2009 M3 - Motor Trend Long Term Verdict: The World's Greatest All-Around Car

[Jason]

Motor Trend has now had their 2009 BMW M3 long term test car for a year now and it's time to say goodbye, after logging over 20,000 miles.

What is MT's final verdict? How's this for some praise?

"The World's Greatest All-Around Car? Unquestionably."

Here is the rest of their experience summarized:

Verdict: 2009 BMW M3

The Worst Part is That it had to go
From the January, 2011 issue of Motor Trend
/ By Carlos Lago
/ Photography by William Walker

No. It's been a year already? Can't be. Then the realization sets in. After 12 all-too-short months and 20,022 miles on the odometer, it's time for the M3 to go home. Panicked, the pleading begins. Then the bargaining.

Anything we could to do hold on to our car for just a little longer, to feel one more embrace from the seats, to experience one more blast to redline, was fair game. Maybe I'll grab the keys and run. Mexico isn't that far...

It wasn't long after this white sedan unassumingly slid into our garage that we called it World's Best All-Around Car. Initially, we were enamored of its package, an easy blend of speed, handling, good looks, roominess, and practicality. But surely, the World's Best All-Around Car title was a touch hyperbolic, right? Short answer: Nope.

Our M3 was a sedate and luxurious sedan as well as a supremely rewarding driving machine. Docile in inclement weather and smooth enough to transport your grandparents (if you can resist temptation), the M3 was equally primed for backcountry road-smash mode, where it would fire every synapse in your brain related to driving pleasure.

And then you'd find the M Drive button, which holds your preferred throttle, traction, and damping settings. With one press, everything somehow managed to get better. This is the M3's genius.

There are faster cars, yes, and there are a few that are more rewarding to drive. But of those, we challenge you to find one that combines speed, thrill, and daily driving duties as deftly as the M3.

But now it's gone -- the Mexico dash didn't pan out. And while we now have time to let the bruises heal from the fights over its keys, we realize that the M3 has left a hole in our long-term fleet that won't soon be filled. Finding another car that pleases its driver in such myriad forms might as well be the quest for the Holy Grail; the only obvious replacement for our M3 is the next one. The World's Greatest All-Around Car? Unquestionably.

Full article : http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ict/index.html

[M3maniac20]

Love it! BMW wins again

[Kartelli]

Its funny how they give it back just before warranty runs out...

[e1000]

Originally Posted by Kartelli

Its funny how they give it back just before warranty runs out...

uh, how is a 2009 with 20k miles on the odometer going to run out of warranty anytime soon?

[DP8]

Anyone notice on the bottom of page 3 they have a recalls section and list out "washer-fluid pump" and "door catch". Do they mean they have had those repaired? I wasn't aware of any recalls like that. To stay on topic though, M3 FTW!

[Crazy Bimmer]

pssh, tell me something i didnt know.

[ArabianSensation]

I think we knew that already

But hey, if anyone wants confirmation I'd be more than happy to take your M3 for a year...

[adrianBMW99]

While I love to hear results like this and wholeheartedly agree; let's remember, this is the same publication that just named the Chevy Volt, the car of the year!

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by e1000

uh, how is a 2009 with 20k miles on the odometer going to run out of warranty anytime soon?

+1 LOL

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by adrianBMW99

While I love to hear results like this and wholeheartedly agree; let's remember, this is the same publication that just named the Chevy Volt, the car of the year!

Chevy Volt is a great electric car; it has fuel economy that blows away hybrids we have today.

Bad quality one may think? Probably not as bad as the Prius.

[captainaudio]

I think that is what makes the M3 a great car. It is both a civilized and docile daily driver and a high performance beast and is comfortable in either role.

Ca

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by M3maniac20

Love it! BMW wins again

well said! and every time i get out of mine i wonder if the car can remain so great and i worry until i get into it again. and say time and time again, this car is great!

[OSK77]

M3 Sedan will positively be my next purchase. The ultimate blend of outstanding real world performance and functionality of a sedan. Plus the cachet of the soon to be extinct 8 cylinder pot. The only other car on my list would be the Alfa Romeo Competizione 8C.

[3XTR3M3]

almost 3 years now and its still a joy every time i get in

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by OSK77

M3 Sedan will positively be my next purchase. The ultimate blend of outstanding real world performance and functionality of a sedan. Plus the cachet of the soon to be extinct 8 cylinder pot. The only other car on my list would be the Alfa Romeo Competizione 8C.

everything so well said right up to the Alfa. i had the 1974 GTV piece of junk. chased alfa out of the country.

[bavarian19]

[valeram]

Originally Posted by adrianBMW99

While I love to hear results like this and wholeheartedly agree; let's remember, this is the same publication that just named the Chevy Volt, the car of the year!

Now I am having second thoughts about their judgment but not mine.
Maybe they are just making up for their mistake in choosing the Volt.

[ad78]

Automobile and Motor Trend are on drugs... no wonder now why i got motor trend for 12month subs for free.. WTF....

chevy volt car of the year?

jesus mary joseph....

[nmehta211]

Originally Posted by ad78

Automobile and Motor Trend are on drugs... no wonder now why i got motor trend for 12month subs for free.. WTF....

chevy volt car of the year?

jesus mary joseph....

Agreed---nothing against the M3 but here is a list of their earlier cars of the year: (Caprice, Malibu, PT cruiser???)

2002 Ford Thunderbird
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
2000 Lincoln LS
1999 Chrysler 300M
1998 Chevrolet Corvette
1997 Chevrolet Malibu
1996 Dodge Caravan
1995 Chrysler Cirrus
1994 Ford Mustang
1993 Ford Probe GT
1992 Cadillac Seville Touring Sedan
1991 Chevrolet Caprice Classic LTZ
1990 Lincoln Town Car
1989 Ford Thunderbird SC
1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
1987 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
1986 Ford Taurus LX

[Merciphil]

AWESOME!!!!!! m3 ftw

[quiksi]

I take their "car of the year" not as the "best" car, but the "most significant" car of the year for various reasons

[captainaudio]

Originally Posted by quiksi

I take their "car of the year" not as the "best" car, but the "most significant" car of the year for various reasons

That is exactly what it represents but I have to admit some of the cars that were chosen as COTY leave me scratching my head.

CA