The BMW M3 CS should be the ‘little brother’ of the M5

I still remember when I drove the M5 CS for the first time. Compared to every other modern M car I’d driven, driving the M5 CS was like having blurry vision for years and then suddenly putting on glasses. It was a moment of automotive clarity that reminded me of what M cars should be. Within 50 yards I knew the M5 CS was special and that it was unlike anything else the brand had to offer. Fortunately, the M3 CS should be much the same.

During a short test drive with the new M3 CS, car spoke to BMW M development boss Dirk Hacker, who said the M3 CS is the “little brother of the M5 CS”. For all M5 CS fans – almost everyone I know who has driven it agrees that it is the best modern M car – rest easy knowing that for the new M3 CS the BMW M team “wanted the philosophy repeat,” said Hacker.

car have only been able to drive it for a very short time but even with that short ride the reports are good. “Even on this short drive, a great driver’s car was able to reveal itself, one that returns some of the agility of old M3s that has always been missing from the current-generation BMW M3 Competition,” said car.

What’s most exciting about that is the fact that the current M3 Competition is already fantastic. It certainly lacks the feel and driver engagement of the M-Division’s finest, but its precision, capability and performance are all astonishing. So if BMW M could bring that classic M Division magic to the M3 Competition, as it did with the M5 CS, then we’re in for a real treat.

After reading Autocar’s short trip report, I’m cautiously optimistic that BMW M was able to deliver that same kind of CS magic. The reason for my optimism is that I’m not actually a big fan of the F90 M5. It’s OK – exceedingly fast, capable and comfortable – but it’s a little too soft and completely devoid of any sort of driver involvement. However, the M5 CS feels like an entirely different car, almost like it’s not even based on the M5. So I know that BMW M can do the same for the M3 CS. My caveat, however, stems from my most recent BMW M experience, the new G87 M2 Coupé. That car was a bit disappointing on my first ride, similar to the F90 M5. The M2 is fast, capable and comes with a manual, all of which are great. But it completely lacks that M magic.

However, it seems BMW M has the right priorities for the M3 CS, in that it focuses more on driver engagement and fun than outright performance. Everything about cars drive review – claiming it feels more special and focused, even at low speeds – gives me a lot of hope. I can’t wait to drive it.

[Source: Autocar]