2018 BMW M3 review
BMW M3 highlights
Customer rating
Pros
- Agile handling without a penalizing ride quality
- Upscale, well-equipped interior with room for four adults
- Powerful brakes
Cons
- Other sport sedans sound better and go faster
- Steering is less lively than in competitors
- Lack of advanced driver assist systems
Mileage (EPA estimate)
16 city, 22 highway, 19 combined
Pricing for current inventory
(no current inventory)
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The 2018 BMW M3 offers enthusiasts legendary performance with four-door practicality
“Iconic” is a word that’s often misapplied, but it’s the perfect way to describe the BMW M3. The 2018 version of this sport sedan added a standard rear-view camera and a new version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment, but otherwise was a carryover from the previous model year.
That means, like previous model years, the 2018 BMW M3 features a powerful turbocharged six-cylinder engine under the hood and a sport suspension that gives enthusiasts maximum reward behind the wheel. The available Competition package massages that performance to even greater heights. The downsides are few. Hard-core enthusiasts might wish for better steering feedback, and some competitors are quicker in a straight line.
Best of all, none of that capability hurts the M3 as a daily driver. The M3 shares the practicality of the BMW 3 Series sedan it’s based on, including comfortable front seats, decently sized rear seats and a good-sized trunk. The firm suspension is smartly tuned to smooth out sharp bumps, and it features modern amenities; we recommend looking for models equipped with optional Apple CarPlay® integration.
All BMW M3 years
Not sure what year to select? Learn about each BMW M3 generation from 2012 to 2026
What is new for the 2018 BMW M3?
- The M3 is available in a new trim called the CS.
- M3 trims have been upgraded with Adjustable Suspension, Automated Cruise Control, Leather & Suede Seats, Rear View Camera, Leatherette & Cloth, 20 Inch Plus Wheels, Automatic Transmission, and Apple CarPlay as standard equipment this year.
- Rear Seat Heaters and Run Flat Tires features are now available as options on select trims.
2018 BMW M3 trims
Curious how BMW M3 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similaritiesBase:
- 425-hp, 406-lb-ft of torque 3.0L
- Rear Defroster
- Cruise Control
- Leather Seats
- Power Seats
- Memory Seats
- Front Seat Heaters
- Power Mirrors
- Traction Control
- View our BMW M3 inventory
CS:
- Includes all features available on the Base
- 453-hp, 443-lb-ft of torque 3.0L
- Automated Cruise Control
- Leather & Suede Seats
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- Automatic Transmission
- Apple CarPlay
- View our BMW M3 CS inventory
What We Like
Performance: If you’re shopping for a luxury sport sedan, there’s no question the BMW M3 should be high on your consideration list. It continues the tradition of high-performance luxury sedans that started with the original BMW M3 in the 80s, and it rarely disappoints.
Practicality: Second only to its performance is the M3’s practicality as a daily driver. With performance that lets it compete head-to-head with contemporary sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette, the BMW M3 also brings a comfortable driver’s seat, decently sized rear seat and good-sized trunk to the mix. It’s no SUV, but if you want sports-car levels of performance but still need an easily accessible rear seat, it’s tough to beat the M3.
Iconic: If you measure performance strictly by the numbers, it’s true that the M3 is outrun by some competitors. But so what? The M3 is a performance icon, with the simple name carrying considerable weight in performance circles.
What Needs Improvement
Driver Assist Tech: Die-hard enthusiasts might say a performance car like the M3 doesn’t need driver-assist tech, but we disagree. By 2018 features like active cruise control, lane keeping assist and others were commonplace on even mainstream cars, but the M3 offers only lane-departure and forward collision warning, and low-speed emergency braking. And even those were part of an optional package.
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Ratings & reliability
RepairPal gave the BMW M3 an overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks BMW M3 57th out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Cars.
View RepairPal's full rating of the BMW M3BMW M3 features and specs
Curious how BMW M3 trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities
CS 2WD 4D Sedan
Standard Features
- 20 Inch Plus Wheels
- ABS Brakes
- Air Conditioning
- Alloy Wheels
- AM/FM Stereo
- Apple CarPlay
- Automated Cruise Control
- Automatic Transmission
- Auxiliary Audio Input
- Bluetooth Technology
- CD Audio
- Front Seat Heaters
- Harman Kardon Sound
- Heated Mirrors
- Leather & Suede Seats
- Leather Seats
- Manual Transmission
- Memory Seat(s)
- Navigation System
- Overhead Airbags
- Power Locks
- Power Mirrors
- Power Seat(s)
- Power Windows
- Rear Defroster
- Rear Spoiler
- Rear View Camera
- Satellite Radio Ready
- Side Airbags
- Smart Key
- Traction Control
- Turbo Charged Engine
- Apple CarPlay
- Head Up Display
- Parking Sensors
- Rear Sunshade
- Run Flat Tires
Drive Wheels
Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)
Engine size
3.0L
Horsepower
453
Torque (ft-lbs)
443
Engine type
Turbo Gas
Fuel capacity
15.9
Wheelbase
110.7"
Overall length
184.5"
Width
73.9"
Height
56.1"
Leg room
F 42"/R 35.1"
Head room
F 40.3"/R 37.7"
Front tires
P255/35YR19
Rear tires
P285/30YR20
Seating capacity
5
Transmission
Automatic
2018 BMW M3 FAQ
The 2018 BMW M3 is available in multiple trims, each with its own estimated fuel economy, here are the EPA estimates for each trim:
- : 17 MPG City and 25 MPG Highway
- CS: 16 MPG City and 22 MPG Highway
The BMW M3 received a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars from RepairPal, which RepairPal describes as Average. This rating ranks the BMW M3 as 56 out of 68 among Luxury Midsize Car
The 2018 BMW M3 has received an average 4.0 out of 5 stars from our customers. If you're in the market for a 2018 BMW M3, check out reviews from customers just like you. 2018 BMW M3 Reviews.
Here is what's new for the 2018 BMW M3:
- CS
- Rear View Camera
- Leatherette & Cloth
- Heated Mirrors
- Automated Cruise Control
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We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.
Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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