BMW M3 Touring Review: The Scottish Highlands Have A New Warrior And It’s Armed With A Massive Boot!
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7 minutes ago
The BMW M3 Touring blends supercar performance with the practicalities of a family estate
Jeremy Taylor and Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby aim for Aviemore and the perfect hidden hideaway.
Jeremy To understand the abilities of the BMW’s ultimate, long-distance tourer means removing it from the crawl of city traffic and unleashing it into the wilds.
The weather-beaten roads that cut through the heart of Scotland are some of the best in the world – the perfect place to exploit a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-litre engine in what could be the only car you will ever need.
In the shadow of the Cairngorms it doesn’t take many miles to realise that the M3 Touring is something special. Producing a staggering 523bhp, the M3 Touring hurls itself through the glens with incredible urgency.
Forget bagpipes – pinned down in carbon-backed, bucket seats, passengers are treated to quad-exhaust pipes playing a mechanical symphony that echoes off the mountains.
But straight-line speed is easy. What makes the M3 Touring extraordinary is how it handles the unpredictable, aggressively cambered and often damp roads of the Scottish landscape.
Our destination is the Rothiemurchus Estate, just a few miles south of bustling Aviemore. Aptly-named Hidden Highland Retreats operate a collection of luxury cottages here that homes guests in the heart of the landscape.
Under the ownership of the Grant family since the 16th century, Rothiemurchus is at the centre of a pine forest, with glorious views of the Cairngorms. Some of the properties overlook the water – including Loch an Eilein Cottage, a cosy escape for two with only red squirrels and owls for neighbours.
Guests have private access via a gravel track that winds through the woods. Open the front door, light a fire, then sit back with a warming wee dram to enjoy glorious views across the water. In the distance is a ruined, 14th century castle, perched precariously on an island.
Really, there’s not much need for a car here. A well-prepared footpath circles the loch and the estate shop and café are a just 30-minute walk away. Tranquil, warm and cosy, the cottage is a dog-friendly must for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors.
If you do need to tackle the estate tracks it’s easy enough in the Touring. BMW’sxDrive all-wheel-drive system gives the car proper grip. Where a traditional, rear-wheel-drive sports car might twitch or lose composure over a sudden crest near Aviemore, the Touring digs in and finds traction where none should exist.
However, the best thing about the M3 Touring is that it eliminates the ultimate enthusiast dilemma – you no longer need to choose between driving a sporty car and a practical family vehicle.
Priced at more than £93,000, the Touring isn’t exactly cheap. However, without question, this BMW is the ultimate all-weather, all-purpose car for a Highland fling.
Jessica
The true genius of the M3 Touring lies in its duality. Switch the configurable drive modes from Sport Plus back to Comfort and the BMW transforms into a refined, long-distance cruiser. The adaptive suspension softens just enough to absorb the harsh imperfections of highland roads, while the cabin remains quiet and meticulously insulated.
Inside, a tech-laden interior features BMW’s curved digital display and lots of gadgets and gismos. However, the real talking point is behind the front seats. With 500-litres of boot space – expanding to 1,510-litres with the rear seats folded – this is a vehicle that can swallow hiking gear, luggage and a week’s worth of supplies without breaking a sweat.
Discover more about the BMW M3 Touring at bmw.co.uk
Dr Jessica Talbot-Ponsonby is Director of Programmes at London College of Fashion, with a PhD in sustainable e-textiles.
