The new 2021 BMW M3, which is based on the recently updated 3-series sedan, successfully revives the legendary driver engagement of the moniker. BMW continues to provide a manual transmission, at least on the standard model, demonstrating its dedication to that sentiment. The more potent M3 Competition must have an eight-speed automatic transmission. Their distinctive, albeit divisive, grille conceals a well-known twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 473–503 horsepower. The latter is only available for the aforementioned Competition variant; however, it won’t be available with all-wheel drive until the 2022 model year. However, with track-ready technology that should terrify rivals like the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG C63, the 2021 M3 Competition further demonstrates the sports sedan’s performance potential. We gave the new M3 an Editors’ Choice award for 2021 because it made such an impression on us.
In This Article...
Competitor BMW M3 and 2021 Bavarian creampuffs from BMW M4 are sweeter than ever.
The new BMW M3 car and M4 coupe are so bizarrely brazen and powerful that they definitely need a warning label. Maybe something like “Handle with Care” or “Do Not Exceed Maximum Dosage.” But not “Slippery When Wet,” at least not for top “Competition” models, which will later this year debut as 2022 models and provide optional all-wheel drive (AWD) for the first time in the nameplates’ history.
With a fascinating technological twist, these 503 horsepower xDrive models allow experienced drivers to select a rear-drive mode to ignore any assistance from the front wheels and instead focus on their own cornering or tire-smoking abilities. When a driver can customize their driving to this extent, it’s like having two perfect driving vehicles in one.
Elite power and athleticism have absolutely nothing to fault, thus detractors have ruthlessly singled out the face: The M3 and M4 vertically orient BMW’s iconic twin-kidney grille at a scale that has many auto writers and enthusiasts flipping out. Although the XXL-grille initially seems overdone, it soon blends into the car’s bold spirit. Drivers will be having too much fun once they are on board to be concerned about their flared nostrils.
These M vehicles leap to 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds and can reach 180 mph with the extra M Driver’s package, which costs $2,500. (Amateurs are hereby encouraged to join up for the free professional driving lesson offered by BMW as part of that package.)
The Competition variants will go on sale in August as 2022 vehicles, but the ordinary rear-wheel drive M3 and M4 that are now on sale won’t undergo many changes in ’22. We examined a 2022 M3 Competition and a 2021 M4 side by side to sample each.
In the G80 era
The new M3 debuted alongside the current 3 Series, which has the G80 chassis designation. The twin-turbocharged S58 3.0 liter straight-six, which is now capable of 473 horsepower, has taken the place of the previous twin-turbocharged S55 3.0 liter straight-six. The new M3 sedan, which goes on sale in September 2020, is available with either a six-speed manual transmission, as was the case with the test vehicle, or an eight-speed automatic transmission. By doing this, the overall weight was reduced by 50 pounds when compared to a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Although all-wheel drive will be available on the upcoming Competition variants, some people would rather that the M3 stay rear-wheel-drive for the time being.
The new M3 has a 1.8-inch larger wheelbase than the current sedan and is 4.6 inches longer, 0.4 inches wider, and 0.1 inches higher overall. The rest of the body has classic M elements including a carbon roof, quad exhaust pipes, puffier fenders, a curved hood, and wheels that resemble metallic spiderwebs. The test vehicle was equipped with the $8,150 carbon-ceramic brake kit, which is easily recognized by its gold-painted calipers, as well as the M carbon exterior package, which gave it front-intake inlays, a rear diffuser, wing mirror caps, and a lip spoiler.
I am aware of how the front facia seems, yeah. Try staring at it for four hours while taking shots of it, then editing those photos if you still think you don’t like it.
A driver-focused console with volume and climate control controls is still present in the cabin. The primary center touchscreen or the iDrive controller are used to control the remaining infotainment features. Overall, the system is neat and unobtrusive and is easy to get used to. However, I would have preferred a handbrake. I’d prefer a handbrake if I’m driving a stick. You simply can’t have one without the other, much like peanut butter and jelly, gin and tonic, and wearing pink on Wednesdays.
Is there a BMW M3 for 2021?
The 3.0-liter inline-six twin-turbo engine in the 2021 M3 sedan is similar to that in the new M4 coupe. The standard model delivers 406 pound-feet of torque and 473 horsepower to the rear wheels. There is only a six-speed manual transmission available. Even more potent, the M3 Competition’s engine produces 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, but it can only be ordered with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Although rear-wheel drive is the default, all-wheel drive will eventually be an option for the Competition. Every M3 also has adjustable brake pedal feel and adaptive dampers. Also available for the sedan are even more powerful carbon-ceramic brakes with stylish gold-painted calipers. Both the normal M3 and the Competition model impressed us on our first drive thanks to their propensity for performing outrageous drifts, which the optional M Drift Analyzer encouraged (part of the M Drive professional package). We also developed a liking for the manual gearbox’s smooth changes, and we were as thrilled with the engine’s strong acceleration. The more subdued M3 ultimately falls short when compared to the boisterous Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Is a new BMW M3 on the way?
A limited-edition M3 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M will be made for 2023 to commemorate 50 successful years of BMW motorsports. Only 500 units will be sold in North America, and they will be available in five iconic BMW paint colors—one from each of the last five M3 generations—reinterpreted in contemporary fashion. The carbon fiber top, quad tailpipes with carbon fiber tips, front splitter made of carbon fiber, and matte grey alloys are additional features of this special edition M3. Additionally, Black Extended Merino leather with tri-color M stripes and custom stitching is available for the upholstery. A curved gauge cluster running the most recent operating system from BMW is now standard on all M3 models. The optional Driver Recorder is no longer a part of the Parking Assistance package; instead, it is available as a standalone option. The Executive package no longer includes Gesture Control.
Will there be a BMW M3 in 2022?
The 2022 BMW M3 is a luxury sedan turned hooligan, just like earlier iterations, with a standard manual transmission sending 473 boisterous horsepower to the rear wheels as well as a variety of driving modes and mechanical niceties. The 503-horsepower M3 Competition now offers the first-ever all-wheel drive option, but all Competitions are automatics. Although the M3’s cosmetic distinctions from the standard 3 Series are sure to divide opinion and its complex driving modes and computerized features are overkill, it nonetheless offers the same deeply rewarding experience for which this moniker is known.
Why did BMW discontinue the M3?
Not because of poor sales, but rather because a new model of the 3 series sedan was required, the M3 sedan was discontinued (F30). There is no chance that BMW will continue producing an M3 sedan based on the previous 3 series after the E90 sedan’s production ceased and the F30 sedan’s production began.
Is the BMW M3 a reliable vehicle?
Our 2022 BMW M3 is halfway through its 40,000-mile test and has proven its reputation as a terrific high-speed cruiser. With a short sixth gear and a delicious and eager power delivery from the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, this vehicle is ideal for putting miles on the clock at motorway speeds.
Our M3 added a fresh touch to mark its 20,000-mile milestone. In order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its Motorsport division, BMW recently unveiled badges. They pay homage to the insignia that first appeared on its racing cars in 1973 but have been updated to demonstrate the relationship between BMW (blue) and racing (red) (violet).
The installation process itself was simple, although it wasn’t without the typical dealership annoyances. According to our nearby BMW parts shop, the back logo doesn’t require rubber grommets to keep it in place like the front one does (it did). And those grommets made of rubber cost $1.75 each unit, not per pair, for a total of $7 plus tax for four insignificant bits of rubber.
With some gentle prying of a flat edge against a cloth to protect the paint, the original emblems peeled off without difficulty. Adhesive remover cleaned up the remnants. With the new emblems, you can distinguish between the front and back with ease thanks to their distinctive patterns. In contrast to the green paint, the finished product is stylish.
Previous criticisms on the ride and road noise have been replaced in the logbook by praise for the powerplant. Rich Ceppos, the deputy editor of the Buyer’s Guide, remarked, “It’s a delight, little lag, and enormous pull.” But the steering is still a concern. “The steering feels nonexistent (in Comfort mode). That is a complete failure in a car that is otherwise athletic “Ceppos tacked on.
It’s impressive that our fuel economy average has held at 21 mpg given how simple it is to get caught into the swell of boost when the engine frequently revs above 3000 rpm on the motorway. That is 2 more miles per gallon than the combined EPA rating. Executive editor K.C. Colwell discovered that the engine limits you to 4000 rpm when the fuel range falls below 15 miles while investigating the limits of the fuel tank.
Another feature of the engine is all the lovely pops and burbles it generates when the transmission is in Sport Plus. Unfortunately, in this mode, the throttle response is too harsh for commuting. It’s odd that there isn’t a method to produce that exhaust sound with a lighter throttle pedal given the bewildering array of drive-mode modifications available. On the other hand, while this can bother us, the neighborhood is undoubtedly relieved.
We only went to the dealership one more after the visit for accessories. An oil change was carried out as required by the M3’s maintenance reminder at about 12,000 miles as part of the three-year or 36,000-mile complimentary service program.
Just before 20,000 miles, the rear tires started to appear a little worn, and the wear bars could be seen. The M Dynamic mode traction-control setting is good on dry roads because it delays stability-control intervention and even necessitates some steering correction, so we’ll mention it here for no particular reason. Anyway, Tire Rack charged us $726 for two Continental SportContact 6 factory-installed tires.
As we move into the second half of our test, our M3 continues to be a fun and powerful daily driver, but our recent purchase of a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing will undoubtedly offer some competition. I will elaborate on that later.
What does BMW M3 mean?
The internal motorsport subsidiary of BMW, BMW M GmbH, created the BMW M3 as a high-performance variant of the BMW 3 Series. Since the 1986 debut of the E30 M3, M3 variants have been made for every iteration of the 3 Series.
A convertible body style was quickly added after the coupe body style was initially offered for the car. The E36 (1994–1999) and E90 (2008–2012) models both had M3 sedans. Due to the coupe and convertible variants’ rebranding as the 4 Series range and the high-performance model becoming the M4, the M3 has only been manufactured in the sedan body style since 2014.
Engines, handling, brakes, aerodynamics, lightweight materials, and many interior improvements are all improved over the standard 3 Series versions. The M3’s limited-slip differential, which statistically maximizes torque and grip without sacrificing handling, is BMW’s most significant contribution to driver safety and the performance sector. The E36 M3’s installation of the SMG-I gearbox in 1992 marked the M3’s most important technological advancement. The SMG-II gearbox was installed in the E46 M3 to give it the distinction of being the world’s quickest shifting gearbox. For the E46 M3 CSL, a carbon fiber air box was designed. It functioned by generating an air vortex that could continuously maintain the maximum air induction pressure to maximize throttle response.