BMW M3 Competition

M3 Competition at a glance

Where the Competition sits in the M3 family

The M3 began in 1986 as a homologation special for touring-car racing, and the G80 is its sixth generation. The old version of this page called it a mid-size D-segment saloon for everyday use; that is the base on which BMW M builds. Since the F80, the M3 has been a saloon only, while the coupé and convertible carry the BMW M4 name.

The E46 generation also produced the racing M3 GTR, the most extreme M3 before the CS models.

The M3's S58 engine

The S58 is a 2,993 cc straight-six with two turbochargers, direct injection and variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust sides. In the base M3 it gives 353 kW and 550 Nm; in the Competition it gives 375 kW at 6,250 rpm and 650 Nm between 2,750 and 5,500 rpm. By our calculation that is about 125 kW per litre, and the 100 Nm of extra torque arrives across almost the whole usable rev range. Our power converter translates the figures into PS and hp.

A valve in the exhaust changes the sound with the driving mode. The old version of this page said that the sound is also played through the cabin speakers and that the four exhaust tips have a diameter of 100 mm; we keep these details from the old text.

Gearbox and M xDrive

The base M3 was sold only with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. The Competition has an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic. The old page noted that the automatic weighs about 22.7 kg more than the manual.

M xDrive arrived in August 2021. It is rear-biased and has three modes:

• 4WD: the standard setting, with torque sent to both axles as grip requires.
• 4WD Sport: more torque to the rear wheels for a more playful balance.
• 2WD: rear-wheel drive only, with the stability control switched off.

The M xDrive car is 0.4 s quicker to 100 km/h than the rear-drive Competition but weighs about 50 kg more. By our calculation the rear-drive car carries 4.6 kg per kW and the M xDrive saloon 4.7 kg per kW. Our power-to-weight calculator compares those numbers with rivals.

M3 chassis, brakes and wheels

The G80 sits on BMW's CLAR platform with a longitudinal engine, and the M division adds stiffer subframes, extra body bracing and adaptive dampers as standard. Steering is electric M Servotronic with a variable ratio. The Competition rolls on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels; the base M3 uses 18 and 19 inches.

M Compound steel brakes are standard. The old version of this page gave disc diameters of 380 mm front and 370 mm rear with six-piston front callipers, and 400/380 mm for the optional M Carbon-Ceramic brakes with gold callipers. The roof is carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. BMW says that the optional M Race Track Package cuts about 25 kg, mainly through carbon bucket seats and the ceramic brakes.

Design and cabin

The large vertical kidney grille, also used on the M4, divided opinion at launch, as the old version of this page noted. Around it the M3 has wider wings, bonnet bulges, side gills and a rear diffuser. The cabin follows the 3 Series but adds M sports seats with illuminated badges, carbon trim and two red M1 and M2 buttons on the steering wheel for stored driving settings. The old text listed a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 10.25-inch central screen and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system as part of the equipment of the launch cars.

CS, Touring and the 2025 update

The CS was unveiled at the 24 Hours of Daytona in January 2023. With 405 kW and 1,765 kg it carries about 4.4 kg per kW, by our calculation the best ratio among the G80 versions in this table.

M3 Competition prices

BMW announced a US price of 72,800 US dollars (about €61,000 at the 2021 rate) for the M3 Competition saloon at its launch in March 2021, according to the old version of this page. In Germany, a price list of April 2023 shows €100,300 for the M3 Competition M xDrive saloon. Prices depend heavily on options and change every model year, so check your local configurator before ordering.

M3 Competition against its rivals

The closest rivals are the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S, the Audi RS 4 Avant and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. The current C 63 S E Performance uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid with 500 kW, while the M3 keeps a straight-six. The old page also named the Porsche 911 as a rival in price, though it is a sports car of a different kind. Our car comparison tool lines them up side by side.