BMW M3 Coupe

The M3 is a very impressive piece of kit. One week it can be happily doing the commuting, shopping and school run, the next week it can whisk you across to the Nurburgring in Germany for some serious Ferrari bullying. Few other cars combine comfort, practicality, performance, build integrity and driver involvement as well as the M3. The CS, launched in 2005, offers some of the driver-focused kit available on the limited-run lightweight M3 CSL in 2003.

SMG, CSL, CS

As standard, all M3s are specified with a six-speed manual gearbox, 18-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlamps, four exhaust tailpipes, leather upholstery, M body styling, dynamic throttle control, sports seats and suspension, titanium interior trim, tyre pressure control, wider track, cruise control, ABS, power steering, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), sports suspension, adjustable steering column, air microfilter, automatic air recirculation, automatically dimming rear-view mirror, radio/cassette, car/key memory, a digital clock, electric front windows, electrically controlled door mirrors, front and rear courtesy lights, front and rear-seat head restraints, front sun visors with vanity mirrors, headlamp height adjustment, high-level third brake light, an on-board computer, rear centre armrest, seat height adjustment for front seats, service indicator, silk grey interior trim, sports multi-function steering wheel, body coloured bumpers and side sills, clear indicator lenses, colour coded door and boot handles, front fog lamps, heated exterior mirrors and washer jets, driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, ITS head airbags, automatic seat-belt tensioners for front seats, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), immobiliser, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, lights-on warning, park distance control and remote alarm. The option you really need to think about is the SMG sequential gearbox with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles and eleven different selectable driving modes - it's a nice gadget, if a little pricey.

CSL 2d SMG