2005 BMW M3 Consumer Reviews

BMW M3 Black/Cinnammon SMG

Written by: rkb on 08/14/2006

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Excellent car overall. Fun to drive. Powerful engine. Excellent handling for a sedan. Love the SMG.

Favorite Features

SMG. Exterior styling. Interior quality is excellent too.

Suggested Improvements

AWD would be a great feature for this car. DSC is too intrusive. Wish I can turn it off completely at times. I hate the front grilles. They don't flow well with the look of the car. The Harmon-Kardon stereo is terrible, the speakers rattle and sound terrible. Poor throttle response off the line.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Unbelievable

Written by: Mladenovic on 07/04/2006

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I got an M3 a little over a year ago & loved every minute of it. Recently, I traded it for one of the new E60 M5s. I thought I made a great deal. but I immediately knew I made a horrendous mistake after driving off the lot. The M5 is quick, but is nowhere near as fun or involving as the M3. It felt like what it is: a big, oafy family sedan with a powerful engine. I never thought I would be so disappointed. After 2 days of owning it, I returned it back to the dealership, took a hit & got my M3 back. Now I could not be happier. I'm just more comfortable with these smaller, quicker coupes. Only a new 911 Turbo could replace it (in my opinion).

Favorite Features

Sexy design (very classic), stiff ride that lets you know how in-tune the handling is; LOUD when you redline the engine; interior is simple, yet effective (not like the hellish iDrive system of new BMWs).

Suggested Improvements

This is a 6 year old design that is pretty outdated as far as speed and performance goes. That is to be expected, but it my only complaint. It can easily be remedied with an AA supercharger, which should hold you over until the next monster purchase.

3 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Still the Best

Written by: R T Cooper on 03/16/2006

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Due to a lengthy involvement in "gentleman's " racing of sports cars, I am often enlisted by friends and acquaintances to find or evaluate the proper car for them, or for a family member. BMW has remained on the primary list of possibilities for some forty, consecutive years. My personal favorite (amongst worthy competition) for an enthusiast's road car is the BMW M3. Since its inception, following on the heels of the mighty CSL race champion, BMW has not put a foot wrong in the development of this package. Even in its current larger and heavier form it is race-course precise, extrordinarily well balanced, built to a quality level well beyond its price. A bargain, actually

Favorite Features

The Getrag shifter and its flawless handling of torque; The best engine of its type, ever built; the hand-built qualities that BMW refuses to relinquish.

Suggested Improvements

If only BMW would provide the American market with the "Light" (weight) version, retaining only the air conditioning to be viable in this pampered driver's market.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Superb Drive

Written by: phil on 01/27/2006

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This car could sell on looks alone, but fortunately it goes like stink, has awesome stopping power, and handles far better than you can drive. You should be sure to drive an SMG before you buy it; I hate them and the Gertrag double clutch system is WAY better. Go with the 6 speed and save $$ and complexity. The ride is harsh on uneven pavement, be sure you want to pay that price for the performance you cannot legally use. The BMW "free service" is insufficient for a performance car, review the previous recommendations (before the free service plan was initiated) and follow that if you plan to keep the car very long. the power is above 4K revs, this car is NOT torquey the way a big V8 is.

Favorite Features

Quality, handling, acceleration

Suggested Improvements

Better stereo, satellite radio, more honest service recommendations

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great performing coupe

Written by: mminor on 01/11/2006

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

The past year with my M3 has been a fantastic experience. I special ordered my car to have the options I wanted, and I highly recommend the process - it only takes 6-8 weeks. Fantastic overall performance, comfortable, and relatively economical, the M3 is the ultimate driving machine (for me anyway!). Reliability has been great, almost 10,000 miles so far and zero problems. The build quality and quality of components is first rate. Included maintenance for the first 4 years/50k is a real $$ saver.

Favorite Features

Overall driving performance - acceleration, braking, handling are outstanding - impressive in that it is comfortable and offers a relatively roomy rear seat and trunk, with fold down feature to fit large items - very handy!!

Suggested Improvements

The drivers side seat bolster is experiencing rapid wear. A reinforcement to that area, possibly a same color leather panel that is easily replaced (velcro attached?), is needed. The exhaust has a "raspy" sound at high rpm's, aftermarket pipes eliminate it, BMW should fix it.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Very fast Love Corners!!!

Written by: Rev king on 12/05/2005

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I got my M3 with competition pack. and I am in love. Build quality is good but not overly amazing. If you get an M3 do yourself a favor and get six-speed, my friends SMG is sluggish and real drivers know it just can never compare to the manual Trans. Real fast takes most other cars with ease, not close to an AMG but without the $100K price tag the M3 can put anything else on all 4's

Favorite Features

The engine, performance, drifting in light rain is extremely fun

Suggested Improvements

Less weight, better intake system and exahust would make this thing God of Sports Coupes

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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is the m3 worth buying?

Written by: adam on 11/02/2005

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

It has been the best car I have ever had, not only does it perform like a super car, it has 4 seats. The reason why it astonishes me is that other rivals who have built a car in the past two years haven't come close to matching the performance and the frill of it. Just remember this is over 5 years old. And its soon to be replaced by a new model in 2007, I cant wait!

Favorite Features

The performance is incredible.

Suggested Improvements

bigger engine!

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M3 Coupe Competion Package

Written by: Competition on 09/25/2005

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Coupe (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This car is it! With the AC Schnitzer Sports Exhaust, Chrome Wheels and Aluminum floor mats, well it is the BOMB! How fast can you go!

Favorite Features

Just put in the 80GB Phat Noise MP3 Player....

Suggested Improvements

Some type of Seat belt holder like the M3 Conv.

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'05 M3 Convertible

Written by: Brian on 07/29/2005

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Convertible (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is my second BMW convertible and it has amazed me since the day I got into it. With the performance of a racer and the comfort of a luxry car, it's about as close to a perfect as you can get. Nothing this fun should be legal.

Favorite Features

Without a doubt the engine is what makes this car amazing.

Suggested Improvements

Fog lights look like and afterthought. Figure out how to get satellite radio to work with the navigation and BMW assist features.

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Great all around package

Written by: Chris C on 07/22/2005

Vehicle

2005 BMW M3 2dr Convertible (3.2L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Can't beat the M3 cab for sports car performance with comfort, particularly this world class level of performance for the $. The exhaust note is unique, but so is BMW's straight 6! Quality is great (have you seen Mercedes and Japanese interiors lately?) and service is mostly very good. Highly recommend this car, at least with the 6 speed manual.

Favorite Features

Style, performance, fit and finish

Suggested Improvements

Lighter weight

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