Drive it like you stole it! That’s when the M3 bears all.

Bavarian Motor Works – otherwise known as BMW - is renowned for both prestige and performance motoring. Owning a BMW will not always give you rosy cheeks and a golden glow. That rather depends on what sequence of numerals and letters appear on the boot lid. If it says 318i, seek the services of a councillor. However, if you’ve just left a deposit for one of their latest offspring, in the form of the E92 BMW M3, well then – nice work!

This is the most powerful M3 to date. With a 309kw V8, it’s a first for the M3 nameplate. It succeeds the 3.2 litre straight-six E46 model. The new model is 17 per cent more powerful, yet weighs 15kg less that it’s predecessor. Work that one out?

This one’s gone on a Naga Jolokia chilli diet! The screeching tyres propel this Beema to 100km/h in around 4.8 seconds. And it redlines at a monstrous 8400 rpm – from a V8!

The new design comes compliments of Chris Bangle – BMW’s design chief. It is aggressive but also tasteful. Thankfully he didn’t he didn’t give the E92 his signature ‘whale tail’.

The ‘Power’ button is certainly no gimmick. It was designed by people who are aroused by numbers and bereft of a sense of humour no doubt. The power button doesn’t give you more power, it simply sharpens the throttle response and almost eggs the driver on. I simply wanted to tape it down, so it could never be switched off. Why would you ever want to turn it off?

The brakes are nothing short of impressive, as an incompetent cyclist almost traded his wheels for a wheelchair. The front discs are 360mm, while 350mm arrest the rears. The pads were a little noisy though – a different pad may solve this one.

A carbon fibre roof now comes standard – a staple, only on previous exclusive M cars, such as the CSL – and helps to lower the centre of gravity. Those discarded Coke cans have also been put to good use creating a feather-weight bonnet.

Although, the V8 is a technical marvel, if anything, I miss the renowned and likable tinny exhaust note of the earlier 3.2 litre in-line six engine. Another notable annoyance is the ever-present computer technology bombarding you. Every conceivable setting can be changed through the very complex, complicated and frustrating iDrive system – I spent half-an-hour setting up the car to my liking, which meant less time for driving. I’ll use a crow-bar next time!

Truly, if I owned one of these, I’d be inclined to genuflect every time I walked away from the car – as I basked in its glory. On the other hand; buy an Audi RS4. It’s around the same price, has the same power with the added extra of four-wheel-drive and two more doors. Simple as that!

SPECS. 2008 BMW E92 M3

• Origin. Germany
• Engine. 3999cc, V8, DOHC, 32v
• Power. 309kw @ 8300rpm
• Transmission. 6-speed manual
• Weight. 1580kg
• 0-100km/h. 4.8 seconds
• Price. $160 000 (approx)

Review by David Mclaughlin.