2018 BMW M3
2018 BMW M3 pricing
in Ashburn, VAWhich M3 does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
4.5 / 5It's a common problem: You have to transport your family, but you still want to go fast and have fun. What's a driving enthusiast to do? Try the 2018 BMW M3. This performance variant of the brand's 3 Series merges practicality and performance into one highly enjoyable sport sedan.
The transformation from luxury-oriented 3 Series to really fast luxury-oriented M3 includes a vastly more powerful six-cylinder engine, bigger wheels, stickier tires, stronger brakes and firmer suspension tuning. The exterior changes are more subtle. Aficionados will recognize it immediately, but most might not notice the quad exhaust tips, domed hood, wider fenders and carbon-fiber roof.
What we really love about the M3, though, is that it retains its civility in spite of the performance upgrades. The ride quality remains comfortable thanks to adaptive dampers, the seats are supportive yet comfortable enough for long road trips, and the back seat and trunk are spacious. While there are higher-performing competitors, and more luxurious ones, few blend both traits with the fluidity of the 2018 BMW M3.
Trim levels & features
The BMW M3 is a four-door, five-passenger high-performance car that's based on the company's 3 Series. Its sedan layout gives it practicality for daily use, while its sporting hardware upgrades make it more exciting to drive. The few options packages available can increase performance further and add more comfort features.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine (425 horsepower, 406 pound-feet of torque) that sends its power to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic.
Standard equipment highlights include adaptive suspension dampers, LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, power and heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless ignition and entry, auto-dimming mirrors, BMW iDrive infotainment interface (with a 8.8-inch display screen), a navigation system and a Harman Kardon sound system.
The Competition package sharpens the M3's responses by boosting engine output to 444 hp and further tuning the suspension and differential. It also includes lightweight 20-inch forged wheels.
The Driving Assistance package is where you'll find advanced safety features. This package includes lane departure warning, forward collision warning (with pedestrian detection) and low-speed automatic emergency braking. It also adds a feature that displays the posted speed limit in the gauge cluster.
The Executive package adds more convenience-based extras such as adaptive headlights with auto high beams, heating for the steering wheel and rear seats, a head-up display, side- and top-view parking cameras, and an automated parking system.
Stand-alone options include carbon-ceramic brake rotors, a nonadaptive suspension, a sunroof, blind-spot monitoring, wireless device charging and Apple CarPlay phone integration. Owners seeking more thrill should consider the M Driver's package, which is essentially one day of high-performance driving education.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2015 BMW M4 (turbo 3.0L inline-6 | 6-speed manual | RWD).
NOTE: The M4 is the coupe variant of the M3. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's BMW M3, however.
Driving
5Acceleration
5Braking
4.5Steering
3.5Handling
4.5Drivability
5Comfort
4.5Seat comfort
5Ride comfort
4Noise & vibration
3.5Interior
4Ease of use
4.5Roominess
4Visibility
3.5Quality
5Technology
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2018 BMW M3.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite M3 safety features:
- Rearview Camera
- Shows you what's behind the car while you're backing up.
- Park Distance Control
- Gives you an audible warning that helps you know the distance between your car and objects around you.
- Active Blind-Spot Detection
- Alerts you if it senses a vehicle in your blind spot.
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BMW M3 vs. the competition
2018 BMW M3
2018 Audi S4
BMW M3 vs. Audi S4
Given its greater performance and more hard-core nature, the BMW M3 aligns better with Audi's high-performance RS models. However, if you don't need that much performance and want something a bit less frenetic, the Audi S4 is probably worth a look. It's cheaper, too. Edmunds gave the S4 an overall rating of 4.5 stars.
BMW M3 vs. Audi S5
The Audi S5 Sportback is essentially a sleek-looking fastback version of the S4 with more cargo space. The S4 already has a slight cargo advantage over the BMW M3, but the S5's advantage is even greater. However, with more space comes more weight, which extends the M3's performance lead, making it still the better choice if you value speed and handling and have no need for all-wheel drive.
BMW M3 vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The M3 lost some of its aural soul when BMW opted to use a turbocharged six-cylinder to keep pace in the horsepower arms race. Unfortunately for BMW, Mercedes-Benz has figured out how to make turbocharged engines sound fantastic while producing incredible power. The lone reason for picking an M3 over the AMG C63 could be the six-speed manual gearbox, which Mercedes hasn't offered in ages. Edmunds gave the AMG C63 S a strong overall rating of four stars.
2018 BMW M3 for Sale
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Is the BMW M3 a good car?
BMW has a reputation for making cars that are fantastic to drive, and the M3 is often a perennial benchmark in its class. Aside from the ample thrust on tap from its turbocharged engine, the M3 delivers agile handling without a penalizing ride quality, and it has a comfortable, upscale cabin to boot. It's a car you can enjoy every day instead of just on the weekends. With all that power and speed, you also want to be confident in your stopping ability, and the M3's brakes are also among its strong points. The one area we find fault is the M3's steering. Tuning electric steering has become somewhat of a dark art, and one BMW has yet to master. Furthermore, for those who care about bragging rights, the M3 is not the quickest in class, and some might also find other sport sedans sound better, too.
How can I get a BMW M3 deal?
Edmunds can help you find a great local price on a BMW M3. See 2018 BMW M3 deals and incentives in your area.
Does the BMW M3 have good MPG?
According to the EPA, the M3 with the six-speed manual gearbox achieves 20 mpg combined (17 city/25 highway). Conventional thinking would have it that the optional seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission gets better fuel economy, but it doesn't. It clocks in at an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined but gets 1 less mpg on the highway (17 city/24 highway). This is comparable to the rest of the segment, though some competitors have more powerful engines and achieve similar efficiency.
Does the BMW M3 have good resale value?
If you're ready to buy, you're probably wondering about the BMW M3's resale value. How much will a 2018 BMW M3 be worth in two or five years — or whenever you decide to sell? Check out the Edmunds True Cost to Own (TCO) calculator. It includes projected annual depreciation over the first five years of ownership based on Edmunds' robust market transaction data.
2018 BMW M3 Overview
The 2018 BMW M3 is offered in the following submodels: M3 Sedan. Available styles include 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M).
What do people think of the 2018 BMW M3?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 BMW M3 and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2018 M3 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 M3.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 BMW M3 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 M3 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Edmunds Scorecard
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 BMW M3?
2018 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
The 2018 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $68,745. The average price paid for a new 2018 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) is trending $3,024 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $3,024 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$65,721.
The average savings for the 2018 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) is4.4% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 40 2018 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 BMW M3s are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 BMW M3 for sale near. There are currently 60 new 2018 M3s listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $69,295 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 BMW M3. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $6,111 on a used or CPO 2018 M3 available from a dealership near you.
Can't find a new 2018 BMW M3s you want in your area? Consider a broader search.
Find a new BMW M3 for sale - 9 great deals out of 12 listings starting at $19,375.
Find a new BMW for sale - 5 great deals out of 5 listings starting at $21,724.
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Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 BMW M3?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out BMW lease specials
Check out BMW M3 lease specials