I planned to behave…really I did.
I mean…who really needs 500+ HP to commute 40 MPH on I-85 anyway, right?
And having to hang over those big deeply bolstered seats and kinda’ just let go and plop down…way down into the drivers’ seat with a leg-splitter in the middle…whew…not easy…and getting out is even more of a workout.
But then I drove it for a few days.
Never mind.
It didn’t take long to realize that there some darn good reasons for 503 HP…and over half of ‘em are right in front of you on their phones. Don’t punch it hard or you’ll just have the rear wheels hoppin’ and burning rubber as they try to find traction, but just nudge it good and that 503 HP twin turbo six will put you drama-free in front of just about any rolling road block that you encounter.
I’m pretty sure that you already know that “M’s” are on top of the food chain over at BMW. 473 HP from their revered twin turbo six…and around 60+ thousand to play…right?
So how does the M3 Competition up the ante?
Let’s start with the engine. BMW tweaks that twin turbo six up to 503 HP in the RWD version…and 523 if you go with all-wheel-drive. That’ll get you to 60 in well under four seconds. But that just where the fun starts. Hit the options list and check “Carbon, please”, and you’ll get a lightweight carbon fiber roof for improved handling, carbon trim, and carbon seats with illuminated inserts.
You’ll also get a big, thick, grippy alcantara steering wheel and carbon ceramic brakes to go with four super-grippy Michelin pilot tires that’ll have you looking for the twistiest roads you can find.
Dress it to the max and you’ll be close to 90K…but you’re pretty sure to have the fastest, best-handling 3-series on the road. And speakin’ of “dressed to the max”, ours came in BMW’s new dark matte red…thumbs-up from everyone!