Review: BMW M3 Touring
Behold the best car with a large trunk ever created. It’s a bold statement, but as of today, it’s 100% true.
Using the popular terminology found in certain circles, the "Hyperkombi" from BMW is aimed at drivers who don’t tolerate compromises when it comes to driving but still need practicality in everyday use.
At first contact, it’s surprising how well-mannered the M3 can be as a daily driver. The car is quiet and comfortable, the gearbox shifts smoothly, and a pleasant growl emanates from the exhaust. I assure you that daily use and family duties are no challenge at all. The Touring variant is particularly well-suited to this role. Add the M-Xdrive system, providing absolute traction with a slight rear-wheel preference, and you get a versatile, effective, and safe family car.
However, don't be misled by the much-maligned body style in our market – this is not a sported-up wagon. It’s a domesticated sports car, drawing heavily from long-established and track-tested formulas for building a balanced and fast ///M-branded vehicle. All it takes is pressing the pre-programmed M1 or M2 button to disconnect the front axle and completely transform the car’s personality. With one push of a button, we awaken the aggressive M3.
The exhaust roars, the gear shifts hit you in the back, and the body comes alive. The perfect balance means the car feels as nimble as the M4, despite its larger mass and higher center of gravity, especially at the rear. In this mode, mindlessly pressing the gas pedal won’t work – the M3 responds to every move of the driver, which is naturally its great strength. In skilled hands, the car is incredibly responsive. However, if we push it too far, we must be prepared for the consequences. And that’s the beauty of it! This is the only wagon in the world where you can perfect your performance driving skills because the car practically encourages exploring the limits of its grip. And there’s never enough. The suspension is fantastic – not unnecessarily stiffened but tuned to ensure the car stays on track, even on the worst Polish roads. The wheels always stick to the surface, and the linear operation of the dampers is predictable and effective. After all, during testing, the Touring was pushed to its limits on the uneven Nordschleife.
The new M3 Touring absolutely crushes the competition in terms of construction refinement, performance (it's even faster than the RS6), and old-school character. The inline-six engine deeply tucked behind the front axle, the differential with limited-slip, and the ability to drive with only the rear axle engaged once the front is disconnected – the only thing missing for perfection is a manual transmission! Many more expensive sports cars could envy its grace and agility, and yet, it’s... a wagon. So, who is the M3 with the large trunk designed for? Contrary to appearances, it's not for those looking for a family car for long trips. This car is for enthusiasts who don’t want to sacrifice engaging handling but can’t afford a smaller body.
If you have a family and a dog, you can easily take them on vacation, and on the weekend, forget about the large trunk during a time attack at a track day. Such a compromise has never been seen before.
#PersonalAutomotiveAdvisor #BMW #M #M3 #M3Touring #G81
