It’s hard to find anything not to like in the new 2009 BMW M Series – and that’s a tough thing for any reviewer to say. Then again, if you take this car for a spin, you’ll understand. The M3 is athletic and it hugs the road like a toddler you can’t pry away from his mother.

As for the drive, you have the option of choosing between the Comfort, Normal or Sport suspension settings using the electronic damper control. There’s a little bit of fiddling when it comes to upshifting and downshifting – which is odd in a high-performance car – but this doesn’t significantly detract from the overall driving experience.

In addition, the 2009 BMW M3 features a 4.0 liter, V8 engine with 414 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The standard transmission on the car is a six speed manual, with the upgrade option of a seven speed, dual clutch gearbox. All M3s have a special locking rear differential, which handily transfers all the torque to the rear wheels. Because of this, the M3 coupe can get from 0 to 60 in only 4.6 seconds. However, fuel economy is about what you’d expect from an engine of this size – only 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. You can expect to get slightly less with the manual transmission.

Currently, the M3 is available in a sedan, coupe and hard top convertible coupe. There’s only one trim level, but it’s nicely appointed and comes with performance tires on 18 inch alloy wheels, sports tuned suspension, cruise control, leather upholstery, Xenon headlamps, automatic climate control and a 10 speaker sound system. BMW Assist, along with power folding mirrors and enhanced interior trim are available in a premium package. There’s also a technology package featuring a voice activated navigation system. You can also choose satellite radio, an iPod adapter, heated front seats and rear park assist.

Front seat side airbags are standard on the M3, as are full length side curtain airbags, and traction and stability control. The anti lock disc brakes are impressive, bringing the M3 to a stop in only 100 feet. And as far as safety goes, specific crash test ratings aren’t yet available, but are expected to be high.

Finally, the sports seats you’ll find in the M3 have impressive bolsters and are very comfortable. And there’s no more twisting around to reach your seatbelt if you’re in the front of the coupe – an automatic arm will deliver the seatbelt to you. The convertible also features leather that reflects heat – no more uncomfortable squelching as you peel your legs from the car on a hot summer day! And while the interior design isn’t particularly memorable, the materials and workmanship are high quality. The 2009 model also features the improved iDrive interface, although this program still leaves room for improvement. Leave it out, and you’ll find the instrument layout is much more straightforward.

So while the M3 isn’t a perfect car, most complaints are over minor things. Overall, it provides a good mix of sports car power and handling and every day utility that’s sure to make you smile.