VIDEO: 004 Gives You An Exclusive Ride In The New BMW M3 On The Track At Laguna Seca

As if it's not thrilling enough to just drive the new BMW M3, the Spies kick it up a notch and test it at the world famous Laguna Seca Racetrack.

And this video with ace BMW PR man Tom Plucinsky driving, Agent 004 shooting the video and 001's commentary, puts you on the track!

Enjoy the ride in this insanely fantastic new rocketship!

Agent004's Take:
I think the M3 sedan will save this model. I think the 135 is going to give the coupe a run for its money. The acceleration of the 135 is so close to the M3 it's almost a wash. Handling is also very close, but where I think the 135 edges out the the M3 was in braking on the track. The M pads aren't race pads, or track pads for that matter, but the M3 is supposed to be track ready given the M moniker. The 135 has those sweet 6 piston calipers, a lighter weight and on a slower track, we noticed no brake fade in the 135. Truely though, I would have liked to have driven the M3 earlier in the day to give the brakes a real test, but having talked to the morning group, they also did mention brake shudder and fade.

However, the new DSG transmission is what would push me to make the jump to the M3 over the 135. The new system primes the next gear on a seperate clutch, so when you're in 1st gear, 2nd gear is primed to go, and when you're in 2nd gear, 3rd is ready to go, etc... making gear changes near instantaneous, and no manually shifted tranny is going to be able to keep up with that.

The look of the M3 is also unique, exciting, and masculine, where as the 135 has a little bit more of a feminine sleeper look to it. On the coupe, the roof stands out from far away and brings you in to take a closer look at the carbon weave, almost like Donald Trump's hair; you want to get close enough to really give it a good look to see if it's real and check out the quality.

For a street car, it is a HARD decision which car to buy, the 135 or the M3 Coupe. There's a $20,000 price difference, and if you're never going to track it, the extra HP in the M3 probably won't be very useful. However, at $40,000 fully loaded, the 135 is a fun, light version of the M3. Easy to toss in corners, fast to stop, fast to start, and a little softer over bumpy roads.

What's my choice? BMW M3 SEDAN, DSG, there's not much else out there as versatile nor as nice looking as that beast.

If you have trouble viewing the video above, click here to download it

EL34 - 2/21/2008 3:10:42 PM

+2 Boost

That car is hot!

qweasdzxc - 2/21/2008 9:48:04 PM

0 Boost

What do you know?

8:10? W W W w/ BMW? E46 CSL can run 7:50 and this thing's got 400hp for what?

Underachievement.

rspect - 2/21/2008 3:26:30 PM

+6 Boost

Correction to video commentary: The BMW Ultimate Service is 4 years/50,000 miles and it does include brake pads.

From BMWUSA.com:
Only BMW offers a comprehensive suite of premium vehicle maintenance services for absolutely no cost: buy a BMW now and pay no maintenance costs for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Featuring the following services, BMW Ultimate Service lives up to its name:

* BMW Maintenance Program: One of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class covering all factory-recommended maintenance, oil service and fluid service, as well as items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear - such as brake pads, brake rotors and wiper blade inserts.
* Four years of the BMW Assist Safety Plan™: Many 2007 and later models include a four-year, unlimited mileage subscription to the BMW Assist Safety Plan including TeleService, an exclusive BMW benefit which allows your vehicle to contact your BMW center directly when it needs service or maintenance.
* Unlimited-Mileage Roadside Assistance: Receive Roadside Assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the first four years of ownership, without any mileage limitation.
* New Vehicle Limited Warranty: Your warranty covers defects in materials or workmanship for the first four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, so you can rest assured your BMW will perform as expected.

No other premium automaker provides such comprehensive benefits for absolutely no cost. So while other car owners will incur from several hundred to over one thousand dollars of maintenance or repair costs during the first 4 years they own their vehicles, you pay nothing for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Agent001 - 2/21/2008 3:29:34 PM

+9 Boost

Thank you for the correction...must have been all that cough syrup I drank that morning that clouded my my brain...

001

Agent004 - 2/21/2008 3:47:21 PM

-6 Boost

Great comment, xdrive, A+++++, would read your comments again! A++

Agent001 - 2/21/2008 5:28:14 PM

+9 Boost

If you give us months to produce stuff like the others, we will be perfect every time.

Sometimes when you're trying to get stuff out fast, you error...especially when you only get one take on video due to deadlines.

The great news is we have the comment area and small mistakes can be corrected there.

001

p.s. or I can just do what I always do and blame 004 for everything! ;)

rspect - 2/21/2008 5:42:08 PM

+7 Boost

Agent 001 is not reading off of a script, like the boys from Top Gear, etc. He's speaking his impressions as he's driving down a public road not a closed ciruit. I don't blame him for the error. He's just as much a BMW fan as the rest of us from what I can tell and mistakes happen. I don't think that detracts from his credibility as an auto journalist. Have you even seen the videos (on YouTube) at the various autoshows where BMW representatives are stumbling over their own words because they aren't half as knowledgeable as 001 about their own product that they are paid to represent. Cut the man some slack. After all he's the reason we have this forum.

tattedtwice - 2/21/2008 5:59:41 PM

-6 Boost

X is right, if he wants to play journalist and pretend he knows everything, he should report correct facts. But since he seems to deal best with factpinions, I'm not surprised he'd get actual facts wrong.

MZauto - 2/21/2008 3:28:06 PM

+7 Boost

Great car. Like the look of 2door coupe the best. Just love it, and I want to have one (the 4door for family people). When will it go on sale? What's the fuel economy (city/highway)? Even the new Nissian GT-R is faster car and in the same price range, I will still pick the M3. Don't know why, but I will.

One more question, does anybody know when will the BMW X3 and X6 hybird hit the US market?

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/21/2008 3:50:30 PM

+7 Boost

Interesting comments on the 135i. Is it really that good?

Agent004 - 2/21/2008 3:55:25 PM

+8 Boost

I am a BMW guy, through and through, and an even bigger M3 guy, and I can't believe how much they put into the 135, it is killer.

Jaybrn - 2/21/2008 4:31:01 PM

+5 Boost

I also wonder how the 135 will respond to power upgrades in terms of suspension, brakes being able to keep up with the speed

E25BMWTurbo - 2/21/2008 5:57:08 PM

+5 Boost

I took out the 135 two weeks ago as part of a training course and can't begin to explain how much fun it is. I have to admit that pealing out for the first time on the track almost felt like the rear was going to spin out-- it was more powerful than I anticipated. BUT, this is what's incredible about the 135; once I got used to it, it was pure magic.

KZ258 - 2/21/2008 4:05:37 PM

-9 Boost

001, in the video you said if anyone wants an M, it will be mostly for the performance. well, i disagree with you on this point. if the buyers criteria was performance mostly or only, than the buyer will most likey buy a 135i/335i/G37 or even the GT-R. The M3 is an exceptional car and does what its suppose to very well but at that price range (54-57K not including the options), you can get the same or nearly the same power in the cars i mentioned above or in whatever else. I've also read another review regarding the new M3 and the writer concluding that the new M3 might of lost its magic from its last generation (http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=100&i=16457).
Whoever would buy the new M3 is going to buy it mostly for the prestige/honor, the history of the M, and whatever else i missed but performance is subjective.
I personally wouldnt get the M3 due to the price being so close to the GT-R(the markup on the GT-R isnt going to last forever btw). The M3 is a great car and i like the styling on it a lot but its not for me unless i won the lotto.

ThierryHenry14 - 2/21/2008 4:33:04 PM

+6 Boost

I think it really depends, because you will get things out of the GT-R, that you simply cannot get out of the M3, but you will also get a lot of stuff out of the M3 that you cannot get out of the GT-R.

btw, no matter what, with or without the markup, the GT-R will be about 10K more expensive. It all depends. And a 135i/335i/G37 will not give the same performance as an M3.

BIMMERMANIAC - 2/21/2008 4:26:29 PM

+8 Boost

This the best M3 ever built, and it comes with all incluided for 4yr or 50k miles (not 3yr as it says on the video)..

bmwfan1513 - 2/21/2008 4:29:17 PM

+7 Boost

I love the M3 Coupe in red with black interior and the aluminum trim.

Agent004 - 2/21/2008 5:25:35 PM

+3 Boost

I *could* sit in the back of the M3 Coupe, but not on a long trip. 1 hour max, I am 6'3". Climbing in and out is a bit of a pain.

In the 135i, forget about the back seat, it is a 2 seater. 2 Adults can fit in that car comfortably, the back seat is useless for anything other than small kids. With the driver's seat in my seating position (I sit upright and somewhat close to the wheel, not leaned back) there was 3" of legroom behind me. With 001 in the driver's seat, there was just over 1" of legroom in the back seat.

The M3 Sedan is of course based on the current 3 series sedan and has the same dimensions. I fit fine in the back seat of it, with my legs spread to either side of the seat in front of me.

mini22 - 2/21/2008 5:47:38 PM

+1 Boost

In essence a 135I is for the person who finds a Porsche Cayman too expensive and not enough room.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/21/2008 8:06:12 PM

+7 Boost

I LOVE the new M3. I would take any single one--coupe, sedan, convertible, manual, DSG, blue, red, black, white, gray, whatever!

The video doesn't work on my iMac, though I'm happy to read your impressions. The one questionable quote:

"On the coupe, the roof stands out from far away and brings you in to take a closer look at the carbon weave, almost like Donald Trump's hair; you want to get close enough to really give it a good look to see if it's real and check out the quality."

???

Anyway, I'm really excited about this car. It looks fantastic, and apparently it drives like a dream too (no surprise). One note: the M3 is now available to build on the BMWUSA website, for anyone who's interested in buying one!

EvoAudi - 2/21/2008 8:48:31 PM

+3 Boost

is a WMV file, you need Windows media player for mac.

Fan1234 - 2/21/2008 9:25:29 PM

+2 Boost

QUESTION: Why are so many cars registered with NJ plates? In car magazines, car tests, majority of cars all have NJ plates. Is it because of the Elizabeth Port where they may be shipped? Or is because of some sort of cost savings to register cars in NJ? If anyone knows, I'd be curious. Thanks.

ThierryHenry14 - 2/22/2008 10:35:16 AM

+3 Boost

I think its the port of entry and because HQs are in NJ for a majority of imported european cars.

Agent004 - 2/22/2008 6:18:21 PM

+1 Boost

ThierryHenry14 is correct, it's where the HQ is.

SHOWTIME - 2/21/2008 9:42:13 PM

+3 Boost

001, You said that the M3 was averaging at 18mpg?

I just can't seem to understand how that's possible when it has been doing lots of tracking and some regular driving. I would really expect it to be at highest 14.

Agent001 - 2/21/2008 9:46:58 PM

+3 Boost

Not on the track, during our full day of HARD driving in the backroads in the montery/san jose area

At the track it was tracking about 13MPG

001

SHOWTIME - 2/23/2008 1:53:16 AM

+1 Boost

even in those conditions it seems a bit high considering that it does 14mpg city and 20mpg highway.

Shahan - 2/21/2008 10:02:57 PM

+4 Boost

Really a great car. Thinking of trading my car for an M3 sedan...

Agent001 - 2/21/2008 10:04:56 PM

+2 Boost

What kind of car will you be trading....curious

001

audirevolution - 2/21/2008 11:23:13 PM

+4 Boost

Wow, what a beautiful car. If only I didn't need an SUV I most definately would have bought this work of art.

Anyways, when is Joshlexusfreak going to brag about how his dads POS IS250 can smoke the M3?

JoshGerman4Ever - 2/22/2008 8:35:46 AM

+1 Boost

FYI, JoshLexus4Ever is a German car fan that is trying to make Lexus fans look stupid, guesss that it worked. Who her would seriously and consistently claim things about their FATHER's car? It just goes to show how far German car fans will go to bash others.

lexusis350 - 2/21/2008 11:44:13 PM

+4 Boost

Oh, that's such an attractive car. My favorites are the silver and white coupes. Very nice!

M53R - 2/22/2008 6:59:34 AM

+3 Boost

I seriously cant make up my mind on the best colour on the M3 coupe. It looks hot in every single colour!!!

Personally I would pay the extra $20k and get the M3 just for the amazing looks. But the 135i is an amazing car.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/24/2008 1:16:37 AM

+1 Boost

"I seriously cant make up my mind on the best colour on the M3 coupe. It looks hot in every single colour!!!"

I know! That is going to be the one thing I just can't choose if I get one!

Homer008 - 2/22/2008 7:09:05 AM

+2 Boost

I love the side profile of new M3 ... its sweet.

Homer008 - 2/22/2008 7:12:11 AM

+2 Boost

I'll take mine in color of either Red, White or Blue!!! and, I'll probably need a glove and a helmet lol.

Htay7500 - 2/22/2008 9:08:20 AM

+1 Boost

that would be sweet if that was an option from the dealer.

Shahan - 2/22/2008 9:12:35 AM

+2 Boost

I have a 2008 black/black S5

vman1013 - 2/22/2008 9:21:52 AM

+1 Boost

Do I trade in my 2002 E46 M3 convertible for the new M3 or would a 135 convertible do the trick?? That is the big question for me..

I could always keep the e46 and get the sedan...

vman1013 - 2/22/2008 10:10:20 AM

+2 Boost

All the new M3 will do is force audi, mb, lexus, etc to go back to the drawing board and come up with more fierce competition. Just like the last M3 did. Its a great time to be a car buyer! There are more options than we ever had.

Agent004 - 2/22/2008 6:21:28 PM

0 Boost

I don't think Audi, MB and Lexus are concentrating on the M3 anymore. They have a bigger problem on their hands with the 1 Series. They were caught by surprise on that one.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/24/2008 1:17:24 AM

+1 Boost

I'm right here, and I want an M3 alongside my S4, thanks...

minimalist - 2/22/2008 7:15:25 PM

+2 Boost

nice pics. good work there.

you say that the new DSG transmission is what would push you to making the jump to the M3 over the 135. was there a m3 with m dct (dual clutch transmission TM) available to be driven and did you get a chance to actually drive one equipped with it? i may have missed it, but i do not see any pics of the m dct system.

investor27 - 2/23/2008 1:06:51 PM

+2 Boost

I believe he said in the article that the DSG will come out later, so he did not have the chance to test it during that time.

investor27 - 2/23/2008 1:13:36 PM

+2 Boost

Does that price list have the DSG transmission at $2700 extra?

I love those 19" rims on the M3. Will they fit on the 135i? That would be a nice option to have for those opting for the 135i.

indoctrin8ed - 2/26/2008 9:38:04 PM

+1 Boost

Sounds like the brakes are weak on this M3. I have an E46 and drive it hard every day, the brakes seem to be fine, but on the E92 I'm hearing they're a problem. Not good.