2027 BMW M3 CS Gets a 6-Speed Manual as a Last Hurrah

•  What's new: The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter is a limited-run M3 with a six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, carbon-fiber weight savings and new chassis tuning.
• Why it matters: It gives manual transmission fans one more highly focused M3 option before the current-generation car bows out, though its $108,450 starting price with destination makes it a niche choice.
• Edmunds says: The M3 CS Handschalter is likely less about outright speed and more about driver engagement. Most people will be better served by a regular M3, but enthusiasts who want a rare manual M3 should pay attention.

What makes the Handschalter different

"Handschalter" is German for manual shifter, and that name explains the car's purpose; the manual Z4 also uses this name. Unlike the previous M3 CS, which uses all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, this version sends power only to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual. 

Power comes from BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, rated at 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Accelerating to 60 mph should take 4.1 seconds. The last M3 Competition xDrive that we tested took 3.2 seconds to hit 60 mph, but the Handschalter is aimed at people who care more about feel than the quickest possible launch.

BMW also gives the Handschalter the hardware expected of a CS model. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic is used for parts such as the hood, roof, front splitter, rear diffuser and interior trim. A titanium muffler saves more than 8 pounds, and BMW says the car is nearly 75 pounds lighter than a standard M3 when equipped with the optional carbon-ceramic brakes.

Not your everyday M3

The CS treatment should make the M3 sharper, but there are trade-offs. The car sits 6 millimeters lower than a standard M3, uses firmer performance hardware, and comes standard with M Carbon bucket seats. We have noted in the regular M3 that these bucket seats have supportive padding, but they can be tricky to climb in and out of because of their tall side bolsters.

The upside is that BMW did not strip the car down into a weekend-only toy. Standard equipment includes heated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, a Harman Kardon sound system, parking sensors, forward collision warning, lane departure warning and more. An optional Daily Driver package adds a power trunk lid and head-up display.

Our editors previously found the M3 CS to be one of BMW's best-driving sedans, with sharper responses than the regular M3 Competition, though its advantages were most noticeable on a track rather than in everyday driving. The new Handschalter pushes that formula further by adding a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. For most people, a standard M3 or M3 Competition will be easier to live with, easier to find, and considerably less expensive. But for enthusiasts who want a rare, driver-focused M3 with a manual gearbox, the Handschalter is the one to watch.