BMW’s new V8 not M3 great

February 19, 2009 by Al Suttie
Filed under Blog

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BMW M3 E90

Without fear or safety net, I’m going to stick my neck out and say I prefer the previous generation BMW M3 to the new one. Yes, yes, I know new is supposed to be better and BMW’s M men always manage to wring out the very best from every lump of metal, plastic and carbon fibre they touch. But I just don’t like the new M3, I like the previous one.

It took a while to work out just what it was I’m not keen on, but I’ve figured it out now: it’s the V8 engine. I love V8s and the E39 M5 is one of my all-time four-wheeled heroes. As for Merc’s C63 AMG with its loony V8, I covet it and would happily trade internal organs for one on the driveway. However, an eight banger in an M3 is just too much – the BMW should be all about lithe minimalism and screaming engine notes.

BMW M3 E46

With 414bhp from its 4.0-litre V8 delivered at a giddy 8300rpm, the new M3 plucks all the right heart strings on paper. When it comes to the reality, however, this everyday supercar is more of a turkey in the plucking stakes. The howl of the previous car’s straight six as it barked towards its 343bhp peak was so addictive I often drove the car a gear lower just for the surround sound. The flat note of the new car’s V8 just doesn’t do it.

On top of this, the new M3 is no faster from 0-60mph. I’ve seen the data sheets and both crack the whip from rest to 60mph in 4.8 seconds and, with top speeds limited to 155mph, where is the new car supposed to be better? Sure, it’s a tad more refined, a bit kinder to the environment and easier on fuel, but when has these ever been the first considerations for anyone buying an M3? Much of the problem with the new M3 is it tips the scales at 1655kg and its predecessor registered 1577kg, so the extra 80kg is like carting your fat mate everywhere instead of enjoying some added oomph.

The deal breaker for me, though, is that engine. The whine of the new V8 versus the demented yowls of the old straight six is no contest. Give me demented every time. And just to show there’s no rosy hue to my specs, you can buy a previous generation M3 for less than £15,000 in good nick, leaving more than 30 large to spend on track days, driving trips and sound recording equipment for one of the all-time great engines.