2023 BMW M3 Review

Name: 2023 BMW M3
Brand: BMW

Price Range: $71,978 - $86,000

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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114 cars

$55,198 avg. price

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BMW M3 model years

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2023 BMW M3 Review

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 Boydton, VA

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2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan
$91,998
fair price
$1,263 above market
- 10,575 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- BMW of Alexandria (164 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Alexandria, VA
* MSRP: $97,795.00 * Total Options: $14,200.00* Exterior Color: Frozen Brilliant White, $3,600.00* Interior Color: Fiona Red/Black Full Merino Leather...
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: WBS43AY0XPFP77580
Stock: P77580PC
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 08-19-2025
2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan
$90,927
fair price
$2,371 above market
- 14,105 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Foreign Cars Italia (95 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Greensboro, NC
2023 BMW M3 Competition 3.0L I6 Turbocharged DOHC 24V LEV3-ULEV70 503hp Active Driving Assistant Pro, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Compatibility, BMW ...
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: WBS43AY09PFN56732
Stock: VH5399
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-03-2025

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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 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

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:

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.

Compare 2023 BMW M3 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$249/mo

$157/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

2.5/5Average

#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

BMW M3 Owner Reviews

4.2

6 reviews

5(50%)

4(33%)

3(0%)

2(17%)

1(0%)

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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 6 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 Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$72,800
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	19 MPG
Cost to Drive	$249/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

2023 BMW M3 Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Boydton, VA

2023 BMW M3Competition xDrive Sedan

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2023 BMW M3Competition xDrive Sedan

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 Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

BMW M3 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.

2023 BMW M3 video

2023 M3 Highlights

Safety

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2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan

2023 BMW M3
Competition xDrive Sedan