2009 BMW M3 User Reviews

Pros

Exceptional Power, Braking, Handling, & Looks!!!

Cons

Petro, Petro, Petro and way too many electronic customizeable options

Purchased As Used

This is my second M, my first was a 02 convertible. This car has replaced it as my #1 favorite car of all times (4 cars in the last 6 years). Was so excited when I heard the sedan was coming back out as I now have a family and you know that coupes are no fun when towing around little children. The 4 doors are super practical and surprisingly provides decent legroom.

I test drove pretty much all of the Sport sedans (IS-F, C63, CTS-V) and I keep getting drawn back to the M. Don't get me wrong, there are alot of pros with the other cars. But all around the M is the best car of the bunch. Let's not forget about the full service they offer for 4 years or 50k miles (all oil changes, wipers, brakes, etc). Who doesn't like zero maintence costs? That just goes to show they stand behind their vehicles. Audi, Mercedes, American reliability are all suspect. That's a few thousand you're saving in the 4 yrs/50k miles, who doesn't like that?!?

I like how all of the car publications like to compare 0-60 times and stuff like that, but what's the difference unless you plan on taking it to the track. Every single one of these cars are quicker and have more HP than needed. Ok Ok, so you can never have too much HP, but every single one of these vehicles have more than enough capabilities of picking you up alot of tickets!

Can we say Jekyll and Hyde? What i like is that this car fully feels like a daily driver and whenever you're in the mood, you can hit that power button and it turns into a killer beast. Exhaust note is great at high revs and won't annoy the neighbors on an everyday basis, ala C63! Also love the stitching of the interior, the quality of the leather and that big thick steering wheel.

Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but this car simply gives you ubber confidence when driving. It handles like it's on rails and you feel like you can pull as fast as you want into any turns/curves. I have yet to reach it's full potential.

Ok, all of these pros and no mention of any cons. First and foremost, this thing likes to drink gas like it's going out of style. But what are you really expecting when you're driving a 400+ hp car. If you can afford this car, you should be able to afford filling it up. Next...the Idrive is the biggest piece of you know what. Terrible terrible design but we all know that you're not buying this car for it's electronics. After a while, you'll learn to live with it but clearly not the best out there. As we all know, you're buying an M for it's performance, not for it's gadgets. That's my biggest gripe about the car, but something i easily overlook everytime i hammer down on the gas.

In my opinion, this is the best all around sports car out there, especially for the money!!!...read morehide

Pros

Very quick, super sharp handling, surprisingly comfy, loads of excitement

Cons

Pricey options

Purchased As Not Purchased

The M3 is perhaps one of the best sports cars in the world. It may only have 420 hp, but it's very quick and has very good handling. 0 to 60 just takes 4.1 seconds, and the top speed is 160 mph. As for the handling, it completed the Nurburgring in 7 min 50 sec, easily beating its rivals from Mercedes and Porsche.

I honestly couldn't think of a better sports car than the M3....read morehide

Pros

performance, handling, braking, stereo, style, smartphone

Cons

Nav could be more detailed.

Purchased As New

I drove almost every sports car under $100K before ordering my 2009 M3. There are onlly two in my opinion that were drivers cars, the BMW and the Porsche. They have the best steering and brakes. You can't just go my magazine performance numbers, it is the feel from behind the wheel of knowing what the car is doing. I got mine with nearly every option, it stickered around $72K. The 7 speed DCT is amazing, the Harman Kardon stereo is really nice, the 09 has a built in hard drive for music. I have the two door coupe with the carbon fiber roof, you can't get a sunroof or a 4 door if you want the carbon fiber roof. The nav system isn't as detailed as my $400 garmin is the only shortcoming, but I bought this car for the driving experience not the nav. The overall combination of performance, luxury, styling is tough to beat. One new feature is the smartphone adapter that hardwires the phone adapter into the car, the sound quality is better than any bluetooth setup. I bought mine new from Bob Smith BMW and would buy from this dealer again....read morehide

Pros

acceleration and handling,interior fit and finish, steering wheel, HD radio

Cons

gas mileage and stiff ride on bumpy roads

Purchased As Used

I just bought this car with less than 5000 miles fanastick stick shift,
acceleration and handling. Great car with excellent interior finishes.
the Car is solid and well built . silver exterior and red interior is a fablous combination, I would get car fully loaded. You just want to drive the car all the time. I like the corvette as well but the interior of the m3 is far nicer...read morehide

Pros

Looks, power, handling, comfort, understated

Cons

Not made in America, ???

Purchased As New

Don't listen to me, read the magazine articles. I too thought they were being paid by BMW until I test drove mine. This is by far the best car I've ever owned or driven. Its the car people love to hate because its that good. Coming from a S2000 I expected to be disappointed in cornering ability and stability but it is far superior. From cruising in my wife's Volvo or Saab I thought it would be too firm for long distances, again, it is better than both. At the drag strip I was kicking myself for geting the DCT because it's near impossible to get the tree right, but on the street its much better. In the corners the DCT is is more rewarding and in daily driving much easier to live with (but if a weekend toy only, get the stick, its still more involved). I think this car represents an excellent value because it is everything a car can be, family hauler, track toy, weekend cruiser, cross country companion. I'm also pleasantly surprised that people of all ages remark about how good it looks but that they don't know what it is (M vs regular 3 series). I thought every Mustang would be trying to race me, but most just pass by without noticing, the rest get beat. Fuel mileage is reasonable for a car with this much horsepower and I've gotten better than EPA on the highway while doing at least 10 over. I'd like to bring out what I don't like about the car but can't think of anything. I've put 8500 miles on since owning (6 months) and have had no issues. iDrive has taken some getting used to but is easy enough once you get the concept, but have the dealer explain it in detail before leaving. This is my first 4 wheel BMW, but won't be my last....read morehide

Pros

FAST, COMFORTABLE, 4 SEATS

Cons

AUTO MODE COULD SHIFT DOWN FASTER IN HEAVY BRAKING

Purchased As New

TRADED 08 Z06 FOR 09 M3 COUPE DCT. Drove the Carrera S with PDK. Found the M3 better than Z06 and 911 for daily driving so I got rid of my 07 750li too. FAST, FUN, LOVE THE STEREO AND THE NEW I-DRIVE. M3 rides better than Z06 and 911's. Bought snow tires and 18's for the winter so we will see about that. I've tried many times to like and buy a 911S or turbo and can't do it. I LOVED the Z06 and owned it for 2 years, but it was too loud for highway travel. The Z06 Bose system was pathetic and yes there were times I wanted music when I was driving.... M3 an all around great car that I'm hoping will do well in the winter too....read morehide

Pros

FAST, AWESOME HANDLING, APPERANCE.......:)

Cons

PHONE VOLUME AND RADIO VOLUME NEED TO BE MATCHED BETTER

Purchased As New

This is my second M3. My last M3 was a 06 manual. The new M is by far the best. It's faster, handles better, roomier too. All of the tech stuff is easy to use once you are familiar with it. I have the double clutch version which shifts fast, smooth. The ride is nice, not too stiff just right. The interior is quite when cruising. The motor comes alive when pushed. Sounds like formula one car. Best car I have ever owned?.way better than the Z06 Vette....read morehide

Pros

phenomenal performance

Cons

pricey

Purchased As New

Great car, from acceleration to brakes it is simply superb. Superb seats. Professional reviewers have said enough about the car's performance. I'll give you the owner's perspective. Unlike my X5 hand brake is manual, for 75K BMW can do better. The window seals allow water in thru during a wash. Incidently my 528i also had the same problem so this may be an issue BMW needs to work on. 1900 bucks for an upgraded stereo is steep, especially when it is not truly audiophile quality. Air scarf/vent or whatever it is called is cumbersome.
But step on the accelerator and all these gripes will feel petty. What a ride......read morehide