2023 BMW M3

Price Range: $72,800 - $80,800 ^{Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.}

360°

+307

The 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.Read full review

No 2023 M3 vehicles for sale in our network near

See other years

BMW M3 for Sale

Pricing

Select year

Edmunds suggests you pay

$64,771

2023 BMW M3 Review

byMichael Cantu^{Correspondent
Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.}

rating written byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

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

New commemorative version called the Edition 50 Jahre
New infotainment system with larger center display
Gesture control has been discontinued
Based on the seventh 3 Series generation introduced for 2019

Overview

The BMW M3 is the long-running and very popular performance variant of the 3 Series sedan. For decades, it's been the go-to car for many automotive enthusiasts and is known for setting the benchmark for compact sport sedans. The M3's excellent mix of power, performance and practicality makes it a great choice if you're looking for an outrageously fun family car or a spacious, track-ready weekend warrior.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$252/mo

$158/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2023, BMW is introducing a M3 commemorative version called the Edition 50 Jahre BMW M. Limited to only 500 cars for North America, the Edition 50 Jahre ("jahre" means "years" in German) comes in one of five special exterior paint colors used on previous-generation M3 models. There's Interlagos Blue from the third-generation model, for example, or Lime Rock Park Edition from the fourth generation. These Edition 50 Jahre M3s also have special wheels, extra exterior carbon-fiber trim and a few other minor interior enhancements.

The car's oversized kidney grilles aren't for everyone, but otherwise the M3 is a very impressive luxury sport sedan. Its blistering acceleration, precise handling and raucous exhaust will put a smile on almost anyone's face. Check out the Edmunds Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of the M3's performance, tech and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

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, but 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

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 sidewalls 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

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Save as much as $9,980 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $9,980 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Competition xDrive trim.}

2023 BMW M3 pricing in Ashburn, VA

Edmunds suggests you pay

Build & Price

Technology

8/10

How’s the tech? The M3 features the latest in-car tech BMW has to offer. The standard navigation system is one of the better systems on the market, though its constant traffic updates get annoying. If you prefer to run things from your phone, the M3 offers Apple CarPlay (with wireless connectivity) and Android Auto integration. You can also use a decent list of voice commands to do things like change the radio or input an address into the navigation system. Sound quality from the Harman Kardon audio system is impressive.

The M3 comes with a mix of standard and optional driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. Overall, BMW does a nice job of tuning these features to be helpful without being overly sensitive.

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

Fuel Economy

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

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

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.

Which M3 does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest going with the Competition model. For only a small price bump, you get additional power, larger wheels, unique exhaust tips and more. You lose the six-speed manual transmission option but you can add all-wheel drive.

Compare 2023 BMW M3 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

BMW M3 models

The BMW M3 is available in three trim levels: the base M3, the M3 Competition and the M3 Competition xDrive. Here's our breakdown of the powertrain and features that you get with each:

M3 Sedan
Comes loaded with:

Turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (473 horsepower, 406 lb-ft of torque)
Six-speed manual transmission
Rear-wheel drive
18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels with performance tires
Adjustable drive modes
M Sport rear differential for improved traction
Adaptive suspension dampers (adjust to improve ride comfort and handling)
LED headlights
Carbon-fiber roof
Keyless entry with push-button start
Leather upholstery
Power-adjustable, heated front sport seats
Automatic climate control
Digital instrument panel
16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen
Navigation system
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration with wireless connectivity
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)

The M3 also comes with:

Forward collision warning with pedestrian detection (alerts you of a possible collision with the car in front)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)

A handful of options are available on the M3. Notable picks include:

Executive package

Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield)
Adaptive LED headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Wireless charging pad
Wi-Fi hotspot
Heated steering wheel
Power trunklid

Sunroof (removes lightweight carbon-fiber roof)
Ventilated front seats
Carbon-fiber bucket front seats
Carbon-ceramic brakes
M Drive Professional package (includes Track mode as well as other performance displays and settings)

Competition
Standard features on the M3 Competition mirror those on the standard car. It also includes:

More powerful engine (503 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque)
Eight-speed automatic transmission
19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels with performance tires
Gloss black exterior trim including spoiler and exhaust tips
Different seat belts

Competition xDrive

All-wheel-drive system

The M3 Competition and Competition xDrive are also available with one extra package:

Driving Assistance Professional package

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the M3 back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Front and rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is about to cross your vehicle's path)

For 2023, there's also the new Edition 50 Jahre BMW M. It features:

Unique exterior paint color choices
Special wheels
Carbon-fiber front splitter and trunk spoiler
Carbon-fiber-trimmed exhaust tips
Classic BMW logos
Special interior seat stitching

BMW M3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.0

5 reviews

5(40%)

4(40%)

3(0%)

2(20%)

1(0%)

Write a vehicle review See all 5 reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Drive it and you'll love it

LouNY, 02/13/2023

2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Compared to any other performance car and you will find the best value for money per dollar in the industry. Race track worthy performance with the reliability to match and every feature you could possibly need all inside of a luxury package with all the tech too. No other car is available with all-wheel drive and could run a crazy lap around vir like car and driver has shown. Amazing …

My fastest but not my favorite M3

Mark, 06/08/2023

2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Got my M3 Competition XDrive a few months ago. Frozen Portimao Blue with Blue/Black interior. Beautiful car! Great ergonomics. The G80 rips. 503 hp, and equally important, AWD. This car is a rocket-ship, although its straight six twin turbo doesn't sound anywhere as impressive as my V8 convertible did. Problem? They made the car too big. It is considerably larger than the E93 or E46 I …

doesn't feel like an M3

Mark, 06/07/2023

2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

Have had my G80 for about 6 months now. Had an E46 and an E93, so it is my 3rd M3. No comparison for power, the twin turbo straight six rips. This is a very quick car. Because it is a bigger car, the G80 doesn't "feel" as good as either the E46 or E93. It seems to me either one of these older cars turns better than the G80. Great car, but I don't like the size increase. Coming up on …

Came from a 2021, jumped into a 2023.

Drew Harrig, 12/03/2023

2023 BMW M3 Competition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

I've never been so disappointed with how I spent $100,000, but here I am. Traded in a 2021 M3 Competition RWD for a 2023 Competition xDrive this year and I hate absolutely everything about the new ride. BMW's new iD8 infotainment system is almost enough to single handedly ruin this car. I've owned it for 6 months and I want out BADLY. I wish I had never gotten rid of my 2021

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 BMW M3, so we've included reviews for other years of the M3 since its last redesign.

See all 5 reviews of the BMW M3

Write a vehicle review

Helpful shopping links

2023 BMW M3 video

U-DRAG RACE: BMW M3 Competition vs. BMW M8 Competition! | Quarter Mile, Handling & More!

2023 BMW M3 Features & Specs

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$72,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$252/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Compare the BMW M3

Compare selected vehicles

BMW M3 vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes redesigned the C-Class for the 2023 model year and will introduce a new AMG C 63 soon. Details are still slim, but we know that the next C 63 will offer a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain boasting more than 600 horsepower. It will likely only be available with all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, so if you prefer rear-wheel drive and three pedals, stick with the M3. The upcoming C 63 should have the advantage in tech since it will be packing some of Mercedes' latest features.

Compare BMW M3 & Mercedes-Benz C-Class features

BMW M3 vs. Audi RS 5

The sleek and sophisticated RS 5 Sportback isn't as powerful or as quick as the M3, but it's supremely comfortable and its hatchback body style makes it more versatile. The RS 5's standard all-wheel-drive system is great for traction but dulls the driving experience. When you boil it down, the M3 is more thrilling to drive and a better track car, while the RS 5 is an excellent grand-touring car that's more at home cruising the highway.

Compare BMW M3 & Audi RS 5 features

BMW M3 vs. Tesla Model 3

If you can live without the sound of a powerful engine and enjoy the instant response of an all-electric powertrain, the Model 3 Performance might be for you. Both rivals have excellent handling dynamics and almost identical 0-60 times in Edmunds' testing. Passenger space is very comparable, but the Model 3 offers more cargo space. Enthusiasts will likely prefer the M3 for its engine noise, manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive layout, but others will see the appeal in the Model 3's instant and smooth acceleration, unrivaled tech and lower starting price.

Compare BMW M3 & Tesla Model 3 features

Safety

Our experts’ favorite M3 safety features:

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.

FAQ

Is the BMW M3 a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 M3 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.9 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 M3 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the M3 has 16.9 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a BMW M3. Learn more

What's new in the 2023 BMW M3?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 BMW M3:

New commemorative version called the Edition 50 Jahre
New infotainment system with larger center display
Gesture control has been discontinued
Based on the seventh 3 Series generation introduced for 2019

Learn more

Is the BMW M3 reliable?

To determine whether the BMW M3 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the M3. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the M3's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2023 BMW M3 a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 BMW M3 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 M3 and gave it a 7.9 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 M3 gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 M3 is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2023 BMW M3?

The least-expensive 2023 BMW M3 is the 2023 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $72,800.

Other versions include:

4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $72,800
Competition 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $76,700
Competition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $80,800

Learn more

What are the different models of BMW M3?

If you're interested in the BMW M3, the next question is, which M3 model is right for you? M3 variants include 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M), Competition 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A), and Competition xDrive 4dr Sedan AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of M3 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2023 BMW M3

Pricing

2023 BMW M3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Save as much as $9,980 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $9,980 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Competition xDrive trim.

Edmunds suggests you pay

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which M3 does Edmunds recommend?

BMW M3 models

BMW M3 Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Drive it and you'll love it

My fastest but not my favorite M3

doesn't feel like an M3

Came from a 2021, jumped into a 2023.

Helpful shopping links

2023 BMW M3 video

2023 BMW M3 Features & Specs

Compare the BMW M3

BMW M3 vs. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

BMW M3 vs. Audi RS 5

BMW M3 vs. Tesla Model 3

Safety

Our experts’ favorite M3 safety features:

2023 BMW M3 First Impressions

What is the M3?

Edmunds says

FAQ

Is the BMW M3 a good car?

What's new in the 2023 BMW M3?

Is the BMW M3 reliable?

Is the 2023 BMW M3 a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2023 BMW M3?

What are the different models of BMW M3?

Related 2023 BMW M3 info

Vehicle rankings by type

Research similar car reviews

Other popular Bmw reviews and ratings

More SUVs to consider

Photos

Automotive News

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2023 BMW M3 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.86 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Save as much as $9,980 with Edmunds ^{Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $9,980 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Competition xDrive trim.}