BMW M3 F80
Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.
40 reviewers · 103 videos · 13 hours watched · 78 press articles
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling, but split on daily drivability and value.
across 40 reviewers
"the M3 is an easier car to live with obviously being a four-door car"
Nick Murray · ▶ 1:08"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"there's no question that the M3 is better value for money"
Nick Murray · ▶ 8:56"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
4.5/540 of 40 reviewersstrong consensus“it's a weapon of mass awesomeness but I thought the e92 was quick nah-uh it's got nothing on this.”
positive · Car Throttle · ▶ 28:34“It feels like it has the sauce pretty much all the time.”
positive · ThatDudeinBlue · ▶ 13:26“Wow, this engine, it's so powerful. It just wants to get up and go.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 3:04Handling
4.5/540 of 40 reviewersstrong consensus“Very immediate front end response.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 3:32“the handling is incredible I mean I can't I can't deny the handling cannot deny the handling whatsoever it's absolutely incredible”
positive · Lee Lockwood · ▶ 12:58“that front end is just glued to the ground there is no understeer whatsoever mid corner balance is it's just delicious”
positive · ReDriven · ▶ 12:42Fun to drive
4.5/540 of 40 reviewersconsensus“this is an event every single time you get in it”
positive · Motorflix · ▶ 2:06“It's so enjoyable. It almost feels like a Ferrari side slip control type setup.”
positive · Zygrene · ▶ 4:53“it's just so enjoyable to drive”
positive · ReDriven · ▶ 13:21Daily drivability
4.0/539 of 40 reviewerssplit“the M3 is an easier car to live with obviously being a four-door car”
positive · Nick Murray · ▶ 1:08“around town it's fantastic it does everything that you need to do daily without it without a bother at all”
positive · ReDriven · ▶ 15:07“it's got four doors it's comfortable its usable and supposedly this is one of the more reliable m3s”
positive · Savagegeese · ▶ 26:56Value
4.0/539 of 40 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“there's no question that the M3 is better value for money”
positive · Nick Murray · ▶ 8:56“can you think of a better car for £30,000 I'm not sure I can”
positive · Motorflix · ▶ 6:31Hear 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