Which is the most popular engine in the BMW M3?

The M3 has only been available with petrol engines, but they offer plenty of power and excitement. The 502bhp Competition M engine has been popular with drivers. It has the same power as the base Competition variant but with greater acceleration and fuel economy.

Which are the most popular model variants?

The standard M3 is the most popular variant, due to standard features such as three-zone climate control, parking sensors with rear parking camera, and sports seats. However, there are other variants. When browsing, you'll also see many used examples of the M3 Competition, which is the standard variant of newer models.

What optional extras should I look out for?

Customers should look out for the Competition Pack with its adaptive M suspension, 20-inch star alloy wheels, active M differential and M sport exhaust. It can also come with the BMW Advanced loudspeaker system and lightweight sports seats.

Is the BMW M3 a good family car?

Yes, the BMW M3 has enough room to hold four adults comfortably. There are also ISOFIX points for child seats included and a decent-sized boot for holding groceries or luggage. The only negative would be running costs in terms of lower fuel economy, and increased cost of maintenance items such as tyres, brakes and routine servicing.

Is there a hybrid version of the BMW M3?

No, BMW hasn't built an M3 with a hybrid engine yet.

Is the BMW M3 available as a manual in the UK?

Older generations of the M3 can be found on the used market with manual transmissions. However, since the latest generation was launched, only automatic gearbox examples came to the UK.

Is there a four-wheel drive version available?

Up until recently, the BMW M3 was only offered with rear-wheel drive. It wasn't until the 2020 lineup arrived that a four-wheel drive option was released. Since then, both have been available, so they can both be found among used M3s.

215 Used BMW M3 cars for sale

BMW M31996 (P) - M3 Evolution 2dr

Low Mileage

£30,000

3.2L
61.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

True Vehicle Sales

01284334029 *

BMW M32017 - M3 4dr DCT [Competition Pack] Auto

Low Mileage

£34,490

3L
40.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

Pure Cars

01924667281 *

BMW M32023 (23) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Steptronic M xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£61,990

Finance available £1,253 pm

3L
23.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

PM Car Sales

01916070522 *

BMW M31996 - Evolution 2dr PREV OWNER 15yrs + HPI CLEAR + FSH

Low Mileage

£16,995

3.2L
120.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

Mexus

02037639082 *

3.9/5 Stars

BMW M32008 - CONVERTIBLE 4.0 V8 DCT AUTOMATIC 2-Door

Low Mileage

£13,999

4L
104.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Bexhill Motors Terminus Road

01424234748 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW M32004 (54) - E46 2dr SMG Auto PART OF A PRESTIGE COLLECTION FOR THE LAST 11 YEARS

Low Mileage

£24,999

3.2L
48.6K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

BMW M32003 - 3.2 M3 Coupe 2-Door

Reduced

£25,990

3.2L
38.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Coupe

Royston Car Sales

01763294568 *

BMW M32022 (72) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Saloon 4dr Petrol Steptronic M xDrive Euro 6 (s/s)

Low Mileage

£58,495

Finance available £1,181 pm

3L
14.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Evolve Motor Company

01633741704 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW M32023 (23) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Touring Steptronic M xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£69,950

Finance available £1,416 pm

3L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbon Collection

01484248046 *

BMW M32017 (67) - 3.0 Competition Saloon 4dr Petrol Manual - Carbon Kit - Milltek Equal Leng

Low Mileage

£36,995

Finance available £739 pm

3L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Ar33ve Specialist Cars

01553605578 *

BMW M32021 - M3 xDrive Competition M 4dr Step Auto

£49,995

Finance available £1,007 pm

3L
35.9K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

BMW Bavarian

02895908116 *

BMW M31995 (M) - M3 3.0 Convetible 2dr [1995-M] DAYTONA VIOLET METALIC

Reduced

£14,995

3L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

MK Motors

01494296041 *

BMW M32021 (21) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Steptronic Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£59,989

Finance available £1,212 pm

3L
1.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Motorhub

01535281058 *

BMW M32023 - M3 xDrive Competition M 4dr Step Auto

£86,898

10.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Irvine BMW

01294440528 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW M32018 (18) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£36,250

3L
33.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Phantom Motor Company

01942365271 *

BMW M32023 - xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto

Low Mileage

£71,990

Finance available £1,458 pm

3L
5.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Stratstone BMW Chesterfield

01246388445 *

4.3/5 Stars

BMW M32015 - 3.0 BiTurbo Saloon 4dr Petrol DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (431 ps)

Low Mileage

£27,500

Finance available £544 pm

3L
59.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Earls Autos

01733977929 *

BMW M32018 (18) - M3 4dr DCT [Competition Pack]

Low Mileage

£40,990

Finance available £822 pm

3L
36.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Saloon

All Cars Group Ta ACG Motors

01613887664 *

4.8/5 Stars

BMW M31997 (N) - M3 Evolution 2dr

Low Mileage

£12,995

3.2L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Trade Centre Direct

01217288653 *

BMW M32024 - M3 xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto

Reduced

£73,850

Finance available £1,497 pm

3L
4.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

JKC Approved Used BMW

02870441623 *

Why buy a used BMW M3?

If you're in the market for a saloon car that's extremely fast, premium and stylish, then a used BMW M3 is a great choice. With high-end performance, this four-door saloon offers incredible acceleration and speed. Based on the regular 3 Series, the M3 is inherently practical, even for a family, with a decent amount of space for passengers and a large boot to match.

Used BMW M3 snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Manual gearbox available
Aggressive looks and standing
Top-end performance

Cons

Noise isn’t that great
Poor economy
Interior design rather dull in old models

Read our BMW M3 review

BMW M3 video review

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Different generations of used BMW M3

The history of the M3 goes all the way back to 1986, with its original years spent as a coupé. Then, in 1994 (during the second generation), the four-door saloon was introduced. By 2013, BMW decided to split the M3 coupés and convertibles from the saloon lineup, creating the M4. Since then, the M3 has only been available as a high-performance saloon, now in its sixth generation. BMW continues releasing updates to the powertrain and new styling features that keep this model popular.

First Generation (2022 to 2015)

Fuel type:: Petrol
Engine Size:: 3
MPG:: 26 - 28
Acceleration:: 3.5 - 3.6 seconds
Boot space:: 500 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
M3 xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto
Cheapest
M3 xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto
Fastest
M3 CS xDrive 550 5dr Step Auto

Seventh Generation (2020 to 2022)

Fuel type:: Petrol
Engine Size:: 3
MPG:: 27 - 28
Acceleration:: 3.4 - 3.9 seconds
Boot space:: 480 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
M3 Competition 4dr Step Auto
Cheapest
M3 Competition 4dr Step Auto
Fastest
M3 CS 4dr Step Auto

Sixth Generation (2015 to 2018)

The main changes to the sixth generation were drivetrain updates. For the first time, the M3 was available with all-wheel drive, offering more capability. However, the manual gearbox was only paired with rear-wheel drive.

Tech enhancements were also released, including a head-up display, parking assistance, a professional driver-assist package and a heated steering wheel. Because the M3 is compatible with all M Performance Parts, some models may also have additional components, such as body kits and wings.

Fuel type:: Petrol
Engine Size:: 3
MPG:: 31 - 34
Acceleration:: 3.9 - 4.3 seconds
Boot space:: 480 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
M3 4dr DCT
Cheapest
M3 4dr
Fastest
M3 CS 4dr DCT

Fifth Generation (2014 to 2015)

BMW was able to reduce some of the M3's weight, which added to the performance. To do this, aluminium was used for the body panels and carbon fibre was added to the driveshaft and roof. Also, BMW improved the brake design by replacing its calipers with double-pistons and by offering an optional four-piston ceramic design. This was the first generation that was solely offered as a saloon model, with the M3 coupé and convertible now in their own lineup.

In 2016, BMW released a small design update with full LEDs added to the taillights and some new colours offered. Another update occurred in 2018 when BMW changed the lower front bumper on the M3.

Fuel type:: Petrol
Engine Size:: 3
MPG:: 32 - 34
Acceleration:: 4.1 - 4.3 seconds
Boot space:: 480 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
M3 4dr DCT
Cheapest
M3 4dr
Fastest
M3 4dr DCT

Fourth Generation (2007 to 2013)

Of all the M3 models, this generation was the heaviest, but it was also filled with many luxury touches. During these years, the M3 was available in all three bodystyles: a saloon, a coupé and a convertible. The convertible model featured a power-retractable hard top for instant open-air access.

During this generation, BMW released the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, improving the acceleration time because the paddle shifters shortened the pauses between shifts. Updates also occurred in 2011 when minor changes were made to the interior.

Fuel type:: Petrol
Engine Size:: 4
MPG:: 21 - 25
Acceleration:: 4.6 - 5.3 seconds
Boot space:: 210 - 450 L capacity
NCAP Safety rating:: stars

Greenest
M3 4dr DCT
Cheapest
M3 4dr
Fastest
M3 2dr DCT

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

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