Overview & Reviews

The BMW 3 Series has long been regarded as the benchmark compact sport coupe. Taking this already athletic vehicle to new heights is the M version, known as the BMW M3. In the Bimmer world, the letter M stands for the company's Motorsports performance division. These fun-loving engineers tweak a given BMW model's engine for more output, upgrade the suspension for even more agile handling and add sporty exterior and interior design elements.

Throughout its two decades on the U.S. market, the BMW M3 has been a favorite of enthusiasts looking for sports-car performance and handling from a true four-place car. Although content to smoothly burble around while doing daily driver duty, the M3 transforms into a back-road burner when conditions allow and gives its pilot the opportunity to attack corners with precision and rocket out of them with gusto.

Current BMW M3
Based on the present-generation 3 Series, the M3 is offered in only one trim level among the coupe and hardtop convertible body styles. Both are powered by a 4.0-liter V8, good for 414 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, which revs to a thrilling 8,400-rpm redline. A six-speed manual is the standard means of sending power to the rear wheels, and a seven-speed automated-clutch manual gearbox with paddle shifters is optional. M3s also get specific hardware upgrades such as more powerful brakes, stiffer suspension tuning and a specialized limited-slip rear differential.

Like previous M3s, the current model comes well-equipped with the latest luxury amenities, which in this case includes xenon headlamps, leather upholstery, heated power sport seats and a 10-speaker audio system. The convertible features a nifty hardtop and sun-reflective leather. Features like 19-inch wheels, heated seats, satellite radio, the iDrive navigation system and M Sport personalized performance settings are optional. The Competition package available on the coupe adds a lowered suspension, a wider track and reprogrammed electronic damping and stability control systems.

While past M3s have been performance stars, the M3 coupe is quite simply one of the best cars to grace our test track. It accelerated from zero to 60 mph in a blistering 4.6 seconds and came to a stop from 60 mph in an extremely short 100 feet. The slalom and skid pad test results were also on par with vastly more expensive supercars, while on-road handling is beyond reproach. Getting the less rigid convertible degrades these capabilities a little, but regardless of which body style you choose, expect one of the best performance machines money can buy.

Used BMW M3 Models
The present-generation BMW M3 was introduced for 2008 in coupe, convertible and sedan body styles. The latter, discontinued after 2011, was perfect for those who desired M3 performance but with a greater degree of practicality. Changes have been limited to feature additions, with first-year models featuring a less user-friendly iDrive system and slightly different sedan styling. The Competition package was added for 2011 for the coupe and sedan.

The previous M3 lasted from 2001-'06 and was available in coupe and convertible body styles. There was a single trim level for both, powered by a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine producing 333 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, while a six-speed sequential manual gearbox (SMG) was offered as an option starting for the 2002 model year. The latter allows manual-style shifting via paddle shifters next to the steering wheel, and although it was popular, we weren't fans of its herky-jerky performance.

Changes were minor during the lifespan of this generation of M3s. A CD player became standard for 2002, while the following year saw the addition of a few extra convenience features plus an improved DVD-based navigation system. (The former one was CD-based.) The only major addition arrived for 2005 with the Competition Package (coupe only), which provided some of the performance hardware from the European-market M3 CSL, such as 19-inch forged wheels, revised suspension tuning, a quicker steering ratio, upgraded brakes and a less intrusive Track mode for the stability control system.

Every road test of this M3 sang the car's praises in terms of its incredibly balanced handling, prodigious grip and telepathic communication between car and driver. The downsides of this no-compromises performance car are few: a stiff ride, tinny exhaust note, and more wind and road noise in the convertible than one might expect. For die-hard sports car enthusiasts who need four seats, it doesn't get much better than the BMW M3. However, these cars tend to be driven hard and owners frequently modify them, so it's important to examine a used example closely before signing on the dotted line.

The second-generation M3 was introduced in 1995 and was a tidy package, with only its subtle rocker panel extensions, tri-color "M" badges and different wheels to separate it from the common 3 Series. Along with a buttery-smooth 240-hp inline-6, this generation of the M3 wooed enthusiasts with its ripping performance, finely balanced chassis and everyday livability. For enthusiasts on a budget, this is perhaps the best deal for a used M3, combining a wide choice of body styles (coupe, convertible and sedan), along with plenty of entertaining performance and an affordable price tag. The coupe ran throughout this generation from 1995-'99, while the sedan (1997 and '98) and convertible (1998 and '99) were only available briefly and are consequently harder to find.

The first-generation BMW M3 was the most radical. Running from 1988-'91, this M3 was essentially a hard-edged, racetrack-ready version of a 3 Series sport coupe. These M3s featured aggressively blistered fenders fore and aft, slightly thicker C-pillars that allowed a more aggressively canted rear window, and a higher trunk lid fitted with a large spoiler. Under the extroverted bodywork was not an inline-6, but a highly-tuned DOHC 16-valve inline-4 that cranked out, for its time, a very impressive 195 hp without the help of a turbocharger or supercharger. An unmolested first-generation M3 is a rare find these days and tends to require more maintenance and care than the second-generation car because of its more specialized four-cylinder engine.

User Reviews:

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  Disappointed - 2011 BMW M3
  By Keith Poe - December 7 - 2:34 pm

  Car build quality is extremely disappointing. I have very annoying wind noise on drivers side and significant rattling around front passenger door. Dealer response was terrible, and car was under warranty at the time!

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  Not worth it - 2008 BMW M3
  By lindsayg - May 6 - 9:38 am

  I always considered a convertible M3 as my dream car and in 2008 I went out and bought one- brand new. It was gorgeous and "impressive" but totally and absolutely not worth the sticker price. It had so many stupid quirks that I rarely drove it, preferring my Volvo station wagon (!). I will never again buy a BMW and I pity the poor guy who got mine when I dumped it after 2 years and only 15,000 miles. Im glad I got the BMW bug out of my system, but it cost a lot to be cured!

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  Disappointing after all the hype - 2013 BMW M3
  By RK - October 28 - 12:50 pm

  Ill start the review saying Ive owned a big variety of sports cars. This car was hyped by the automotive press like crazy, but my experience was different. Pros: beautiful styling, great exhaust note, balanced handling for the road, practicality, engine is a technical marvel. Cons: rattles and creeks in a low quality interior, seat leather (Nappa) wore prematurely, not enough torque for the weight of the car which made it feel slower than it is (mismatched engine and heavy car), numb/mushy steering thats artificially heavy in sport mode, tendency to plow/underwater on track because of weight, horrible gas mileage (again, mismatched engine), electronic gremlins (glad I had warranty). I felt it was not sporty enough to be a truly rewarding sports car, and not luxurious enough to deliver on luxury with its cheap interior. Bummer.

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  BMW M3 - 1999 BMW M3
  By John Elliott - December 29 - 12:25 am

  Overly hyped -- not really that fast -- very nose heavy with lots of body roll. Acceleration is torquey but not blazing at all. This is my second and last BMW. They are very much like Audis -- kind of nice but unrealible and not really all that great a car.

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  E46 M3 - 2006 BMW M3
  By Steve F - September 24 - 2:46 pm

  I like this car a lot, it has the razor sharp body, and it is just what I wanted in a sports car.

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  Problems with the M3 - 2005 BMW M3
  By Mspeedy - April 16 - 12:43 pm

  This woulh have been a great car if it was not with the SMG transmission. SMG lot of lag and does not change gear in time.

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  $60k lemon - 2004 BMW M3
  By blur - February 23 - 8:22 pm

  I special ordered my m3, my first bmw, and my last. Its been serviced 11 times in the past year, mostly for problems with the smg. the smg is the most overrated transmission ever and should not be sold until perfected. Its sluggish in first, sometimes choppy, and most recently just stalled completely. it had to be towed back to the dealership to replace the relay...again.

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  too much money for the car - 2005 BMW M3
  By Mspeedy - October 26 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle has had so many problems so far, First and most important issue which has not been resolved is that this car has a major stalling on the second gear at times (I am not sure if it is from the SMG or its a fuel related problem)which can cause an accident. Second the side marker lighs keepon coming out or gets water inside of them.

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  BMW Leaves me in limbo - 2004 BMW M3
  By D Maher - February 2 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle had a vibration in the front end since the day I took delivery. 18 months later with 50+ days in the shop during that time they could not diagnose & fix the problem. The dealer and the manufacture walked away stating they could not test drive the vehicle over the speed limit. The problem existed at 120 kms/hr and up. My point is........you better hope you get a good BMW otherwise your not going to get satisfaction front your dealer. This was my first & last BMW.

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  Parked my M3 Convertible - 2002 BMW M3
  By 4ocious - December 6 - 2:00 am

  I have permanently parked my 2002 E46 convertible with only 9100 miles on it. I plan to sell it ASAP in the Spring. This car has never lived up to its hype. There are a lot of cars out there (ZO6, E55 AMG) that give you better performance, handling, and that good ole kick in the pants kind of feeling. I dont think Ill buy another BMW.