BMW M3 Coupe 4.0 V8 2dr

For The purist’s choice comes with a carbon-fibre roof to lower the centre of gravity. Rapid and beautifully poised, the M3 is a formidable performance car against any rival.

Against Overt looks not for everyone and the M3’s engine is terrifyingly thirsty. The manual shift can feel cumbersome and BMW scrimps on some equipment that should be standard at this price.

What Car? says

4 out of 5 stars

A quite phenomenally rounded performance car that’s able to chase down supercars yet do the school run too. Spacious, practical but scarily thirsty – even when you’re being sensible.

Reader review rating

4.166667

Key facts

0–60mph: 4.8 secs
Top speed: 155 mph
Average mpg: 22.8
Tank range: 317 miles

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Features

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The BMW M3 Coupe full review Read in full

Performance
5 out of 5 stars
V8 delivers stunning pace
Ride & Handling
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic balance and grip
Refinement
4 out of 5 stars
Refined tourer
Buying & Owning
3 out of 5 stars
Not cheap; heavy running costs
Quality & Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Top-notch materials and build
Safety & Security
5 out of 5 stars
Wants for little
Behind The Wheel
4 out of 5 stars
Near-perfect driving position
Space & Practicality
4 out of 5 stars
Spacious cabin; decent boot
Equipment
4 out of 5 stars
What you'd expect for this money

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Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

To many the combination of the letter M followed by the number 3 represents the absolute pinnacle of BMW M Division’s expertise. It’s difficult to argue against that, the M3 offering quite sensational pace allied to remarkable day-to-day usability.

Trick electronics and its clever differential can all be tailored to suit the particular driver via the iDrive controller and the M button on the steering wheel allows you to turn the M3 from pussycat to feral tomcat with the prod of your thumb.

The 4.0-litre V8 engine is fast at low revs but keeps piling on the pace as you head up towards its high 8,500rpm redline.

Three models are offered, a coupe, saloon and convertible. The purists will baulk at the drop-top; it’s not quite as fast and sharp as its closed relatives. The coupe is very showy with its carbonfibre roof, while the saloon perhaps offers the best all-round M car experience possible.