2009 BMW M3 Convertible: Tip top action

M-3 on M-5, I-696, I-75, M53, M-14, I-94, The Lodge Freeway, Michigan Ave., Woodward Ave., 12 Mile Road. Jefferson Ave. I spent some serious seat time in the 2009 BMW M3 in Michigan last week traversing the entirety of the metro region. Big large open, uncrowded roads afford the perfect American version of Autobahn. It makes you understand why car magazines stay put in Detroit and Ann Arbor, where you can actually drive most of the time, (minus a short rush hour and summer construction) unhindered by the traffic nightmares of other driving metropolises. They complain about potholes in Michigan, but there no where as treacherous as the FDR in New York City.

I’m the unashamed backer of all things Detroit, from muscle cars to Vernor’s to Smokey Robinson, vying for American cars, but that’s not to say that I don’t advocate driving an M-3. In fact, if you live in Michigan and are prospering enough to drive an M3 convertible these days, chances are you can probably afford a Chevy Camaro, too. (My test model was priced at $79,170)

Some BMW car purists have come down upon the M3 convertible, scoffing at the beastly version of the 3-series. As Automobile tech editor Don Sherman writes:
When I see the M – for magic – badge, I expect a clenched fist ready to hammer the road into submission. I want a ripped engine note, racy suspension tension, and a blood-thirsty bearing. None of that is present in this car, which reinforces my worst fear – that BMW is softening its most enjoyable products.

This sect believes that the under-performing convertible is sacrilege to this performance oriented badge. Phewy, I say. What’s in a name after all?

In fact, I would argue that the M3, with it’s formidable power is the perfect mesh of speed with sass. There’s nothing like the pure essence of performance in the open air. Not that there was that much open air in Michigan during October. I mostly cruised windows up, and the hardtop cuts a clean unassuming line without telltale gaps.

The M3 convertible reminds that this car is intended for the art of driving, with cup holders tucked in the glove box and storage spaces added like an after thought. In fact, my version, felt fresh out of Germany, ash trays and all.
The interior was neat and sophisticated, wrapped in the right places with tasteful leather.

Onto the business of driving — the M dual-clutch automatic gearshift lever definitely takes some getting used to, and is prone to driver stumbles even after several days on the road. Occasionally, I punched into neutral when I got too fancy and free with the shifter and I second-guess myself on reverse. The shifter is spunky, but it seems as if it’s still evolving, as most auto sticks do in comparison to the satisfaction of shifting manually. (Call me old fashioned.) Once I got the hang of the driving protocol, the 414-hp V-8 M was a vigorous performer.

So who is the BMW M3 convertible? I’d say this is not intended for the average M3 driver. It’s an M3 taster with olfactory additions found in the open air. Ideally, it seems appropriate for summer trips to Martha Vineyard and South Hampton, or visiting wineries in Napa Valley. Bu then again, my mother had a lot of questions about the M3 Convertible. By the end of the trip, she was a fan from the passenger side, in awe of all the tightly wound wunder-machine.

More Gotryke BMW:
Tag Team: BMW 750i
BMW Zentrum at Spartanburg

Tagged as: BMW, BMW M3, Detroit, New York City