2008 BMW M3 Convertible review

It will rev to 8300rpm, which is where peak power is made. In fact, we believe that it will rev higher than that. The way it delivers its power is semi-parabolic, with the redline seeming to be there only to maintain its longevity. But the engine wants to keep going. I wouldn’t be surprised if the test rigs regularly saw 10,000rpm when BMW was developing this masterpiece.

Sauntering out of the carpark and onto public road, you’ll get that lovely familiar V8 burble, and pottering around the ‘burbs, that’s no displeasure to listen to. From idle to around 4000rpm it sounds like any other eight-cylinder, but with a mild whine akin to a small supercharger.

But open the taps and from around 5000rpm onwards, there’s a gradual transition to a trumpety bellow that just gets better and better with each passing notch of the tacho. From 6500rpm it’s sounding nothing like a V8 anymore and more pure-bred race car, until finally at 8300rpm it’s shouting a cacophonic, yet symphonic, melodic, and harmonic tune that nothing comes close to. Flick the paddle on the right-hand side and the whole experience starts again.

Like I said, I’m in love with this engine.

And being a convertible, you WILL go searching for tunnels, just to fill your cochleas with that gorgeous sound. Whap it back to second, give it a bootful and just take it all in. Ah, that’s better. Plus, you’d think that the car came with a pack of Rice Bubbles as standard. On the overrun, all you hear is Snap, Crackle and Pop.

But unlike other V8s which make a nice noise but don’t go anywhere, this car is actually quick, with 0-100km/h taking just 5.1 seconds. When you consider the convertible is around 250kgs heavier than its Coupe counterpart, that’s some serious grunt. Not only that, but the final drive ratio is 3.15:1, so it’s got some legs too.

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