America's Best Handling Car Contender- 2008 BMW M3

Frank Marcus: Next up to the battle is the BMW's M3. BMW likes to call itself the ultimate driving machine and we are probably arguing with that especially where 3 series are concerned and the M3 of course is the ultimate driving 3 series. It's got a 414 horsepower, light weight Aluminum V8 with an F1 technology and it drives the rear wheels as God intended with 19 inch tyres, big brakes all around, terrific suspension, a lot of poise, a lot of balance. This should be a very strong competitor at Laguna Seca. Let's see how it does? [Video Playing: 00:00:32-00:00:56] Arthur St. Antonie: Randy now we are up in the power a little bit in the rear drive category the 414 horsepower BMW M3. One of our favorite cars at Motor Trend. What did you think? Randy Pobst: Well, I got to agree with you. What a package. What a drive. That thing was so much fun, it would do these little power on drifts. I mean it just turns in to a believer once again in a rear wheel drive. That's still the most fun. I mean I love all cars but a good rear wheel drive car with a lot of power is still the most fun. It was a sweetheart, really just a rocking, powerful that we find at the same time, kind of tied in my mind some of the elements of the R8, with some of the elements of the GT-R. The transmission was a little harsh on the shifts, which I kind of liked. I used to kind of kick the tail up, photographer's coming down out of a court's screw. But I think that it can be done better. Although that's a 414 horsepower car and it is a big step and improvement over the M5 that I drove last year. The BMW continues to refine their main pneumatic transmissions. I still personally would much prefer a regular manual but I'm old school. I'm old. I need a little more time to be able to get the absolute maximum out of those transmissions. I have to understand them. Arthur St. Antonie: Now, how did you put the power down and we're able to utilize that your advantage in drifting with the throttle etcetera. Randy Pobst: Well, I think given the car's power and the fact that it is on street tyres, it's traction is excellent and if it drifted for instance here at Laguna and turned four. It's a relatively fast, very top a 3rd gear time, which I'm thinking it's got to be near 100 miles an hour. And on the way out of there, I could do a little bit of a power drift and complete control. I'm really enjoying it. What a ride! Arthur St. Antonie: Steering feel, I really know you really liked the Mazda RX8 in that regard, how does the M3 compare? Randy Pobst: Well, the M3 is definitely one of the best. The steering wheel is really fat. It's thick, grim and I actually liked that. The BMW steering was really communicative and quick and I found great satisfaction from trying to drive the M3 at the Le Man. What a great ride! Arthur St. Antonie: Even more power coming up, hang on.