Grip ’n’ rip
How much do you value peace of mind? A sense of security? Because that’s the only real reason to choose this new 4WD version of the M3. It’s the first ever M3 4x4, but really it’s come a generation late. The last-gen F80 M3, that could have really done with this xDrive system. It was brilliant, but a lairy liability at times, always looking for a route out from under your control.
All that was corrected for this new G80, which is not short of either traction or precision. Yes, even in the wet. Such is the grip at the front wheels and the cleverness and control of the electronic rear differential, that the bog standard M3 drives out of all but the tightest corners with amazing force. Roundabouts. Dieseled roundabouts. That’s one place you’d feel the xDrive benefits.
Think of xDrive as an option, rather than a different model. The system costs £2,765 to add to either the M3 saloon or M4 coupe. It also heralds the arrival of the 4WD-only £81,915 M4 Convertible. It exerts a 50kg weight penalty, but it’s not like the 1,730kg M3 is a lightweight anyway. The reason you’ll struggle to tell it’s 4WD is that most of the time it isn’t. It’s rear drive until the electronic diff on the rear axle decides it can’t cope any more, at which point the multi-plate clutch in the transfer box closes and sends whatever power it deems necessary forwards.
You have a small measure of control over this, able to choose between 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD modes, just as with its big brother, the M5. To access the latter two you need to disable the stability control, which is plain daft if you ask me. Don’t worry, the system is rear biased anyway, so the xDrive is still well balanced, exiting corners neutrally not understeering. You possibly notice a little extra weight on turn-in, but that aside the steering has the same positive but slightly blunt feel as the 2WD version.
Corking way of getting about the place fast. There’s a bit of turbo lag at the bottom end, but once up and flowing the suspension is fluent and power dizzying. We timed it to 60mph in 3.2secs. Holy moly. I’d spec xDrive just for that extra sense of all-weather usability. The Audi RS4 has had this corner of the market to itself for far too long and this M3 is a way more convincing driver’s car. Then again what I really want is an M3 xDrive Touring. That comes next year.