We don't actually think that there are many BMW M3 drivers out there who step out of their cars and go, "This car just isn't fast and thrilling enough."
Not unless you're the minority of enthusiasts who has $391,800 (as of 20th October 2016) worth of change to spare and can genuinely differentiate and enjoy the thrills and spills of a car that's capable of high-grade usable sportiness that even a regular M3 can't provide.
Yes, it's the BMW M3 Competition Package we're talking about.
M3 and M3 Competition Package: What are the differences?
The differences come in both subtle and obvious ways. While the car here has 19 horses more than the regular M3, which is admittedly a lot on paper, you can hardly feel the difference when it comes down to real-life driving, more so when the Competition Package feels the same as the regular variant below mid-range. Hit pass the 5,000rpm mark and the full 450 Bavarian horses can be experienced, together with the 550Nm of twisting force from the word go.
On hindsight, there are more obvious differences, though. Firstly, the disposal of power is certainly less boisterous, offering a greater sense of stability even if the rear wheels are still a pair of cheeky monkeys at work. Secondly, the Adaptive M Suspension has been retuned with new air springs that are stiffer, upgraded dampers and more resistant anti-roll bars.
Thirdly, you get the necessary 'show' to match the 'go', with black chrome exhaust tips as well as blacked out kidney grille, side gills and moniker. Lastly, all these differences do add up to form a car that's highly responsive, addictive and suitable for the hardcore driver who enjoys tracking on his weekend afternoons.
Does that mean it's a pain to drive it on a daily basis?
Not really, but that's also because I'm young, I've got a butt women would love to spank and a back that enjoys taking a beating.
Not unless you're the minority of enthusiasts who has $391,800 (as of 20th October 2016) worth of change to spare and can genuinely differentiate and enjoy the thrills and spills of a car that's capable of high-grade usable sportiness that even a regular M3 can't provide.
Yes, it's the BMW M3 Competition Package we're talking about.
M3 and M3 Competition Package: What are the differences?
The differences come in both subtle and obvious ways. While the car here has 19 horses more than the regular M3, which is admittedly a lot on paper, you can hardly feel the difference when it comes down to real-life driving, more so when the Competition Package feels the same as the regular variant below mid-range. Hit pass the 5,000rpm mark and the full 450 Bavarian horses can be experienced, together with the 550Nm of twisting force from the word go.
On hindsight, there are more obvious differences, though. Firstly, the disposal of power is certainly less boisterous, offering a greater sense of stability even if the rear wheels are still a pair of cheeky monkeys at work. Secondly, the Adaptive M Suspension has been retuned with new air springs that are stiffer, upgraded dampers and more resistant anti-roll bars.
Thirdly, you get the necessary 'show' to match the 'go', with black chrome exhaust tips as well as blacked out kidney grille, side gills and moniker. Lastly, all these differences do add up to form a car that's highly responsive, addictive and suitable for the hardcore driver who enjoys tracking on his weekend afternoons.
Does that mean it's a pain to drive it on a daily basis?
Not really, but that's also because I'm young, I've got a butt women would love to spank and a back that enjoys taking a beating.
Cruising around town on Comfort mode, you feel the stiffness of the M3 Competition Package, especially over broken bitumen but it's never to the point of feeling sore. Credit has to go to the bucket bench that has a sweet compromise between comfort and support.
It's always a good thing to know that you're behind a wheel that's comfortable enough for your daily routines yet sufficiently rigid to perform mindless hooliganism when the time calls for it. In this case, that's where the Bimmer's treasure lies.
While outright performance isn't what the Competition Package is all about, handling certainly is, which is why the car has been stiffened up and lowered by 10mm over its regular brethren. The car manages to dish out whatever it is you require it to - with a taut chassis, talkative steering and a charming character that's hard to ignore.
Nuff' said. I'm ready to rock and rolla
In more ways than one, this car is a step upward if you will, because it feels more alive compared with the regular version. But we do suspect that you'll need to find time to take this car to the track to accurately and justly feel the differences.
By then, we're pretty sure you won't be stepping out of this car thinking it isn't fast and thrilling enough.
