ABDC 2017: BMW M3 Review

5th

If the BMW M3 Competition was a movie, it would have to be Rocky 3. Challengers relentlessly step up to the plate so the veteran champion must keep re-inventing himself and find new ways to win. And somehow, amidst the constant battering from the competition, he always gets across the line.

The M3 is Rocky Balboa.

This muscular rear-wheel-drive rocket has worn the championship belt in the performance GT bracket for decades now and through various generations has remained on top.

Perhaps the wildest ride on this year's ABDC, the latest BMW M3 Competition boarded the ‘Spirit Of Tasmania’ for the journey back to Melbourne on very worn and tortured tyres.

Make no mistake; the BMW M3 Competition is very much a driver’s car and, when let loose on a race circuit, armfuls of opposite lock (and smiles on faces) are a common occurrence.

So what makes a good drivers car? Let's refer the M3 to the ultimate driver’s car recipe book…

While not exactly a prerequisite in a driver’s car, lots of grunt certainly helps. Having the ability to drive a car on the throttle (or steer it with the pedals) adds another tool to a driver’s tool box. The M3 Competition is 14kW up on the standard M3 and now boasts 331kW from its in-line twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine.

An impressive stat unquestionably, but more important in a driver’s car is the spread of torque. With 550Nm on tap, the M3 holds its maximum torque for an incredible 3650rpm and somehow makes it feel more like 700Nm. And torque arrives from only 1850rpm ensuring the M3 is very tractable, can hold tall gears and is never caught in the wrong cog.

Power to the pavement: as good as contemporary front-wheel-drive cars are, for me a driver’s car still has to drive the rear wheels. And, for race circuit use, you need to be able to turn off the stability control and manually balance the cornering dynamics with some oversteer when needed.

There's no finer example of a car ticking those boxes than the BMW M3. With all that power and torque with the stability control disabled, it's almost impossible to drive the M3 subtly through tight corners… Which of course ramps-up the fun factor.

Sounding too edgy for you? Fear not as unlike some other fearsome six-cylinder super-sedans, the M3 is still very predictable.

>> 1st - HSV GTSR W1
>> 2nd - Porsche Cayman S
>> 3rd - Ford Focus RS
>> 4th - BMW M140i
>> 5th - BMW M3 Competition
>> 6th - Audi S5 Coupe
>> 7th - Mercedes-AMG C 43
>> Track test - The fastest ever
>> A sideways glance at ABDC
>> 8th - Volkswagen Golf GTI 40 Years
>> Stats never lie – ABDC by the numbers
>> Not ranked - Alfa Romeo Guilia QV
>> All the ABDC FAQs
>> 10th - Abarth 124 Spider
>> Quarter-mile bragging rights
>> Meet the judges
>> 11th - Nissan GT-R

>> In search of Australia's Best Driver's Car 2017

The seven-speed double clutch transmission is an absolute gem and the ratio spread is spot-on. Shift speed can be adjusted from mild to wild (the latter best for those days when you’re seeking those last fractions on a race circuit).

While in most circumstances the M differential works well, it could perhaps do with more tightening on corner entry to (dare I say it) induce a smidge of initial understeer.

Dynamics: of all the cars I've driven, the M3 (like most 'M' BMW's in fact) has the broadest differentiation between stability control on and off.

On the road, stability control is a life saver. But on the track, the calibration is far too conservative. I sense the BMW engineers have configured the M3 Competition for fantastic turn-in and rely on the computers to settle the rear.

They've certainly achieved great front end response and grip and enthusiast drivers will like the edgy, exciting rear-biased dynamics. But you need you need to stay on top of it and persisting with this driving style will see you regularly replacing rear tyres.

Sound: a driver’s car must be an assault on the senses and sound plays a big role. No surprise the BMW M3 Competition is loud -- in a good way. The raspy six-cylinder is refreshingly unstifled by its twin turbochargers and its rawness is enticing.

And then, there’s the little things. The first turn of the steering wheel reveals perfect weighting so you immediately sense this is a special car. And in the looks department, the M3 Competition is reminiscent of a ball of muscle and the aggressive shape is certainly alluring.

Sure, the interior lacks a little pizzazz when compared to some rivals, but the seating position is excellent and overall the cockpit speaks to enthusiast drivers rather than couriers or taxi operators.

Overall, this car just oozes charisma. It looks fast parked in the garage and its muscular stance screams 'purposeful'. Aggressive, loud, agile, fun and very fast, the M3 just makes you feel good.

No, the BMW M3 Competition isn’t perfect, and not doing everything spot-on is one reason why I love this car. The M3 absolutely excites the senses and keeps you on your toes. It contains all the right ingredients in just the right amount ...

2017 BMW M3 Competition pricing and specifications:
Price: $144,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3 litre in-line 6-cylinder direct injected twin turbocharged
Output: 331kW/550Nm
Transmission: 7 speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 8.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 204g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: 5 star EuroNCAP

2017 BMW M3 Competition performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 5.102sec
0-400m: 12.225sec @ 193.079km/h
Lap time: 58.802sec

>> In search of Australia's Best Driver's Car 2017