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 fashionable M3 system. It grew bigger, heavier, and extra remoted from the encompassing 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 right this moment, pushes this idea to extremes. Just like the M2 I examined a couple of weeks in the past, it trades driver involvement in favor of outright pace, a feat that shouldn’t be stunning contemplating their in depth components sharing. Nevertheless, whereas the two-seater struggles to differentiate between sports activities automobile and grand tourer, the bigger M3 is aware of exactly the place it suits. It’s an opulent sedan first, and a sports activities automobile 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 important is a set of latest headlights, adorned with an up to date daytime mild signature. To search out the remainder, you’ll need to squint. Peek at its trunk lid badge and also you’ll discover a delicate silver border, a shade that enhances a brand new silver end for this automobile’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, should you weren’t a fan of this automobile’s nostril when it debuted in 2020, you doubtless gained’t be now. That stated, from the entrance bumper onwards, the G80 seems sensational, particularly its rear three-quarter view, because of its low stance and large 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 important adjustments. The primary is its new flat-bottom steering wheel, with my tester swapping its normal leather-based wrap in favor of Alcantara. It’s a delicate replace that provides one thing particular to this automobile’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 more difficult 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 most recent iDrive 8.5 software program. Though its updates are delicate, tweaked A/C controls and a brand new everlasting row of app icons barely improve its usability. Nevertheless, as with earlier iterations of this screen-reliant inside, the necessity to always work together with its most important 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 surprising straight-line efficiency. As I level its nostril in the 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 automobile’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six to 523 hp whereas its 479 pound-feet of torque determine carries over unchanged.
Given this automobile’s energy, a 20-hp improve is inconceivable 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 computerized and carefully spaced ratios. Concurrently, its rear-biased all-wheel drive system and large 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 vehicles on a mountain highway.
Within the bends, its chassis steadiness is a specific spotlight. Though its adaptive dampers can stiffen significantly within the prime 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 optionally available Carbon Ceramic brakes supplied loads of preliminary chunk even of their tamest Consolation setting, making the highest Sport mode pointless outdoors of a observe situation.
Very similar to 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+. Nevertheless, because the German carmaker goals to make this automobile’s entrance finish really feel as responsive as potential, it tends to use tuning that borders on being too aggressive. Within the prime 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. Nevertheless, don’t anticipate suggestions as this electrical energy steering system stays notoriously numb, choosing up nearly no weight at the same time as you start to emphasize this automobile’s entrance finish. Its powertrain response is the same story. Step as much as Sport+ and the throttle turns into a lightweight change. Nevertheless, Sport or Consolation is way extra progressive with out downsides, provided that this automobile 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 vehicles to drive rapidly. Even should 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 means that you can catch them simply.
Just like the E90 did in 2008, the present M3’s occasion piece stays its major focus as an opulent grand tourer. Skip this tester’s slender 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 probably the most municative efficiency automobile, the BMW M3 excels by being an precise multi-purpose machine. A sports activities automobile hunter in a single second, a cruiser within the different.
Nevertheless, this world-beating efficiency comes at a value, and if BWM responds to latest 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 12 months, 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 notice, all the costs listed above embody a $1,175 vacation spot price.
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.
Because the E90 days, the BMW M3 has turn into faster and extra highly effective with every new technology whereas enhancing its consolation and refinement. It could not reward you with the last word reference to the driving expertise, but it surely affords a really perfect mix of sports activities automobile efficiency and each day usability.
Now in its fifth 12 months, the G80 is dear, with looming tariffs probably worsening issues. Its front-end styling stays robust to abdomen, whereas a few of its newest inside updates lead to an unintuitive consumer expertise. Nevertheless, if a correct one-car answer for each day use and weekend enjoyable is what you’re after, the most recent M3 nonetheless makes a powerful case that it’s the one to have.
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