Following the arrival of their revised 3 and 4 Series stablemates in 2020, the long-awaited 2021 BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe have finally arrived. Like many legendary models, these are vehicles that have a large and vocal following, and every upgrade is met with a mix of dread and excitement. The good news is that the most recent M3 models are more competent than ever before.
The high-performance models of the 3 and 4 Series are longer, somewhat broader, and taller than their predecessors, and they get a power bump in both standard and Competition trims. The basic M3 has a 473-horsepower inline-six-cylinder engine, while the Competition has a 503-horsepower version. Only an eight-speed automatic gearbox is offered in the Competition model. Notably, the basic M3 is currently the only 3 Series version with a six-speed manual transmission. Buckle up and join us today as we take you on a ride to discover the most prominent features that make the 2021 BMW M3 a fantastic car.
9 Redesigned Styling
The ridiculously large kidney grilles of the new BMW M3 sedans and coupes have been a hot subject since their debut. Many ardent BMW supporters dislike them, while admirers of other brands have used phrases that aren't allowed to characterize the new appearance. While several designers have attempted to correct BMW's blunder, even a former BMW designer cannot grasp the grille's application.
The kidney grille has been extended compared to prior generations, and that's what you'll notice first. There are also a lot more aggressive features on the cars, such as bigger, sportier-looking vents and sharper lines, most obviously on the hood of the vehicles, in keeping with the new grille.
8 Interior and Build Quality
The new BMW's M3 models boast a more aggressive design. The sportier M variants of BMW cars tend to have interiors that are athletic and a little over the top. It's not simply the color options that make the sports features stand out. Both cars have the option of carbon-fiber racing bucket seats and a sports steering wheel to make it clear that they are M-spec vehicles. The M3's seats should be very comfortable. Even yet, the sportier bucket seats may reduce front passenger comfort, but they will provide considerably superior support and weight savings while driving on the circuit.
The M3s have also gained around half an inch in passenger headroom as well. The car's build quality is typical German, which means it's made to a high standard and meticulously finished. Tri-zone automatic temperature control and 14-way power-adjustable front seats are among the many standard comfort amenities.
7 Superior to Previous Models
We were impressed by the new M3 Competition sedan's test drive and its performance and agility. However, it's not all rosy behind its enormous nose. The new M3 has a lot going for it, but just a little going against it. It's understandable if you believe that the new M3's are only a touch different from their predecessors because they've been in BMW's range for so long. BMW has updated both vehicles to make them even better than they were before.
To begin with, the new M3 is 4.6 inches longer and 0.7 inches broader than the previous M4. Additionally, the car's power output has increased by roughly 50 horsepower over the previous generation.
6 Modern Tech and Infotainment
This installment of the M3 is the sixth generation in the series, and the tech and infotainment departments are not here to play. The interior may be similar in the design language from the previous three series from 2018, with the double tier dash having a huge digital screen and A/C controls underneath. However, the control center may come off as cluttered, but we believe the more, the merrier.
Behind the sporty steering wheel, you also get an instrument cluster and more controllers on the center console that houses the gearbox interface and a storage compartment.
5 Sport Features
The BMW M3 series offers a variety of sporty options to differentiate it from the conventional BMW models further. Sports modes allow drivers to modify the engine, suspension, and steering settings in a special M Mode section of their vehicle. It is also possible to choose from various driving modes, such as efficient, Sport, and sport plus.
The exhaust system, which has an M Sound button for enhancing the car's sporty sound, is another noteworthy feature.
4 All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain systems have been reworked to include a new system, which is standard on the vehicles but is also available for those who like it. First, for the M3, an adaptive four-wheel-drive system, similar to the one found on the newest BMW M5, is available, allowing the driver to determine exactly how much power is transmitted to the rear wheels, enhancing control in an unprecedented way.
With this new design, M3 owners will enjoy the benefits of AWD for the first time in an M3. It is only available on Competition versions and with an eight-speed automatic gearbox; it has three powertrain modes: four-wheel drive for regular driving, 4WD Sport for more spirited driving, and two-wheel drive, which transmits power solely to the back wheels and disengages the stability control.
3 Shifting Priorities
The six-speed manual gearbox is standard on the BMW M3. This is a unique selling point for BMW, while most of its competitors only offer automatic transmissions. For the competition-spec model, you'll get an 8-speed automatic transmission. We're pleased to discover that the M3's base versions can be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox.
There are just two 3 Series models that still have a manual transmission: the M3 and the Competition form of the M3. Even if it weren't for the fact that the eight-speed automatic transmission is perfectly suited to the engine, we'd still be unhappy. With six different settings to choose from, you can fine-tune the shifting experience to your satisfaction.
2 Loads O' Tech
The good news is that the most recent M3 and M4 models are more competent than ever before. The high-performance models of the 3 and 4 Series are longer, somewhat broader, and taller than their predecessors, and they get a power bump in both standard and Competition trims.
The basic M3 has a 473-horsepower inline-six-cylinder engine, while the Competition has a 503-horsepower version. Only an eight-speed automatic gearbox is offered in the Competition model. Notably, the basic M3 is currently the only 3 Series version with a six-speed manual transmission.
1 Sweet Turbocharged Engine
A twin-turbocharged inline-six-cylinder engine is possibly the most pleasing engine layout ever added to an M3 or M4. The 3.0-liter inline-six engine in the standard M3 produces 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. This is a 48-hp increase over the basic versions of the previous M3 and M4.
The M3 produces 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in Competition trim, a 59-horsepower improvement over the vehicles it replaces. Although the M3's acceleration is spectacular, it is polite when driving around town.