Video: The State of the BMW M3

We really like the 2022 BMW M3 that joined us for a yearlong, 40,000-mile test. In fairness, we’ve enjoyed every version of the sixth-generation M3 we’ve evaluated, including the Competition xDrive model we tested at Lightning Lap this year.The difference in as-tested price between that M3 Competition xDrive and the base M3 in our long-term fleet nearly matches the cost of a new Honda Civic Si, and that should clearly illustrate the broad configurability of BMW’s iconic sports sedan. Today’s M3 is available with different amounts of horsepower, driven wheels, transmission gears, and, if you count the M4, number of doors. This leads us to ponder the M3’s place in its segment. After all, the original 1986 M3 helped define sports sedans in the U.S., but what does that group look like today? And where does the M3 sit in it? More simply: What is the state of the BMW M3 in 2022? We explore that question in today’s video, made at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Michigan. After briefly covering the history of the M3, we discuss its modern versions and why we like our long-term test car so much (spoiler: it has a manual transmission). We also highlight the differences in acceleration between base manual M3 and the automatic-only Competition model, and how narrow they become during real-world driving. After all, you interact with the manual far more than the extra power or cornering capabilities you get with the Competition versions. Let us know what you think about this video, and check out M1’s upcoming events for automotive enthusiasts and families, including Cars and Coffee, the Woodward Dream Show, and American Speed Festival.