How many times has 'but you could get a used M3 for that much!' come up in a PH forum discussion on the launch of a new hot hatch, coupe or roadster? It must be a fair few by now. And while we're deriving huge enjoyment from using a new M3 for a week, what is it actually like day in and day out, as a track tool, family car and something for business use? We brought together half a dozen E92 owners to find out.
With bacon sandwiches ordered, the conversation unconsciously but perhaps inevitably moves to engines. For all our owners that 4.0-litre V8 was a key part of the M3's appeal, with a couple enhancing there's further with exhaust modifications. They understandably remain a little wary of the new car's ability to excite in a similar way, even with a 7,600rpm red line.
And as sure as night follows day, fuel economy becomes the next discussion topic. Again however, they're staunch defenders of the V8 and were fully aware a 100hp/litre V8 wasn't going to be parsimonious. An interesting point was raised by Tony Braybon too in that although the new cars officially return fairly good numbers, will they actually deliver on real-world economy? It wouldn't be the first car to struggle... But admiration of the V8 runs deep here, to the extent that Jonathan Dobson says he's more excited about the Lexus RC F at present than the M4.
What's fantastic to see from everyone here is that all of their M3s are driven and enjoyed on a regular basis. Marcus has done 42,000 miles in his in just over two years, Andrew's has been used for work (as a photographer) and play at the 'ring, Jarrod's is his Le Mans transport and Tony has been flat out in his on the autobahn. Adrian is the only one of our group to have not driven an M3 on track, something he plans to rectify in 2014.
And then it's the M3's duality of purpose that begins to shine through. As you will read in the individual interviews, many of our gathered PHers can only justify one car but need something fun, practical and discreet. For them the M3 ticks all the boxes.
'M4' is still a name they struggle with but that has only stifled their enthusiasm very slightly. Andrew has a letter of intent with BMW if a CSL is ever produced, and a couple of others are contemplating test drives. Jarrod says he would struggle to justify the additional £30K required right now. Tony and Marcus seemed content with the V8s; having experienced for the first time on Friday, it's easy to understand why.
See below for more from our M3 owners:
Adrian Pharoah - M3 DCT Competition Pack
Marcus Lim - M3 DCT COmpetition Pack
Jonathan Dobson - M3 DCT Competition Pack
Tony Braybon - M3 Manual Competition Pack
Andrew Mulholland - M3 DCT
Jarrod Ellis - M3 DCT