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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  This is the best - 2002 BMW M3
  By BMWlover - October 5 - 2:00 am

  This is the best BMW Ive owned!!! Almost all of my cars in the past 15 years have been BMWs. Theyve included 540i, 330Ci, 7 series and an X5 4.6is for my wife. But this car is by far the most fun to drive. In the year and a half Ive owned it there have been no problems except a minor scratch on the paint. Its fun to drive and is extremely reliable. My daughter is at college in Ohio (Kenyon) and we live in upstate New York. WEve driven to here school maybe 6 times in the past 2 years and it was perfectly comfortable. This is the best car Ive ever owned and I cant wait until the new 2004 comes out.

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  The absolute best car out there - 2002 BMW M3
  By jimC - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I took delivery of my M3 at the performance center and could not be more pleased with the well trained professional people there. Driving M3s on the track and the delivery process was fantastic. This car has everything I could hope for, 1st class design, awesome power, and it does everything with typical BMW style. My M3 is still relatively new to me, but I get a thrill everytime I drive it.

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  The absolute best car out there - 2002 BMW M3
  By JimC - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I took delivery of my M3 at the performance center and could not be more pleased with the well trained professional people there. Driving M3s on the track and the delivery process was fantastic. This car has everything I could hope for, 1st class design, awesome power, and it does everything with typical BMW style. My M3 is still relatively new to me, but I get a thrill everytime I drive it.

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  Fun car, great handling - 1997 BMW M3
  By Hokie_M3/4 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall I have been very pleased with the car. The engine pulls very strong from any RPM and the engine note filters nicely into the cars interior. The only problem is once I hear the engine all I want to do is STOMP IT, hence gas mileage has not been the best.

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  Id buy it again - 1998 BMW M3
  By MMMGood - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used 2.5 years ago with 35000 miles on it. Has run nearly flawlessly since. Clutch slips a little if you do some power shifting and beat on it, but aside from that, the car likes to be driven hard, and responds wonderfully.

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  My winter car - 1999 BMW M3
  By lfbmdpc - September 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this used in 2001, it had 38K miles & was a "clean" used car. Its my winter car, since I store my 01 996 porsche cab here in snow country. Car is great, even with the 40+K miles now on it. Tight, fast, great stick, superior fit and finish. I look forward to fall when it comes out of storage!

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  1998 BMW M3 2 Door Coupe Dakar Yellow - 1998 BMW M3
  By cac - August 8 - 2:00 am

  LOVE this car, treat her well and she will treat you equally. Think I would have prefered to marry the M3.

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  Wow!! - 2002 BMW M3
  By JasonMS - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I had heard a lot about this car. I was going to buy a M5, but the dealer convinced me to buy a M3 Convertible. I have the SMGII transmission. This is the best car I have ever driven. It handles, accelerates, and looks good. My friends and family are jealous. Although expensive, the M3 is the best car for the money, when compared to more expensive sports cars that do not stand up to the M3.

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  bmw M3 - 2002 BMW M3
  By MikesBMWm3 - August 7 - 2:00 am

  the bmw M3 is a great car i have owned mine now four three weeks...and i have nothing but excellent things to say about this car...and the SMG 11 is great

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  BMW did it again... - 1998 BMW M3
  By b0rf - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Best used buy for under $25k. Practicality of a 4 door with Motorsport engineering. Definately a better alternative to a new E46 3 series, especially considering the stock performance levels and the performance levels it can achieve with a few modifications.