Preface:
It's now been over a decade since the E9X M3 first entered into production.
From it's pre-release, concept, unveiling/debut, to it's first impressions and tests, the E9X M3 proved to be outstanding and despite increased competition, remained as the overall benchmark of its time.
No doubt that this generation M3 will remain special in our hearts and in BMW's historical timeline for a variety of reasons that have been much discussed (last NA BMW, last NA M-car, last M3 coupé, last M3 to be officially campaigned in motorsports, etc.)
With the increasingly fast pace of the internet, it's very easy for old content to be buried into oblivion and forgotten.
This thread will serve to keep relevant material available and accessible for posterity.
Most of the material is from Official BMW sources, as well as content from well-known/established media outlets.
I'm limiting the use of "amateur" and aftermarket content except where in certain instances, they truly contribute to our collective memory and the portfolio of the fourth-generation M3.
I have done my best to arrange this in a logical fashion but be warned that what follows will be very content heavy.
Fellow members are encouraged to contribute but please stick with official or established sources.
Without further ado, follow me down a trip down memory lane and enjoy.
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Official BMW: Initial Debut(s) & Informative Promotional Material:
Official "Crafted at BMW M" - Making of the M3 (four parts: Racing, Philosophy, Processes, Facilities)
Official M3 engine (S65B40) assembly & testing
Official M3 Concept promotional video
Official M3 Concept Interview
Official E92 M3 Coupé promotional video
Official E90 M3 Sedan promotional video
Official E90 M3 Sedan debut video (2007 Tokyo Motor Show)
Official BMW M3 25th Anniversary promotional video
Official BMW M3 25th Anniversary full length video
Official "Jeff Koons: 17. BMW Art Car, BMW M3 GT2, 2010" - Making of
Official BMW M3 Art Car by Jeff Koons video
Official BMW Art Cars from 1975-2010
Official BMW M3 GTS Debut
Official BMW M3 CRT Debut
Official BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition (ft. Skip Barber & Bill Auberlen)
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Press: Initial Debut(s) & Commentary:
Roadfly.com - Exclusive Preview 2008 BMW M3 Concept Car (2007 Geneva Auto Show)
CNET - E90 M3 Sedan debut at 2007 Tokyo Motor Show
Roadfly.com - M3 Coupe & Sedan unveil at 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show
AutoSpies.com - M3 Simulator
BMWBlog - Coverage of official announcement/unveil of Jeff Koons M3 GT2 Art car
Bimmerpost - Debut of M3 Competition Package at 2010 Geneva Motor Show
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Advertising & other promotional material:
Official M3 Coupé (E92) Showroom Film
Official M3 Sedan (E90) Showroom Film
Official M3 Convertible (E93) Showroom Film
Official Introduction Film for PC Video Game/Simulator - "M3 Challenge"
Official Promotional PC Video Game/Simulator - "M3 Challenge" (non-official footage of gameplay)
Official Ad- "The Switch" - BMW M3 & BMW Sauber F1 Car
Official Ad- "M3 Revolution" - Combustion Chamber of S65B40 414BHP 8400RPM V8
Official - Making of "M3 Revolution"
Official Ad - unknown title - M3 Coupé (E92)
Official Ad - unknown title 2 - M3 Coupé (E92)
Official Ad - "The Test Driver" - M3 Sedan (E90)
Official Ad - "The Test Drive" - M3 Convertible (E93)
Official Ad - M3 Coupé (E92) South Africa
Official- "The Chase" - BMW S1000RR vs. BMW M3
Official- "This Machine is Mind Blowing" - BMW M-Power showroom film
Official - "40 years of M-Power. BMW M history."
Official - BMW M Performance Exhaust Launch Film (BMW USA)
Official - DTM Driver Augusto Farfus takes his wife for a lap in M3 on the Nürburgring
Official- "The BMW M3 (E92) film. Everything about the fourth generation BMW M3."
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Reviews & Track/Performance Tests:
Fifth Gear - E92 M3 Test & Review
Motor Trend - 2008 BMW M3 (E92) - America's Best Handling Car Contender
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3 Coupe (E92) first drive
Motortrend - First Drive: 2008 BMW M3 Sedan Video
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/bmw/m...n-first-drive/
Fifth Gear - "Taking The BMW M3 Up The Best Driving Road In The World"
Edmunds Inside Line - 2008 BMW M3 (E92) First Drive
Edmunds Inside Line - 2008 BMW M3 (E92) | Track Tested
MOTORVISION - E90 M3 Sedan test
MotorWeek [Ep. 2737]- E90 M3 Sedan first drive
Motorsport TV International - E92 M3 Review
Drive.com.au - Flat Out in the BMW M3 - E92 M3 first drive
Auto123.com - 2008 BMW E92 M3 Coupe Review
CNET- E92 M3 Coupé review (2011)
Car Magazine - BMW M3 (E92) road test (2008)
Car Magazine - BMW M3 drifting: how to drift (2008)
Autocar.co.uk (ft. Chris Harris) - E92 M3 first drive Pt.1&2
Autoblog.nl [Netherlands/Dutch] - E92 M3 Coupé first drive
Winding Road - The New 2008 BMW M3
Roadfly.com - 2011 BMW (E92) M3 Road Test & Car Review
The Smoking Tire - E92 M3 Competition Package
Autoblog.nl [Netherlands/Dutch] - M3 GTS
Fifth Gear - Vicki Loves the M3 GTS
Tim Schrick | Turbo/Sport1 [German]- M3 GTS Test
EVO - BMW M3 CRT at the Nurburgring
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Comparisons vs. non-BMWs:
Top Gear [S10E10]- M3 (E92) vs. C63 (W204) vs. RS4 (B7)
Fifth Gear [S13E02]- M3 (E92) vs. C63 (W204)
Drivers Republic (ft. Chris Harris) - M3 (E90) vs. C63 (W204) vs. IS-F
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3 (E90) v 2008 Lexus IS F
MotorVision - BMW M3 (E92) vs. Mercedes C63 (W204)
Motor Trend - "Where Eagles Dare" - M3 (E92) vs. CTS-V Coupe vs. RS5
Edmunds Inside Line - 2008 Mercedes C63 AMG vs. 2008 BMW M3 Sedan
Car Magazine UK - BMW M3 (E90) v Mercedes C63 AMG v Lexus IS-F: super-saloon test (2008)
Fifth Gear - BMW M3 (E90) vs Lexus IS-F
Best Motoring International - M3 vs IS-F - Touge Test & Track Battle
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xlb...rnational_auto
SPEED - MOTORS on FOX - BMW M3 (E90) vs. Lexus IS F - Battle of the Supercars Factory Tuners
Motor Trend - V8 Super Sedan Shootout C63 (W204) vs. M3 (E90) vs. IS-F (pt. 2)
Car & Driver - BMW M3 (E92) vs. Nissan GT-R (R35) vs. Porsche 911 Turbo (997)
Edmunds Inside Line - 2008 BMW M3 Coupe vs. 2008 Audi S5 Coupe
Car & Driver- 2009 BMW E92 M3 vs. 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera + Behind the Scenes
Best Motoring International (Japanese) - M3 (E90) vs. C63 (W204) vs. IS-F vs. Skyline 350GT/Infiniti G35 (V36)
Motor Trend - "Super Coupes Drag Race!: 2011 Ford Mustang GT vs 2011 BMW M3 Coupe"
Top Gear [S11E01] - M3 (E90) vs. Toyota Prius MPG Test
Auto Express - Audi RS5 vs BMW M3 (E92)
Top Gear [S16E06] - E92 M3 Competition Package vs. RS5
Fifth Gear - E92 M3 Competition Package Vs W204 C63 AMG Performance Package
/Drive - Chris Harris on Cars- Porsche GT3 RS 4.0 v BMW M3 GTS v Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series
Fifth Gear - M3 GTS vs. 911 GT3 RS hot lap
Autocar - M3 GTS vs. 911 GT3 review
Fifth Gear - FLYING LAP - BMW M3 GTS vs Mercedes C63 AMG
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Comparisons vs. other BMWs
Motor Trend [Ignition Ep.66] - "All Four Generations at the Track!" (E30/E36/E46/E92)
Electric Federal- "BMW M3: Evolution Over the Years" (E30/E36/E46/E90)
Car Throttle - "The Ultimate BMW M3 Review" (E30/E36/E46/E92/F80)
Best Motoring International [Japanese] - E90 M3 vs E92 M3 track test
Autocar.co.uk - "BMW M3 meets its ancestor" - E92 M3 vs. E30 M3
Motor Trend - BMW 1 Series M Coupe vs BMW M3 (E92)
Everyday Driver - BMW M3 Review (E90) vs. E46 - M3s Pt.2
XCAR (now. Carfection) - BMW M3: E30 and E92 GTS
Car & Driver - 25 Years of the BMW M3: Four Generations on the Track
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Professional Motorsports/Racing:
**for comprehensive list of S65-based engines in racing applications, click
here**
Official BMW M3 GT[2] debut
Official BMW M3 GT[2] online promotional video
Official Footage of Official BMW M3 ALMS GT Race Car Unveiling (2008 Chicago Auto Show)
Autoblog Footage of Official BMW M3 ALMS GT Race Car Unveiling @ 2008 Chicago Auto Show
Official "A successful 2010 season for the BMW M3 GT2" - Overall Winner at ALMS, 24 Hours Nürburgring
Official "BMW M3. Race Team Drivers." -Team RLL M3 GT[2] drivers
Official Race Footage - 2010 VLN Nürburgring-Nordschleife M3 GT2 Qualifying
Official Race Footage - 2010 Nürburgring 24 Hours M3 GT2 1st Place Finish
Official "Podium finish in Green Hell" - Highlights of the 2011 Nürburgring 24 Hours
Official "2011 BMW ALMS Season Recap" - Overall win
Bimmerpost - "BMW RLL Team Reacts to One-Two Finish at 12 Hours of Sebring for M3 GT cars"
BMW Spokesperson Tom Plucinsky Walkaround with M3 GT
Car & Driver / Road & Track - 2011 BMW M3 (E92) Competition Package vs. Rahal Letterman BMW M3 GT
Road & Track - BMW M3 vs M3 GT - The Ultimate GT Showdown
David Letterman Praises M3 GT2
Official "A Dream Comeback" - M3 DTM 2012 season victory video
/Drive - Chris Harris on Cars - "Driving the 2013 BMW M3 DTM"
/Drive - Matt Farah - "Turner Motorsport's 535 hp...BMW M3 and Championship-Winning M3 Race Car"
M3 GT4 Demo
Gumball - BMW M3 GT4 ONBOARD RIDE at Nürburgring Nordschleife
BMW M3 E92 EuroV8 Series Race Car
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Accolades:
2012 International Engine of the Year - M3 [S65B40] engine's 5th consecutive win (3.0L-4.0L category) + interview.
Car & Driver - 2012 10Best Cars - 2012 BMW 3-series / M3
Car & Driver - 2011 10Best Cars - 2011 BMW 3-series / M3
Car & Driver - 2010 10Best Cars - 2010 BMW 3-series / M3
Car & Driver - 2009 10Best Cars - 2009 BMW 3-series / M3
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Official Photos, Wallpapers, Print Ads:
*more coming*
"Racecars shouldn't be confined to racetracks" - E92 M3 Coupé Print Ad
"Speed records need witnesses. Thus, the four doors." - E90 M3 Sedan Print Ad
BMW Motorsport Racecars 2010 wallpaper
"One Letter. One Number. One Legend: M3." - Four generations redline illustration/wallpaper (also found in M3 sales brochure)
M3 Coupé, M3 GTS, M3 GT2 Wallpaper
M3 25 Years E30 Racecar + E92 Racecar
M3 25 Years Celebration Track Drive - Official BMW cars & even, photo by Car & Driver
S65B40 Engine Wallpapers
E92 M3 Coupé
E90 M3 Sedan
M3 GT Race Car
M3 GT4
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Written Reviews:
First Drives/Short Road Tests:
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3
M is for Magnificent: Perfection has a price, and it's probably worth it. Get in line now.
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3 With M DCT Double Clutch Transmission
The rapid-shifting, seven-speed automated manual is as quick as, but no quicker than, the base six-speed.
Edmunds - 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Road Test (1)
Edmunds - 2008 BMW M3 Sedan First Drive (2)
Edmunds - 2008 BMW M3 Sedan First Drive (3)
Edmunds - 2008 BMW M3 Coupe Road Test (4)
Motortrend - FIRST DRIVE: 2008 BMW M3
Motortrend - 2008 BMW M3 SEDAN QUICK TEST
Speed, balance, and athleticism converge
Road & Track - 2008 BMW M3 Coupe
An 8-cylinder salute to the new M3, which upstages even its hyperkinetic predecessor.
CAR Magazine - BMW M3 (2007) review
CAR Magazine - BMW M3 saloon (2008) review
CAR Magazine - BMW M3 Competition Package (2010) review
TopSpeed - 2008 BMW M3 Sedan
Automobile Magazine - 2009 BMW M3
Road Show by CNET - First drive: 2008 BMW M3 Coupe
Road Show by CNET - 2011 BMW M3 Coupe review
Automobile Magazine - 2011 BMW M3 Sedan
The Car Connection - 2011 BMW M3 Review
Autoweek - 2011 BMW M3 Sedan, an AW Drivers Log
Motortrend - FIRST DRIVE: 2011 BMW M3 WITH COMPETITION PACKAGE
Is This the Best Handling Production M Car Ever Built?
Autocar - BMW M3 2007-2013 review
Autocar - BMW M3 is the consummate all-rounder
Super Street - BMW E92 M3 - First Drive
The Ultimate Bmw 3-Series Makes Its Fourth Generation With A New 400hp V8
Long Term Road Tests:
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3
Shooting Star: The Perfect Sports Car?
Motortrend - VERDICT: 2009 BMW M3
The Worst Part is That it had to go
Motortrend - 2009 BMW M3: THE WORLDS GREATEST ALL AROUND CAR
Edmunds - 2009 BMW M3 Long Term Road Test (Intro)
Edmunds - 2009 BMW M3 Long Term Road Test (Wrap-up)
EVO Magazine - BMW M3: end of term
Hearts were broken as the M3 was summoned back to the fold by BMW
Comparison Tests:
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3 vs. 2007 Audi RS 4, 2008 M-B C63 AMG
Motortrend - BMW M3 VS. LEXUS IS F VS. MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG COMPARISON
EVO Magazine - Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG v BMW M3 saloon
Car & Driver - 2008 BMW M3 vs. 2009 Nissan GT-R vs. 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo
Car & Driver - 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera vs. 2009 BMW M3
Car & Driver - 2011 Audi RS5 vs. 2010 BMW M3, 2011 Cadillac CTS-V
Motortrend - COMPARISON: 2013 AUDI RS 5 VS 2011 BMW M3 VS 2011 CADILLAC CTS-V
Car & Driver - 2012 BMW M3 Coupe vs. 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe
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Timeless Quotes:
Quote:
Top Gear S10E10 - Jeremy Clarkson:
M3 drivers have no friends.
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Quote:
Top Gear S16E05 - Jeremy Clarkson:
One of the things we've learned over the years on this show is, if you want a small fast saloon car, you have to buy a BMW M3. I mean you can buy, if you want to a fast Mercedes or fast Audi, that's like going out and buying a playStation war game that isn't "Call of Duty"! The M3 is the best and that's the end of it...This [the M3] is the best car, and always will be, and there's no point in ever thinking otherwise.
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Quote:
Motor Trend - Arthur St. Antoine:
If you put an F1 car and a premium sedan in a blender, the M3 would be the cocktail that pours out. Mmmm, nothing else like it. A toast then: To the BMW M3, the greatest all-around car in the world.
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Quote:
Top Gear - Worst Car in the History of the World:
Jeremy Clarkson:...it [the M3] is pretty much perfect. It's really civilised and quiet, and normal and brilliant, and then you can drive it like a complete hooligan.
Jeremy Clarkson: In almost every other performance car you drive these days, the noise you hear is the exhaust.
James May: Yeah.
Clarkson: Listen to this.
BMW M3: (ROARING)
Clarkson: That noise is coming from the front, that's induction noise.
May: Yeah, it is. The noise of an engine working, which is quite nice.
Clarkson: Why don't I have one of these cars?
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Quote:
Automobile Magazine - Ezra Dyer:
...car magazines generally regard the M3 the same way a four-year-old regards Santa Claus.
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Quote:
Top Gear S12E05 - Jeremy Clarkson:
In the past you had to be a cock to buy one, now though, you're a cock if you don't.
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Record of Revisions
20/NOV/2019: Added Official BMW M Performance Exhaust Launch Video
13/AUG/2018: Added Official BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition promotional video.
19/JUL/2018: Added Footage of Official BMW M3 ALMS GT Race Car Unveiling.
17/MAY/2018: Added links to written reviews from the period of 2007-2013 sourced from well-known magazines.
07/MAY/2018: Removed one dead link; Added M3 GT walkaround video, which includes technical information from BMW North America employee. Also added M3 GT race car & M3 GT4 wallpapers.
03/AUG/2017: Created new section "Official Photos, Wallpapers, Print Ads" and added images.
02/OCT/2017: Added race footage of 2010 VLN qualifying and 2010 24 Hours of Nürburgring victory. Added David Letterman praise of M3 GT2 during "Late Night with David Letterman"