Shape and stance of this car look good. Autoart have captured the styling of this car very well, and there are no obvious inaccuracies in the appearance of the model. Scale is also perfect. Shutlines are very small and consistent on all opening parts, with the slight exception of the front bonnet gap, perhaps due to the opening mechanism. Doors open on realistic and sturdy feeling hinges. The bonnet hinge is not a type that I have seen on any other model, and it does not quite seem to replicate the real car’s mechanism. That said, it is reasonably close as far as I can tell. Both bonnet and boot fail to stay open on their own, a common annoyance on Autoart models. Bonnet vents and also the front grilles are perforated beautifully. Front and rear lights are all nicely done and accurate, and although some feature mounting stubs they are barely visible and do not detract from the realism. BMW badges and ‘M’ logos are neat separate pieces which are very convincing, and the same applies to other small details such as the wipers, door handles and aerial. Chrome detailing is generally very nicely done, though with a couple of small flaws, and there is a small spot of glue behind one of the front wheels. These are the only complaints I can really find with the superb exterior of this model.
Score: 9/10
Paint
The gorgeous deep blue paint is one of the things that attracted me to this model, and it doesn’t disappoint. It is difficult to confirm the accuracy of the colour as photos are hard to come by, but the quality of the paint job is without doubt. It is smoothly applied to everywhere that it ought to be, with no overspray or seeping onto other areas. The flakes are miniscule, ensuring that the metallic effect looks convincing. There are no apparent colour differences between panels. I can find no faults in this area.
Score: 10/10
Although not the best or most exciting aspect of this model, the interior is still sharply reproduced and accurate to the real car. Once again, different photos suggest some different configurations in the real car, including for instance the design of the steering wheel. Nevertheless, nothing on the model is inaccurate as far as I can tell. The floor is carpeted (as is the boot), but everything else is hard plastic, which is a pity. There is no attempt to make even the seats feel a little softer and more realistic. Fine detailing is very nice however, with fabric seatbelts and markings on things like the gearstick and switches. Overall, it is only the use of too much hard plastic that lets this interior down a little. Otherwise it is a very good effort.
Score: 7/10
Autoart did a very nice job on the engine in this model. All but the tiniest of details, which you wouldn’t expect on anything but a very high end model, are present and correct. All the main components of the engine are correctly positioned and coloured, and plumbing and wiring are replicated, albeit with hard plastic rather than flexible tubing. Particularly nice is the fusebox with its plastic cover and nice detailing. Photos of the real engine suggest that there were small changes made in the engine bay for European and
Score: 8/10
Tyres on this model do not have any markings on the sidewalls but otherwise look fine. I cannot say for certain whether the tread pattern is correct to any particular type of tyre but it looks realistic enough. The wheels are very nice replicas of the 16 inch BBS rims fitted to the real car, and are exactly to scale. Shape looks very good, as do the BMW badges and wheel nuts, whilst the metallic finish is excellent. Another very good result.
Score: 8/10
Brakes
This is a rather difficult area to review, as the brakes are almost entirely hidden behind the wheels. The discs rotate, and calipers are present and appear accurate, though they are only plain pieces of plastic with no markings. The discs themselves have a reasonably convincing metallic effect, though not the very best I have seen from Autoart themselves. There does seem to be one fault, because none of the discs on the model have any signs of drilling, yet photos and specifications of the real car suggest that the front discs should be ventilated. I must assume that the model is incorrect in this aspect. This is less of a problem than it could be, due to the fact that the brakes are barely visible, but it is still worth pointing out. On the whole, slightly below par for an area in which Autoart usually excel.
Score: 6/10
Overall Score: 8/10