The BMW M3 underwent a serious persona shift because it entered its V8-powered E90 technology in 2008. Though the E36 that got here earlier than it additionally supplied a four-door configuration, the E90 redefined the trendy M3 formulation. It grew bigger, heavier, and extra remoted from the encircling world whereas concurrently making main efficiency leaps. The F80 that adopted refined the concept with even better athleticism, even when it concurrently misplaced the E90’s iconic engine.
Launched in 2020, the G80 technology, nonetheless on sale at the moment, pushes this idea to extremes. Just like the M2 I examined just a few weeks in the past, it trades driver involvement in favor of outright velocity, a feat that shouldn’t be shocking contemplating their intensive elements sharing. Nonetheless, whereas the two-seater struggles to tell apart between sports activities automotive and grand tourer, the bigger M3 is aware of exactly the place it matches. It’s an expensive sedan first, and a sports activities automotive hunter second, a persona that, as I discovered on a snowy mountain highway, fits it nicely.
This represents the primary time I’ve revisited the BMW M3 since 2023’s Version 50 Jahre, and though it receives a mid-cycle refresh, its updates are minor. Essentially the most vital is a set of latest headlights, adorned with an up to date daytime gentle signature. To seek out the remainder, you’ll need to squint. Peek at its trunk lid badge and also you’ll discover a refined silver border, a shade that enhances a brand new silver end for this automotive’s 825M-style wheels. On condition that this tester sports activities carbon ceramic brakes, it wears a staggered 19 and 20-inch set within the 826M fashion.
Visually, it’s a case of identical, identical, however totally different. The M3’s bumpers, rear diffuser, trunk-lid spoiler, and mirror caps stay unchanged. As such, in the event you weren’t a fan of this automotive’s nostril when it debuted in 2020, you probably gained’t be now. That mentioned, from the entrance bumper onwards, the G80 appears to be like sensational, particularly its rear three-quarter view, due to its low stance and extensive rear arches. As a part of its $14,300 Carbon Package deal, my tester swaps its plastic exterior trim items in favor of the light-weight materials to create a sportier aesthetic, contrasting properly towards this sedan’s $4,500 Frozen Tampa Bay Inexperienced end.
Inside, the refreshed BMW M3 incorporates extra vital adjustments. The primary is its new flat-bottom steering wheel, with my tester swapping its customary leather-based wrap in favor of Alcantara. It’s a refined replace that provides one thing particular to this automotive’s cabin, notably when you rise up shut and see its hole decrease spokes. In distinction, BMW went in the wrong way with the M3’s new air vents, which look cheaper than their predecessors whereas additionally being tougher to make use of.
Look past its shiny new wheel and also you’ll spot a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment display screen housed inside a single bezel. These shows now run the newest iDrive 8.5 software program. Though its updates are refined, tweaked A/C controls and a brand new everlasting row of app icons barely improve its usability. Nonetheless, as with earlier iterations of this screen-reliant inside, the necessity to continually work together with its principal shows ensures it’ll by no means be freed from fingerprints and smudges.
Out on the transfer, the BMW M3 Competitors xDrive settles conflicts with its styling or cabin with stunning straight-line efficiency. As I level its nostril in direction of the snowy peaks forward, I’m rapidly reminded of simply how fast this sedan is. For 2025, xDrive-equipped fashions obtain a 20-horsepower bump, pushing this automotive’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six to 523 hp whereas its 479 pound-feet of torque determine carries over unchanged.
Given this automotive’s energy, a 20-hp improve is unattainable to detect, particularly when the xDrive’s quoted 3.4-second time to 60 mph is untouched. Regardless, the BMW M3 appears like an absolute monster in a straight line, thanks partly to its ZF eight-speed automated and carefully spaced ratios. Concurrently, its rear-biased all-wheel drive system and extensive 275/35 and 285/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires guarantee its mechanical grip stays excessive. The result’s a 3,990-pound sedan that’s in its ingredient chasing sports activities automobiles on a mountain highway.
Within the bends, its chassis steadiness is a selected spotlight. Though its adaptive dampers can stiffen significantly within the high Sport+ setting, the center Sport mode yields effortlessly managed physique motions on a winding highway. Crucially, it does so with out introducing pointless harshness into the cabin. My tester’s non-obligatory Carbon Ceramic brakes supplied loads of preliminary chew even of their tamest Consolation setting, making the highest Sport mode pointless outdoors of a monitor state of affairs.
Very like the G87 M2 I examined not too long ago, the BMW M3 employs a variable steering ratio, which quickens its response as you toggle between Consolation, Sport, and Sport+. Nonetheless, because the German carmaker goals to make this automotive’s entrance finish really feel as responsive as attainable, it tends to use tuning that borders on being too aggressive. Within the high Sport+ mode, the slightest twitch of the wheel invitations a response, leading to a entrance finish that darts round and feels synthetic.
Dial again to Sport or Consolation, and it’ll gradual sufficient to really feel extra pure. Nonetheless, don’t anticipate suggestions as this electrical energy steering system stays notoriously numb, selecting up nearly no weight whilst you start to emphasize this automotive’s entrance finish. Its powertrain response is an analogous story. Step as much as Sport+ and the throttle turns into a lightweight change. Nonetheless, Sport or Consolation is way extra progressive with out downsides, provided that this automotive develops its peak energy in numerous modes.
As soon as dialed in to your liking, the all-wheel drive geared up BMW M3 stays one of many best automobiles to drive rapidly. Even in the event you dial again traction management and all of its energy to the rear wheels, its lengthy wheelbase means it’ll execute easy managed slides, whereas its fast steering lets you catch them simply.
Just like the E90 did in 2008, the present M3’s get together piece stays its main focus as an expensive grand tourer. Skip this tester’s slim bucket seats and you find yourself with a each day driver that’s fast however comfy. The cabin’s noise isolation is superb, whereas its as soon as rowdy powertrain settles into the background whereas cruising in Consolation mode. Whereas removed from essentially the most municative efficiency automotive, the BMW M3 excels by being an precise multi-purpose machine. A sports activities automotive hunter in a single second, a cruiser within the different.
Nonetheless, this world-beating efficiency comes at a value, and if BWM responds to current tariffs imposed by the U.S. authorities with last-minute will increase, it’ll solely rise. Whereas the $119,695 M3 CS exited manufacturing final yr, BMW will promote you a “base” rear-drive M3 for $77,175, a stronger M3 Competitors for $81,375, or the range-topping M3 Competitors xDrive for $86,475. Please word, all the costs listed above embrace a $1,175 vacation spot charge.
My tester, completed in a $4,500 BMW Particular person shade of Frozen Tampa Bay Inexperienced, begins as an all-wheel-drive vary topper and solely ascends pricewise. Its priciest addition is a $14,300 Carbon Package deal, together with bucket seats, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, carbon trim all through the cabin, and carbon ceramic brakes. Issue within the $1,600 Govt bundle, and you find yourself with a BMW M3 Competitors xDrive whose as-tested value creeps up on $115,000.
For the reason that E90 days, the BMW M3 has grow to be faster and extra highly effective with every new technology whereas bettering its consolation and refinement. It could not reward you with the last word reference to the driving expertise, nevertheless it presents a great mix of sports activities automotive efficiency and each day usability.
Now in its fifth yr, the G80 is pricey, with looming tariffs probably worsening issues. Its front-end styling stays powerful to abdomen, whereas a few of its newest inside updates end in an unintuitive person expertise. Nonetheless, if a correct one-car resolution for each day use and weekend enjoyable is what you’re after, the newest M3 nonetheless makes a powerful case that it’s the one to have.
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