BMW M3 Coupe
Kyosho
Alpine White
The fourth generation BMW M3 is the first production M3 with a V8 engine. The previous generations, E30, E36 and E46 were known for being sporty, yet still managed to be usable in everyday life. The M in M3 stands for Motorsport, and although many think of the M cars as simply the best of the BMW lineup, the cars have a direct connection motorsports and are more than just regular models with more horsepower and redesigned body panels. The new M3's V8 is forged in the same foundry in Landshut, Germany that builds engines for the BMW Sauber Formula 1 team. Testing is done by BMW's M Sport workshop/test facility in Garching, Germany. Final assembly takes place along side regular BMW 3 series in BMW's Regensburg Manufacturing Plant. So, now that you know a little bit about the new BMW M3, let's take a look at the scale model.
Kyosho is the sole manufacturer for all 1:18 BMW dealer edition die-casts and it seems with every release they raise the bar for detail and realism and the new M3 is no different. The model is packed in the typical gray BMW logo-stamped box. This one's a bit different in material and design compared to my BMW X5 dealer edition box. It's shiney and it feels sturdier but I would like to see more detail. Maybe a little paragraph describing BMW M and M3 history and a few pictures although keeping it simple is cheaper and somtimes simple is better. Once you open the gray box you see a big white block of styrofoam. Cut the tape holding the top and bottom foam blocks together and lift up! Inside sits a work of art. The new BMW M3.
Packaging: 9/10
My only other Kyosho is a BMW X5 so I can't say every model they make has great paint but my two do. My first concern about a white M3 was if it would look flat and not show the lines well but this car was meant to be white! BMW did a wonderful job designing the car so light reflects and creates shadows making for a very dramatic effect. The official name of this color is Alpine White and its applied as perfectly as could be by Kyosho. No orange peel(unlike the real car fortunately!) and is even applied with no thin spots, even under the hood.
Did you know Kyosho uses the exact same paint that BMW uses for the real car? It's true, BMW actually sends them paint to use and once it's gone, the model is no longer made in that color. The same is true for the interior color. Once the color is used up, another color must chosen, as BMW provides only a limited supply.
Paint: 10/10
Kyosho captured the look of the real M3 perfectly in 1:18 with the stance and proportions spot on and to scale. Ride height also seems to be accurate. While budget models offer great value, even the best don't often have the crisp lines you'll find on premium models like this. Each and every line, indent and curve is modeled with precision. I had heard a few comments on forums about the panel gaps being too large and I suppose they could be better especially around the twin kidney grille but the car is white. White is going to show every imperfection more than any other color, but the panel gaps at least on my model aren't that bad at all.
The first thing you notice about the model is large the front air inlets are. BMW chose not to add fog lights because of the M3's need for air, both for cooling and combustion. On the model, the center opening features real mesh while the two side inlets, which are supposed to be black, are painted white. This isn't too big a deal since most of the time they appear black but I wonder why Kyosho didn't paint them? The twin kidney grilles are perforated pieces too with thin black slats and surrounding chrome trim. Headlamps look like the real things, are attachment stub free, and actually have little "angel eyes" mounted in front of the bi-xenon lights!
Still in the front of the model, the BMW badge looks very life-like and is clearly legible. One of the most striking design features of the new M3 is the power dome. BMW added it to the new M3 not just for looks but because the new high-revving V8 needed the extra room. On each side of the power dome sit two menacing nostrils. Actually, only the left nostril is functional, the right was added for symmetry. On the model these nostrils are not perforated but do have metal mesh.
Moving to the side, you'll see the side vents. Kyosho chose to keep these closed as well for obvious reasons; the chrome trim pieces featuring little "M3" badges would have no where to be attached.
This newest BMW M car has unique mirrors, designed to act like the wings of a biplane and help with aerodynamics. Each mirror on my example is securely attached to the door and are painted black with body colored panels.
Door handles are separate pieces and are the only way to open the doors without the included tool. Rocker panels are molded crisply and really catch your eye with they're intricate design. The model has fully closed windows which I prefer as it helps keep dust out and gives a more realistic appearance. Windows are trimmed with what is known as Shadow Line. This black shiny trim looks fantastic with Alpine White and replaces the chrome trim found on the standard BMW 3 Series Coupé. The gas cap is molded with sharp lines although I wish more model makers would make a separate piece. It is 2008 and models are more expensive than ever.
A big part of what makes the M3 look so aggressive are the wide fender flares that give the car a solid, planted look. Moving around to the rear you'll see quad exhausts, another feature typical of BMW M cars. Kyosho actually made these of metal which was a surprise. The four exhausts are placed toward the center of the car to draw the eye to the air diffuser. The rear air diffuser was designed to look similar to the front air dam and is replicated by Kyosho very nicely and has real perforated mesh. Another BMW roundel and "M3" badge are located on the trunk. I tried to photograph the trunk which houses the battery but its so dark in there. It's fully carpeted and it's huge! It's the largest trunk I've ever seen on any model! The trunk has an integrated "Gurney flap" providing increased down force which helps keep the car planted at higher speeds. Tail lamps are well detailed and look 3D.
One of the coolest looking features of the new BMW M3 is the carbon fiber roof. BMW's first production car a carbon fiber roof was the 2003-2004 BMW M3 CSL, a higher-horsepower, lower-weight version of the E46 body style M3. Next, the guys at BMW M put a carbon fiber roof on the new M6. Because of the higher volume use, costs dropped and this enabled BMW to included a carbon fiber roof on the new M3. A carbon fiber roof not only cuts down on weight but also lowers the cars center of gravity for better handling. I had an AUTOart M3 CSL for a few days a couple of years ago and I remember how awful the carbon fiber roof was on it. All they did was paint the roof section dark gray and paint thin silver strips on it to simulate the carbon pattern. Kyosho on the other hand chose to do things differently. I'm not sure if its painted or actual carbon fiber! It's so realistic! The roof has a clear coat applied just like real carbon fiber and the weave pattern is very fine and has little sparkling pieces under the clear coat to reflect light. Absolutely brilliant! The photos don't do it justice!
Exterior: 8/10
Another area where Kyosho seems to excel are their interiors. While AUTOart is still using that horrible blue-gray hard plastic for their seats Kyosho has taken to the next level. The M3's seats are made from softer rubber with faux stitching molded into the seats. Some say the stitching is a little out of scale but I think it adds something special to the interior. Little "M" logos are embossed into the headrests. Rear seats are just as nice and the rear arm rest folds down.
Since this model is supposed to represent the BMW press car that is seen in the brochure, the prominent interior color is Palladium Silver, a silvery-bluish leather that's matched perfectly by Kyosho. it should be since BMW is the one that provides the paint to Kyosho to make sure of this. All four seats, door panel inserts and center console trim pieces are this color. The model has the extended leather package which brings the leather closer to the floor. BMW gives the choice of three different trim pieces; simulated carbon fiber leather, aluminum or wood. Just like the press car the model has the carbon-look leather. Gauges and the satellite navigation/iDrive LCD screen are covered with clear plastic like the real car. All HVAC and radio controls can actually be read and although my camera had a little trouble focusing you can easily read "DVD" and the radio preset buttons and even the MDrive button on the steering wheel. To the right of the steering wheel is the start button and the center air vents which look so realistic! The new M3 will be available with a manual transmission until M-DCT(SMG-like) arrives in 2009. On the model, the shift pattern is legible on the shifter. Further back behind the shifter is the iDrive control knob. The headliner is made of black plastic and looks very nice. Little sun visors complete the look and they might even be moveable but I'm afraid I'd break them if I try to move them. Door sills have metal "M3" stamped plates.
Interior: 9/10
The new M3 is available with either 18" or 19" rims. The model comes with the optional 19" rims and I'm really glad Kyosho chose them. The 18's have a nice design but the 19's fill out the wheel wells a lot better adding to the cars muscular stance. The rims are a dual spoke, ten spoke design and are painted with a nice aluminum-like finish. Separate BMW badges are placed in the center. The lug nuts should be black but aren't. Brakes look nice but I still feel AUTOart does a better job here. Discs are metallic looking and are cross-drilled. Calipers are fixed around moving discs. Tires are unbranded but appear to have an accurate tread pattern.
Rims/Brakes/Tires: 8/10
One area where BMW seriously needs to try harder is in the engine compartment. Take a look at the Audi RS4 (click here ) and then look the new M3's engine bay. What gives BMW? Without the engine cover the M3's is actually quite nice looking but they just had to add that lump of plastic didn't they. Because of this, Kyosho had little work with and did the best they could. There are a few painted pieces but its mostly just a large lump of black plastic with a raised "M V8" badge in the center. At least that looks good. On the underside of the hood you can see the twin nostril ports and two more little "M3" logos are stamped into both sides of the hood itself. These two "M3" logos can be found on the real car and I think it's quite amazing that Kyosho thought to include them!
Engine: 7/10 *Not Kyosho's fault
The undercarriage of this model isn't as detailed as it could have been. Suspension pieces should be silver but are instead black. The only details that are painted are the exhausts and the front and rear heat shields.
Undercarriage: 7/10
Conclusion: The new BMW M3 is a very special car and stands for everything the BMW M name is supposed to. Impressive performance, class-leading handling and outstanding good looks also make the new M3 a worthy successor to past M3's. For the price it's hard to beat and the same can be said for the model. Even with it's faults I absolutely love this model. It's got some pretty nice details and on display few models can look this good. It looks good from 5 feet away and even better once you get closer to check out all the details. Another fantastic job by Kyosho and one I highly recommend!
9/10 - Packaging
10/10 - Paint
8/10 - Exterior
9/10 - Interior
8/10 - Rims/Brakes/Tires
7/10 - Engine
7/10 - Undercarriage
Total = 58/70
Enjoy the rest of the photos!
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