The BMW M3 Competition occupies a peculiar position in the automotive landscape. It's the heaviest M3 ever made, powered by an engine shared with an SUV, wrapped in styling that launched a thousand internet arguments. And yet, when you drive it — really drive it — none of that matters. This is still, unequivocally, the sport sedan to beat.
The S58: A Modern Masterpiece
The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six produces 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in Competition trim. In Car and Driver's testing, the M3 Competition xDrive hit 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds — handily beating both the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and Audi RS 5. The engine's power delivery is relentless, pulling with linear force from barely above idle to the 7,200 rpm redline. There's no dramatic turbo hit, just an ocean of torque that seems to deepen the harder you push.
The exhaust note is the one area where the S58 falls short. Restricted by particulate filters, the stock exhaust sounds muted compared to the naturally aspirated V8 howl of the E92 M3 that preceded it. BMW's optional M Performance exhaust ($8,000) helps, but purists will always mourn the loss of that high-revving character. The G80's sound is competent, not emotional.
Chassis and Handling
Despite tipping the scales at 3,980 pounds in RWD form (4,200+ with xDrive), the M3 Competition's body control is remarkable. The adaptive M suspension offers genuine range — Comfort mode is genuinely compliant for daily commuting, while Sport Plus tightens everything up for circuit work. Top Gear's long-term review noted that while the suspension can occasionally use up all its travel over aggressive bumps, the breadth of capability is extraordinary.
The M xDrive system deserves special mention. In 4WD mode, it provides security and traction that makes the M3 devastatingly effective in all conditions. Switch to 4WD Sport and the rear end becomes playful, the front axle only intervening when things get genuinely lairy. And in 2WD mode, with the front axle fully disconnected, the M3 transforms into a proper rear-drive weapon. The system responds in under 150 milliseconds — faster than you can blink.
Track Pedigree
The M3 CS lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:28.76 — supercar territory for a four-door sedan. Even the standard M3 Touring Competition managed 7:34.4, carrying extra weight over the sedan. On circuit, the M Traction Control system's 10 levels of slip management provide a granular control over rear-end behaviour that no competitor can match. Combined with the optional carbon ceramic brakes, which shed 27 pounds of unsprung mass and handle temperatures above 1,000°C, the M3 is a serious track tool hidden inside a family sedan.
Interior and Technology
The curved 12.3-inch + 14.9-inch display setup running iDrive 8.5 is excellent — responsive, logically laid out, and augmented with M-specific graphics that display boost pressure, oil temperature, and G-force readouts. The M carbon bucket seats are outstanding, providing exceptional bolstering without sacrificing long-distance comfort. Material quality is appropriately premium, though the M3 prioritises sporting function over luxury — this isn't a 7 Series inside.