2010 BMW M3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Currently in its fourth generation, the BMW M3 receives only a few minor updates for 2010. The M3 now comes equipped with HD Radio as a standard feature, and the automaker adds automatic high beams as a new stand-alone optional feature.
As in previous years, BMW offers the 2010 M3 in Sedan, Coupe, and Convertible trims. A lightweight V8 engine, introduced in 2008, powers all three trims. This 4.0-liter, light-alloy engine generates an impressive 414 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, and drives the sport coupe from 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. An engine management system controls all engine functions, as well as the transmission, steering, and brakes, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
In its standard configuration, the V8 mates with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission, which directs torque to the rear wheels. However, owners can opt for an M Double Clutch Transmission with Drivelogic, which shifts gears seamlessly for smooth, quick acceleration and gives drivers the option of shifting manually for a more visceral driving experience. The transmission's Drivelogic control offers 11 different shift programs, including five for automatic shifting and six for manual shifting, to match the style of each individual driver.
Using the optional M Drive system (a simplified version of the automaker's iDrive), drivers can manage many of the M3's performance-related components, such as the steering, engine response, and damping for optimal ride and handling. For instance, via a Power button, drivers can adjust throttle settings to Normal, Sport, and SportPlus, and steering settings to Comfort or Sport modes. In addition, drivers can adjust the settings for the M3's Dynamic Stability Control System for a more racetrack-oriented feel. However, many owners and reviewers find the M Drive overly complicated to operate.
Although it's based on the BMW 3 Series, the M3 comes equipped with a long list of unique features. Only the two doors, trunk lid, windows, headlights, and taillights carry over from the 3 Series Coupe. All other body components are unique to the M3. It rides on a performance-tuned suspension designed to match the V8's prodigious output and makes use of lightweight materials throughout its body, including its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic roof. Other standard exterior features include an aluminum hood with a powerdome, xenon headlights, flared front and rear fenders, a flat-paneled underbody, heated side mirrors, M rear apron with diffuser, and M quad polished stainless steel exhaust tips.
Like the powerplant and exterior, BMW designed the M3's interior for performance driving while ensuring passenger comfort. The M3 seats four passengers, and comes standard with leather, anthracite, and black-cloth upholstery, as well Titanium Shadow interior trim and an anthracite headliner. The power-adjustable front seats feature four-way lumbar support and manually adjustable thigh support. In addition, the driver's side includes memory settings for the seat and outside mirrors.
An M-design instrument cluster features titanium-finish-ringed dials with red needles, while an on-board computer displays such information as travel range and external temperature. Other standard features for the M3 include automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped multifunction M sport steering wheel, and an AM/FM audio system with a CD player and HD radio.
Standard safety features include front-seat-mounted side-impact airbags and a front and rear head-protection system. Traction control, compound disc brakes, and high-performance antilock brakes also come standard. The M3 rides on 18-inch wheels with performance tires.
User reviews for 2010 BMW M3
Write a review2010 BMW M3 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · IPod auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage · Center console trim: carbon and leather · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: wood · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: side window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.85 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Impact sensor: door unlock · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Damper Control: electronic · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Sirius Satellite Radio · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: carbon and leather · Dash trim: alloy · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: wood · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: power rear window · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.85 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Mirror color: body-color · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Header
Option Delete: Generic
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Moonroof: power glass
Safety
Impact sensor: battery disconnect · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: mulitlevel · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Damper Control: electronic · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · USB auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 10
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 14.2 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.8 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: carbon and leather · Dash trim: carbon and leather · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: second row · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.85 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Headlight cleaners: heated · Headlights: self-leveling · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top
Safety
Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Suspension
Damper Control: electronic · Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: performance
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
