2010 BMW M3 Competition Pack (E92) | Review
Fancy paint and track-tuned package part of minor tweaks to M3 range
We love the current BMW M3 on PH. In fact I personally love it so unequivocally and passionately that I'm really not sure I'm a sensible choice for writing an unbiased review.
The love affair really got under way when we ran a BMW M3 on the PH fleet for six months, during which time it got under my skin more effectively than any other car I've spent more than a few days with.
I adore its howling V8; its compact, balanced chassis; the way it flatters the driver, even if you take away all the electronic aids. Our Monte Carlo blue example's smooth and intuitive DCT twin-clutch transmission even convinced me - for the first time - of the benefits of a double-clutch paddle shift transmission.
The fact that all this fun is wrapped up in a good-looking (if conservative) and impressively spacious package is merely icing on the blue, purple and red cake.
So when BMW asked us if we wanted a go at the latest M3, now with some blink-and-you'll-miss-it revisions, the answer was an immediate yes. Followed by a little bit of dribbling.
The important, grown-up and sensible news is that all M3s now come with stop-start tech (the first BMW with more than six cylinders to do so), and regenerative braking - which engages the alternator to charge the battery on the overrun - has also been added.
The result is six per cent better fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions are down from 285g/km to 263g/km. Considering that the closest thing the M3 has to a weakness is its penchant for unleaded, this can only be a good thing.
More interesting, however, is the news that the M3 now comes with an optional 'Competition Pack'. This is basically the same as the Edition pack option except that, on top of the 19-inch Y-spoke alloys and a ride height that's been lowered by 10mm, you also get a tweaked sport mode on the electronic dampers, and a revised (read less intrusive) stability control system.
In truth, applying the moniker 'competition' to such subtle mods is probably a bit cheeky, but you can feel the difference between it and a standard car when you push hard. There's an extra sharpness to the steering - and a tiny bit more firmness to the ride in exchange for sharper body control - that you don't get in the standard car, although 95 per cent of that feeling comes through with the Edition pack and so must be due more to the lighter wheels and lowered suspension than the electronic trickery.
On track - a place we didn't get a chance to do go during our week with the car - we suspect that the revised damper set-up and stability control system would probably make itself felt a bit more, but on the road it's pretty hard to feel that much difference.
The price for the competition pack is a steep-ish £3315, and whether you find that worth paying really depends on how much you value having the most track-oriented 3-series south of the £100k M3 GTS.
It's certainly better value than the £1755 you'll pay for the pretty but showy Frozen Grey paint option. Unlike in the US, British customers won't have to waive parts of the warranty if they pick the matt paint, but BMW advises a strict care regime, and we dread to think what it would do to an M3's residual values. It also takes the price of the car we tested to a sharp £60,935. That's getting dangerously close to 911 money.
As for us, we'd take the Edition spec and save ourselves a bit of cash. Preferably, we'd have YB09 GKD back. Anyone at BMW listening...?
you'd expect a cheaper german car to perform slower, which it doesn't. you'd expect it to be even sloewr due to proper back seats, big boot etc, but it's not.
great all rounder.
you'd expect a cheaper german car to perform slower, which it doesn't. you'd expect it to be even sloewr due to proper back seats, big boot etc, but it's not.
great all rounder.
you'd expect a cheaper german car to perform slower, which it doesn't. you'd expect it to be even sloewr due to proper back seats, big boot etc, but it's not.
great all rounder.
well it's true isn't it. people say "that M3 is nearly as expensive as a 911!" well...it's just as quick AND more practical, as well as slightly cheaper. so really, the 911 is expensive compared to it IMO. sure it may not look as "common" but trust me...driving in the M3 you get a lot of looks when you put the foot down
sounds better than a standard carrera too IMO.Save the money, get a matt wrap AND keep the paint fresh as a daisy. In addition you wont look like a plank when the fad has worn off.
Wouldnt be my first colour choice but I love this Gen M3 lovely bit of kit.
you'd expect a cheaper german car to perform slower, which it doesn't. you'd expect it to be even sloewr due to proper back seats, big boot etc, but it's not.
great all rounder.
well it's true isn't it. people say "that M3 is nearly as expensive as a 911!" well...it's just as quick AND more practical, as well as slightly cheaper. so really, the 911 is expensive compared to it IMO. sure it may not look as "common" but trust me...driving in the M3 you get a lot of looks when you put the foot down
sounds better than a standard carrera too IMO.I also heard that the CSL style wheels are not forged and in fact heavier than the normal 19s. Anyone know if this is true? I actually prefer the normal 19s especially the black offering on the edition.
(Are they still made by BBS?)
Pip
The M3 V8 has always had Brake Energy Regeneration, that is nothing new.
The M3 V8 has always had Brake Energy Regeneration, that is nothing new.
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