BMW M3 Competition Pack (2016) Review

The idea of a faster, more dynamic BMW M3 is a great one and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on a quicker Bavarian sports sedan that has clearly been beefed up. How good is the BMW M3 Competition Pack? Let’s find out.

We like: louder engine note, subtle and classy looks, raw yet uncompromised driving dynamics

We don't like: A little too firm for poor roads, anti-social levels of noise

Alternatives

  • Nemesis number one: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S offers a rorty biturbo V8 engine and recently, a coupe derivative. It's loud and incredibly fast in a straight line, but its dynamics are not as razor sharp as that of the BMW's.
  • Want the security of all-wheel drive? The Audi RS5 is still floating around after some years and it still packs a healthy punch (it is a coupe and not a sedan), while quattro all-wheel drive is useful for stability when pressing on. Perhaps consider a bigger, used Audi RS7…
  • Don't need the practicality? If you're willing to sacrifice practicality, then look to Porsche and specifically, the Cayman range. 

Compare the BMW M3 Competition Pack to the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S and the Porsche Cayman here

The BMW M3 sedan and its M4 coupe sibling represent the brand’s performance sedan interests, but since its local launch in the middle of 2014, some rivals have appeared and we’ve found that there are some minor drawbacks that prevent this vehicle getting that perfect end-of-year school report. See, if you’re a performance car fan or a performance car owner, on-paper numbers count for a lot. Think of this as pub-argument ammunition.

Forget the on-the-road comparisons for a minute. If your rival from Affalterbach (the C63 S) comes waltzing in with an updated product featuring a 375 kW/700 Nm biturbo V8 and you’re only packing 317 kW and 550 Nm, your back is against the wall immediately and your around-the-braai argument is suddenly invalid. By comparison, the BMW M3/M4 outputs look anaemic to the AMG's. How does BMW’s M division counter this? More power, obviously.

What is a Competition Pack?

The recipe is simple. Take 1 standard BMW M3 (or M4) and add some go-faster visual kit, tweak the suspension and make that engine produce some more of those precious kilowatts that our inner petrolheads crave. It’s crudely simplified, but that’s exactly what the folks from the M Division have done.


Sakhir Orange and Competition Pack gloss black detailing makes this M3 stand out more than normal

How does it fare in terms of…

Performance?

In terms of power outputs, the BMW M3 Competition Pack now boasts 331 kW, while torque remains the same at 550 Nm. The claimed 0-100 kph sprint time has been cut by 0.1 seconds and now sits at 4 seconds dead. See? Instant "ammunition". It’ll top out at 250 kph (or higher if you opt for the M Drivers Pack), but the real strength of the BMW M3 is to provide a near supercar-like driving experience without infracting on those day-to-day driving requirements. You know, like a capacious boot, a pair of doors to accommodate rear passengers and not having your spine snapped when driving on poor quality roads.

To that end, the suspension setup on the BMW M3 Competition pack has been tweaked. Then you get new dampers, anti-roll bars and springs and the software on the (standard) adaptive suspension has also been upgraded. It translates to a more lively, but also more adaptable on-road experience than the standard M3 and while we needed the safety of a racetrack to best exploit its handling prowess, negotiating a few mountain passes at the wheel of the Competition Pack made us feel like Christmas morning had kindly been brought forward by a number of months…

Kerb appeal?

To let other road users know you’re driving a non-standard M3, BMW has kitted its Competition Pack weapon with subtle, yet effective go-faster bits. There are some great black detail touches on the grille, the exhaust tips, the mirrors, gills and the best part is the black M3 badge perched proudly on its rump. Then there are the alloy wheels. These glorious goodies are the Star-spoke 666 M alloys which are wrapped in sticky high-performance Michelin rubber. These wheels also happen to be a little wider, which increases the size of the contact patch on the road, which in turn improves grip.

Driving excitement?

 

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Fire up the M3 Competition Pack on a cold morning by stabbing the Start Engine button and be prepared to wake soon-to-be-angry neighbours with the Bimmer's vicious, distinctive bark. Watching the dials light up and feeling the beast of a motor come alive delivers one of the purest hits of Dopamine your grey matter can get. The burbling subsides a little as the mechanicals get warm, but that’s about as subtle as it gets. Subtle isn’t a word in the Competition Pack’s vocabulary. If you’re after subtlety a BMW 340i should be your port of call. This, on the other hand, is about as subtle as lighting a firework indoors.

Launching into a full-bore acceleration run from standstill is not easy as, even with launch control, the M3 Competition Pack is inclined to spin its rear tyres. Where the sedan really comes into its own is in its sheer overtaking ability, however. Select manual override on the M-DCT ‘box and change down a gear, then accelerate. Even on dry roads, there’ll be a little chirp from the rear tyres as they battle to maintain grip. The M3 Competition Pack will surge forward and its in-gear acceleration (combined with a raucous soundtrack to match) is one of its best attributes.


Ceramic brakes and Michelin sticky tyres make for one tremendous experience through the corners

The fun truly begins when you introduce the vehicle to some twisty sections of tarmac. The standard M3 is a fine-handling car, but it tends to feel a little insulated from its driver. The Competition Pack removes that "numbness" and it feels vastly more hands-on and involving. BMW fanatics will love its purity and how responsive the car is in the corners. Thanks to the uprated rubber and suspension, cornering ability is excellent and the vehicle feels more wieldy.

The ride in Sport and Sport+ modes (the latter with limited stability control – be aware!) firms up tremendously and on sections of poor quality tarmac, you’ll really feel each and every pockmark, pothole and bump. When you’re on higher-quality tarmac, the ride is excellent for a performance machine and the BMW M3 Competition Pack is really the ruthless-supercar-with-4-doors that it is marketed to be.

The brakes are stupendous. Our unit came equipped with carbon ceramic units which, while a pricey at R105k, are an excellent option worth ticking if you’re an enthusiast or someone who does high-performance driving on a regular basis. They take some time to warm up so avoid the hooligan antics first thing in the morning, but once they’re warm, you can confidently brake harder for longer; they’re far less prone to fade than their standard non-ceramic counterparts.

Cabin quality?

 

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BMW has adorned the M3 Competition Pack's cabin with some extra kit. The M3's interior already has an air of performance and prestige to it, but the Competition Pack adds some items which appeal to both the head and the heart. Let’s start with the seats. These are lightweight units with cutout sections and these come with eye-catching M stripes on the seatbelts. Classy and enough to earn you plenty of bragging rights. If you're a BMW M fan, you'll be delighted to see these M seatbelts will match your BMW sports jacket perfectly…

 

A photo posted by David Taylor (@davethecarguy) on

Conclusion 

BMW’s Competition Pack addresses most of the criticism levelled at the F80 M3. It offers a sharper, purer driving experience – something we feel that the purists were craving – and it reduces the power deficit to its most obvious rival, but this on-paper comparison is irrelevant in the real world as most will find the BMW the sharper driving machine anyway. The vehicle now has a reassuring tighter performance feel to it and everyone will appreciate the extra traction from the bigger wheels with matching tyres. It no longer feels as if it will snap into wild oversteer if you ever ventured into the depths of Sport+ mode…

Downsides? Well, we're nit-picking… One gripe is that the Competition Pack is what the BMW M3 should have been right from the get go. With such an illustrious heritage such as the E46 M3 and E92 M3, the Competition Pack will sit nicely amongst its forefathers. We’ll also have a mild complaint that our roads aren’t all in perfect condition and the ride in the BMW M3 Competition Pack is now undoubtedly firmer than the standard model. 

Given how significantly it improves the driving dynamics of the BMW M3, the Competition Pack makes a credible business case for itself. It's a worthy option if you're an enthusiast and take your precision performance driving seriously.

BMW M3 Competition Pack Price in South Africa

The BMW M3 Competition Pack retails for R 1 287 136 and the price of the Competition Pack costs R 135 900. Our test unit pictured here came with a few extras and was priced at R 1 457 286. 

Further Reading

Want a more hardcore BMW M3/M4? Meet the BMW M4 GTS
BMW M4 with M Performance Parts (2016) Video Review
BMW M4 M-DCT with M Performance Parts (2016) Review
BMW M3 30 Years goes on sale in SA

Interested in buying a BMW M3?

Search for new/used examples on Cars.co.za?

New Peugeot 5008 Unveiled

From MPV to SUV, Peugeot's 5008 has changed dramatically in shape, design and function. Let's take a look at this all-new model.

The Peugeot 5008 is a spacious and practical multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), but despite its positive traits, it wasn't a massive sales success, at least not in South Africa, where multi-seat SUVs are particularly popular. Fast forward to 2016 and we're deep in the age of the crossover/SUV. These vehicle genres have dominated sales because they're practical, can venture off the tarmac when required and carry 7 passengers.

The crossover/SUV simply offers more "everything" than a traditional MPV. Now, hard on the heels of the new-look 3008, comes this striking 5008. The newcomer looks very stylish and while it shares a name with its predecessor, that's about all they have in common. Claimed to combine luxury, practicality and technology with some offroad ability, this new vehicle will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in September 2016, and it's likely to go on sale in 2017.

What's new?

The new Peugeot 5008 is a Nissan X-Trail competitor built on the Efficient Modular Platform 2 (the latest architecture to underpin the new Peugeot products); its wheelbase is 165 mm longer than the 3008 (2 840 mm) and its total length is 4 640 mm. It's 110 mm wider than the original car and the extra width and length means that cabin space is generous. The new Peugeot 5008 will be offered with a third row of seats, depending on the country of sale (fingers crossed that if South Africa gets the 5008, we get the 7-seat option). The third row of seats can be folded down into the boot to increase boot capacity Peugeot is claiming that its boot capacity is the biggest in class, and at 1 060 litres with five seats in operation, that's quite a number. 

From the driver's point of view, you get the digital i-Cockpit which removes all the analogue dials and replaces them with screens – there's a massive 12.3-inch display right behind the steering wheel! Other interesting features include body-hugging front seats (with an optional multipoint massage system for the driver), a FOCAL® Premium Hi-Fi system, a large panoramic tilt/slide glass roof, LED interior mood lighting, as well as smartphone charging plate on the centre console, which uses magnetic induction to automatically recharge devices.

Safety features are extensive and there's a big focus on driver assistance. A Safety pack, including automatic emergency braking (AEBS) and distance alert systems, active lane keeping assistance (LKA), driver attention warning, smart beam assistance (adaptive lighting), speed sign recognition and speed suggestion, adaptive cruise control with stop feature (automatic gearbox), active blind spot monitoring, park assist, Visio Park (360° vision) and there's also the optional advanced grip control, including new Hill Assist Descent Control (HADC), which allows the Peugeot 5008 SUV to go (mildly) off-road.

Engines and trim

There are three trim levels (Access, Active, and Allure) with a top-spec and sporty GT Line version as well as an exclusive GT derivative. 

There are four petrol engines available for the all-new 5008 SUV:

  • 1.2L PureTech 130 S&S six-speed manual, standard (CO2 at 117g/km) or super-efficient (CO2 at 115 g/km) version
  • 1.2L PureTech 130 S&S six-speed automatic (CO2 at 120g/km)
  • 1.6L PureTech 165 S&S six-speed automatic (CO2 at 133g/km).

Six diesel engines (availability dependent on location) complete the range:

  • 1.6L BlueHDi 100 S&S five-speed manual (CO2 at 106g/km)
  • 1.6L BlueHDi 120 S&S six-speed manual, standard (CO2 at 108g/km) or super-efficient (CO2 at 105g/km)
  • 1.6L BlueHDi 120 S&S six-speed automatic (CO2 at 112g/km)
  • 2.0L BlueHDi 150 S&S six-speed manual (CO2 at 118g/km)
  • 2.0L BlueHDi 180 S&S six-speed automatic (CO2 at 124g/km).

The last engine listed above is exclusively available for the dynamic, top-of-the-range GT version.

Peugeot 5008 Availability in South Africa

We have been in contact with Peugeot SA and right now as it stands, there are no plans to bring this vehicle in.

Related content:

Peugeot 308 1.2 GT Line Auto (2016) Review
Peugeot releases 3008 GT range-topper
New Peugeot 3008 pushes mobility further
New Peugeot 3008 coming to SA in 2017
Peugeot 208 GT Line (2016) Review

Interested in buying a Peugeot product?

Find one for sale on Cars.co.za

New Audi A5 and S5 Sportback Revealed

Audi has revealed details of the second-generation A5/S5 Sportback that will be shown at the Paris Motor Show later this month.

The Audi A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback will be unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show this month and the Ingolstadt-based firm has provided some details regarding its new 5-door coupe models.

Audi says that the new A5 Sportback will feature high levels of interior comfort with the latest infotainment features as well revised suspension and engines, while also offering the latest driver assistance systems. The Ingolstadt-based brand will also showcase the new A5 Sportback g-tron, fitted with a 125 kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine that can be fuelled with Audi e-gas, natural gas or standard petrol.  

As for the new S5 Sportback, a new turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 with 264 kW and 500 Nm of torque will power the model, representing a power increase of 15 kW compared with the outgoing S5 Sportback. The sprint from 0-100 kph will take a claimed 4.7 seconds before reaching a limited top speed of 250 kph.

 

Engine offering

The Audi A5 Sportback will offer the choice of 2 TFSI engines and 3 TDI engines with power outputs ranging between 140 kW and 210 kW.  Audi says fuel consumption has been reduced by an average of 22%, while power output has increased by about 17% compared with the previous model.

In terms of transmissions, a 6-speed manual, 7-speed S tronic dual clutch and 8-speed tiptronic transmission will be on offer. Only two versions will feature quattro all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive will be standard on all other versions.

Design details


The Audi A5 Sportback is lighter and more fuel efficient than the model it replaces.

The body of the new A5 Sportback is 15 kg lighter than before and it has shed up to 85 kg overall, weighing in at 1 470 kg, making it the lightest vehicle in its segment, at least according to Audi…

The new A5 Sportback features a stretched wheelbase, short overhangs and a long wraparound bonnet with a power dome. The single-frame grille on the A5 Sportback is flatter and wider compared with the outgoing model and the wave-pattern shoulder line is more accentuated than before. The A5 Sportback features flared wheel arches and the rear luggage compartment has been stretched and the tailgate is finished off with a spoiler.

The suspension has also been revised and the front axle now features a redesigned five-link suspension while a five-link construction replaces the previous trapezoidal-link rear suspension. Adaptive dampers and dynamic steering will be available as an option.

Interior details

Interior dimensions of the new A5 Sportback have grown in length by some 17 mm while front (driver and passenger) shoulder room has been increased by 11 mm.

Rear passengers will also benefit from more space with a 24 mm increase in rear knee room. A total of 480 litres of boot space will be on offer. The interior will feature a high-quality fit and finish while optional ambient lighting will give buyers the choice of 30 colours.

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit with a high-resolution 12.3-inch TFT monitor will be available as an option. Analogue instrument dials are fitted as standard.


The interior of the new A5 Sportback is well-equipped with infotainment and driver assistance features.

In terms of infotainment, Audi offers optional MMI navigation plus (with MMI touch) in conjunction with a 8.3-inch monitor. A Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 3D sound, 19 speakers and a 755W amplifier is also available. What's more, rear passengers can make use of an Audi tablet to control entertainment functions and this device can be used both inside and outside the vehicle.

The new A5 Sportback will be well endowed with driver assistance systems. Features such as the adaptive cruise control Stop&Go system with traffic jam assist will make driving in traffic easier by taking care of braking and acceleration at speeds up to 65 kph.

A predicative efficiency assistant will also assist drivers to achieve better fuel consumption by using GPS information to provide specific driving advice. Collision avoidance assist will intervene if an obstacle in the road needs to be avoided to prevent an accident. The system uses the front camera, ACC and radar sensors to compute a suggested driving line for the driver to avoid a collision. Other useful assistance systems will include turn assist, park assist, rear cross-traffic assist, exit warning, traffic sign recognition, active lane assist and side assist.

The new Audi A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback will go on sale in Europe early in 2017 and you can expect them in South Africa later in 2017. More details will be revealed at a later stage.

Related content:

New Audi A5/S5 Coupe Revealed

Want to buy an Audi A5?

Search for a new or used Audi A5 on Cars.co.za

BMW Individual Teams Up With SA Art Car Artist

A one-of-a-kind BMW 7-Series has received some incredible Ndebele artwork on its interior panels. The artist? A South African by the name of Esther Mahlangu. 

BMW Individual Manufaktur made a special white-coloured fine-wood trim which would serve as Esther’s canvas before sealing them to ensure their longevity and installing them in the vehicle. The one-of-a-kind BMW 740Li will be shown to the public for the first time at the Frieze Art Fair (5- 9 October 2016) in Regent’s Park, London and will be up for auction. Proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will be donated to charity.

Esther Mahlangu was born 1935 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. At the age of 10, she began to paint under the guidance of both her mother and grandmother. Typical Ndebele ladies paint exterior walls of houses with elaborately painted patterns and graphic elements, symbolising important events such as weddings or other celebrations, thus the walls are used as active communicative media within the community. 

“To paint is in my heart and it's in my blood. The way I paint was taught to me by my mother and my grandmother." she said. "The images and colours have changed and I have painted on many different surfaces and objects but I still love to paint. The patterns I have used on the BMW parts marry tradition to the essence of BMW. When BMW sent me the panels to paint, I could see the design in my head and I just wanted to get started!

"I start by painting the small ones first to get the feel of the surface and then it was easy as the design follows the lines of the panels. My art has taken me all over the world and I have seen many places, I have painted many walls and objects and my work is in many museums but I am still Esther Mahlangu from Mpumalanga in South Africa. My heart was full of joy when BMW asked me again to paint for them," added Mahlangu.

This is not Esther Mahlangu's first encounter with a BMW vehicle. Back in 1991 she painted the exterior of a BMW Art Car, the BMW 525i (pictured below). 

Related articles:

Read a review of the BMW 7-Series here.
See what technology is inside the new BMW 7-Series

Interested in buying a BMW?

Find a BMW 7-Series for sale here

2017 Land Rover Discovery First Official Photo

The first official photograph of the all-new Land Rover Discovery has been released to the media and gives us a first look at this forthcoming product. The 2018 Land Rover Discovery will be officially unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show later this month.

The Discovery has been one of Land Rover's bread and butter models and has achieved a fair degree of sales success since its launch way back in 1989. In 2015, the Discovery found 51 000 homes globally. 

The third-generation Land Rover Discovery is due to be announced and Land Rover has releasedt a single image to tease us. What we know so far is that the new Discovery will feature a completely fresh look and will be a lighter and sharper vehicle compared to its predecessor. Expect technology from the flagship Range Rovers to trickle down into this new model and in terms of design, we can already see elements from the Discovery Sport and Evoque present. This new Land Rover Discovery will be going on sale internationally in early 2017 and we're likely to see it reach South African shores mid-2017.

Want to buy a Land Rover Discovery? 

Search for a new or used Land Rover Discovery on Cars.co.za

Further Reading

See spy shots of the forthcoming Land Rover Discovery

Land Rover Discovery HSE Reviewed

Browse used examples of Land Rover Discovery here

Stay in the know. All Land Rover news can be found here

Suzuki Vitara GL+ gets Automatic Transmission

Customers looking to purchase the Suzuki Vitara GL+ derivative now have the option of an automatic transmission.

Suzuki South Africa is offering a 6-speed automatic transmission for the Vitara GL+ derivative that combines automatic gear changes with a manual override function, allowing the driver to shift gears manually using shift paddles mounted on the steering column.  

This transmission was only available on the range-topping Vitara GLX derivative, but following strong customer demand and dealer feedback, the Vitara GL+ is now the second model in the Vitara range to feature an automatic transmission.

The front-wheel drive Suzuki Vitara GL+ automatic is powered by a 1.6-litre engine offering 86 kW and 151 Nm of torque.

Suzuki Vitara GL+ features

The Suzuki GL+ is highly customisable to suit varying needs. Customers can opt for a two-tone colour scheme while exterior styling packs such as Urban Pack and Rugged Pack offer different feature combinations including spoilers, scuff plated, roof rails, side protection strips and daytime running light surrounds offered in various colours and finishes.

Buyers can further customise the grille, fender trim, wheel arch extensions, door handles, skid plates and rear tailgate with colours and finishes of their choice. More adventurous buyers can also opt for alloy wheels, roof racks, bike carriers and tow bars.

Standard features

The Suzuki Vitara GL+ ride on 16-inch alloy wheels as standard and the grille, door handles and exterior mirrors are colour coded. fender trim is finished in grey and front fog lamps are standard. Dark-tinted privacy glass is fitted to the rear door windows, rear quarter windows and tailgate window.

Cloth upholstery with contrasting stitching is standard and the interior features chrome and silver accents. The front seats are height adjustable and the rear seat can be split in a 60:40 configuration to make more space available for transporting items. The Vitara GL+ has a boot capacity of 375 litres. A luggage cover, luggage divider board and rear 12V socket is also included.

A digital trip computer shows information such as average speed, fuel consumption data, range, exterior temperature and gear indicator. The steering wheel is adjustable for rake and reach and comes equipped with mounted controls to operate the sound system, cruise control and hands-free telephony.

Electric front and rear windows are standard, as are electric side mirrors. Other standard features include automatic climate control air-conditioning, four-speaker sound system (MP3/WMA compatible) with a CD player and USB port.

On the safety front, the Vitara GL+ is equipped with ESP, ABS with EBD and EBA. A total of 7 airbags are included and family orientated buyers will appreciate the ISOFIX child seat mounts. The Suzuki Vitara also carries a five-star EuroNCAP rating.

Suzuki Vitara GL+ Automatic – Price in South Africa

Suzuki Vitara GL+ Automatic – R313 900

The price includes a 3-year/100 000 km warranty, a 4-year/60 000 km service plan and 3-year roadside assistance. Service intervals are set at 15 000 km. 

Want to buy a Suzuki Vitara?

Search for a new or used Suzuki Vitara on Cars.co.za

 

Related Suzuki Vitara content

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+ (2016) Review

Suzuki Vitara (2015) First Drive

 

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Price Announced

Pricing for the Range Rover Evoque convertible has been announced and we had a quick preview of it at the 2016 SA Festival of Motoring.

The Range Rover Evoque is a stylish and capable SUV that has racked up many sales and awards, both locally and internationally. It's easy to understand why, as the Evoque is a smart-looking product with a design that hasn't aged. It also happens to drive rather well and can effortlessly tackle light offroading scenarios.

Then, Range Rover did something controversial with its Evoque. It chopped the roof off and here we have what Range Rover claims, is the world's first luxury offroad convertible. The 2016 SA Festival of Motoring provided a backdrop for a preview of this forthcoming product and Jaguar/Land Rover SA announced some details about it. The Evoque convertible has a fabric roof that folds down in just 18 seconds and can be raised in 21 seconds. The roof mechanism can be deployed at speeds of up to 48 kph. According to JLRSA, the roof does not impact on cargo and luggage capacity. 

Power comes from the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine boasting outputs of 177 kW and 340 Nm. Power reaches all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. Despite it being a convertible, JLR is marketing the drop-top Evoque as a capable offroad vehicle and it features 4×4 tech such as Terrain Response system, Wade Sensing and All-Terrain Progress Control.

 

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The unit shown at the Festival of Motoring had only just arrived in South Africa. It was in a delivery/inspection mode and the roof was unable to be deployed. It's an interesting vehicle and after chatting to onlookers, opinions were divided. Some think its really unique and different, while others suggest it's a genre of vehicle that shouldn't exist. We look forward to sampling the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible and will make our own minds up then.

Range Rover Evoque Convertible Price in South Africa

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible officially goes on sale in the middle of October 2016. The range starts from R1 002 400.

Further Reading

Want to purchase a Range Rover Evoque? Browse units for sale here.

Read a review of the Range Rover Evoque

Watch us head across Africa in the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery

BMW M3 “30 Years M3” Now Available in South Africa

BMW South Africa is celebrating 30 years of the iconic M3 sports sedan and an exclusive special edition has been created for the occasion. 

The BMW M3 made its international debut back in 1986, but it was only in the 1990s that South Africa got its first taste of M3 magic. Now many years and five generations later, the M3 is still a very desirable performance vehicle which can run very close to machines costing double the price. BMW South Africa has recognised the impact of the M3 and created this 30 Years M3 special edition, which now available in South Africa in limited numbers.

What's Different?

 

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The 30 Years M3 differs from the standard BMW M3 in many ways. Visually, it's only available in an exclusive exterior colour called Macao Blue metallic and you'll notice the majestically forged 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with 666 M star spoke design. The exhaust pipe is finished in black chrome and the M gills on the front wings now say 30 Years M3.

However, under the skin, there are some serious changes. The platform used for this upgrade is the BMW M3 Competition Pack, a formidable driving weapon. Power has been raised to 331 kW, which is 14 kW more than the standard model. The model features adaptive M suspension comprising new springs, dampers and stabilisers as well as remapped versions of the three driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+). The standard Active M differential on the rear axle has also been on the receiving end of some tweaks, as has the Dynamic Stability Control feature (DSC). BMW claims its 30 Years M3 will hit 100 kph in 4 seconds dead when equipped with the optional 7-speed M double clutch gearbox. 

The interior gains some classy touches in the form of M sports seats in a skeletal design and seatbelts with woven-in BMW M strips also enhance the sporty interior ambience. There are plenty of 30 Years M3 logos dotted around the cabin such as on the doorsills and headrests, and a 30 Years M3 1/500 badge on the carbon fibre interior trim strip of the instrument panel to remind you that you're driving something special.

BMW Global has created 300 units and only 30 are available for sale in South Africa. Expect to pay around R1.5-million for this exclusive vehicle.

More Reading

Find a BMW M3 for sale here.
BMW M3 and M4 Competition Pack Pricing
See specifications and pricing for the entire BMW M3 range here

5 Highlights from the 2016 SA Festival of Motoring

We attended the inaugural SA Festival of Motoring at the new-look Kyalami race track and while not every car manufacturer was represented at the show, we were impressed by 5 stand-out cars. 

BMW M4 GTS

 

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The ultimate BMW M4 has landed in South Africa and this high-performance vehicle is essentially a road-legal race car. 700 units have been built and the South African market has been allocated just 23 vehicles. It's a stripped-out and more powerful version of the BMW M4, and it features outputs of 368 kW and 600 Nm. We were exceptionally fortunate enough to drive a few laps around the new-look Kyalami circuit, but didn't push our luck as the vehicle we were piloting has been pre-sold to a customer. All 23 BMW M4 GTS vehicles have been accounted for and BMW SA invited customers to buy the cars to maintain exclusivity and to prevent dealers buying and then reselling with exorbitant mark-ups. It's savagely fast, loud and completely at home on a track, and it's a vehicle that we wish we could have had more time with. Priced from R2 203 900.

Read a first drive of the BMW M4 GTS here.

Mercedes-AMG GT GT3

 

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Mercedes-AMG unleashed its performance arsenal on the Kyalami facility and this included a specially-flown-in AMG GT GT3 racecar. This machine competes in the Blancpain Series in Europe and, for the Festival of Motoring, was piloted by former F1 pilot and TV commentator David Coulthard. We were fortunate enough to ride shotgun in this racecar for a few laps and its performance left us breathless. At one stage we hit over 250 kph on the main straight, only to brake hard to 100 kph for the first corner and the G-forces were incredible. It's amazing how hot, cramped and uncomfortable a race car can be. 

Read a review of the regular AMG GT here

Jaguar F-TYPE SVR

 

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Sadly we didn't get to experience this product, or even hear it rev, but the concept behind the F-TYPE SVR is an exciting one. Take the already fearsome F-TYPE R and add more power plus some suspension and aerodynamic upgrades. The result is the fastest Jaguar to go on sale in South Africa. It offers 423 kW and 700 Nm, making it one of the most powerful vehicles to hit the market in recent years. Only hardcore supercars offer more performance. It's priced from R2 134 100. 

Read more about the Jaguar F-Type SVR here

Porsche 919 and 918

 

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Porsche showcased the Le Mans-winning 919 race car as well as the fearsome 918 hypercar at its stand. Both cars promise exhilarating performance from engines packed with hybrid technology.

Read more about the Porsche 918 here.

Nissan GTR

 

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The next-generation Nissan GTR was unveiled to the public and it promises more power and technology compared to the outgoing model. The cabin has received some upgrades and the vehicle is claimed to be more comfortable as an everyday from of transport. In terms of pricing, you're looking at R1 950 000 for the Premium Edition and R2 050 000 for the Black Edition. At this price, the Nissan GTR is still one of the best bang-for-buck supercars on sale.

Read more information on the Nissan GTR here

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BMW M760Li xDrive is Coming to South Africa

BMW SA has revealed the flagship M760Li xDrive at the SA Festival of Motoring and confirmed that it will be coming to South Africa. 

The arrival of the new 7 Series has generated much interest given the high levels of refinement and impressive technology that BMW's limousine offers. Well, BMW has raised the bar once more with the reveal of the flagship M760Li xDrive that aims to dominate the world of luxury sedans.

Let’s see what it’s about…

Also See: BMW 7 Series (2015) First Drive

Tremendous engine power

The flagship M760Li xDrive is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.6-litre V12 petrol engine that delivers 448 kW/800 Nm and is mated with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. All that sorcery under the large bonnet translates into impressive performance with 0-100 kph achieved in 3.7 seconds (claimed) before reaching a limited top speed of 250 kph. With the optional M Driver’s Package, the top speed increases to 305 kph. Being able to hit 100 kph in 3.7 seconds (or thereabouts) makes the M760Li xDrive the fastest accelerating product in BMW's arsenal. 

As you would expect from a vehicle of this calibre, a wide range of driver assistance systems are fitted to the M760Li xDrive. Key features include the Driving Assistant Plus, which includes a steering and lane control assistant, lane keeping assist with active side collision protection, rear collision prevention and cross traffic warning functions. The semi-automated traffic jam assistant is useful in heavily congested driving situations and active cruise control with a Stop&Go function can adjust itself to the speed restriction information included in the navigation module. The M760Li xDrive is also fitted with a Surround View system that includes 3D View and Panorama View accessed through the control display.

 

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Enhanced dynamics and handling

All four wheels are driven with BMW’s rear-biased xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system that distributes power dynamically, depending on driving conditions. The M760Li is also fitted with Executive Drive Pro suspension and active roll stabilisation to deliver "high levels of ride comfort in combination with exemplary handling". More than this, the Integral Active Steering system offers a more direct steering ratio at the front axle while adjusting the angle of the rear wheels according to the driving situation, reducing steering effort at low speeds and during spirited driving.

Luxury interior

As can be expected, the interior of the M760Li xDrive is plush and features an M leather steering wheel with Pearl Gloss Chrome multifunction buttons and shift paddles for manual shifting. The Nappa leather seats are (obviously) electrically adjustable with memory function for added convenience and the interior features Fineline black fine wood trim strips with high-gloss metal finish, complementing the Alcantara Anthracite headliner.

As with all new 7s, the monitor for the iDrive operating system features a touch display for easy operation. The system can also be operated using the controller or hand movements through gesture control. With the latter, a 3D-sensor recognises hand movements to adjust several functions including volume control and accepting or rejecting phone calls. A special smartphone holder is also fitted, allowing for wireless inductive charging for the first time.

Availability in South Africa

The BMW M760Li xDrive will be coming to South Africa in the first quarter of 2017. Given the performance and exceptionally high level of technology and comfort features, we estimate that this product will retail for over R3 million.

Further reading

See the BMW 7-Series tech in action in our video
BMW 750i Design Pure Excellence Review

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