Over the years, tweaks to the BMW’s chassis and drivetrain calibration helped, but it wasn’t until the M3 Competition version arrived that the F80 M3’s potential was finally realised.

The F80’s 3-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six ... The M3 comes with the option of two transmissions, a six-speed manual or BMW’s DCT, a seven-speed twin-clutch automated manual.