One Day with a 2005 BMW M3

Although test drives are great to get the feel of a car, nothing compares to the experience of actually driving around a vehicle for a day or two to get the feel of what it's like to live with it. In the case of some cars, we learn that they are indeed the perfect vehicle that we have been searching for. Other cases may leave us with the feeling that we may have been after something different all along. In the case of the 2005 BMW M3, however, we learn that fun may not always be practical, but sometimes, it difficult to care.

With a nice day at hand, and nothing else to do, a friend and I followed up on an agreement that had been made a few months ago over a few drinks. The arrangement was a simple one, I would trade him my 2004 Civic Si, and in return, he would hand me the keys for a 2005 BMW M3. Of course, this would just be for a day, and the agreement was that the cars would be driven "carefully". After getting in the BMW, I saw my Si take off with tires squealing, and tried to follow suit with the M. However, I quickly learned that an M3 does not "squeal" tires. Rather, it ignites them in a roar of engine noise and smoke. From that humbling experience, perhaps we can set the stage for the rest of the day.

The first thought on the BMW is that driving it is surprisingly comfortable. The clutch engages without too much effort, the shifts are remarkably short and crisp, and the interior envelops you with comfortable and very high grade black leather. There's a lot of room in both the driver and passenger seats, and despite being a two door, two regular size adults, or three of a smaller build can fit comfortably in the back. The M3 has the standard options of most BMW's, including power leather seats, a sunroof/moonroof, heated seats, air conditioning and steering wheel based volume and cruise controls. In addition to this, you get traction control, a button marked "M", a steering wheel and three pedals to control the car. Missing are additional features such as satellite navigation, although I'm told they could have been options. Of course, there are a few surprises as well, which we'll get to later.

As mentioned previously, driving the M3 is really a fairly nice experience. The engine is quiet and smooth at lower RPMs, the ride isn't unbearably hard, and the view of the road is excellent. From this, then, you might imagine that the M series isn't all it's cracked up to be. However, you would be wrong.

Press the "performance" button, which turns off the traction control and hardens up the suspension a bit, downshift, wait for a corner and mash the gas pedal, and you begin to see exactly what makes these cars so special. The engine screams as it approaches the 8,000 RPM redline, the tires grab the road, and the car rockets around the corner likes it on rails. Shift up for the next straight away, and the massive 262 foot pounds of torque (available in full at 4,900 RPM) pull you back in the seat as the steering wheel conveys every possible feeling about the road. In short, this vehicle is an absolutely amazing experience to drive.

In a straight line, the M3 will pull 0 to 60 in just over 4.5 seconds. For comparison, a Lamborghini Gallardo pulls it in roughly 4.2. Needless to say, this car is fast. However, far more than raw speed, the way that it handles is truly something to marvel at. At no point while driving this vehicle do you ever feel out of control. No matter what you ask the M3 to do, it responds with joy and eagerness. No corner is too sharp, no straightaway too daunting, and no distance too far to travel while you are driving it. \

However, there are a few drawbacks. Namely, when driving the vehicle the way it is meant to be driven, the 3.2 liter straight six engine guzzles an amazing amount of fuel. Normal driving can get it to hover around twenty or so (better highway, worse city) but the temptation to drive it full throttle is just too great. There in lies the major problem with the vehicle. It's not that it can't be a usable, everyday kind of car, but that it's just too much fun for it to be. The car launches off the line, and even a moderate press of the gas pedal begins to unleash the 333 horse power contained within it. Strangely, the steering feels a bit off, at lower speeds, but seems to correct itself nicely at higher speeds. Despite the fairly long sixth gear, the car gets a bit noisy when traveling for long periods of time on the highway. The only other issue, of course, being that the car gets sloppy in wet weather, and is impossible to operate in the snow.

However, even though the M3 might not be the most practical car in the world, it really is difficult to care while your driving it. After a full day with the car, I felt like any other vehicle would now be a disappointment. BMW has put an impressive amount of work into their M division, and all it takes is a look at the new vehicles soon to come out to realize that the tradition of excellence associated with M is nowhere near stopping. Those who are looking for a great car and may not need to worry about practicality or winter driving are highly encouraged to take the M3 for a drive. It has definitely been one of my favorite experiences driving a car.