BMW has piled on extra performance, technology and standard specification in a model year upgrade of its M3 performance sedan and M3 Touring wagon.
Arguably, the most significant change is extra power for all-wheel drive variants, the M3 Competition M xDrive sedan and wagon’s 3.0-litre inline turbo six-cylinder engine receiving a four per cent boost from 375kW to 390kW (523hp). Peak torque is unchanged at 650Nm.
BMW has confirmed this brings the M xDrive M3 models into line with the M4 high-performance Coupé and Convertible scheduled to launch later this year.
Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration for the M3 Competition sedan is 3.5 seconds, with the Touring just a tenth of a second slower.
The entry M3 sedan continues to produce 353kW/550Nm with the sweetener of a six-speed manual gearbox rather than the Competition’s eight-speed auto transmission.
Styling changes include new alloy wheels and redesigned headlights with a revised flat-bottom steering wheel and updated operating system inside, BMW’s ‘Operating System 8.5’ powering the latest generation of BMW’s ‘iDrive’ multimedia system.
The three-model line-up starts with the M3 sedan at $163,700, before on-road costs, (up 1.5 per cent), its standard specification now including adaptive LED headlights and a ‘Luxury’ instrument panel.
The M3 Competition sedan’s performance upgrade pushes its price up two per cent from $177,800 to $181,500, while the Touring wagon version takes a similar jump from $180,100 to $183,500.
BMW Australia says the 2025 M3 line-up will arrive in local showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year.
2025 BMW M3 pricing
All prices are before on-road costs.
|
M3 Sedan |
$163,700 |
|
M3 Competition xDrive Sedan |
$181,500 |
|
M3 Competition xDrive Touring |
$183,500 |
James Cleary
Deputy Editor
As a small boy James often sat on a lounge with three shoes in front of him, a ruler between the cushions, and a circular drinks tray in his hands. He would then play ‘drivings’, happily heading to destinations unknown for hours on end. He’s since owned many cars, raced a few, and driven (literally) thousands of them at all points of the globe.
He’s steered around and across Australia multiple times, spent time as an advanced driving instructor, and had the opportunity to experience rare and valuable classics here and overseas.
His time in motoring journalism has included stints at national and international titles including Motor, Wheels and TopGear, and when asked to nominate a career highlight, James says interviewing industry legend Gordon Murray, in the paddock at the 1989 Australian Formula One Grand Prix was amazing, especially as Murray waived away a hovering Ayrton Senna to complete the conversation.
As Deputy Editor, James manages everything from sub-editing to back-end content, while creating written and video product reviews, as well as the weekly ‘Tools in the Shed’ podcast.’