From the September 2023 situation of Automotive and Driver.

Cocktail and rumaki-loaded plate in hand, I return to my spouse’s aspect simply in time to listen to her model of latest occasions: We obtained married, and I immediately grew to become Clark Griswold. I enter the dialog simply earlier than half of our group, BMW race-car driver Bruno Spengler and his spouse, share their station-wagon story.

Let’s begin with my model: Lower than 24 hours after saying “I do,” we have been on a 767 to Munich. A Frozen Pure Gray M3 Competitors Touring awaited our arrival. Touring is BMW-speak for wagon, and the M3 is the bossiest of Boss Wagons. To my spouse, who grew up using in after which driving a grey Volvo 740 wagon, a station wagon did not sound like an thrilling car for a honeymoon trek over the Alps and to the Italian Riviera.

Boss Wagons are a C/D factor. Since 1966, we have reworked grocery getters into pink-slip betters—a turbo-diesel Benz, a 383 Plymouth, a Volvo. BMW did the heavy lifting on the M3 Touring, no meeting required.

Again to her: She pulls out her cellphone and swipes via seashore photographs in Camogli, smiling selfies, and canine pics till she lands on it. She arms the cellphone to Bruno’s spouse, and from over her shoulder Bruno shrieks, “The M3 Touring! I’ve that precise automobile! Frozen Gray!” My beloved has misplaced the room.

Unhealthy information: In the event you stay in North America, you possibly can’t purchase one. BMW of North America may’ve imported the current-gen 3-series wagon however handed as a consequence of inadequate curiosity. Which means no M3 wagon for us.

Again to her: What is the cope with Europeans? Barreling down the autostrada, idling in entrance of our resort, or stopping for fuel, espresso, or purple lights, the wagon drew fixed admiration and approval. Bruno once more: “It is an M3!”

I do not blame the lookie-loos. There’s by no means been an M3 wagon earlier than, and laying eyes on its fender-flared physique for the primary time prompts a better look. She is correct, although—the eye is sudden. However I feel I perceive it. The curiosity says: I am within the know on this entire performance-wagon factor. I see the world the identical approach you do. I too get pleasure from oxymorons. I get jokes.

The Spenglers share their story: Bruno shocked Mrs. Spengler with the wagon. She wasn’t instantly wowed by it, however then incredulousness gave method to admiration. “Now she needs to drive it on a regular basis,” provides Bruno.

We sailed again to Munich via closely enforced Switzerland. Ultimately, Germany welcomed again one in every of its personal. The M3 reciprocated by displaying the autobahn’s limitless zones within the instrument cluster, even counting all the way down to the unrestricted sections: 500 meters, 300, 100, go! And the nostril is smart to me now—simply ugly sufficient to scare site visitors out of the left lane whenever you’re closing in at 165 mph.

Though America misplaced out on the M3 Touring, BMW is deciding whether or not to import the upcoming M5 Touring. In the event you’re , inform your BMW supplier you need a Boss Wagon.

Editor-in-Chief

Tony Quiroga is an 18-year-veteran Automotive and Driver editor, author, and automobile reviewer and the nineteenth editor-in-chief for the journal since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Automotive and Driver since age six. “Rising up, I learn each situation of Automotive and Driver cowl to cowl, generally three or extra instances. It is the place I wished to work since I may learn,” Quiroga says. He moved from Vehicle Journal to an affiliate editor place at Automotive and Driver in 2004. Through the years, he has held practically each editorial place in print and digital, edited a number of particular points, and likewise helped produce C/D’s early YouTube efforts. He’s additionally the longest-tenured check driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia Worldwide Raceway’s Grand Course greater than 2000 instances over 12 years.