Pros

  • Immense levels of performance
  • Subtle yet aggressive styling
  • Genuine practicality
  • Showing excellent reliability

Cons

  • Early models are depreciating in value
  • Some technical gremlins
  • Modified or tuned versions can have issues
  • Early versions can be a challenge when pushed

Verdict

If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.

In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour,...

If ever a car was the epitome of understated aggression, class and cool, it’s the BMW M3.

The M3 (F80 sedan) and M4 (F82 coupe and F83 convertible) have been available in a host of different special editions with various performance and equipment configurations and received aesthetic and equipment updates in 2015 and 2017 (details listed below). They were all based around a powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine driving the rear wheels in a heavily revised tech-laden BMW 3-Series platform.

Although heavily praised when new, how are they faring after a few years and thousands of kilometres, and, should you buy one? Read on.

If ever a car was the epitome of understated aggression, class and cool, it’s the BMW M3.

The M3 (F80 sedan) and M4 (F82 coupe and F83 convertible) have been available in a host of different special editions with various performance and equipment configurations and received aesthetic and equipment updates in 2015 and 2017 (details listed below). They were all based around a powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine driving the rear wheels in a heavily revised tech-laden BMW 3-Series platform.

Although heavily praised when new, how are they faring after a few years and thousands of kilometres, and, should you buy one? Read on.

If ever a car was the epitome of understated aggression, class and cool, it’s the BMW M3.

The M3 (F80 sedan) and M4 (F82 coupe and F83 convertible) have been available in a host of different special editions with various performance and equipment configurations and received aesthetic and equipment updates in 2015 and 2017 (details listed below). They were all based around a powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine driving the rear wheels in a heavily revised tech-laden BMW 3-Series platform.

Although heavily praised when new, how are they faring after a few years and thousands of kilometres, and, should you buy one? Read on.

  • Crank hub issues (not “common” as such and generally isolated to tuned engines, abused cars or a very unlucky few)
  • Valve cover gasket oil leaks
  • Oil pan gasket leaks
  • Oil filter housing gasket leaks
  • Carbon build up and clogging of the inlet tract may become an issue
  • Door seals can become squeaky. Easily fixed
  • iDrive systems can have technical issues
  • Air conditioning systems on early versions can have issues
  • Crank hub issues (not “common” as such and generally isolated to tuned engines, abused cars or a very unlucky few)
  • Valve cover gasket oil leaks
  • Oil pan gasket leaks
  • Oil filter housing gasket leaks
  • Carbon build up and clogging of the inlet tract may become an issue
  • Door seals can become squeaky. Easily fixed
  • iDrive systems can have technical issues
  • Air conditioning systems on early versions can have issues
  • Crank hub issues (not “common” as such and generally isolated to tuned engines, abused cars or a very unlucky few)
  • Valve cover gasket oil leaks
  • Oil pan gasket leaks
  • Oil filter housing gasket leaks
  • Carbon build up and clogging of the inlet tract may become an issue
  • Door seals can become squeaky. Easily fixed
  • iDrive systems can have technical issues
  • Air conditioning systems on early versions can have issues

Body style:

  • 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
  • 2-door convertible (M4 – all variants)

Engine & outputs:

  • 3.0-litre, 6-cyl twin-turbo petrol (M3, M4 – all variants)

Power:

  • 317kW (M3, M4)
  • 331kW (M4 Competition)
  • 368kW (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Torque:

  • 550Nm (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 600Nm (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, rear-wheel drive (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 7-spd sports automatic, rear-wheel drive (M3, M4, M4 Competition, M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Fuel use:

  • 8.3L – 8.8L/100km – (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 8.5L/100km – (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Dimensions:

Height:
  • 1424mm – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1383mm – 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
Length:
  • 4671mm
Width:
  • 1877mm – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1870mm – 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
Kerb Weight:
  • 1560kg – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1499kg – 2-door coupe (M4, M4 Competition)
  • 1472kg – 2-door coupe (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Body style:

  • 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
  • 2-door convertible (M4 – all variants)

Engine & outputs:

  • 3.0-litre, 6-cyl twin-turbo petrol (M3, M4 – all variants)

Power:

  • 317kW (M3, M4)
  • 331kW (M4 Competition)
  • 368kW (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Torque:

  • 550Nm (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 600Nm (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, rear-wheel drive (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 7-spd sports automatic, rear-wheel drive (M3, M4, M4 Competition, M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Fuel use:

  • 8.3L – 8.8L/100km – (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 8.5L/100km – (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Dimensions:

Height:
  • 1424mm – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1383mm – 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
Length:
  • 4671mm
Width:
  • 1877mm – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1870mm – 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
Kerb Weight:
  • 1560kg – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1499kg – 2-door coupe (M4, M4 Competition)
  • 1472kg – 2-door coupe (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Body style:

  • 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
  • 2-door convertible (M4 – all variants)

Engine & outputs:

  • 3.0-litre, 6-cyl twin-turbo petrol (M3, M4 – all variants)

Power:

  • 317kW (M3, M4)
  • 331kW (M4 Competition)
  • 368kW (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Torque:

  • 550Nm (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 600Nm (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Transmissions:

  • 6-spd manual, rear-wheel drive (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 7-spd sports automatic, rear-wheel drive (M3, M4, M4 Competition, M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Fuel use:

  • 8.3L – 8.8L/100km – (M3, M4, M4 Competition)
  • 8.5L/100km – (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Dimensions:

Height:
  • 1424mm – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1383mm – 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
Length:
  • 4671mm
Width:
  • 1877mm – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1870mm – 2-door coupe (M4 – all variants)
Kerb Weight:
  • 1560kg – 4-door sedan (M3 – all variants)
  • 1499kg – 2-door coupe (M4, M4 Competition)
  • 1472kg – 2-door coupe (M4 GTS, M4 “DTM CHAMPION” Edition)

Warranty:

3 years/unlimited km

Servicing:

16,000km or every 12 months

Model range, pricing and features

BMW M3-12

M3/M4 (2014-2020)

Price when new: $139,525 - $156,430

Price used: $42,900 - $92,600

The base model M3 and M4 is quite possibly all the car most of us would ever need.

Unless you’re planning on attending track days on the regular or you take your driving incredibly seriously, the base spec M3/M4 makes for the smart choice and is becoming fantastic value.

Standard features:

  • 16-speaker stereo
  • 19” Alloy wheels
  • ABS
  • Climate control
  • First and second-row airbags
  • Alarm system
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Brake assist
  • Front, side and rear vision cameras
  • Carbon fibre interior trim
  • Carbon fibre roof
  • Chrome exhaust tips
  • Electronic stability control (ESC)
  • Traction control (TCS)
  • Cruise control
  • Rear active differential
  • Various driving modes
  • DVD player
  • Electric adjustable seats
  • Satellite navigation
  • Various headlight features including; auto dipping and active cornering/steering
  • First row heated seats
  • Front row leather arm rests
  • Leather seats
  • Leather steering wheel
  • Multi-function screen
  • Multi-function steering wheel
  • Metallic paint
  • Rain-sensor wipers
  • Remote boot and fuel lid release
  • Sports style first row seats
  • Ignition start button key/fob proximity
  • Sports suspension
  • Trip computer
  • Voice recognition

Optional extras include:

  • 19” double spoke 473M unique alloy wheels
  • Driving assistant
  • Head up display
  • Heated rear seats
  • Lane change warning
  • Extra leather trim
  • “M” carbon ceramic brakes
  • Park assist
  • Real time traffic information – satellite navigation
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Electric sunroof
  • Tyre pressure monitoring

LCI update:

  • LED tail lights
  • Adaptive LED headlights
  • iDrive 6 update
  • Ambient lighting package

M3/M4 Competition (2016-2020)

Price when new: $144,615 - $168,010

Price used: $54,500 - $115,650

The Competition is the M3/M4 that has embraced a few cross fit classes and updated its wardrobe. Some extra power, updated toys and a subtle cosmetic touch up.

Competition adds:

  • Updated suspension springs
  • New dampers/adaptive dampers
  • Updated anti-roll bars
  • Updated iDrive
  • Various driving modes reconfigured to suit the cars new performance upgrades
  • Bespoke exhaust system
  • Forged 20-inch wheels
  • Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres
  • New seat design
  • Exterior “Blackout” treatment

M3/M4 Pure (2017-2018)

Price when new: $129,529 - $139,900

Price used: $55,500 - $80,800

Despite technically being the base model M3 and M4, the Pure receives the more powerful 331kW/550Nm tune of the flagship M3 Competition variant, though it has a lower level of standard specification.

Pure adds:

  • Black 19-inch double-spoke light alloy wheels
  • Head-up display (HUD)
  • Carbon-fibre roof
  • Comfort access
  • ConnectedDrive
  • Driving assistant
  • Carbon-fibre interior trims
  • Navigation system professional
  • Tyre pressure monitor
  • Cloth/leather upholstery
  • Nine-speaker sound system

M3/M4 30 Jahre (2016)

Price when new: $154,900 - $176,900

Price used: $58,600 - $102,300

Created to celebrate 30 years of the M3’s existence, only 500 M3 and 300 M4 Convertible “30 Jahre”’ were built. A very affordable limited edition.

Jahre adds:

  • Merino bi-colour cabin trim.
  • ’30 Jahre M3’ embroidered in black/silverstone on the front headrests.
  • Macao Blue paint (As available on the E30 M3)
  • Mandarin II Uni (M4 convertible only)

M3/M4 CS (2017-2019)

Price when new: $179,529 - $189,529

Price used: $84,700 - $118,900

Take the already brilliant M3 and M4, and just do it better.

If ever a car was as equally suited to the track as it was picking the kids up from school, it’s the CS.

Built as something of a farewell gift to the F80/F82 series, BMW threw just about everything at the CS.

Surely a future classic, justifying the extra asking price will be up to you.

CS adds:

  • Carbon rear lip spoiler and diffuser
  • Lower carbon chin
  • Vented carbon bonnet
  • Lightweight 763 M V-spoke alloy wheels finished in satin black
  • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
  • Carbon-ceramic brake rotors (optional)
  • Fabric-loop door pulls (M4 CS)
  • Specifically tuned adaptive M suspension
  • Carbon propeller shaft
  • Door cards made from compacted natural fibres (M4 CS)
  • Single-zone climate control
  • Alcantara trim
  • Larger 80mm sports exhaust system

M4 Edition M Heritage (2019-2020)

Price when new: $167,529

Price used: $87,300 - $115,400

Based on the M4 Competition, the Edition M Heritage offers unique colours and appointments, the Edition M Heritage was limited to just 750 units world wide.

Edition M Heritage adds:

  • Exclusive upholstery options.
  • Unique colours.
  • Bespoke carbon-fibre trim.
  • BMW M tri-color pinstriping.
  • M carbon roof with BMW M tri-colour accents.
  • 20-inch M light forged alloys in Orbit Grey.
  • ‘Edition ///M Heritage 1/750’ lettering on the cabin trim inserts and door sills.

M4 GTS (2016)

Price when new: $294,715

Price used: $101,150 - $124,850

With only 700 examples of the hardcore, track-focused M4 GTS ever created, the GTS pushes the M4 to its performance limit.

Gone is the everyday practicality and understated looks, replaced by some scaffolding where the back seat once was and a “Fast and the Furious” inspired body kit and colour scheme.

GTS adds:

  • Water-injected cooling system
  • Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof
  • Carbon fibre front splitter
  • Carbon fibre mirror caps
  • Carbon fibre side skirts
  • Carbon fibre rear diffuser
  • Carbon fibre boot-lid spoiler
  • 410mm carbon ceramic brake rotors
  • Fully adjustable coilover suspension
  • Titanium quad-exhaust system
  • Rear seat delete
  • Gold-painted roll cage
  • Fire suppression system
  • Race harnesses
  • Single piece M bucket seats trimmed in Alcantara and Merino leather
  • Alcantara interior trim
  • Acid orange accents throughout

M4 DTM Champion Edition (2017)

Price when new: $295,000

Price used: $121,050 - $148,350

Limited to just 200 units world wide, the DTM Championship Edition is essentially a limited edition version of the limited edition GTS.

Very special but very very expensive. Good luck finding one.

DTM Champion Edition adds:

  • Exclusive DTM-style paint scheme
  • 19-inch front and 20-inch rear ‘666 M’ star-spoke alloy wheels finished in Orbit Grey matte paint

If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.

In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour, but we feel that mild stress is totally worth it.

This generation M3/M4 is a truly special car and one that is just as capable of everyday duties as it is lapping your local race circuit on track days.

Buy one, but please know we’ll be incredibly jealous.

If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.

In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour, but we feel that mild stress is totally worth it.

This generation M3/M4 is a truly special car and one that is just as capable of everyday duties as it is lapping your local race circuit on track days.

Buy one, but please know we’ll be incredibly jealous.

If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.

In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour, but we feel that mild stress is totally worth it.

This generation M3/M4 is a truly special car and one that is just as capable of everyday duties as it is lapping your local race circuit on track days.

Buy one, but please know we’ll be incredibly jealous.

Disclaimer

Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.

Information correct as of April 23, 2021.

The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.

Read our full terms and conditions here.

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