2005 BMW M3 Convertible review from Australia and New Zealand

Nothing broke.

If you're considering an M3 because (like me) you thought you were getting a quicker 330ci - think carefully.

Totally different breed.

In town it's like a frisky horse - you have to constantly hold it back. When you want to move a little faster it just goes big-time - gets tiring keeping it behaving. On the track another story - it's a dream.

Let me expand.

- In city traffic it's a liability - not because it's quick, quite the opposite. Try making a prompt, but non-dramatic lane change around 50-60klm/hr. There's just no torque so you drop a cog and gas it a bit. Suddenly the car takes off like a rocket and everyone thinks you're being a boy racer!!

- I tried fiddling with all combinations of user-selectable performance settings on the computer, but to no avail. It was either a dog or a devil with no acceptable mid-point.

- You might expect a 'firm' ride and you'd not be let down there.

- Kept it for <1 year and sold it with no regrets.