BMW M3
Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.
8 reviewers · 51 videos · 78 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.
across 8 reviewers
"it's easier to use I can really hustle this thing through the gears in a way I couldn't quite accomplish with that Aston"
Zygrene · ▶ 11:47"it's a much more specialized car and really unlikely to daily this at any point in time"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 4:23"for the price of a base honda civic you can get a well-maintained whaling v8 monster"
Throttle House · ▶ 5:01"it was a bit of a case of well why"
Carfection · ▶ 24:28Performance
4.5/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus“it is quicker than the gt3 in a straight line”
positive · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 18:48“this engine is just glorious best M3 engine of all the generations”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 5:30“It is the centerpiece. That is the reason you get this car. You want that naturally aspirated V8.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 6:43Handling
4.5/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus“one thing I've always loved about the e92 and this one's even better than stock is the steering feel”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 4:04“This car just rotates around your hips. It is beautifully balanced.”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 14:40“The thing that's impressing me most about the car right now is really the steering, just so precise and accurate, good feedback.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 15:17Fun to drive
5.0/58 of 8 reviewersstrong consensus“it's just a recipe for fun and it's a recipe we don't really get in any modern cars”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 0:18“There's a reason why these cars are loved so much amongst enthusiasts. They have all the right ingredients.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 13:18“This was just a true motorsport inspired driver's car.”
positive · TheTopher · ▶ 11:28Daily drivability
3.5/58 of 8 reviewerssplit“it's a much more specialized car and really unlikely to daily this at any point in time”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 4:23“I'm going to tell you about why the e92 M3 is a garbage grantour”
critical · Tedward · ▶ 0:22“it's easier to use I can really hustle this thing through the gears in a way I couldn't quite accomplish with that Aston”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 11:47Value
4.0/58 of 8 reviewerssplit“for the price of a base honda civic you can get a well-maintained whaling v8 monster”
positive · Throttle House · ▶ 5:01“even for around 40 Grand I think this car offers so much value”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 13:44“given the work that the owner has put into the car, oh man, you're getting a lot of driving enjoyment and value at the price point.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 12:20Hear 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
















































