BMW M3

About

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.

Photo & info: Wikipedia

Specifications

From Wikipedia — confirm against the actual car before purchase.

Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Class: Compact executive car (D)
Related: BMW 3 Series

Generations

E301986–1991 E361992–1999 E462000–2006 E90/E92/E932007–2013 F802014–2018 G80/G812020–present

Photos

Real cars from Wikimedia Commons — colours and trims as photographed.

E30 1986–1991

E36 1992–1999

E46 2000–2006

E90/E92/E93 2007–2013

2011 · GTS

G80/G81 2020–present

2023 · Competition

CSL

Photos: Wikimedia Commons — click any for full resolution & licence.

By year

Trims, economy and safety change year to year — pick one (US market).

1989 1990 1991 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2015 2016 2017 2018 2021

Trim · engine	Drive	MPG comb (city/hwy)	CO₂ g/mi	Fuel cost
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L	Rear-Wheel Drive	20 (17/26)	444	$4,100/yr
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L	Rear-Wheel Drive	21 (18/26)	423	$3,900/yr

Economy & emissionsSubcompact Cars

$7,500

more over 5 yrs vs. avg

14.2

Barrels/yr

Recalls & complaints

Recalls: 2 · Complaints: 27 · Investigations: 10

Air bags
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUBSTANTIAL SPEED.
Vehicle speed control
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.

Top recall areas: Air bags · Vehicle speed control

Investigations: Rear Toe Link May Separate · Automated Driving System (ADS) conflict avoidance, driving behavior competence and assertiveness · Front Steering Knuckle Fractures

Trims & economy: fueleconomy.gov · recalls & rating: NHTSA

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Reviews & research

Independent reviews, news and owner communities — off-site.

Video reviews

Road tests & walkarounds on YouTube

Expert reviews

Edmunds, Car and Driver, MotorTrend & more

News

Latest coverage and updates

Owner community

Real-world ownership on Reddit

Full history

The complete Wikipedia entry

For sale

Find one for sale

Search the open market for a BMW M3 now — eBay Motors plus sellers who list directly with rTracer. Live listings land here as the feed goes live.

Market value. No used BMW M3 has one set price — see what they actually sold for recently, then compare with what's on the market now.

Search eBay Motors ↗See sold prices ↗

Maintenance & ownership

Check the BMW M3's recall history, investigations and owner complaints at NHTSA — the best free read on reliability and what tends to go wrong before you buy.

Check at NHTSA ↗

The universe

Coming: a full spec sheet, and a drivable 3D model of the M3 on any road in the rTracer atlas.

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