Not that you’d know it from the latest M3’s understated appearance. It looks like a subtle upgrade of a standard 3 Series Coupé, but on closer inspection you’ll notice the black carbonfibre roof, the power bulge in the bonnet, the swollen wheelarches and the four exhaust pipes poking out from beneath the rear diffuser.

So, if your £50k isn’t paying for outlandish looks, what’s it going on?
Well, beneath that power bulge lies a gem of 4.0-litre V8 engine, which wallops out 414bhp (420hp) and 295lb ft of pulling power. This means the M3 responds almost instantly in any gear from almost any speed, belting out a fantastic soundtrack all the way to the 8400rpm redline.
Give it full beans from a standstill and you’ll hit 62mph in just 4.8sec, while the mid-range pull is so strong there’s next to no let-up in the surge of acceleration until you hit the speed-limiter at 155mph.

That, however, is only part of the story. Nearly every suspension component is bespoke and made from lightweight aluminium, while the steering, frying pan-sized brakes and race-specification rear differential and are all engineered to let you make the most of the performance.
Just as crucially, they also maximise sensation. Drive the M3 and you’ll be struck by just how supple it is. The M-division engineers won’t countenance run-flat tyres, so BMW is in the slightly odd position where its performance cars are more comfortable than its big sellers.

However, the best part of the M3’s subtlety is the way it allows you to sense every change in the road surface. The steering is precise and well weighted, while the chassis is so grippy, beautifully balanced and responsive to the throttle, it almost feel like you are steering the car via the seat of your pants.

The gearshift is tricky, though – especially so from first to second gear with the throttle settings adjusted for maximum response. However, the rest of the controls are sweet, and the leather seats provide just the right compromise between comfort and support.

Unlike many a supercar, the M3 is easy to live with. The cabin is roomy enough for four, the boot is a decent size, and most creature comforts are fitted as standard.