The real M and M

The letter M in the motoring world conjures up numerous emotions and is festooned with rich heritage. The letter M basically stands for BMWs Motorsport division and has only been awarded to the ultimate in BMW performance models. In the late 70s the first M car rolled out the factory. It was BMWs first ever supercar, the BMW M1. Since then that M DNA has made its way into many a fine machine and into even more hearts. One of the most successful M cars ever produced by the German manufacturer is in no doubt, the M3.

The idea of an M3 is to drive it to a race track on Sunday, embarrass a few Porsche owners and then drive the kids to school on Monday. The previous M3 featured a high revving four litre V8. The car was an exceptional track car with driving dynamics near perfect…

Now though there is a new one…eerr, make that two new ones. Thanks to BMWs new naming system the 2014 M3 is the four-door sedan and the M4 is the two-door coupe. Regardless of which is which, both these cars have big racing shoes to fill and at first glance they do look rather menacing.

An M car is all about the drive, the handling and its use of power. The new M3 and M4 both feature a highly tuned version of BMWs 3.0L TwinPower Turbo straight six motor. No V8 you say? Don’t worry because this new unit produces more power and more torque compared to the older V8 and thanks to the clever forced induction all that power is available sooner in the rev range. This means that these new M cars with their 317kW and 550Nm will not only out run the older M3 but the Audi RS5 and C63 AMG as well with a 0-100kph time of around 4.1 second.

So the power is there but do these new M cars handle as well as they should? Well, BMW turned to DTM drivers Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock who took part in the extensive testing and set-up work carried out at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit to ensure that the M3 was as race car like in its setup as possible. After a few very quick laps around our very own international race track, Kyalami and feeling like a DTM driver myself, it became very clear that the M3 and M4 still retain their impeccable sports car nature. A point proven once again when BMW South Africa put me in an M3 with old Bruno Spengler himself -ok, he’s not that old- and unleashed him on the track. I was amazed at the speeds at which he reached and not to mention the fact that almost every corner was taken sideways. I was rather terrified yet Bruno sat there in the driver’s seat, as low as possible, far back and as calm and as chilled as if he was on a Sunday drive. Sure he’s a professional but the car is so easy to read and with a careful hand and a respectful foot one can really enjoy the capabilities of the M3 and M4. This is a driver’s car…

The mad scientist found running around deep inside BMWs M division have gone to great lengths to not only lighten the cars but make them more aerodynamic as well. They have also focused much attention on cooling measures for the engine, transmission and of course the brakes. Another interesting feature on the M3 and M4 are the hollow lightweight output shafts of the rear differential and the Active M Differential, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip differential to optimise traction and directional stability. The multi-plate limited-slip differential works with extremely high precision and speed.

Ok so the M part of these two cars continues to impress on the track but what about the ‘everyday’ aspect? If the M3 is based on the 3 Series and the M4 on the 4 Series then these two cars should work in the real world. A world of uneven roads and traffic… To find out BMW put me on a helicopter and flew me to Dullstroom to sample these two maniacs on the great roads out in the area.

This is where the M3 and M4 really impressed me. They just work so well, sure they might not ride as soft and as comfortable as the regular cars but they are much quicker and handle better. They do offer the same interior layout as the regular cars and the M DCT (double clutch transmission) is just as smooth as you would expect and there is even a 6 speed manual option. You can select various driving modes from ECOPro mode to Sport+. Each mode changes the car engine and transmission settings. In fact, if it wasn’t for all the M logos and the power dome on the front bonnet you would be forgiven for thinking that you are in a regular 3 Series, well, that is until you plant your foot to the floor.

These two cars continue the M family heritage and have raised the bar within the segment. They look bloody fantastic and much to my surprise they sound beastly. Ok, it’s not an iconic M3 sound but it sounds good never the less. These cars handle superbly well and there is so much technology under the skin which ensures that the very best in driving dynamics is delivered and enjoyed.

My final thoughts on these two cars are this: If you want the best in performance and handling at this stage in the segment and you are a motoring enthusiast who finds pleasure in getting the apex just right or you indulge yourself in lift off oversteer and are an avid lover of driving that mountain pass over and over again then yes, these two M cars are worth the many Rands that you will need to own them, however, if you just want a fast, good looking BMW then I can’t help but wonder if a 335i or a 435i might be the better option. I on the other hand will settle for an M4….

Prices: Standard car as of July 2014:

M3 Sedan:
6-Speed Manual: R958 300
7-Speed M-DCT auto: R1 007 800

M4 Coupe:
6-Speed manual: R1 006 800
7- Speed M-DCT auto: R 1 056