Staff members with children find our Le Mans-Blue Metallic, four-door BMW M3 much more utilitarian than our retired coupe model. Although the Melbourne Red Metallic two-door offered a more dynamic road presence, the sedan provides the same 414 hp thrill, with the added luxury of practical rear seats. The automated manual dual-clutch transmission is also a popular option over the traditional 6-speed manual gearbox.

2,500—"The sedan’s interior is a little different than the coupe’s," says associate editor Paul Meyers. "The LED trim lights are gone, but a very nice carbon-leather twill (not the typical hardened and glossy carbon fiber) matches the fit and finish of the dash. With its computer-like folder format, the revised iDrive interface definitely takes some getting used to."

5,890—"The M3 provides a totally different driving experience than many of the other cars we get into the office," notes copy editor Jeff Matthews Anderson. "Instead of merely being on the road, it feels like the car and the driver are actually a part of the road. The steering is spot-on and the transmission delivers ultrasmooth gear changes."

11,150—"The rear passenger tire seems to have sprung a leak," says editorial director Bruce Wallin. "The car definitely does not perform like it once did, but thanks to its run-flat tires [Michelin Pilot Sport fitments come standard], I was not left stranded on the side of the road."

11,256—According to a Santa Monica BMW service representative, a new tire and a mandatory wheel alignment will set us back a whopping $978. Unfortunately, this fix does not fall under the brand’s four-year/50,000-mile payment-free warranty.

2009 BMW M3 Sedan
Price as Tested: $68,475
Engine: 4.5-liter V-8
Power: 414 hp at 8,300 rpm
Torque: 295 ft lbs at 3,900 rpm
Odometer: 11,256