Since the wheels fell off my 1987 Nissan Sunny, I've been looking around for a new motor to impress the chicks, but so far none have quite matched up to my old dream machine.

After hunting for about three years, the new BMW M3 looks like it might finally fit the bill for me. I'd heard rave reviews about the gorgeous Coupé and was keen to see how it handled.

Rather than take a real life test drive and run the risk of ending up either side of a brick wall, I simply installed the M3 Challenge, which puts you in the driving seat of BMW's new carriage.

The car has been beautifully rendered in computer format, and you customise it by choosing from a range of colours. All of the characteristics of the actual car have been meticulously recreated from the inside to the exterior, and the animation is very smooth, provided you have a powerful enough processor.

The action takes place at the famous Nürburgring track, which has also been faithfully reproduced for the game. The sound is also amazing, and the roar of the M3's engine makes you feel like you're actually in the vehicle.

Of course, it's important to remember that this game is basically an advert for a car, and as a result you only get one car to choose from.

However, it's very rare that you find a free driving game as accomplished as this one, and with extra features such as ABS and traction control, and a multiplayer mode, it may even keep me amused long enough to save up for a real M3.