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.

221 Used BMW M3 cars for sale

BMW M31996 (N) - 3.2i Evolution 4dr

Low Mileage

£22,950

3.2L
93.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

THE MOTOR LOUNGE

01992666449 *

BMW M32018 (18) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Saloon 4dr Petrol DCT Euro 6 (s/s) (450 ps)

Low Mileage

£37,949

Finance available £759 pm

3L
35.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

A1 Ortos

01613887641 *

0/5 Stars

BMW M32015 (65) - 3.0 BiTurbo DCT Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£27,500

Finance available £544 pm

3L
60.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Carderi Ltd

02039537417 *

BMW M32003 - 3.2i Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual (292 g/km, 343 bhp)

Reduced

£20,995

3.2L
58.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

Hodgson Specialist Cars Ltd

01942365192 *

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 M32005 (05) - E46 // 3.2i // Convertible // Manual (328 g/km, 343 bhp) // PX SWAP 2-Door

Low Mileage

£16,990

3.2L
96.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Ashley Automotive

01202086039 *

4.9/5 Stars

BMW M32024 (74) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Steptronic M xDrive Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£71,990

Finance available £1,458 pm

3L
11.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

PM Car Sales

01916070522 *

BMW M32011 - M3 DCT CONVERTIBLE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£18,999

4L
48.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Convertible

Bexhill Motors Eastbourne

01323403942 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW M31994 (M) - M3 2dr

Low Mileage

£6,400

3L
94.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Great yarmouth car sales

01493807050 *

BMW M32011 (61) - M3 2dr DCT

Low Mileage

£25,490

4L
73.6K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Coupe

TS Motors

01282509437 *

BMW M32023 - M3 Competition M Xdrive Estate 3.0 Automatic Petrol 5-Door

£69,990

Finance available £1,417 pm

3L
17.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Gravelwood Car Sales

01478620310 *

BMW M32023 - M3 xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto

£77,990

Finance available £1,582 pm

3L
17.5K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

AUTOPRESTIGE

01274087615 *

4.1/5 Stars

BMW M32009 (09) - M3 2dr

Low Mileage

£14,999

4L
53.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

AMC Custom Motors

01274087668 *

BMW M32021 (21) - 3.0 BiTurbo Competition Saloon 4dr Petrol Steptronic Euro 6 (s/s) (510 ps)

Low Mileage

£52,979

Finance available £1,068 pm

3L
21.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Autopoint

01436647028 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW M31996 (98) - 3.2 M3 EVOLUTION 2d 316 BHP 2-Door

Low Mileage

£24,995

3.2L
112.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Coupe

Eclipse Car Sales Limited

02392006073 *

4.6/5 Stars

BMW M32025 - M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 5dr Step Auto

£76,380

3L
4.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Marshall BMW Bournemouth

01202068625 *

BMW M32023 - xDrive Competition M 5dr Step Auto

£64,999

Finance available £1,315 pm

3L
24.8K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Stratstone BMW Doncaster

01302203473 *

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

Low Mileage

£32,999

3L
43.1K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Sandles Car Supermarket

01553601835 *

4.7/5 Stars

BMW M32005 (05) - 3.2 M3 2d 338 BHP 2-Door

Low Mileage

£23,500

3.2L
61.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Convertible

Northwood Cars LTD

01233229366 *

BMW M32011 - M3 DCT COUPE 2-Door

Low Mileage

£17,999

4L
93.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Coupe

Bexhill Motors Terminus Road

01424234748 *

4.7/5 Stars

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 2018)

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 2dr 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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