All M3s are excellent drivers, although some have managed to surpass others through time.
BMW’s performance division has created more than 23 automobiles with the M designation over the past 50 years. These BMW “M” vehicles range from sedans and coupes to SUVs. The M3 is a more advanced version of the 3 Series, and all of its upgrades were motivated by racing.
The engines in the BMW M3 are distinct from those in other 3 Series vehicles, and they always have stronger braking and suspension as well. For maximum performance, the M3s have improved bodies that are lower in weight and have higher aerodynamics.
All M3s are flawless driving machines, yet over the years, some models have managed to surpass others. We’ll assist you in finding the ideal M3 if you want to purchase a used one.
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The Top 5 BMW M3 Vehicles of All Time
Some automakers are associated with certain stereotypes: Volvo is recognized for its unmatched safety, Volkswagen is associated with the “stance” or drastically reduced suspension lifestyle, and Subaru owners enjoy vaping.
One manufacturer in the European auto industry is known as “The Driver’s Car,” and it is located in a beautiful region named Bavaria… wherever that may be. We enthusiasts are more familiar with their acronym, BMW, even though they are known locally as “Bayerische Motoren Werke.”
The BMW M3 is one of the greatest automobiles in contemporary history, and it earned that honor by being driven to crush the competition. Even though there were concerns that it might fail in sales, BMW set out to become the greatest German car in motorsport since it had to meet an eligibility requirement. Thank goodness it didn’t, and a legend started.
In light of this, allow us to enlighten you while reliving moments of excellence in history. The top M3 vehicles ever are listed below.
E30 M3
the initial And remains the greatest for many. Its legendary M88 engine, which powered the M1, M635CSi, and E28 M5, was combined with an M10 cylinder block and a head that was heavily based on the M88 to create one of the most thrilling powerplants of its time, despite having only four cylinders and 2.3 liters (or 2.5 in the very last Sport Evolution cars) of displacement. The first M3, however, was distinguished not only by its engine, but also by the fact that it was a true road racer, a homologation special, and a pure driver’s car. A two-door body with wide arches that was both exquisite and aggressive concealed a high-tech motorsport-bred chassis that gave vigor and energy, instantly placing the M3 in the annals of BMW legends.
Specification (Sport Evolution) (Sport Evolution)
Engine: 2,467cc naturally aspirated inline four-cylinder with 16 volts
What BMW M3 model is the best?
- 8 E30 M3 “Evolution II” from 1988
- 7 2003 E46 M3 CSL.
- 6 2021 G80 M3.
- 5 F80 M3 Jahre Edition from 2018
- 4 E46 M3 Competition from 2005.
- 3 2011 E90 M3.
- 2 2016 F80 M3.
- 1 2018 F80 M3 CS
Which BMW M3 is trustworthy?
The E30 M3 is a durable vehicle that works well as a daily driver. These vehicles were made for the track, hence they were intended to be driven aggressively. However, because of their age, these vehicles require extensive upkeep, and their ownership costs are considerably higher than those of the more recent M3 versions. Since the S14 lacks hydraulic lifters, you will at the very least need to maintain fresh and appropriate fluids in the vehicle and perform routine valve adjustments. If you can’t do it yourself, valve adjustments cost roughly $200 to $250 at an independent shop and must be performed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Some BMW stores are capable of doing it, but it will likely cost you roughly $1,000.
Because the majority of E30 M3s for sale today have extremely high mileage of more over 150,000 miles, an engine rebuild could be expensive to factor in. If you do it yourself, it will cost you about $2k; if you hire a shop to do it, it will cost you between $5 and $6k. You should budget $10–15k if you also need to replace your cylinder head.
Overall, the E30 M3’s engine is quite dependable and built to run hard, but given that the vehicles are almost 30 years old, maintenance and upkeep become costly. You can look at our maintenance guide below, which details all the routine maintenance that must be performed on these vehicles to keep them in good operating condition.
Is the BMW M3 a wise purchase?
Is the BMW M3 a reliable vehicle? The BMW M3 is a high-performance saloon rival to the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, Mercedes-AMG C63, and Audi RS4. Many people still think it’s the best because it was the first and manages to pack so much pace and excitement into a practical, family-friendly package.
A better M3 than the E46 model?
Although the E46 BMW M3 is unquestionably the best M3 model of all, it does have several significant flaws.
For BMW fans and those working in the motorsports business, the BMW E46 M3 has long been the most popular model. It is also one of the most well-known M series vehicles ever made for a number of very excellent reasons. It is rumored to be the final M series vehicle to have an authentically “old-school” vibe. A true successor to the original E30 M3, with a more rounded, distinctive M3 appearance than the E36 M3.
The engineers of these exquisite cars always seem to do a superb job of continuing the lineage, despite the fact that the BMW M sports division makes no concessions of any kind. Thankfully, there are no signs of this division slowing down any time soon. The individuals in charge of advancing the innovations, safety features, and comforts from one generation to the next manage to continuously improving it while staying true to the core principles of motorsports. The drivability still embodies the M spirit, despite the fact that its current design, with its new G chassis and massive nose grille, hasn’t exactly set the bar high. However, we are here to focus on one specific BMW, the E46, and we are here to show you what we love best about them as well as what would make us think twice before purchasing one.
Why is the BMW M3 a hit?
Acceleration/Speed The 0-60 mph times for the M3 Competition and M3 Competition xDrive are both 3.8 seconds. The BMW M3 can outrun many other cars in its sector and many of its rivals’ cars with a 0-60 mph time of under 4 seconds. Additionally, the vehicle has up to 503 horsepower.
Are used BMW M3s trustworthy?
The BMW M3 is rated as having a 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it 29th out of 31 luxury midsize sedans. Poor ownership expenses are indicated by the $1,161 average yearly repair cost. You may anticipate more significant repairs for the M3 because repairs are more common and more likely to be severe than for the ordinary vehicle.
Why did BMW discontinue the M3?
Due to the F80 generation BMW M3’s inability to meet Europe’s stricter emissions regulations, BMW will cease production of the model in August.
The rehomologation procedure that would follow such a change would preclude the upgraded M3 from being on sale before to the October debut of the next-generation 3 Series. As a result, BMW decided against continuing to produce the vehicle longer than it did with its predecessors and to stop manufacturing of it concurrently with the rest of the 3 Series lineup.
Are BMW M3 breakdowns frequent?
Breakdown of the BMW M3 Reliability Rating. The BMW M3 is rated as having a 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it 29th out of 31 luxury midsize sedans. Its bad ownership costs result from the $1,161 average yearly repair cost.
Which E46 M3 year is the best?
Car lovers have coveted BMW M3 cars for the past 35 years. Over the course of six generations, BMW transformed this model from a low-profile homologation special to a legendary sports car. Each generation of M3, which has been successful on both the streets and the tracks, has a unique personality, making the debate over which is the best or the purest eternally fascinating.
The BMW E46 M3, which was manufactured from 2000 to 2006, is undoubtedly the M3’s best driver’s car and comes the closest to fulfilling its potential.
How much does a BMW M3 oil change cost?
An oil change for a BMW M3 typically costs between $202 and $235. Between $60 and $75 is anticipated to be the cost of labor, while between $143 and $160 is the cost of parts.
Is M3 upkeep expensive?
We looked at how frequently the vehicle required major unplanned repair over a three-year period to determine the frequency of major maintenance. This “serious” maintenance item is a costly system breakdown that needs to be repaired (often a part or component costing above $1,000).
It should be emphasized that even while we analyze this data by make and model, driving style, vehicle condition, and mileage undoubtedly affect outcomes. Different frequencies of maintenance are needed depending on the vehicle. While newer cars can go longer between services, older vehicles may require more frequent maintenance.
The frequency score can be used to determine how long a vehicle can go without maintenance. A frequency score reveals how frequently a certain vehicle needs major repair over a three-year period. If an automobile has a maintenance frequency score of 3, for instance, it needs major repairs every year because the score is calculated over a three-year period. The longer it can go without major maintenance services, the closer the frequency score is to 0.
The frequency score of a BMW M3 is 2.43. This indicates that the BMW M3 is significantly worse than average given that the industrial average is 1.3. The breakdown of all manufacturers and models is shown in the chart below.
It’s important to note that there are many trustworthy cars that could also need frequent, yet reasonably priced maintenance. For instance, many domestic brands have higher maintenance visits but lower overall costs (since labor and parts expense are typically cheaper for domestic brands). This doesn’t imply that cars break down less frequently, but it does show that when they do, the problems are usually fairly simple to remedy, which is perhaps even more significant.
Why are E46 M3 prices so high?
Due to the BMW E46 M3’s timeless design, getting one to call your own might be expensive, especially for examples in immaculate condition.
The versatility of this vehicle makes it appealing to a wide range of drivers. The E46 had a wide range of trims and color choices for the exterior and inside, allowing for factory customization. The regular E46 GTR Sport model still serves a useful purpose as a daily driver even though it was used in racing competitions in the early 2000s.
The passion for BMW E46 M3s also contributes to their increasing value over time. If you already own one, that’s fantastic news, but if you’re seeking to acquire one, the potential hole in your wallet will only widen. Buildjournal states that an E46 typically costs around $26,000. It was little over $19,000 in 2016. And those are for models with a significant amount of miles on them. Expect to pay more for a low-mileage E46 M3 than you would for a brand-new 2022 M4. According to Sports Car Market, a used E46 sold for $84,000 earlier this year, and the limited-edition E46 M3 CSL (Coupe Sport Leichtbau) is expected to sell for over $100,000.
Because the mileage, history, and overall condition are important factors, the price range between E46s is so wide. Be prepared to spend extra money maintaining the automobile, especially if you want to use it frequently. Maintenance costs can add up quickly.