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.

187 Used BMW M3 cars for sale

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

Low Mileage

£37,995

Finance available £760 pm

3L
47.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

TRINITY MOTOR SALES LTD

01422411698 *

0/5 Stars

BMW M32005 (05) - 3.2 M3 SMG 2d-Here We Have a very rare Individual, Silverstone Edition E46 2-Door

Reduced

£30,950

Finance available £615 pm

3.2L
75.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Coupe

Rix Motors

01925917564 *

BMW M32003 (03) - 3.2i Coupe 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 3 (343 ps)

Low Mileage

£29,950

Finance available £595 pm

3.2L
52.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

Magma Cars Limited

02039577372 *

BMW M32024 (24) - xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto

£67,990

3L
14.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Boston (BMW)

01205335096 *

BMW M32022 (22) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Steptronic Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£58,990

Finance available £1,191 pm

3L
37.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

GC Motors

01423396999 *

BMW M32016 (16) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£31,490

Finance available £626 pm

3L
60.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Cars Direct Peterborough Limited

01733971397 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW M32015 (XF) - 3.2 Evolution Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual (270 g/km, 321 bhp)

Reduced

£20,999

Finance available £411 pm

3.2L
56.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

WMGB

01278550715 *

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

£67,989

Finance available £1,376 pm

3L
22.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Motorhub

01535281058 *

BMW M32013 - 4.0 V8 Limited Edition 500 Convertible 2dr Petrol DCT Euro 5 (420 ps)

Low Mileage

£28,990

Finance available £575 pm

4L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

James Paul Car Sales Ltd

01403331244 *

BMW M32002 (02) - M3 2dr

Reduced

£22,990

Finance available £452 pm

3.2L
73.9K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

MB Executive Motor Company

02476936643 *

BMW M32010 (59) - 4.0 iV8 Alpine DCT Euro 4 2dr

Low Mileage

£23,995

Finance available £472 pm

4L
30.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Coupe

Harpers of Essex Ltd

01279598863 *

3.3/5 Stars

BMW M3(15) - 3.0 BiTurbo DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£25,250

Finance available £498 pm

60.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Not Supplied

Acer Platinum Vehicle Ltd

01143086572 *

BMW M32002 (52) - 3.2i CS SMG Euro 4 2dr

Low Mileage

£13,995

Finance available £290 pm

3.2L
109.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Coupe

T and T Motors

01924665188 *

0/5 Stars

BMW M32006 (06) - E46 M3 CS 3.2 SMG 2-Door

Low Mileage

£31,995

Finance available £637 pm

3.2L
81.4K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Coupe

4 Star Classics

01420551490 *

5/5 Stars

BMW M32017 (67) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Saloon 4dr Petrol Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (450 ps)

Low Mileage

£35,995

Finance available £719 pm

3L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Ar33ve Specialist Cars

01553605578 *

BMW M32017 (67) - M3 Saloon Competition Package 4-Door

£29,194

3L
70.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Prestige Cars Kent

01689669471 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£72,950

Finance available £1,478 pm

3L
16.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbon Collection

01484248046 *

BMW M32010 (10) - 4.0 V8 Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual Euro 5 (420 ps)

Low Mileage

£13,990

Finance available £290 pm

4L
109.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Tycoon Autos Ltd

02039112039 *

BMW M32012 (61) - 4.0 iV8 DCT Euro 5 4dr

Low Mileage

£27,995

Finance available £555 pm

4L
62.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

AMR Motors Limited

01484503310 *

BMW M32005 (55) - 3.2 M3 CS SMG 2d 338 BHP 2-Door

Reduced

£41,250

Finance available £827 pm

3.2L
65.3K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

Rom Motors Ltd

01455240096 *

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

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.

View guides

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Used BMW M3 snapshot review

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