BMW M3 - long-term review

Toothless has illuminated badges on his seats. I think ‘his’, rather than ‘her’ – it’s the first time that’s come up. Anyway, they are not a good thing. Not so much for the weight and cost they must add, but for what they say about the M3. They’re a bit... tinselly.

And that makes me fearful – if BMW decided glowing M badges were essential, what other curious un-M bits might the marketing department have included?

I’ve found some. Engine noise is piped through to the speakers. The gearbox kicks artificially with each shift. I get lost with all the modes I have to choose from.

This all concerns me. It’s like the M3 cake has been iced with a tasteless layer of flimflam that it would be better off without. And yet, I’m starting to fall for the car. I love the fact that, unlike the TTS I had before, I can’t use all the power, all the time. It’s a challenge. And when I concentrate, I forget about the illuminated badges.