The M3 is a bonafide driver’s car. Right from conception, the M3 bloodline has always been the stuff of heroes. BMW introduced the model in 1986 as a high-performance version of the BMW 3-Series line of luxury sports sedans. It all started with the BMW E30 M3. Since then, the German automaker has built an M3 model for every 3-Series produced.
We've got them as coupes, convertibles, and then sedans; high-performance sedans. Since they are built for nostril-flaring, they typically come with updated engines, enhanced handling, powerful brakes, and optimized aerodynamics. Over the years, the heroic nameplate has demonstrated the marque’s commitment to driver safety and motoring performance, as exemplified by a continually improved limited-slip differential to maximize torque and grip but not at the expense of handling.
Remember the efficient 1992 E36 M3’s SMG-1 gearbox. This was followed by the world's fastest shifting gearbox, the second generation E46 M3’s SMG-II. Now in its sixth generation, 2021 brought a redesigned and energized BMW M3 Competition on par with the current 3-Series executive sedan. It’s still the driver’s car we’ve always known, just energized to offer better performance both for daily driving and recreational racing.
What We Love Most About The 2021 BMW M3 Competition
Two words; luxury and performance. The 2021 BMW M3 Competition is a titillating blend of passenger comfort and adapting powertrain, thanks to the enhanced S58 engine and the executive features of the regular M3. Both Competition and the regular M3 look and feels very much alike from the inside out until you look under the skirt.
They share standard exterior and interior features, but Competition stands out with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission eschewing the regular M3’s manual gearbox. We agree that a torque converter transmission instead of a dual-clutch feels out of place in a high-performance car like the BMW M3 Competition. No matter. If anything, Competition's transmission setup provides the best of both worlds, offering superfast shift response when you’re burning asphalt and a slower gearchange through city traffic.
Competition also wrings more power from the S58 motor. That slight variation in power and handling can make loads of difference when you need it. The twin mono-scroll turbocharged 3.0L inline-six can make a throaty 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. That’s 30 horses and 73 torques more than the regular M3 output. Keeping in mind that the M3 is far from being a dull performer, you begin to appreciate the power of the Competition.
All that power is delivered to the road via the rear wheels tied to the ZF 8-speed auto. Both the M3 Competition model and the BMW M4 get an all-wheel-drive variant this model year 2022, improving the car's grip on the road. Competition is the first in BMW M3's history with a 4-wheel-drivetrain model variant. Yes, the 2021 M3 Competition xDrive package includes an available drivetrain connected to all four wheels to satisfy the longings of fans with a need for speed as well as match its direct competitors.
The car can blaze the 60 mph distance in 3.8 seconds from a standing position. It completed the quarter-mile sprint in 11.6 seconds traveling at 124 mph, making it the fastest M3, ever. It has a top speed of 155 mph, 180 with the optional M Driver’s Pkg, which should set you back $2,500 extra and a one-day training at a BMW Performance Center.
Furthermore, it's not just the grille that's got bigger. The car exudes a grander presence now. That's because of the 4.6 inches longer and 0.4 inches wider body. The 2021 Competition M3 basically offers double the greatness and performance of the regular model, particularly the quick response auto transmission. A large swath of the interior is covered in high-quality feel-good leather accented with laser-straight stitching, including the adjustable front bucket seats and fold-down rear seats. Fold-down the backrests, and you have created an ample cargo space.
As mentioned earlier, the regular and Competition M3s look very much alike inside and outside, but there are subtle details that differentiate the pair, such as the M stripes on the seatbelts and the high gloss black accents on the side mirrors and trunk spoiler. You might tell them apart by their subtly varied posture, thanks to Competition’s slightly larger wheels.
While the badging around the car is a constant reminder of its track-readiness, the smooth and tractable S58 engine provides smooth everyday drivability. Now, that's what we love most about Competition. All that power sort of lay dormant until you summon it, and it begins to emerge, quicker than Eric Bana changes into the Incredible Hulk. The powertrain actually comes alive at around 3000 rpm. Don't let up, and it revs explosively to its 7,200-rpm redline.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts On The 2021 BMW M3 Competition
Competition’s S58’s dependably strong inline-six is currently one of our favorite engines. Combined with the exceptionally balanced chassis and impressive braking power, it’s near impossible to hate this car, despite the humbling $72,000 starting price. Chauffeur-driven? Fine. Driving it yourself? Even better. The car, like its M3 bloodline, is a driver’s delight.
Competition is pretty good at cosplay, playing satisfyingly nice in Comfort Mode through city traffic and morphing into a monster when you flatten the throttle.
We don't like the front grille, and we wish BMW quit expanding them. At least the spacious cabin makes up for all that space between grilles. Summarily, the redesigned M3 is a big leap forward from what it used to be, outrageously fast and still delivering the practicality of a sedan. However, it has strong contenders, specifically the Audi RS 5 Sportback, Mercedes-AMG C 63, and the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.