Well, let me start off by saying this is my first written review. If you think its crap, then please tell me to keep my day job
The looks:
So getting back to the car. Firstly the looks. When I first saw it I thought it was the ugliest car produced for $80K. I mean the lines are just too busy. A few months in I started to like the new looks, I mean BMW do have the ugliest cars in the business right now, but at least its not a Ford Ikon ugly. What I like about design is the front end, matched by only a few iirc: Audi RS4, S5, SL63, Z06 etc.
The sound: When it first drove up to, it sounded terrible and I still think at idle it sounds like an old Honda beater. Though once you get in, and floor it the sound gets better, not orgasmic like my vette or any of its competitors but its a start.
The ride: The car has a near perfect set-up. It's not so rough that you're scared of every pothole, but its not as smooth as a Lexus. It's the best of both worlds.
The drive: This car is a phenomenal driving machine, and hence the M badge. It handles very well. I tested out the braking by going 100km/hr and braked as hard as I could. It stopped very short and in a straight line without so much as a screech. I was impressed. I then took it on the highway, its a fast car, you would not notice how fast you are going until you look at the speedometer. Around a hard turn going 120km/hr, I could feel the grip and I was not even going all out. I enjoyed it very much. Though all good things come to an end. Case in point, the BMW's engine, its marvelous but only when you are in the high rpm. For a car that I would be driving every day, its worthless because I would have to drive everywhere I go in second gear. It's impractical for road use. Second flaw related to the engine once again, it's torque. A mere 295lb.ft for such a heavy and powerful car. what's the point of having 400 and some hp if you have no torque. It's competitors have enough tq. to match the hp.
The interior: Don't expect anything nice in it. Like every BMW, the cheapest materials are used in making the interior. Cheap plastic, cheap design. The only positives is it is well put together.
I know my bias has come through in this review, but the truth of the matter is, it's hardly a competitor compared to its rivals the C63 AMG, and the Audi RS4.
Verdict: Buy a C63 AMG. You save a few grand, you have much much more power! and everything about the car is orgasmic.
NRIturbo.