BMW M3 E30
Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.
14 reviewers · 28 videos · 78 press articles
Reviewers agree on its handling and fun to drive, but split on performance and daily drivability.
across 14 reviewers
"you get a punchier engine there's a lot more torque in the mid-range and up top it really sings even more than the original motor"
RoadandTrack · ▶ 4:10"acceleration does 0-60 in about 6.7 seconds and it gets a 2 out of 10."
Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:11"it still feels soft, seriously, it's not as hard as I thought."
Ridwan Hanif · ▶ 11:32"this one is pretty much what you'd expect given its age and it gets a 3 out of 10."
Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:35"these have gone up in value quite a bit but i still think there's more room to go considering the amazing driving experience"
Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:53"is it worth it but the answer to that is OB obvious isn't it of course it's not"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 0:58Performance
3.5/514 of 14 reviewerssplit“acceleration does 0-60 in about 6.7 seconds and it gets a 2 out of 10.”
critical · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:11“even in their day these were not Cars well regarded for their outright Pace”
mixed · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:51“you get a punchier engine there's a lot more torque in the mid-range and up top it really sings even more than the original motor”
positive · RoadandTrack · ▶ 4:10Handling
4.5/514 of 14 reviewersconsensus“these are just beautifully balanced”
positive · Carfection · ▶ 6:19“they were beloved for their handling”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:55“this car is very obedient, even the body rollers are practically non-existent.”
positive · Ridwan Hanif · ▶ 11:23Fun to drive
4.5/514 of 14 reviewersconsensus“the interactivity and all the feel you've got from the steering and through the chassis it's just brilliant”
positive · Carfection · ▶ 7:44“this car turns out not only Legendary from the name alone but when we feel it also feels like Legend”
positive · Ridwan Hanif · ▶ 14:55“what they inadvertently made is one of the most provocative and fun road cars that could go on a track ever”
positive · Jalopnik · ▶ 2:19Daily drivability
3.0/514 of 14 reviewerssplit“this one is pretty much what you'd expect given its age and it gets a 3 out of 10.”
critical · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:35“it still feels soft, seriously, it's not as hard as I thought.”
positive · Ridwan Hanif · ▶ 11:32“the first thing that strikes you is is this is a wonderful cockpit... it's just works for driving”
positive · Harry's garage · ▶ 12:29Value
3.5/514 of 14 reviewerssplit“these have gone up in value quite a bit but i still think there's more room to go considering the amazing driving experience”
positive · Doug DeMuro · ▶ 23:53“is it worth it but the answer to that is OB obvious isn't it of course it's not”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 0:58“this car became one of the collector items that can be said to be very much wanted by many people”
positive · Ridwan Hanif · ▶ 5:13Hear it in the reviewer’s words
- Road & Track
Tested: 2026 BMW M3 Competition xDrive Is Excellent at Almost Everything
◆Worth itThe 2026 M3 Competition xDrive is a masterclass in performance versatility, though it sacrifices some steering purity for all-weather capability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts needing a high-performance daily driver that can handle all weather conditions.
- Watch out
- Synthetic steering feel · Lack of physical buttons · Brake-by-wire feel · Expensive carbon bucket seats
Quotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M3 Competition Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe M3 Competition is a ruthlessly effective, high-precision machine that is let down only by its automatic transmission.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who prioritize chassis precision and daily usability over manual transmission engagement.
- Watch out
- Automatic transmission lacks engagement · Firm low-speed ride · CS trim is poor value
1,285 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
First drive: the BMW M3 'Competition Pack' Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆BuyThe Competition Pack is a transformative upgrade that fixes the standard M3's waywardness and makes it the car it should have been from the start.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a more balanced, precise M3 without sacrificing daily usability.
- Watch out
- artificial engine noise remains · gearbox still lurches on upshifts · lack of top-end engine sparkle
894 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
Retro review: the V8-engined E92 BMW M3 Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe E92 M3 is a scarily quick, precision-engineered machine that manages to be both a usable daily driver and a furious, engaging performance car.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-revving, balanced performance car that doesn't sacrifice daily comfort.
- Watch out
- Manual gearbox feels slightly old-fashioned · Competition brake pads are noisy
2,697 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M3 CSL Review 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe M3 CSL is a scintillating, near-perfect performance car that is made more interesting and involving by its flawed SMG transmission.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who value driver engagement and are willing to work with the car's quirks.
- Watch out
- Jerky SMG transmission · Requires driver effort to drive smoothly
1,227 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M3 Touring Driving, Engines & Performance | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe M3 Touring is a masterclass in performance estate engineering, though the standard Competition model is the smarter buy over the expensive CS.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts needing a practical family hauler that doesn't compromise on track-ready dynamics.
- Watch out
- Automatic gearbox lacks DCT crispness · Engine note feels artificial · CS variant suffers from cabin drone · Expensive optional ceramic brakes
1,509 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M3 manual review: six-speed, three-pedal M3 tested Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe manual M3 is the driver's choice, offering a level of engagement that the automatic simply cannot match, despite the minor compromises in daily convenience.
- Best for
- Driving enthusiasts who prioritize engagement and connection over absolute convenience.
- Watch out
- lack of steering feedback · muted exhaust note · clutch effort in city traffic · lower fuel economy
1,196 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time - Top Gear
BMW M3 Competition xDrive review: 4WD super-saloon tested Reviews 2026 | Top Gear
◆Worth itThe M3 Competition xDrive is a brilliant, all-weather performance machine that loses none of the RWD car's character while gaining significant usability.
- Best for
- Enthusiasts who want a high-performance daily driver capable of handling all weather conditions.
- Watch out
- Harsh low-speed ride · 50kg weight penalty · Requires manual downshifts for quick acceleration in eighth gear
1,142 wordsOpen articleQuotes worth your time