Brief Test: BMW M3 Competition (2021) // Battle for the Throne

2016 year. BMW is convinced that there is almost no person on this planet who would like something more than their M3 and M4. And suddenly, after years of calm, the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio emerges from the darkness, dodging the standard Bavarian gem on the Nordschleife in 20 seconds. "This is wrong!" the BMW bosses were clean and the engineers had to shake their heads. It took a full four years to respond to the Italian provocation by appeasing customers with apparently tracked versions of the GTS. But now he's here. Gentlemen, here's the BMW M3 Competition Sedan.

BMW in this millennium for the second time, he shook up the automotive audience in a concrete way with his design language. For the first time, he caused a wave of fans of traditional Bavarian lines. Chris Bangle, and secondly, mostly new large buds on the nose. Well, when we first saw BMW's new design language live, we journalists were largely unanimous that the situation was nowhere near as tragic as some imagine.

The BMW Trio just has to be a recognizable vehicle, and when it comes to an M-rated model, it definitely is. The wide body in the fender area, the side wings under the door, the rear spoiler, the racing diffuser on the rear bumper and the cut-outs in the hood are definitely more than enough details to get to know the new Ma from every angle. While I personally find it very difficult to associate bright green with German sports cars, I still have to admit that this is a good choice.

Let me explain. Although the BMW M-Troika has always been featured in its promotions in very expressive colors (think E36 yellow, E46 gold, etc.), I can associate this vibrant green with a little imagination with a big Bavarian desire to be classy. the king of the so-called green hell - you know, this is about the famous Nordschleife.

Most driver-friendly M3

In fact, I have no doubt that BMW will fulfill its wish with the M3 and Competition package. If I focus solely on the numbers lurking in the space behind the aforementioned “dramatically” large kidneys, it becomes clear that the M3 Competition is superior compared to the standard M3 for the entire racing class. It will serve you with 510 "horsepower" and 650 Newton meters of torque (480 "horsepower" and 550 Newton meters without the Competition package).In addition, the Competition package includes a carbon fiber exterior package (roof, side fenders, spoiler), carbon fiber seats, M seat belts, a racing e-package and, at an additional cost, ceramic brakes. ...

You are probably the ones who compare cars to each other more analytically than the previous generation, due to the apparent increase in power. Well, this data is worth looking at with a stretch, since it is new M3 from predecessor longer (12 centimeters), wider (2,5 centimeters) and also heavier (a good 100 kilograms). Considering the scales show it 1.805 kilogramsAlso, non-professionals understand that this is not a sports car, but I was very surprised by the ease of driving. Especially over the lightness of the front end, which hides a three-liter six-cylinder car.

But lightness does not mean that mass is not felt and cannot be relied on. The suspension is not very strong, so in long corners, especially if the asphalt is uneven, the mass likes to hang on the front wheel. This does not affect the grip of the rear wheel, at least in terms of sensations, but it is much more pleasant to quickly connect the corners if the driver has a turn scenario or two prepared in advance.

I like that M3 supports different driving styles... The lines that the driver presented in the corners repeat exactly like a scalpel for a surgeon, and there is not even a hint of understeer or oversteer. Thus, with this car, you can go pretty damn fast and close to (road) without any repairs, without disturbing the peace of the driver. No chase, no struggle with the steering wheel, everything is predictable and works like clockwork. On the other hand, by deliberately exaggerating, the driver can also cause nervousness. Then he dances his ass first, but he loves to be caught. I'm sure it was so far away most driver-friendly M3.

Electronics protects, entertains and educates

On board, of course, there is absolutely all available security electronics. Without it, a 510 horsepower rear-wheel drive car wouldn't be useful in everyday life - however, I find the biggest added value of the safety electronics is that it's almost fully adjustable and (for those who know what to do) also switchable. .

While I didn't even notice any noticeable differences in brake, suspension and steering settings between different settings (comfort, sport), this is not the case with the stabilization and traction control of the drive wheels.... The pitch setting very clearly regulates the intervention of the assistance systems, and at the same time, by gradually reducing the intensity of the intervention, the driver can safely gain new knowledge and experience.

All new BMW M-branded models also feature two handy buttons on the steering wheel for quick access to individual settings. In my opinion, this is an excellent and irreplaceable supplement, I myself have used it without hesitation. It is clear that under the first I saved the settings, which had not yet completely expelled the guardian angel from the salon, and the second was intended for sin and paganism.

The smart tweaks to these shortcuts help turn the M3 into an entertainment vehicle.... Switching quickly between settings or different safety levels significantly blurs the line between driving skill and luck. Where you are sure that you can, you quickly turn everything off, and after a moment you put an expensive car down and put your health in the hands of reliable electronics. True, many people can drive this car quickly and attractively.

Speaking of attractiveness, I would also like to mention that for all the safety that electronics can provide, common sense is useful. What I mean is that the engine, coupled with the transmission, is capable of instantly transferring such torque to the rear wheels that even at speeds over 100 kilometers per hour they can easily idle.... This is one of the reasons why a program or tool that analyzes deliberate side slip is included in the hardware list. The M3 gives the driver a rating based on the length of the sled and the sliding angle. However, it is not so strict, for example, I got three stars out of five possible for sliding 65 meters at an angle of 16 degrees.

Engine and transmission - a masterpiece of engineering

Despite everything the electronics are capable of, I can say without hesitation that the best part of the car is its transmission. The engine and gearbox do not hide the fact that thousands of hours of engineering work have been put into their perfectly synchronized operation. Well, the engine is a brutally powerful supercharged six-cylinder that would not even come to the fore without a great gearbox.... So the mystery lies in the eight-speed automatic transmission, which always knows whether it's time to shift or maintain engine revs. In addition, compared to the standard design, it is also extremely fast, and I find it a plus that it provides a much needed lumbar and back spur when shifting at full throttle.

It will probably be difficult to find a driver who is not impressed with this BMW, at least in terms of driving. However, along with this, some less pleasant qualities are brought into your life.

At the same time, I least of all think about those necessary compromises that are due only to the sporty shade of the car, but above all those related to the driver. A person for whom tolerance, tolerance and impatience are other people's virtues will suffer along with him.. Pretty much any other road user will be too slow for him, every turn taken outside the extreme limit will be lost, and on almost every hill there is a local who wants to prove to the guy in the M3 that he is in charge of that hill. It's a pity, because with this BMW you can drive very well - slowly.

To understand such a car, you need to know something more than reading technical data, and have only the desire to put pressure on the gas. Here and there, you need to know how to drive a car to the limit, and, above all, know what is on the other side of this magic border.

BMW M3 Competition (2021)

Basic data

Sales:	BMW GROUP Slovenia
Test model cost:	126.652 €
Base model price with discounts:	91.100 €
Test model price discount:	126.652 €
Power:	375kW (510 KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h):	3,9 with
Maximum speed:	290 km / h
Mixed flow ECE:	10,2l / 100km
Guarantee:	6-cylinder, 4-stroke, in-line, turbocharged, displacement 2.993 cm3, maximum power 375 kW (510 hp) at 6.250–7.200 rpm – maximum torque 650 Nm at 2.750–5.500 rpm.

Costs (per year)

Technical information

engine:	6-cylinder, 4-stroke, in-line, turbocharged, displacement 2.993 cm3, maximum power 375 kW (510 hp) at 6.250–7.200 rpm – maximum torque 650 Nm at 2.750–5.500 rpm.
Energy transfer:	the engine is driven by the rear wheels - 8-speed automatic transmission.
Capacity:	top speed 290 km/h - 0–100 km/h acceleration 3,9 s - average combined fuel consumption (WLTP) 10,2 l/100 km, CO2 emissions 234 g/km.
Mass:	empty vehicle 1.730 kg - permissible gross weight 2.210 kg.
External dimensions:	length 4.794 mm - width 1.903 mm - height 1.433 mm - wheelbase 2.857 mm - fuel tank 59 l.
Box:	480

evaluation

• You probably don't have your own race track, so the question of whether you need such a car is still a valid question. However, it is true that with the right equipment and seating configuration, this can also be a very everyday vehicle. And supposedly soon it will appear with all-wheel drive and in the Touring version.

We praise and reproach

appearance, charisma

driving performance suits (almost) everyone

equipment, atmosphere, sound system

electronics that engages and trains the driver

electronics that engages and trains the driver

conspicuousness

gesture command operation