BMW M3: Nürburgring at the limit

The Nürburgring Nordschleife, once described by ex-F1 World Champion Jackie Stewart as the “Green Hell”, is a haven for vehicle development and testing, rewarding precise car control and testing the balance and stability of even the finest chassis.

For decades it has held an irresistible fascination for racing drivers, enthusiasts and spectators: crests and hollows, rapidly winding bends and a relatively narrow width make the Nürburgring Nordschleife one of the ultimate race tracks, demanding all the skill a driver can offer.

Every model produced by BMW’s M Division has graduated top of the class from the Northern Loop Academy – it’s a tough job but someone’s got to do it – and the man responsible for putting the final touches on BMW’s M cars is test driver Mario Metko.

The following video, produced for BMW Magazine, shows Mario putting the BMW M3 Coupé through its paces around this tortuous circuit, spending the day doing what plenty of BMW fans dream of – driving the Nordschleife at the limit.