BMW M3 review
If you need a car that can handle the school run just as easily as a lap around a race track, the BMW M3 might just be your perfect match.
Author: Charlie Harvey
21st Jan 2026 – 8 mins read
The BMW M3 is a bit of a legend. For decades, it’s been the go-to car for people who want serious sports car performance without giving up the practicality of a four-door saloon. It’s fast, aggressive, and loud, but it’s also got a boot big enough for the weekly shop and back seats for the kids. This fifth-generation model (produced roughly between 2014 and 2018) switched from a V8 engine to a turbocharged straight-six, making it lighter and faster than before. While it’s definitely a performance car first and foremost, it doesn’t shy away from being a usable daily driver.
Pros
- Incredible top-end performance
- Surprisingly practical boot
- Manual gearbox available as standard
Cons
- Running costs are high
- Exhaust noise feels a bit synthetic
- Interior design is a little safe for a sports car
Interior
Dashboard & tech
Hop inside the M3 and you’ll find everything is exactly where you’d expect it to be. BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is one of the best around, controlled via a rotary dial and an 8.8-inch colour display. Standard tech is generous—you get satellite navigation, Bluetooth, and BMW’s ConnectedDrive services included. It’s all very logical and easy to use, meaning you won’t be fumbling around with confusing touchscreens when you should be keeping your eyes on the road.
Comfort
It’s a sports saloon, so the ride is naturally on the firm side—you’ll certainly know about it if you hit a pothole. However, the adaptive suspension does a good job of settling things down when you put it in ‘Comfort’ mode. The sports seats are supportive and hold you in place brilliantly when you’re taking corners a bit enthusiastically, yet they remain comfy enough for long motorway journeys. There’s also dual-zone climate control and heated front seats to keep everyone happy.
Quality
The build quality is typical BMW—solid, premium, and well put together. Everything feels like it will last. However, if we’re being honest, the interior design plays it a bit safe. Considering the price tag and the performance on offer, it looks very similar to a standard 3 Series. It’s not bad by any stretch, just a little underwhelming if you were hoping for a cockpit that feels like a spaceship.
Practicality & boot space
Interior space
This is where the M3 really shines compared to a standard two-door sports car. There’s plenty of room in the front for the driver and passenger to stretch out. In the back, you have two proper seats with Isofix points for child seats. There is a middle seat, but because of the large transmission tunnel running through the floor, it’s best reserved for short trips or smaller passengers.
Boot space
You might be surprised to find that the M3 has a genuinely useful boot. With 480 litres of space, it’s actually very decent for a car with this much power. That’s enough room for a pushchair, the weekly groceries, or luggage for a weekend getaway. If you need even more room, the rear seats fold down, which is a handy touch you don't always get in performance cars.
Versatility
Inside the cabin, there are enough cubby holes, door bins, and cup holders to keep your water bottles and phones from flying around during a spirited drive. It’s a car designed to fit into your actual life, not just your weekend hobby.
Driving
Driving experience
Let’s be honest, this is the main reason you buy an M3. It is an absolute thrill to drive. The car feels agile and well-balanced, thanks in part to shedding around 80kg compared to the previous model. The steering gives you plenty of feedback so you know exactly what the wheels are doing. It stays flat through corners and grips the road hard, though you might find the rear end gets a little lively if you push it too hard on a wet road.
Performance
Under the bonnet sits a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine that produces a whopping 425bhp. That’s enough to launch you from 0-60mph in just over four seconds. It keeps pulling all the way to a limited top speed of 155mph.
You have a choice of gearboxes: a six-speed manual for the purists who like to feel involved, or a seven-speed DCT semi-automatic. The automatic is faster and very popular, though it can feel a tiny bit jerky at slow speeds around town. One small gripe is the engine noise—BMW pumps some of the sound through the speakers, which can sound a bit artificial compared to the roar of older V8 models.
Running costs
Fuel economy & CO2 emissions
Nobody buys an M3 to save the planet or their wallet, and the running costs reflect that. The official figures claim around 32-34mpg, but in the real world, you’ll likely see much less than that, especially if you’re enjoying the performance. CO2 emissions are high (around 194-204g/km), which pushes the car into a high tax bracket. You’ll be paying a premium for road tax, particularly in the first year.
Value for money
The M3 isn’t cheap to buy, and insurance sits in group 45, which is near the top of the scale. However, because it’s such a desirable car with a strong reputation, it holds its value better than many rivals. Depreciation (the value the car loses over time) is slower than you might expect, especially for manual models.
Reliability & Warranty
Generally, the M3 has a solid reputation for reliability. It hasn’t suffered from many major common faults, which is great news for a high-performance car. There have been very rare reports of driveshaft issues in this generation, but overall, it’s a dependable machine if maintained properly.
Safety
Safety features
When it was tested by Euro NCAP back in 2012, the 3 Series (which the M3 is based on) scored a full five stars. It’s a safe place for your family. You get plenty of airbags and stability control systems to keep you on the road.
However, many modern driver assistance systems—like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection—were often optional extras included in the ‘Driving Assistant’ pack. If safety tech is high on your priority list, it’s worth checking if the used model you’re looking at has these fitted.
Trims & Engines
Trim levels
The lineup is refreshingly simple. You essentially have the standard M3 and models fitted with the Competition Pack.
The standard M3 comes loaded with kit, including 19-inch alloy wheels, heated electric leather seats, sat nav, cruise control, and xenon headlights.
If you find a model with the Competition Pack, you get a power boost (an extra 19bhp), fancy 20-inch alloy wheels, a tuned suspension setup for sharper handling, and exclusive sports seats with M-stripe seatbelts. It turns the dial up on the aggression just a little bit more.
Engines
There is just one engine choice, but it’s a cracker. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol engine is a powerhouse. It delivers huge performance instantly when you put your foot down, but can settle into a quiet cruise on the motorway. While it replaced a larger V8, this engine is actually more powerful and offers slightly better efficiency, giving you the best of both worlds.