2008 BMW M3 in the driver seat
In the Driver's Seat: Annoyingly easy to live with
M3's dashboard puts function over form; aluminum trim is a $500 option
Photo © Aaron GoldLarger interior photo
I've never been a fan of the German's super-serious school of interior design, but I must say that the M3's cabin is a fairly pleasant place, well built and sensibly laid out. That said, I was bummed to learn that the aluminum trim, which really dressed up my car's all-black interior, doesn't come standard -- it's a $500 option.
Writers love to complain about BMW's iDrive dial interface. I didn't fully explore its menu-driven system -- the average American has a life expectancy of 78.1 years, so there simply wasn't enough time -- but I was able to get the stereo, climate and navigation systems to do pretty much what I wanted most of the time, and that's good enough for me.
One of the things I will admit to liking about the M3 is that it's available as either a two-door coupe or a four-door sedan (a convertible is on the way). I drove the M3 coupe, which has a reasonably roomy back seat apportioned for two adults. Access to the back is awkward but once back there you'll find decent room. Rearward visibility is pretty good for a coupe; my test car the optional Park Distance Control system which warns you before you back into something. It made parking quite a bit easier, though I wish the system had sensors in the front bumper as well -- the M3's bulged hood isn't all that easy to see over. The M3 comes with front "sport seats" that feature inflatable side bolsters to hold you in place during cornering. Even with the bolsters fully deflated, they were a tight squeeze, and driving the M3 made me wonder if there are simply no fat people in Germany.
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03-26-2009, 11:48 PM
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