BMW M3
Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.
7 reviewers · 13 videos · 78 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.
across 7 reviewers
"it's got four doors it's comfortable its usable and supposedly this is one of the more reliable m3s"
Savagegeese · ▶ 26:56"one of my major criticisms of this car is the fact that even in comfort setting which I have the car in and anything under about 40 mile an hour the ride is very choppy very harsh"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:43"either way I think for 50 to 55 000 you're getting a hell of a car for the money"
Zygrene · ▶ 17:31"BMW seemed to think this is worth about thirty thousand pounds over what a Compaq is and it just isn't"
JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 10:58Performance
4.5/57 of 7 reviewersstrong consensus“Wow, this engine, it's so powerful. It just wants to get up and go.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 3:04“The first thing is this power and torque is monstrous. Plenty plenty of grunt for a 3600lb vehicle.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 5:23“it makes 40% more torque than the s65 the v8 car does not feel naturally aspirated but it does Rev this car revs the set me 500 rpm”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 14:43Handling
4.0/57 of 7 reviewersstrong consensus“Very immediate front end response.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 3:32“The front end being so immediately noticeable, but the whole car itself feels far more planted with the suspension mods here.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 8:24“now one thing this car does is turn in really nicely it's probably got the best steering of any current era BMW that I've driven”
mixed · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:27Fun to drive
4.5/57 of 7 reviewersconsensus“It's so enjoyable. It almost feels like a Ferrari side slip control type setup.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 4:53“He's reintroducing the emotion to modern BMW M3s... he's giving you a little bit more of that analog feel while actually elevating the performance even further.”
positive · Jubbal & Cars · ▶ 13:37“this car makes me happy and so driving a bmw m3 competition this is the best zach baby this is it”
positive · ShootingCars · ▶ 16:15Daily drivability
3.5/57 of 7 reviewerssplit“it's got four doors it's comfortable its usable and supposedly this is one of the more reliable m3s”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 26:56“The f-80 m3 competition is a car that sacrifices very little”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 20:47“one of my major criticisms of this car is the fact that even in comfort setting which I have the car in and anything under about 40 mile an hour the ride is very choppy very harsh”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 8:43Value
3.5/57 of 7 reviewerssplit“BMW seemed to think this is worth about thirty thousand pounds over what a Compaq is and it just isn't”
critical · JayEmm on Cars · ▶ 10:58“either way I think for 50 to 55 000 you're getting a hell of a car for the money”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 17:31“I think there's really nothing better out there anymore that's a four-door car that gives you performance that's totally usable every day”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 27:34Hear 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










