Never Stop Driving #23: Our fascination with BMW M Cars
These days, it’s worth celebrating when a new car emerges with a shift-it-yourself gearbox. BMW is keeping the faith with the new M2, a 453-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive coupe that will be available with a manual gearbox. While the definition of “manual” is a bit fluid these days, what with all the paddle-shift cars, in this space a manual transmission means the driver has to operate the clutch and the shifter.
Despite the fact the new Corvette and every current Ferrari are automatic only, there are still nearly two dozen cars available with manual gearboxes. Perhaps you also didn’t know that the Dodge Hellcat was once available with a manual. Somehow even I missed that one, which means, I dunno, age?
Anyway, we’re all looking forward to driving BMW’s latest M car because many of us are such huge Bimmer fans. Our own Sam Smith is practically a BMW 2002 savant. He currently races one in vintage events and recently restored a left-for-the-junkyard 2002 and drove it across the country. Rob Siegel, who regularly chronicles DIY for Hagerty, owns several 2002s. Perhaps you’re familiar with our video star, Jason Cammisa. If you’re not, start with this epic film. Cammisa owns a Euro-spec 1990 BMW wagon and also produced yet another thrilling film on the new M3 versus the original E30 M3.
I drove my first BMW in 1991, while I was an intern at Car and Driver. To say that the 325i changed everything wouldn’t do it justice. That car established, for me, just how connected a driver could be to a machine. I never forgot it, so in 2016 I bought a 100,000-mile 1998 328i that I drove for two years. I passed it to my son for his first car and he promptly fell for it, too. We both lamented the day three years ago when we decided that we were as tired as the car—of fixing it. I missed that machine and its smooth and linear straight-six engine so, last fall, I bought a 1998 BMW M3.
What is it about these cars? My M3 is one of the most fluid and graceful automobiles I’ve ever driven. I love the smoothness of the straight-six engine, which owes its greatness to the BMW four-cylinder that came before. The M3 is balanced, lithe, eager to run, and happy to putter around. The so-called E36-generation 3-Series also wears the most crisply styled four-door suit ever drawn. The sedan is compact yet roomy, quick yet supple. I’m getting to that stage in life where I’m buying and selling fewer cars as I figure out what I really love. I think the M3 is a forever machine.
With that background, you can understand why we’re so interested in the new M2. The thing has big shoes to fill. I can’t say I’m in love with the design, but they did keep the six-cylinder engine and, of course, the manual. We will keep you posted.
If BMWs are your thing, you can find one via the Hagerty Marketplace. If not, we’ve published plenty of other material to keep you busy this weekend, including this piece about one man’s unique Ford Escort collection. Cadillac unveiled a new EV luxury machine to reclaim the podium among high-end car brands. Speaking of podiums, here’s an idea to race on a small budget. The Barn Find Hunter, Tom Cotter, uncovered a 1937 Riley. Yeah, we’ve been busy.
Finally, if you need a nudge to get out and drive, check out this cautionary tale of letting a car sit.
Have a great weekend!
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Larry…I like your writing style! Keep it up! I see that you respond frequently to comments to your articles. I find this very refreshing, Larry!
In the fall of 1998 Kim Reynolds wrote a R&T article about the steering feel of the E36 M3-“Why does the BMW M3 steer so well?”. An esoteric dive into the details of steering feel. As a prior owner of two of these, I can attest to the perfectly weighted, minimally boosted steering which was absent in the E46 and E85 M cars which I owned in subsequent years.
Thanks for your comments. I have owned a 1999 E36 M3 coupe for about 10 years. It has been my daily driver and I live in Calgary, Alberta where we get all four seasons in abundance. The car has over 200K miles on it. Yes, it’s a US car. I have 2 sets of M3 wheels with winter tires on one set. The traction control and ABS have made driving it in our winters quite manageable. I even enjoy shutting off the TC once in awhile and flinging it around, ice-racing style. The only problem is that, after heavier snows, I have to be careful as the lower part of the front facia can become a snow shovel which doesn’t do any good for the air intake down there. The pedal placement make sporty driving so easy and fun. Many times I have told people that this car will be my coffin. Just dig a bigger hole and bury me in it! ‘nuf said, eh!