There is a sports car that doesn't look like a sports car.
The 2011 BMW M3 is available in sedan, coupe and convertible body styles. The coupe adds a carbon-fiber roof and split-folding rear seat, while the convertible adds a fully powered retractable hardtop and sun-reflective leather.
The Cold Weather package adds heated front seats and retractable headlight washers. The Premium package adds power-folding auto-dimming mirrors, BMW Assist telematics, Bluetooth, leather upholstery and different interior trim. The Technology package adds electronic damping control, M Drive adjustable settings, keyless ignition/entry, the iDrive electronics interface and a navigation system with voice controls and real-time traffic. Most of the above items are available as stand-alone options along with 19-inch wheels, a sunroof (deletes carbon-fiber roof on the coupe), rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, power rear sunshade (coupe and sedan), a split-folding rear seat (sedan), satellite radio, an iPod/USB adapter and a 16-speaker premium sound system.
The coupe and sedan can be equipped with the Competition package, which adds EDC (electronic damping control), 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, a lowered suspension and different programming for EDC and stability control.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission (M DCT) is optional. The latter offers manual operation via steering-wheel paddles as well as a full automatic mode. All M3s feature a specialized locking rear differential.
A manual-equipped convertible gets 13 mpg city.
Standard safety features for the 2010 BMW M3 include front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests gave the 3 Series sedan "Good" ratings (the highest possible) in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing, although the convertible received a second-lowest "Marginal" score.
For 3-Series buyers the M3 is the halo of the lineup and with the latest generation of the car buyers can opt for either coupe, convertible or practical four-door sedan body styles. This generation’s heavier, more expensive and offers a dual clutch transmission; oh, and it’s got a V-8 engine too.
A full aluminum block, magnesium cam covers and aluminum-silicon alloy for the crankcase, allowed engineers to keep weight of the engine at just 445 pounds, 30 pounds less than the previous M3’s straight six.
It’s not often a car is considered perfect with no flaws or disadvantages and with this car, it’s nearly achieved. For example, all M3 engines are assembled under a specific temperature level and put through rigorous test to ensure all engines meet a certain criteria.
One reoccurring feature we’ve seen on these engines is the use of individual throttle bodies, individual barrels that feed air to each cylinder separately to create the air/fuel mixture for combustion. To give an idea, regular everyday cars use only one throttle body to feed air to all there cylinders.
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