The BMW M3 has been in the market for over 35 years. It is one of the fun BMW 3-Series cars to drive, but it is also pretty costly to maintain. However, is the BMW M3 a good car?
The BMW M3 is good for those looking for a high-performance, luxurious, and comfortable sports car, while it is unsuitable for those looking for a low-maintenance and high resale value car. Overall, it performs outstandingly and it is one of the best BMW sports cars. It was once referred to as an enthusiast’s car dream.
History of the BMW M3
The BMW M3 is produced by BMW’s Motorsport GmbH which was formerly created in 1972. This division of BMW was formed to establish BMW’s racing program and it became popular in the 70s and 80s. Nonetheless, the BMW M3 was first made in 1986 with the E30 M3 being the first model.
What’s more, the BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3-Series, which is the best-selling BMW series. The M3 was first introduced in a coupe body style, with a convertible body introduced a few years later. Nonetheless, the M3 had sedan versions in the E36 and E90 versions.
From 2014 to date, the M3 is only produced in sedan versions as the coupe and convertibles were rebranded as the BMW 4-Series range. As a result, this makes the M4 to be the high-performance version.
Features of the BMW M3
Appearance
Being a high-performance sports car, the BMW M3 is good-looking with a sporty appearance. It has a large vertical kidney grille that enhances airflow and cooling but also gives the car a unique look. Other outstanding features are LED headlights, a carbon-fiber roof, M-specific mirror caps, and 18-inch wheels.
The BMW M3 comes with a wheelbase of 112.5-inches, a length of 189.1-inches, a width of 74.3-inches, and a height of 6.5-inches.
Performance
In terms of performance, the BMW M3 is a beast on the road. It has three trims levels, including the base sedan, competition sedan, and competition xDrive sedan. The base sedan and competition sedan feature a rear-wheel-drive system, while the competition xDrive sedan comes with an AWD system.
All of the three trims come with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 engine that delivers a maximum of 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. However, the competition variant is slightly more powerful, which delivers a maximum of 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.
Comfort and cargo space
The BMW M3 offers a decent cabin and cargo space. Additionally, it can seat up to five people and it’s spacious in the front, but the second-row seats are not very comfortable, especially the middle seat. With a total of 13 cubic feet of cargo space, this is quite good but not the most spacious in its class.
Fuel-efficient
When it comes to efficiency, the BMW M3 is among the least efficient BMW sedans on the market. This is because it comes with an EPA rating of 16 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and a combined 19 mpg. On top of that, the more advanced the trim is, the less efficient the car will be.
Price
Since the BMW M3 is a high-performance car, it is more costly than the average BMW sedan. A new BMW M3 will cost you at least $71,000. However, if you want a quality used BMW M3 model, the prices vary according to model year. Some BMW M3s have become iconic and cost over $120,000. On the same note, some cost as low as $1,000.
FAQ
How fast is the BMW M3?
The BMW M3 is one of the fastest performance cars on the market. It comes with a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 3.4 seconds. However, without the limiter, this car can reach up to 190 mph, which is one of the best in its class.
If you want a fast BMW M3 model, consider getting the BMW M3 Competition xDrive trim.
Are used BMW M3 reliable?
It depends on the model year and the state of the car. For instance, a used 2017 or 2006 BMW M3 model is more reliable than a used 2008 or 2002 model year. Additionally, it is crucial to buy a car that has been well-maintained to avoid having problems. However, if you buy a used BMW M3 that wasn’t maintained properly, it will be unreliable.
All in all, buying a used BMW M3 is costly as the cost of repair and maintenance is quite high.
What are the common problems of the BMW M3?
The BMW M3 may be a high-performance car, but it also has several issues that interested buyers should know about. Some of them include a faulty radiator, oil leakage, noisy engine, engine failure, faulty transmission, idle control valve failure, throttle body actuators failure, faulty radiator, and much more.
What is the most reliable BMW M3?
The title for the most reliable BMW M3 model goes to the 2017 BMW M3. It is followed closely by the 2006 BMW M3. These two cars are not only reliable, but they are also some of the finest car models in the M3 line. The interior is top-notch and the performance is exceptional.
How long does the BMW M3 last?
The BMW M3 is among the least reliable BMW models on the market. Regardless, this car can last for over a long period if it is well-maintained. In most cases, these cars last between 150,000 and 250,000 miles. Nonetheless, some users have reported clocking over 280,000 miles.
Conclusion
The BMW M3 is an exceptional performance car and it is fun to drive. It is also luxurious, elegant, and very fast. Nonetheless, it has a low resale value and it is quite costly to fix. Some of the common issues that BMW M3 users should be ready to deal with are a faulty radiator, oil leakage, engine problems, noisy engine, and faulty transmission.
Generally, the BMW M3 is a nice car with top-notch features and outstanding performance. However, it is also unreliable but long-lasting when properly maintained.