2003 BMW M3 consumer reviews

Great car for the money very good performance decent gas mileage. Suspension pretty tight but its what you expect from a sporty car like this. Only complaint I would have would be maintenance costs are pretty high, expect 2grand or more a year if you want to keep it in good shape.

This car is an absolute blast to drive. I have owned it 4 years, bought it CPO. In addition to being a performance monster, it gets respectable mileage (about 20 overall, 26 highway) and has been remarkably reliable. Not cushy/compliant on long distance drives would be my only minor complaint. Best bang for the buck out there today - wouldn't contemplate selling unless I could find a "younger" one at a bargain!

Quick background: I've been dreaming about owning an M3 since I was 14 years old. 16 years later, I finally get it. My last car being an E39 540i, I have to say...I expected a lot more out of an M3. Yeah it looks cool. Especially with the top down. 19inch rims transform the looks of the car completely over the standard 18s, although the ride suffers badly with them and runflats on. Body and cowl rattle is quite irritating when on rough roads. I actually expected the thing to move faster than it does. Mine has a K&N intake and yet, i almost feel as if my 540i would outrun the M3. Yet, its not all negative. It sounds BRILLIANT when driven hard, and at higher RPM's. I read a lot of reviews about how the M3 loves high RPMS and comes alive in that band, and let me say...its all true :) Interior feels a bit old now in todays time. I could also be feeling this thing quite slow as my second car is a 2008 BMW 135i Coupe - M-Sports Package. Now THAT thing is friggin' FASTTTT!!!!! Would out perform my 540i, M3, etc etc any day. Just a pure pleasure to drive. Can't wipe the smile off my face once those twin-turbos kick in. Absolutely brilliant!! Other than that, i'd recommend the M3 for anyone who is used to slower BMW's, or is new to BMW all together. Although if you dont really care about looks all that much, get the coupe version, with 18inch rims on. That is definitely the best way to get the most out of an M3.

I Higly recommend this vehicle the best handling car ever great at sharp corners and if on sports mode will pull you on youre sit it took me awhile to practice driving on sports mode cause I used to own later model E36 m3 but got rear ended total lost got hit about 50 miles an hour while stop was in the hospital in 2 days with no bruise just minor muscle strain I trust BMW safety feature front and side air bags and that sports mode will blow you with every inch on that gas pedal

Let's just go down the list. Comfort-sure the suspension may be a tad stiff, but that's a given with a sports car. It's soft enough though that it's a comfortable ride and can be driven long distances without a problem. The seats really hold you in place in the corners. Performance-For a car made about 10 years ago, it performs incredibly. Cars today are still trying to match the M3's performance. The amazing straight 6 engine won engine of the year a number of years in a row. Hit the gas and this car will throw you back in your seat, no problem, and pull away from just about anything on the road. Handling-The M3 really hugs the corners and drives like it's on rails. The car is 50/50 balanced, and that really helps the car feel perfect in the corners. It's a blast to drive through the twisty roads. Exterior Styling-I've had people ask me what kind of body kid my M3 had without realizing that it was stock. It looks beautiful with its subtle power dome on the hood and the gorgeous fender flares. The lines along the car really look incredible. I'm going to have to say this is one of the best looking cars on the block. Interior design-The interior is very classy, definitely a big step above all the cheaply made cars here in the US. Nothing in this car looks cheap, and the steering wheel is amazing. Features-This car is a high tech piece of machinery, especially if you go with the SMG transmission, derived straight from F1 cars. The more you drive the SMG, the more you realize how incredible the gearbox is. Other notable features are the heated seats, auto headlamps, backup sensors, and all that fun stuff. Value for the money-these days, the value is great. When this car came out, it was a bit upwards of $60,000, and now it can be picked up for a price in the mid 20's. It's still better looking, performing, and handling than 90% of the cars out there too. Reliability-Everyone always gives BMWs a bad rep about how unreliable these cars are. Well I'd like to say, I have over 50,000 miles on my M3 and I've had no trouble at all. Sure, maintenance may be a little expensive, but you get what you pay for. Overall-IT'S INCREDIBLE! this car is one you need to drive at least once in your life, if not own. It's a blast.

If you don't know what an M3 is, you need to learn. BMW sends the base 3-series sedan to the Motorwerks division to enhance it to the point that it is basically a street-legal racing machine. These cars are built for sport: handling, braking, acceleration, all the good stuff. This car makes heads turn and it snaps your head back when you stomp on it. The SMG (Sequential Manual Gearbox) transmission is an option on some M3 models. The way to think about SMG is that is is a "clutchless manual." The computer controls the clutch. You just stomp on the gas and the computer lets out the clutch appropriately to not skip/stutter/etc. The SMG has an "Auto" mode where the computer will also shift for you, or you can Shift yourself with either the stick inside or the shifter paddles on the steering wheel. I would definitely purchase another M3. It is not ideal for taking the kids to the zoo, but it is functional for doing so. My kids love driving with the top down. I put two carseats in the back seat and it was not a big deal - I just had to move my seat up a bit.

I purchased this car about three years ago, and I have to tell you, if you like performance, and respect from the "Japanese" enthusiast, purchase an M3. They will just look at you and dare not to take a try.

The ultimate performance car with the right muscle to curb weight ratio. It has the power to better the big boys and the tight quick handling to outride Japanese imports. This car is for a true driving enthusiasts as it constantly begs to be open up.

This machine has to be experienced. I have driven 3 series for years and I finally went out for the M3. The handling and acceleration are, well, indescribable. The car sticks to the curves and can accelerate more than you can handle or you can relax and enjoy the ride. The SMG gearbox is for serious racers. I took the std 6 speed and was completely satisfied. I bought it in Germany and it really does the autobahn highway proud. The interior and exterior are sleek and stylish. the easy entry seat feature really helps getting in the back.