2013 BMW M3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Of all the fancy features included with the venerable Deutsche Dagger, my favorite is undoubtedly the least complex: the clutch pedal. Sure, you can get yourself a 7-speed double-clutch automatic like all the new kids on the block, but the 6-speed manual with the familiar 3-pedal layout is the choice for the traditionalists out there—people who still remember what it was like to need some skill in order to drive well.
Yes, it’s an old argument and one I hope doesn’t end anytime soon (since it’ll most likely mean that the last of the manuals have gone the way of curb feelers), but the fact we can still have it is encouraging in the same way that the M3’s continued use of rear-wheel drive is encouraging.
Purists will also point to the upcoming turbocharged 6 in the 2014 M3 as the latest case of sacrilege from Bavarian Motor Werks, and many have said 2013 could be the last year for a naturally aspirated M3. No doubt the 4.0-liter V8 has been a success, with the high-revving engine doing a good job of mimicking the original M3’s high-revving, naturally aspirated inline 4-cylinder, only with twice as many cylinders. Sort of like the idea behind the Porsche 928/924, except in reverse. Seems the Germans figured out we equate “more” with “better” on this side of the pond.
That could also account for the M3’s growth in size and weight over the years in addition to its swelling horsepower. When it was born, the M3 offered less than 200 hp from its 2.3-liter engine. Today, the 4.0-liter V8 sitting beneath the M3’s carbon fiber hood pumps out 414 horses, which reach full gallop at a stratospheric 8,300 rpm. Combined with the 295 lb-ft of torque arriving at 3,900 rpm, the M3 will scoot to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds.
But then, acceleration with the M3 has always been impressive if not its main focus. No, the M3 is known for being able to turn, and that has certainly not been lost in the last quarter century, although it may feel that way. Steering feel has waned a bit as performance has waxed, but all the electronic aids do at least make sure you stay pointed in the right direction.
And while the M3 started as a street-legal version of a road racer, the luxury has leaked in during the ensuing years. The black-on-black interior is covered in leather and your choice of wood or carbon fiber trim. Keyless push-button start is just the beginning of the electronic automation, where the electronic stability system, steering response, ride comfort and throttle response can all be controlled via the M Drive system. And if the M3 still doesn’t perform with enough ferocity, you can add the Competition Package for a lowered suspension with electronic damping control along with lightweight, 19-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber. Not enough luxury? Add heated seats, navigation or a moonroof.
Unless the carbon fiber roof is anathema to your idea of a sports car in the first place. In that case, the M3 is offered as a convertible (for a small monetary and weight penalty.)
One thing the M3 does poorly is consume fuel—or rather, it does it prodigiously. With a 14 mpg city/20 highway rating, the M3 manages around 265 miles from its 16.6-gallon fuel tank. This no doubt factored into decisions to switch to the smaller and more efficient turbo-6 setup for 2014. Still, if naturally aspirated V8 power is your particular poison, this is your last chance.
The M3 didn’t follow suit with the 3 Series redesign this year, but as BMW is eager to remind us, the two cars share nary more than the chassis, doors, trunk and gas cap. As mentioned, the M3 will get its comeuppance in 2014, so look to the future if something new is what’s tempting your tastebuds. For me, I’ll take the classic comfort of natural aspiration and a clutch. It’s been so good to us in the past.
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2013 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 · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM 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
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · 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: 2 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · 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 · Locking differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: cloth
Suspension
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
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: remote operation
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM 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
Door sill trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: stainless steel · 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 front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · 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 · Locking differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED · Taillights: adaptive
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: hard top
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Upholstery: premium leather
Suspension
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): rear
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: BMW Assist
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheels: chrome alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Power windows: remote operation