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Different M3 Models

By the Editorial Staff

March 16, 2026

The faces of all M3 generations : BMW
The faces of all M3 generations : BMW Image via www.reddit.com
Sales Of BMW’s M3 And M4 Through Five Generations And 35 Years | Carscoops
Sales Of BMW’s M3 And M4 Through Five Generations And 35 Years | Carscoops Image via www.carscoops.com

1986: with the BMW M3, BMW M laid the foundation stone for a success story that is still going on today. Originally designed as a homologation model for touring car sport, the sportscar has set the standard in its class for six generations. An overview.

BMW Car Magazine - BMW M3 The Evolution of an Icon2 Special Issue
BMW Car Magazine - BMW M3 The Evolution of an Icon2 Special Issue Image via pocketmags.com

See all generations of the BMW M3: discover information about every model year and check out what was changed. Explore the 2025 BMW M3 lineup, from the base manual model to the M3 CS. Learn about performance, features, pricing, and which variant suits you best.

VIDEO: Doug DeMuro Ranks all BMW M3 Generations
VIDEO: Doug DeMuro Ranks all BMW M3 Generations Image via www.bmwblog.com

Whether you're a first time buyer or an M3 collector, here's what to look for with each gen and model year from 1986 to 2021. The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW 's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.

BMW M3 Generations: All Model Years | CarBuzz
BMW M3 Generations: All Model Years | CarBuzz Image via carbuzz.com

The initial model was available in a coupé body style, with a convertible body style made available soon after. M3 saloons were offered initially during the E36 (1994. Explore the features and specifications of the 2026 BMW 3 Series Sedan M models.

M3 Convertible Evolution : r/BMW
M3 Convertible Evolution : r/BMW Image via www.reddit.com

Find information on transmission, engine type, drivetrain, and more. However, a manual, six-speed gearbox is only available with the rear-wheel drive version, while all-wheel drive models feature BMW's eight-speed Steptronic automatic. This M3 came in three different editions: the M3 Sedan, the M3 Competition Sedan, and the Competition xDrive sedan, which is the all.

Editorial: BMW G80/G82 M3 and M4 – An Exploration In Design
Editorial: BMW G80/G82 M3 and M4 – An Exploration In Design Image via www.bmwblog.com

Explore the latest BMW M3 cars for sale If you're looking for your next car, perhaps a used BMW M3 is what you need. They're fast, practical, comfortable and agile. But if you want that look with a little less power, a used BMW 3 Series would be a better fit.

about BMWs: BMW 3 Series generations: a complete guide Are BMWs reliable? BMW M3 evolution - every generation's specs, power & history from the E30 to today's G80. Find out which M3 is the best, full breakdown inside (+ best mods for tuning).

But with several models spanning different generations and trims, figuring out which BMW M3 to buy can feel overwhelming. Each version brings its own set of features, performance capabilities, and style elements.

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