I have a soft spot for the current model BMW M3. It is the first M3 with a V8 engine and one that was made to put up a fight against the Mercedes AMG C63 and the Audi RS4 B7 chassis. It is actually the fastest around a race track compared to the other two due to its balanced chassis (even for a car with a big V8 up front) resulting in masterful handling.

The C63 was basically an axe murderer running around in a Hugo Boss suit. It sounded stupendous, looked its part with the flaired arches and rims but it often tried to kill its driver if driven hard. The Audi RS4 somehow looked too plain even with those fatter wheel arches, drove well but was somehow a little too clinical for some. But it sounded great anyway.

So the M3 fills up a slot in between the two. Its 4 liter V8 may not be as sonorous as the other two but it could pull its weight with its 414bhp yet able to waft along at city speeds easily. The body work was also an exercise in self restraint, with everything pulled tight around its chassis and around those wheels. But for those who want a little more flair, BMW North America has recently launched some authorized carbon fiber parts that should be made available globally soon (or at the very least, copied by all those accessory shops that sell BMW upgrades very soon).

The aerodynamic parts are a new rear deck lid spoiler, mirror caps, and front splitters. All of these are constructed of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite material and matchs the standard CFRP roof panel that you get on the M3 Coupe. Each component is wind tunnel shaped which ensures compatibility with the overall aerodynamic "signature" of the M3, serving to reduce lift and minimize drag.

Like the CFRP roof panels on the M3 Coupe and M6 Coupe, BMW Performance components made of carbon fiber. Each component is finished in a special clear coat laminate to reflect ultraviolet radiation and have been climate and durability tested during development to ensure long-term quality. However, do not expect these parts to be cheap, as they are factory approved items. These are usually never cheap if you know what I mean.