2023 BMW M3 Review

Name: 2023 BMW M3
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $74,998 - $85,990

Good

7.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2023 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: $71,680

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Appraise My 2023 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

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

Written by automotive expert Michael Cantu

10/31/2022

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

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2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan
$83,531
good price
$3,771 below market
- 9,531 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- INFINITI of Suitland (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
$85,990
great price
$12,099 below market
- 13,142 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Carvana - Las Vegas (2,057 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Las Vegas, NV
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: WBS43AY09PFP35515
Stock: 2004716829
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 04-11-2026

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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

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

Good

7.9

out of 10

We drove the 2023 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

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.

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 16.9 cubic feet of space, which is considerably larger than the CT4-V Blackwing's 10.7-cubic-foot trunk. However, the Audi RS 5 Sportback is a hatch, and it offers nearly 30% 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

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.

2023 BMW M3 trim level differences

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: Compare the 2023 BMW M3 trim levels in-depth.

Which M3 trim 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.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$336/mo

$228/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability

The 2023 BMW M3 has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. 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

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 23V118000
Number of vehicles affected:: 120
Defect Description:: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, 330e, 330e xDrive, 430i Convertible, 430i xDrive, M440i, 2022-2023 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. During a service visit, a replacement electronic control unit (ECU) may have been installed with incorrect programming, which can cause the automatic door locking (ADL) function to not lock the doors as intended.
Defect Consequence:: Doors that do not lock as intended while the vehicle is in motion may open during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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

4.3

7 reviews

5(57%)

4(29%)

3(0%)

2(14%)

1(0%)

See all 7 reviews of the BMW M3

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2023 BMW M3 video

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

2023 M3 Features & Specs

Trim:

Base

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$72,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$336/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	16.9 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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2023 BMW M3 Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 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

2023 BMW M3 video

2023 M3 Features & Specs

Safety

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