Overview

What's New for 2024

The 2024 M3 is available in three trim levels: Standard, Competition, and CS.

Standard

The standard M3 starts at around $75,000 before a $995 destination charge, with 473 horsepower, grey alloy wheels, performance tires, an M Sport rear differential, an adaptive suspension, M Drive modes, heated front sport seats, ambient interior lighting, aluminum accents, automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, proximity keyless entry, a Harman Kardon surround-sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and auto-dimming mirrors.

BMW includes driver-assistance technology to help mitigate damage before, during, and after a collision. This includes automatic front seat belt tensioning, automatic closing of windows, and post-crash braking. Active Driving Assistant helps prevent such incidents in the first place with lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear-collision preparation.

BMW offers several options for the M3. Notable items include automatic parking, a heated steering wheel, a power trunk, wireless smartphone charging, Gesture Control, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a head-up display.

Competition

The M3 Competition ($80,000) has 503 horsepower, black 19-inch wheels, an M Steptronic automatic transmission, M seat belts, and unique exterior trim.

Among the M3 Competition's exclusive options is the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which adds more sophisticated lane-keeping and crash-evasion systems for extra peace of mind. Standalone options include carbon-ceramic brakes, ventilated front seats, M Carbon bucket seats, a driver training course, and Piano Black interior trim.

CS

The limited-production CS trim ($118,700) has 543 hp, carbon-fiber bucket seats, a carbon exterior package, an Alcantara steering wheel, staggered wheels in Gold Bronze, and a front strut brace.

Options for the CS include Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, carbon-ceramic brakes, and gold, red, or black brake calipers.

The BMW M3 has a turbo six-cylinder engine producing 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. According to BMW, the M3 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The top track speed is an electronically-limited 155 mph. A forged crankshaft, 3D-printed cylinder heads, and other advancements lower the engine's weight and improve efficiency.

The standard six-speed manual transmission provides quick and satisfying gear shifts. Few modern sports sedans offer a manual, and BMW's is particularly good. Gear Shift Assistant technology matches engine revs during downshifts to enhance the driving experience.

The M3 Competition comes with an M Steptronic automatic transmission. It includes six driving modes — three manual and three auto — ranging from plush comfort to race mode. BMW mates the eight-speed transmission to a more potent variant of the base powerplant, making 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration from 0-60 mph takes just 3.8 seconds. Meanwhile, the M3 CS provides an impressive 543 hp.

Buyers can swap out the standard M Compound brakes for optional carbon ceramics that offer two pedal-feel settings, Comfort and Sport. These modes allow you to change the pressure required to apply to the brake pedal. A neat detail is the gold-painted calipers.

With the M3's impressive mechanical components, BMW developed sophisticated electronic systems to help the car maximize traction and driving performance. Standard technologies include Dry Braking, Brake Assist, Automatic Differential Brake, Cornering Brake Control, and an M Dynamic driving mode.

The 2024 M3 has classic touches that hint at the car's high-performance nature, like bolstered sports seats, an anthracite-colored headliner, tantalizing red M buttons, and a thick leather steering wheel. Thanks to its seamlessly integrated tech, the cabin feels modern, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel has replaced the traditional driver gauges of yesteryear.

Aluminum Tertrgon trim enhances the M3's cabin ambiance, with carbon fiber available for a sportier look. Premium leather lines the interior with contrast-color inserts. The front seats are heated and power-adjustable; seat ventilation is optional. Enthusiasts can opt for M Carbon bucket seats, which save 21 pounds over the standard seats and feature multi-point seatbelts.

The M3's excellent infotainment system includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and cloud-based navigation.

The M3 is surprisingly roomy for a sport sedan. Headroom surpasses many rivals, and front legroom is outstanding. Rear-seat passengers don't have quite as much comfort, with just 35.6 inches of legroom, but this is still average for the class. The 13-cubic-foot trunk is large enough for carrying groceries or medium-sized luggage, and the back seats can fold for extra space.