FEW cars actually get a swansong, but BMW’s M3 isn’t like many others. With a rich history of being the pinnacle of what it means to be ‘the ultimate driving machine’, its place among sportscar royalty is assured.

However, the F80 M3 has been controversial on many levels. Significantly, it marked the end of two- and four-door body styles using the same nameplate, with the former now comfortably established as the M4.

The F80 also quickly brought to an end its E90 predecessor’s glorious 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 in favour of a returning 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, albeit with a pair of turbochargers for the first time.

But with the G20 3 Series entering showrooms in April, the F80’s time in the sun is quickly coming to an end, with the next iteration of the M3 likely to be seen at the Frankfurt motor show in September this year.

What better way to farewell the F80 M3 than to turn the wick right up with the lighter, faster CS? With global production limited to 1200 units, it’s shaping up to be a collector’s item. We’ve put the CS through its paces to find out if it’s the best F80 M3 of all.