Quick Test: 2008 BMW M3 Sedan

Speed, balance, and athleticism converge BMW launched its M3 last fall in two-door form and unveiled the four-door variant shortly thereafter. It packs the same M-spec, 4.0-liter, 414-horsepower V-8 as the coupe. The 2008 M3 sedan is about three inches shorter overall than the coupe but weighs about the same. A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered so far, but a dual-clutch automated manual joins the lineup later this year.
BMW's magnificent M3 is the best one yet. A performer by any measure, its times on the racetrack and through our figure-eight test demonstrate that its various aspects work together. The BMW is lithe and athletic yet never punishing, and it comes in a package you can use and enjoy every day. The fact that it's also offered in a coupe and upcoming convertible, and soon with a choice of two enthusiast-minded transmissions, means "M3" is a driving philosophy, not just a single model.