BMW M3
Six generations, six different engine architectures, one of the most consistently re-evaluated nameplates in performance cars.
BMW commits to a manual M3 in 2026 — and ships it with the most powerful base M3 engine ever, plus a sedan-only AWD variant.
The G80 is the generation BMW committed to keeping the M3 lineage going in the form enthusiasts care about — manual available, RWD available, inline-six retained — while expanding the variant tree more aggressively than any prior M3 era.
Engine is the S58 — 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six derived from the X3 M / X4 M family. 473 hp base, 503 Competition, 543 in the CS. The character is the biggest departure from NA M3 lineage: pulls low, peak torque from ~2750, midrange muscle over top-end. Enthusiasts from S54/S65 cars notice immediately; whether they like it depends on what they came for.
Transmission politics: BMW shipped a meaningful product decision — base is manual-only, Competition is auto-only. You cannot order a manual Competition. The manual remains in the lineup, increasingly rare in 500+ hp territory.
Competition xDrive is the first AWD M3 ever (selectable RWD-only mode, ~150 lb heavier than RWD). The CS (2023+) is the track-focused halo — 543 hp, carbon roof + hood + boot, xDrive only. The M3 Touring (G81) is Europe-only — the first M3 wagon BMW has officially produced.
The grille is the conversation. BMW has not budged. Owners largely stopped complaining around year two.
The manual base trim is the version that anchors the car philosophically — slower than the Competition, lighter on its feet, the version that connects most clearly to E46/E92 enthusiast identity. Buy that one if you can.
- Competition503 hp, ZF 8-speed auto only, sharper chassis tuning, the volume seller. Adds Competition badging and unique wheels.
- Competition xDriveFirst all-wheel-drive M3 ever; 503 hp + AWD; 2WD mode selectable. Significantly faster in cold/wet conditions; ~150 lb heavier than RWD.
- CS2023-2024; 543 hp, lighter (carbon roof + hood + boot trim, no rear seats option), bespoke suspension tune, xDrive only. The track-focused halo for this generation.
- M3 Touring (G81)Europe-only wagon variant; first M3 wagon since unofficial E46 estates. Same drivetrain options. Mention here for lineage context; would be a separate atom in granularity-policy splits.
The grille is what it is — BMW has not budged. Aftermarket grille swaps exist but invalidate the look BMW intended. The base manual is genuinely 30 lb heavier than the auto Competition (the manual transmission case is iron) but feels lighter on its feet because of the lower power and slightly softer suspension calibration. The xDrive variant has a true rear-wheel-drive mode that disengages the front axle entirely — useful for closed-circuit track work, removes the safety net for normal driving. S58 is a derivative of the X3 M / X4 M engine, sharing architecture with the M4 sibling; it's the most powerful M3 base engine ever shipped from the factory in any form.
Reviewers strongly agree on its performance and handling.
