The BMW M3’s relative accessibility, thrilling powertrains, and razor-sharp dynamics make it successful with drivers. However there’s one other part to the method that helps make every era of the M3 simply as fascinating because the one previous it. The nameplate’s illustrious legacy spans 4 a long time and is a part of what makes the automotive so widespread. And every era of the M3, trying again, has one thing that contributed to the automotive changing into the crimson sizzling hit it’s right now. The query we’re posing right now is: what is going to the G80’s legacy be?
Reviewing BMW M3 Generations and Their Legacy
BMW launched the primary M3 in 1985, debuting largely as a homologation particular. The marque wanted to make 5,000 vehicles to be able to qualify the mannequin for DTM/Group A races, which occurred over the span of the automotive’s five-year manufacturing run from 1986 till 1991. Naturally, the E30 M3’s legacy has it straightforward: it’s the automotive that began all of it. It additionally set the precedent for M3s previous it: a high-revving engine, direct ties to Motorsport endeavors, and many distinctive bits that didn’t come on the common 3 Collection (together with physique panels).
The E36 M3 got here subsequent, and whereas its one in every of my private favorites, a definitive “legacy” just isn’t really easy to determine. However, there are a selection of how the E36 M3 has endured. And, in truth, it’s fairly the cornerstone of the nameplate in some methods. It was the primary M3 to make the most of an inline-six, an engine that largely turned inextricable from the M3 line regardless of the first-generation mannequin sporting a four-pot. It additionally marked the primary time BMW supplied a four-door M3 mannequin; which, later turned the one means you may get an M3 badge on the again of your efficiency sedan!
The E46 M3 got here subsequent. Legacy maybe just isn’t the most effective phrase for the E46 M3, because the automotive stands by itself, definitively, because the M3’s “coming of age.” Unbelievable chassis stability stood out because the E46 M3’s promoting level — and enduring, endearing trait a long time later. It additionally united the US market with European market, as each side of the pond noticed the (principally) similar engine, reasonably than the 2 distinct flavors of E36 M3 that shipped to totally different components of the world. The automotive’s revolutionary efficiency has solely been matched by its actually timeless model. With over 85,000 examples offered worldwide, it additionally stays the nameplate’s most-sold mannequin.
The Fashionable M3 Legacy
As we get nearer to the current, issues change into each easier and extra advanced when reviewing every era of the BMW M3’s legacy. The E90, E92, and E93 M3 fashions touted a motorsport-derived V8 beneath the hood, the primary and final to take action. Extra necessary, maybe, they have been additionally the ultimate M3s to take pleasure in hydraulic power-assisted steering—a beloved trait for purists in search of analog really feel.
Then got here the F80 era, marking a pivotal shift for the M3 nameplate. It launched turbocharging for the primary time in an M3, with the twin-turbo S55 inline-six changing the high-revving V8. It was additionally the era the place BMW cut up the M3 and M4 into two distinct fashions—sedan and coupe, respectively. The F80 M3 is commonly remembered for its brutal energy supply, stiff chassis, and aggressive tuning, which polarized fans. However it additionally introduced huge tuning potential and cemented the turbo inline-six method that continues right now.
Then, we arrive on the G80 M3.
The G80 M3’s S58 engine isn’t the primary turbo inline-six in an M3, though it’s reasonably pleasant. It isn’t even the primary to make use of a conventional, torque-converter computerized transmission — the E36 M3 did, and that’s hardly an accolade anyway. However there may be one space the place the G80 M3 succeeds at setting a bar: all-wheel drive. It’s the primary M3 to supply xDrive all-wheel drive, and thus, the quickest from zero to 60 mph. It’s doubtless we’ll proceed to see xDrive as a staple because the M3 lineage progresses. And, disappointingly, maybe probably the most constructive factor the G80 will probably be remembered for.
The Stakes Have By no means Been Greater
The fascinating factor concerning the G8X vehicles is that a lot is to-be decided on the subject of the automotive’s legacy. And scope varies wildly. It may properly be that its solely contribution the overarching M3 legacy is all-wheel drive. In one other situation, it’s the final non-electrified/hybrid M3 ever. Nonetheless one other (although a lot much less doubtless) chance is that it’s the ultimate M3 supplied with a handbook transmission. Sharing a standard thread with a few of its predecessors, there’s an angle for it to be the “final actual M3.” Notably if the subsequent M3 is both electrified or automatic-only.
In conclusion, we’ll doubtless have to attend just a few years to find out the G80 M3’s definitive legacy. Though, there may be at the very least one different necessary milestone. It’s the primary time BMW has supplied a manufacturing unit Touring mannequin, albeit not within the US. And naturally, there are some extra polarizing issues that may doubtless carry into future M3 fashions. Specifically, a excessive curb weight and general design ethos. Notably, these grilles. Hopefully, the G8X will probably be remembered for greater than its grilles and all-wheel drive, however time will inform. What do you assume the G80 M3’s legacy will probably be?
