational model within the irrational of this segment. let's put it testing.

Pure muscle

Test BMW M3 DKG

I have to stop to look at the car. A BMW with an M stamp should have power but also look like it does. And boy does it, now I understand why, even with no idea how many horses are housed under the hood, people wear down the nice paint Yas Navy Blue with the look And it's that painting goes, I can't think of a better choice to present to the world a sedan that your inner self desires without contemplation.

The front bumper has a curious 3 dimensional effect formed by the lines and edges of the spoilers, an intimidating look in the rear view mirror and, if you are still intrigued, the small M3 logo on the specific double louvre grille clears your doubts. Of the hump on the hood I have already told you, you have to make room for the propellant although, without anticipating events, it is not the huge block of the previous generation. The carbon roof it was not present in our unit, as the glass ceiling eliminates this feature.

test-bmw-m3-dkg-10

All the flared fins They are another of his letters but I keep the back ones. Moreover, due to the mirror with simulated double anchorage, the rear wings are noticeable. And no, it's not glass effect. The rear is rougher. A discreet spoiler on the trunk lid tries to hide some extreme sports genes. Look at that bumper molding, look at that diffuser and look at those four exhaust outlets who will provide the soundtrack to this Oscar-deserving film.

Test BMW M3 DKG

Inside things change, there are not so many gross details, and let's not forget that it is a sedan with a certain family character. As much as a high-flying sports car, make no mistake. The passenger compartment greets us with beautiful sport seats with the illuminated M logo, giving way to small differentiating details such as the sports steering wheel, the automatic gear knob or the carbon fiber inserts.

I am not a big fan of this type of inserts but, hey, in contrast to the white leather that extends and also covers the dashboard, I am beginning to see them with different eyes. In front of me a typical BMW chart, somewhat bland, very easy to read and simple. But this time I don't care so much because I see an illuminated M, several indicators of the different states of steering, engine or suspension and a speedometer exceeding 300 km/h. Time to see what happens when you hit the Start button.

waking the giant

They told me ten years ago that a sports sedan was going to reach 431 horses and I would have laughed. Now it's me who, at the controls of this M3, I laughed at the sports cars of that time. It is an exorbitant power, whichever way you look at it, but be careful, BMW has managed to keep it at bay. Compared to its direct competitors, it is even less powerful and compared to its predecessor it only wins a little more than a dozen horses. I like this approach.

BMW M has chosen to once again change things up in the M3 range. If the first was a 4-cylinder, the second and third a 6-cylinder and the fourth a V8, now we return to the 6 cylinders in line, but this time with a pair of turbochargers under the hood to distill every last of the 431 horses to this 3.0 liter block.

Test BMW M3 DKG

Starting it cold is quite a spectacle, during the seconds necessary for the mechanics to take a few degrees of temperature. From there you can be noble and discreet as you want. The first bars are strange, and it is surprising to see how easy it is to carry at low speeds. It's easy to wander around with him, and most importantly, when we want an answer we won't have to look for the top of the lap counter. If you hurry me, almost not even the middle part.

This is because the M3 gives everything its torque, 550 Nm, from only 1.800 laps and up to 5.390 revolutions. As you can imagine, all that potential translates into a lot of downforce and no need to stretch the gears. In our case we have a DKG dual-clutch automatic transmission, but we can choose a manual one. The price difference between the two, moreover, is symbolic. With her, everything will be easier, although it is a bit smooth when maneuvering.

test-bmw-m3-dkg-2

But enough of wandering around and using a saloon-faced sports car in a way it doesn't deserve. It's time to hit the road and see if these raw aesthetics and numbers make it from paper to road. Before facing my favorite section of curves I play with the modes for steering, motor o and suspension, all in Sport Plus, without the slightest concession to comfort. The transmission also has three speeds for automatic mode and another three for manual mode. I go in the fastest.

Suddenly I discover that the docile fellow sufferer who used to make passers-by wring their necks is now wringing it for me between movements of his right foot. The engine is absolutely explosive. It works well low, it works well in mids, and it works well in highs. Although everything has to be said, it's no longer about keeping the car on top. Moreover, that point has completely ceased to be a concern.

Test BMW M3 DKG

The delay of the supercharging only becomes apparent at low revs, but BMW has managed to ensure that there is not too much waiting time between the request for power and, literally, takeoff. In any case, the acceleration is so forceful that those thousandths of a second that we have lost will be left behind without hesitation. rush the 0-100km/h in 4,1 seconds with the automatic box. In other words, it can make a sports car from just a decade ago absolutely ridiculous. And with the family on board!

The gearbox is fast, but I wouldn't say exactly smooth. We have already said that it has different speeds, and in the fastest it becomes violent between gears and gears at high revs. There is a lot of torque to transmit to the rear wheels. In addition, he gives us a magnificent heel tip in reductions that, on the one hand, will prevent the rear from becoming unstable in reductions, on the other hand it will make us smile with the sound emitted by those four exhaust pipes.

Wild

Test BMW M3 DKG

This power delivery has, however, a problem. The rear wheels are not capable of digesting so much torque and two things will happen. O well electronic controls will cut your thrust insistently, or you disconnect them and entrust yourself to Ari Vatanen himself. He has a MDM-mode that allows a greater slippage without completely disconnecting the assistance, but honestly it seems to me a mode more dedicated to the circuit, because on the road it is still quite non-forgiving.

Of everything I stay with that it is a car tremendously effective. You just have to know that the rear wheels ask us for respect, and with it in hand, transferred to the right foot, we have a real marker in which to enjoy each section. I know that maybe it is not the philosophy that the M3 fan understands, but I also know that BMW seems to have wanted to create a car with a focus more on track day than sporadic fun.

Test BMW M3 DKG

And the sound? Metal. BMW, despite the arrival of supercharging, has managed to keep that characteristic metallic sound. Some say that it sounds worse than its predecessors, honestly, it seems to me a pretty forceful sound. In fact, above 5.000 revolutions it is noticeable how the sound is more powerful and the gurgles and backfires that I see so essential in a sports car. With the different engine modes we can also play with the sound of the engine.

The chassis is a highlight. suspension is very stiff. In Comfort mode it is softer and more comfortable, suitable for everyday use, but in Sport or Sport Plus it hardens to the point of being somewhat dry. It seems a configuration designed more for circuit use, although personally I like the hardness of the suspension while it shocks me that a sedan of a certain family character is so much so. The direction is also variable hardness and the difference between modes is clearly noticeable. On the other hand, it is quite direct and, although not very communicative, I do like how it works a lot.

Test BMW M3 DKG

The best thing is that, his two faces, a kind of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. While in Comfort mode we can even consider long journeys without problem, and on top of that at very high speed (as standard electronic stop at 250 km/h, but we can increase it to 280 km/h), in the sportier modes we have a real burnout car, from addicted to track day every Saturday at the beginning of the month.

I haven't told you about his brakes yet. They impose. The test unit did not carry the standard equipment, but the carbon ceramic brakes of no less than 9.000 euros. At sight they impose, using them too. Its stopping power is exquisite, as is its touch. Their greater resistance to wear makes them an interesting bet for those who are often going to squeeze each and every one of the 431 horses. In normal and daily conditions they do not work badly and you do not have to wait for them to take temperature for optimal operation.

De consumptions, if you are looking for this car, maybe I shouldn't talk to you but we are going to shed some light out of simple curiosity. In the test, combining urban use, motorway use and adding sports use, without entering the circuit, we have obtained an average of about 11 l/100 km. In the city, consumption is not so high for a car of this power, with an average of 13 l/100 km. On road trips it is not difficult to move around 9 l/100 km. In sporty driving it matters little, and the counter will rise above 25 and 30 liters.

Ultimately

Test BMW M3 DKG

BMW has created a absolutely irrational saloon. Because it is. A Series 3 340i, now with the new restyling, is already an exaggeratedly powerful and fast sedan, even more comfortable, more rational. But we always want more, and in this case we want an M3. The irrational is sometimes welcome, and in this case it is.

The Germans wanted to create perhaps the ultimate sports car. Yes, because it has sports car features, you can take it to the limit like a sports car, it even requires you to have hands to use it like a sports car. And then you look in the rearview mirror and you can see a smile or a desperate cry from your children in the back seats. Few sports cars can boast of this.

However, all this character will be what defines the driver, and not the other way around. It is a car that, due to its tremendous potential, has become complicated to tame if we go to the limit. What's more, happily driving with it can be a good exercise for the mind and hands if we decide to disconnect the controls. Fortunately they are there, and the truth is that you will use them so much that you will end up forging a close friendship.

Equipment BMW M3

bmw-m3-dkg-test-2

  • hill start assistant
  • Cruise control with braking function
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Stability control with M Dynamic Mode
  • Active differential M
  • Bi Xenon headlights
  • Head-Up Display
  • Electric exterior and photosensitive interior mirrors
  • Keyless entry and start
  • Dual zone climate control
  • Fabric/leather upholstery
  • carbon fiber roof
  • Professional Browser

BMW M3 Prices

Test BMW M3 DKG

Model Power Change Price
M3 saloon 431 CV manual 6v $86.700
M3 saloon 431 CV DKG DriveLogic $86.699

Editor's opinion

BMW M3 DKG
  • Editor's rating
  • 4.5 star rating
86.699 a 86.700
  • 80%

  • BMW M3 DKG
  • Review of:
  • Posted on:
  • Last modification:
  • Exterior design
    Publisher: 90%
  • interior design
    Publisher: 70%
  • front seats
    Publisher: 80%
  • rear seats
    Publisher: 65%
  • Trunk
    Publisher: 70%
  • Spring Suspension
    Publisher: 85%
  • Consumption
    Publisher: 65%
  • Comfort
    Publisher: 75%
  • Price
    Publisher: 75%

Pros

  • gross aesthetics
  • Benefits
  • Full engine throughout the range

Cons

  • Demanding to the limit
  • suspension hardness
  • Standard equipment

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