BMW 3 Series M3
1986–1991 (E30), 1995–1999 (E36 US), 2001–2006 (E46), 2008–2013 (E90/E92), 2015–2018 (F80), 2021–present (G80)
The M3 is the high-performance heart of the 3 Series — and arguably the definitive sport sedan. It began as the 1986 E30 homologation special, built so BMW could go racing in Group A and DTM, and has topped every 3 Series generation since with a succession of celebrated engines.
1986–1991 (E30), 1995–1999 (E36 US), 2001–2006 (E46), 2008–2013 (E90/E92), 2015–2018 (F80), 2021–present (G80)
Overview
The M3 is the high-performance heart of the 3 Series — and arguably the definitive sport sedan. It began as the 1986 E30 homologation special, built so BMW could go racing in Group A and DTM, and has topped every 3 Series generation since with a succession of celebrated engines.
Collectibility
The E30 M3 is a blue-chip classic and the most valuable M3 by a wide margin; the E46 and the V8 E9x cars are strongly sought after. Values are qualitative here by design.
Every production run
Years & eras
| Years | Engine | HP | Production | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986–1991 | S14 2.3L four-cylinder (later 2.5L) | 192 | — |
|
| 1995–1999 | S50 / S52 inline-six (US) | 240 | — |
|
| 2001–2006 | S54 3.2L inline-six | 333 | — | — |
| 2008–2013 | S65 4.0L V8 | 414 | — | — |
| 2015–2018 | S55 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six | — | — | — |
| 2021–present | S58 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six | — | — | — |
1986–1991
The original E30 M3: a boxy, flared homologation special with the high-revving four-cylinder S14 engine, built to qualify BMW for touring-car racing. Now a blue-chip collectible.
1995–1999
The E36 M3 brought six-cylinder M power. US-market cars used the S50 (then S52) inline-six rated at 240 hp and were not sold until 1995. Offered as coupe, convertible, and sedan.
2001–2006
The E46 M3 is among the most revered, powered by the high-revving 3.2L S54 straight-six rated at 333 hp in US trim. Coupe and convertible only — no sedan this generation.
2008–2013
The only V8 M3: the E90 sedan, E92 coupe, and E93 convertible used the 4.0L S65 V8 rated around 414 hp. The track-focused GTS made about 444 hp.
2015–2018
The F80 M3 returned to a turbocharged straight-six (S55) and was offered as a sedan only — the two-door performance car became the M4 from this generation on.
2021–present
The current G80 M3 uses the twin-turbo S58 straight-six and, for the first time, an M3 Touring wagon (not sold in the US). Available with manual or automatic and rear- or all-wheel drive.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Began as the 1986 E30 homologation special for Group A and DTM racing.
- The E30 M3 used a four-cylinder; the E36/E46 a straight-six; the E90/E92 a V8; the F80/G80 a twin-turbo six.
- From the F80 (2014), the two-door performance car split off as the M4.
Model years featuring the M3