From its muscular front end to its four chromed tailpipes, the 2008 BMW M3 Sedan excels at combining the elements of a true street racer with the functionality of a four-door sedan. The rear-wheel-drive M3 Sedan delivers impressive performance, thanks to its all-new, high-revving 414-horsepower V8 engine, the first eight-cylinder dropped into an M3. The V8 drives the sporty sedan from 0 to 60 in just 4.7 seconds, resulting in an exhilarating ride. The powerhouse V8 engine links to a fast-shifting six-speed manual transmission, while a new lightweight, ventilated clutch stays cooler than that in previous versions.

The engine resides under the M3's powerdome hood, part of a muscular front-end design. A front air dam, aerodynamic exterior mirrors, air intake gills in the front side panels, a discreet spoiler at the rear, and dual tailpipes all combine to give the M3 an aggressive yet refined look. BMW notes that the 2008 M3 Sedan is the first production car in its segment with a roof made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (again, borrowed from the motorsport side), resulting in a lighter, more efficient, and more agile vehicle with a lower center of gravity.

Sport bucket seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an intelligent safety system that controls airbags as well as the seatbelts and central locking system in the event of an accident are among the M3's interior features.

The M3 can be equipped with a range of innovative options, including the M Dynamic Mode, accessed by an M button on the steering wheel. This mode adjusts a number of components, including the dynamic stability control, the suspension, and the throttle, to provide optimal performance at all speed levels. The settings can also be adjusted manually using the optional dashboard display.

Features such as the race-oriented engine and transmission, the lighter-weight body, the powerful antilock brakes, and the innovative technology features get high marks from drivers and reviewers. Some note the the M3 gets only mediocre gas mileage, and some think the exterior styling could be sportier. But overall the M3 delivers for drivers who are looking for a sport-oriented sedan.