| Before the day of the test drive, I have never | | | | The tuning of the M Drive took nearly twenty |
| seen the 2008 M3 in person. I have seen photos | | | | minutes. It was a little bit complex at first. But if |
| in magazines and BMW's website. I thought the | | | | you are an enthusiast, this is actually fun. BMW |
| 2008 M3 looked beautiful in those photos, but | | | | should create simplified settings for the novice |
| when I actually saw the car in person, I was | | | | driver. A pre-programmed buttons marked |
| shocked by its good looks. The aggressive stance | | | | "street", "track", and "race" could be helpful. |
| of the M3 stood out the most. The car looked | | | | It was time for me to start my laps. Launching |
| fast even when it was standing still. I could not | | | | the M3 from the pit lane with cold tires created |
| wait to drive it and see what the car can do. | | | | billows of smoke, and long streaks of rubber on |
| BMW claims the M3 as a race car in street | | | | the tarmac. Once the tires were up to |
| clothing. My test drive began by driving the M3 | | | | temperature, the M3 was glued to the pavement |
| from Los Angeles to Willow Springs race way. | | | | on every corner. Understeer was very minimal |
| The two hour trip was mostly on L.A.'s congested | | | | and can be easily removed with a stab of the |
| freeway. The M3 behaved very well in traffic. | | | | throttle. Maximum torque comes in as early as |
| Through rough pavements and potholes, the ride | | | | 3900 rpm. The torque curve remained flat all the |
| was firm but comfortable. Exterior noise was | | | | way up to 6500 rpm. The V-8 engine made |
| minimal and the deep rumble of the V-8 was | | | | powering out of corners a breeze. It's rare to |
| definitely noticeable. | | | | have a V-8 engine that you can rev up and shift |
| Once I arrived at Willow Springs race way, I | | | | at 8400 rpm. It was a hot day, but the sound of |
| began to prepare the M3 by tuning the settings of | | | | the engine at 8400 rpm sent chills up my spine |
| the M Drive. There are four systems on the M | | | | each time I heard it. |
| Drive: throttle sensitivity, variable shock absorbers | | | | The M3 was willing to run one fast lap after |
| (EDC), stability control, and power-steering assist. | | | | another. No overheating or any other mechanical |
| First adjustment was to the shock absorbers | | | | failures happened. I had to stop when the tires |
| setting. Three settings are available to the | | | | started to look bald. I had to save some treads |
| Electronic Damper Control (EDC). I decided to set | | | | for my trip home. The trip home was as pleasant |
| it to stiffest. Stability control settings can be set | | | | as the trip to the track. The 2008 BMW M3 is |
| to on, off, and M dynamic mode. In M dynamic | | | | definitely a race car you can drive to the track, |
| mode, the M3 can be driven aggressively, but | | | | race it, and drive it home. The M3 is fun to drive |
| system will step in if the car is out of control. I | | | | fast, but it is even more fun when you push it |
| chose the M dynamic mode for my first lap. For | | | | hard and drive it faster. |
| throttle control and steering assist, I opted for | | | | For complete specifications of the 2008 BMW M3, |
| sport mode instead of normal mode. The sport | | | | please visit my website at Hypertuned Motoring |
| mode allows for quicker reactions to the gas | | | | and read my BMW M3 report. |
| pedal, and heavier steering feel. | | | | |