BMW M3 E90
Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.
32 reviewers · 173 videos · 23 hours watched · 78 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.
across 32 reviewers
"one of the reasons we really love the M3 is because it is one of the world's best doit alls I mean it can just hang out it can be luxurious it can be a commuter car"
EverydayDriver · ▶ 0:40"I can't afford to have the downtime that this car requires to operate normally"
Tedward · ▶ 11:56"for the price of a base honda civic you can get a well-maintained whaling v8 monster"
Throttle House · ▶ 5:01"every time you think you're getting that screaming deal in your 24 $25,000 m3 it can creep up with three to five thousand dollars of maintenance cost"
Tedward · ▶ 4:30Performance
4.5/532 of 32 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“this naturally aspirated engine is just an absolute monster and truly wonderful”
positive · Carfection · ▶ 26:50Handling
4.5/532 of 32 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“When I ran around that corner back there had almost zero body roll and I was almost all the way in the power the entire time.”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 13:46“Oh my word it's so balanced the handling is incredible.”
positive · KiwiCarLife · ▶ 6:44Fun to drive
5.0/532 of 32 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“it's the most extreme of all the extreme m3s I love it”
positive · Carfection · ▶ 29:44“BMW this car has so much more rawness and I don't know character than the new cars.”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 10:24Daily drivability
3.5/531 of 32 reviewerssplit“one of the reasons we really love the M3 is because it is one of the world's best doit alls I mean it can just hang out it can be luxurious it can be a commuter car”
positive · EverydayDriver · ▶ 0:40“I can't afford to have the downtime that this car requires to operate normally”
critical · Tedward · ▶ 11:56“It rides beautifully it's very very easy to control... it's just so incredibly usable.”
positive · KiwiCarLife · ▶ 8:11Value
3.5/531 of 32 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“it's a use for 5 grand cheaper than the RS5 is why I reckon it's the better buy”
positive · Auto Express · ▶ 6:55Hear 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