2022 BMW M3 XDrive Performance Verdict

Name: 2022 BMW M3
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $67,998 - $84,400

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2022 BMW M3 is a sport sedan that comes so close to being perfect. The all-wheel-drive system gives you confidence in poor weather, plus heaps of grip for explosive acceleration. You can even divert all power to the rear wheels for some tail-happy antics if you wish. Yet the highs are so high that the car's numb steering and unpleasant exhaust note really stick out.

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Average price: $74,419

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Appraise My 2022 BMW M3

Pros

Explosive acceleration
Athletic handling, with lots of available driver-set adjustments
Respectably sized back seat and trunk

Cons

Mediocre steering feel saps some fun from the driving experience
Excessive wind noise
Front-end styling is hard to love

What's new

All-wheel drive is available for the M3 Competition model
Based on the seventh 3 Series generation introduced for 2019

Vertical grille styling and power-tech blend

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

Updated: 5/17/2022

BMW's latest vertical grille styling really puts the "don't judge a book by its cover" adage to the test, but it also reinforces that notion if you can get past the front end on the 2022 BMW M3, climb in, and give it a go. BMW's storied M3 still delivers the kind of power, handling and overall performance that makes it deserving of the M badge and also provides all the latest technology in a convenient and luxurious sedan.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

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2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan
$83,531
fair price
$1,792 below market
- 9,531 miles
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- 34 mi away
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Suitland, MD
2023 BMW M3 Competition Portimao Blue Metallic AWD 8-Speed Automatic Steptronic 3.0L I6 Turbocharged DOHC 24V LEV3-ULEV70 503hp*Navigation*, *Blueto...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBS43AY08PFP20312
Stock: IP20312P
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-16-2026
New Listing
2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan
$80,590
- 33,640 miles
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- 95 mi away
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Richmond, VA
At Carvana, we go miles beyond the extra mile. That's why we provide you with a convenient, fast, and hassle-free car buying experience that puts you ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WBS43AY0XPFP58771
Stock: 2004700758
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-16-2026

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New for 2022 is the addition of BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, marking the very first time AWD is offered in the M3's three-decade-plus history. It's only available in the top Competition model, and only with an eight-speed automatic, but it promises to quicken acceleration while giving drivers an added advantage when cornering. Even better, if you feel the need to lay down some big smoky drifts, you can switch to a rear-drive-only mode intended for track use only (wink wink).

The xDrive addition, along with a redesign last year, keeps the 2022 BMW M3 at the top of an elite list of high-performance luxury sedans. Rivals include the Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63, Audi RS5 Sportback, Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing. We're confident you'll agree the M3 is the best, but it can't hurt to test-drive all of them for, you know, "research."

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2022 BMW M3 on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance: Ferociously fast but finicky shifting steering

8/10

How does the M3 drive? We tested the BMW M3 Competition xDrive. It's ferociously fast. The 0-60 mph sprint took just 3.2 seconds in our testing, handily beating the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and Audi RS 5 Sportback. However, the transmission can be reluctant to downshift, even in Sport mode. So if you're about to tackle a set of serpentine mountain roads, we suggest you keep the transmission in its manual shift mode.

Handling is superb. The M3 Competition is a true sport sedan, with lots of grip and very little roll in corners. All-wheel drive is newly available for this M3 generation. Not only does it cut down acceleration times, it also improves traction when it starts to snow outside. You can disable the all-wheel-drive system and send all of its power to the rear wheels for tail-out antics, if that's still your thing.

Unfortunately, BMW's modern steering calibration continues to be fine but not great. The car reacts quickly to driver inputs, but in Comfort mode, the steering doesn't increase in effort as you move away from dead center. This lack of effort buildup makes it difficult to intuitively know where the wheels are pointed, which is especially evident in back-to-back cornering. Switching to Sport mode for its heftier weight is needed for spirited driving.

Comfort: Adaptive dampers temper the harsh ride

7.5/10

How comfortable is the M3? You aren't getting the plush, pillowy ride that you'd find in a similarly priced 7 Series, but the M3 Competition is surprisingly comfortable given its capabilities. In Comfort mode, the adaptive dampers help prevent the sport-tuned suspension and narrow tire sidewall from making the M3's ride too harsh. Even though the optional carbon-fiber bucket seats, which is what our test car had, don't have many adjustments, it's pretty easy to dial in a setup that you find comfortable. However, the carbon-fiber insert in the middle of the seat might also force some drivers to splay their legs while behind the wheel.

Wind and road noise is acceptable for this kind of sport sedan, but our editors are mixed on the engine's exhaust note. Some think it sounds like a symphony of strained blenders at full whack while others think it absolutely rips, especially from the outside.

Interior: Driver-focused cockpit, with minor quirks

8/10

How’s the interior? There are small touches everywhere — from the center stack and touchscreen, both canted toward the driver, to the excellent seat positioning — to let you know that BMW thinks of the driver as the most important person in the M3's cabin. We didn't find many usability problems, though the charging pad is located just ahead of the cupholders, so if you're bringing a pair of venti cups home, you can't reach your phone.

Interior space is pretty good for a compact sedan, and there's a touch more legroom than in competitors. The M3 has thick windshield pillars, which slightly hamper forward visibility, but that's not uncommon for the segment.

Our test M3 came with one option that we advise against unless you plan to treat the M3 Competition as a real track car: the carbon-fiber sport bucket seats. They have comfortable padding, but actually entering and exiting the vehicle is difficult due to their high-profile thigh bolsters.

Technology: Reliable infotainment, annoying lane assist

8/10

How’s the tech? The M3 has plenty of in-car tech to keep you and passengers entertained, even if you're just cruising on the highway. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with wireless connectivity come standard, as do four USB ports and a wireless charging pad. Our test car wasn't equipped with every available driver assist feature, but what was available generally worked well. The only outlier was the lane departure mitigation system, which intervened a little too quickly for our liking.

The standard 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is great and produces full and immersive sound, though it's a chore to access the equalizer if you're running Apple CarPlay. The navigation system is snappy but is busy to look at because it displays too much traffic information in urban environments. The voice recognition system worked well in our testing, and we were able to input navigation destinations with very few errors.

Storage: Big trunk, smarter cabin storage

8/10

How’s the storage? In addition to the rear seat, a useful cargo area is why you buy an M3 over, say, a Shelby GT500 or Chevrolet Corvette. This BMW sport sedan offers 13.0 cubic feet of space, which is a bit larger than the CT4-V Blackwing's 10.7-cubic-foot trunk. However, the Audi RS 5 Sportback is a hatch, and it offers roughly 50% more cargo room than the M3. In the cabin, there are plenty of places to store items, from the sizable underarm storage bin and generous door pockets.

If you're carrying little ones, know that the M3's Isofix anchors are easy to access below flip-up lids, and there's enough room in the back to fit a rear-facing car seat.

Fuel Economy: Real MPG beats EPA estimates

7.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The M3 Competition xDrive is EPA-estimated to achieve fuel economy of 18 mpg combined (16 city/22 highway). This is slightly below EPA estimates for the CT4-V Blackwing and Audi RS 5. However, our test car got an impressive 23.7 mpg on our 115-mile evaluation route. Results for the CT4-V Blackwing and Audi RS 5 were 20.4 mpg and 22.7 mpg, respectively.

Value: Price premium buys real performance

7.5/10

Is the M3 a good value? While the M3 itself starts just north of $70,000, our Competition xDrive test vehicle with matte gray paint and every performance box ticked rocketed the price tag above six figures. That's not a surprise for the luxury sport sedan category — a loaded Audi RS 5 Sportback will cost about the same — but the Cadillac CT4-V costs tens of thousands of dollars less. That said, the Caddy is slower and not quite as nice inside. Even though the M3 costs a lot of money, few four-doors can do what this BMW can do.

From a warranty perspective, BMW's four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper and powertrain coverage is typical for the segment. The three years of complimentary maintenance will carry you through to the end of your lease.

Wildcard: Styling mostly impresses; driving disappoints

8/10

Styling is subjective, so we aren't going to significantly ding the M3's bucktoothed grille. The rest of this sport sedan looks pretty sharp, with flared wheel arches and a quad exhaust to visually distinguish it from the hoi polloi 3 Series. The interior is a bit spiffier too.

Then there's the M3 Comp's credentials; with more than 500 horsepower on tap, this thing rockets off the line and offers awesome grip in corners. Because the xDrive system allows you to shunt all power to the rear tires, opting for AWD doesn't necessarily mean totally handing the reins to microchips and processors.

However, the numb steering kept us from fully engaging with the M3 Comp. The exhaust note was a bummer for some of us too. It's extremely capable, just not completely "oh-my-gosh-go-out-and-buy-one-now." And skip the carbon bucket seats. Your hips, thighs and significant other will all thank you.

2022 BMW M3 trim level differences

The 2022 BMW M3 is available in three trim levels: the base M3, the M3 Competition and the M3 Competition xDrive. All three use a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder. It produces 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the standard model and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque in the M3 Competition and Competition xDrive. Rear-wheel-drive is standard, and all-wheel drive (xDrive) is a new feature for the Competition model only. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the base M3 sedan. An eight-speed automatic is optional on the base model and the only available transmission on the Competition or Competition xDrive. Feature highlights include: Compare the 2022 BMW M3 trim levels in-depth.

Which M3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

If you're going the BMW M3 route, we suggest going all the way with the M3 Competition xDrive. Not only does it increase driver confidence on slippery roads, but it also adds a healthy dose of acceleration and handling. Even better, brave drivers can select rear-wheel drive only whenever they wish. The only downside? BMW's slick-shifting manual transmission is reserved for the standard M3.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$336/mo

$225/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2022 BMW M3 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, ranks it #57 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

2.5 out of 5 stars2.5/5Average

#57 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$824/yr

vs. $607/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Frequency

1.87x/yr

vs. 1.36x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Severity

22.4%

vs. 10.5%
for Average Luxury Midsize Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2022 BMW M3

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 12 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 4 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

BMW M3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

5(100%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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2022 BMW M3 videos

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2022 M3 Features & Specs

Trim:

Base

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$70,100
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$336/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	13.0 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the M3 models:

Active Driving Assistant: Bundles a number of driver assistance features, including a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert.
Parking Assistant Plus: Steers the vehicle into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot with minimal driver interaction.
Extended Traffic Jam Assistant: Drives and steers the vehicle at low speeds while on the highway to reduce the tedium of driving in traffic.

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2022 BMW M3 XDrive Performance Verdict

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Vertical grille styling and power-tech blend

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance: Ferociously fast but finicky shifting steering

Comfort: Adaptive dampers temper the harsh ride

Interior: Driver-focused cockpit, with minor quirks

Technology: Reliable infotainment, annoying lane assist

Storage: Big trunk, smarter cabin storage

Fuel Economy: Real MPG beats EPA estimates

Value: Price premium buys real performance

Wildcard: Styling mostly impresses; driving disappoints

2022 BMW M3 trim level differences

Which M3 trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

BMW M3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2022 BMW M3 videos

2022 M3 Features & Specs

Safety

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