Used BMW 3 Series M Sport cars

M Sport is the sporty-looking trim level available for the BMW 3 Series saloon and ‘Touring’ estate. It has styling similar to the high-performance 3 Series models, but is available with ‘regular’ engines that cost a lot less to run.

The 3 Series is BMW’s range of mid-size saloon and estate (which BMW calls Touring) models – it fits into the line-up between the smaller 1 Series and larger 5 Series. The current version of the 3 Series, which went on sale in 2019, is the seventh generation in the line.

‘M’ refers to BMW Motorsport, the brand’s in-house racing team, and the name has been used since 1978 for BMW’s high-performance models. The M version of the 3 Series – the M3 – is incredibly fast and has a lot of design and mechanical changes compared with other models in the range. The M Sport trim was introduced in the mid-2000s to bring some of the sporty look and feel of the high-performance M models but without the accompanying increase in costs and speed.

M Sport sits roughly in the middle of the 3 Series range, above SE and Sport, below the high-performance M models. M Sport’s position in the range has moved around a bit over the years, and it could change it again at some point.

BMW gives all of its trim levels largely the same package of standard features; the differences between them are in their exterior and interior styling details. In the case of M Sport, it’s marked out by details that include deeper bumpers, a small rear spoiler and bigger wheels. Inside, it has more-supportive sports seats, a thicker sports steering wheel and silver dashboard trim. All new 3 Series M Sport models also have lower suspension for a sharper drive, but in the past BMW has allowed you to de-select this option at no extra cost when ordering a new car. Adaptive suspension – which allows you to choose between settings for a sportier or more comfortable ride – is a cost option on some 3 Series M Sport models.