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BMW M3

The E30 M3: a race car made road legal for Group A's 5,000-car rule.1

Researched October 28, 2026 from 33 sources

Also called

  • EVO1Alternate name for the 1987 Evolution, whose revised cylinder head left power unchanged.2
  • EVO3Alias for the 1990 Sport Evolution, a 600-car special with 235 hp.2

At a glance

0300600
192–550 hpPower
0510
3.4–6.7 s0–100 km/h
0175350
235–302 km/hTop speed
0400800
230–650 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.12413

Engine
E30: 2.3–2.5 L I4; E36/E46 regular: I6; E90/E92/E93: V8; current: 3.0 L turbo I623812
Layout
Front engine; RWD, with M xDrive added in 2021210
Gearbox
5/6-speed manual, 6-speed SMG, 7-speed DCT, 5-speed auto, 8-speed Steptronic238
Built at
Munich; Regensburg; Garching (GTS/CRT); Rosslyn, South Africa (some E36)368
Units built
E30: 17,970; E46: approximately 85,00029

The story

Created to get the E30 into Group A racing, the M3 now spans six generations. Coupes and convertibles took the M4 name in 2014; the M3 badge now links a sedan and a Touring wagon.123

1985: Frankfurt debut, Group A mission19851992: E36 brings six cylinders and 4 doors19921995: E36 3.2: two engines, then SMG19952007: S65: 414 hp and 8,400 rpm20072014: F80 goes turbo; the coupe becomes M420142021: G80 launches; M xDrive joins20212024: G80/G81 facelift lifts xDrive power20242025: 7:29.490 at the Nürburgring2025 BMW M3 (E30): 1986–1991E30BMW M3 (E36): 1992–1999E36BMW M3 (E46): 2000–2006E46BMW M3 (E90/E92/E93): 2007–2013E90/E92/E93BMW M3 (F80): 2014–2018F80BMW M3 (G80/G81): 2020–presentG80/G81 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsMilestones23567891012
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1986–1991BMW M3 (E30)
1992–1999BMW M3 (E36)
2000–2006BMW M3 (E46)
2007–2013BMW M3 (E90/E92/E93)
2014–2018BMW M3 (F80)
2020–presentBMW M3 (G80/G81)
1985Frankfurt debut, Group A mission
1992E36 brings six cylinders and 4 doors
1995E36 3.2: two engines, then SMG
2007S65: 414 hp and 8,400 rpm
2014F80 goes turbo; the coupe becomes M4
2021G80 launches; M xDrive joins
2024G80/G81 facelift lifts xDrive power
20257:29.490 at the Nürburgring
  1. 1985

    Frankfurt debut, Group A mission

    The E30 debuted at Frankfurt in 1985 to meet Group A's 5,000-car rule; production began in March 1986.2

  2. 1992

    E36 brings six cylinders and 4 doors

    The E36 introduced a 3.0 L straight-six; sedan and convertible versions joined in 1994. The later US S50 made 240 hp.245

  3. 1995

    E36 3.2: two engines, then SMG

    Europe's 3.2 L S50 made 316 hp; 1996 brought a 240-hp S52 to North America. European LHD models gained six-speed SMG in December 1996.26

  4. 2007

    S65: 414 hp and 8,400 rpm

    The E90/E92/E93 generation used the S65 V8 with an 8,400-rpm ceiling. A six-speed manual was standard; seven-speed M DCT joined in February 2008.78

  5. 2014

    F80 goes turbo; the coupe becomes M4

    The F80 brought a 425-hp twin-turbo S55 straight-six. Coupes and convertibles took the M4 badge, leaving the M3 as a sedan.29

  6. 2021

    G80 launches; M xDrive joins

    The S58-powered M3 launched with 473 hp and a six-speed manual or 503 hp in Competition form; optional M xDrive followed in summer 2021.10

  7. 2024

    G80/G81 facelift lifts xDrive power

    From July, Competition M xDrive models rose to 530 hp; new headlights, steering wheels and iDrive with Operating System 8.5 joined the range.3

  8. 2025

    7:29.490 at the Nürburgring

    On April 11, the M3 CS Touring lapped the full 20.823 km Nordschleife in 7:29.490, a Touring record under notary-supervised timing.11

Every generation

  • BMW M3
    E301986–1991
  • BMW M3
    E361992–1999
  • BMW M3
    E462000–2006
  • BMW M3
    E90/E92/E932007–2013
  • BMW M3
    F802014–2018
  • BMW M3
    G80/G812020–present

Power over the years

From 192 hp to 550 hp in 37 years.

0200400600 198519901995200020052010201520202025 hp 1986 · 192 hp · E30 2.3 catalyst1990 · 235 hp · E30 2.5 Sport Evolution1992 · 282 hp · E36 European S50 3.01995 · 316 hp · E36 European S50 3.22001 · 333 hp · E46 North American S542007 · 414 hp · E90/E92/E93 S65 V82014 · 425 hp · F80 S552016 · 444 hp · F80 Competition2018 · 460 hp · F80 M3 CS2021 · 503 hp · G80 Competition S582023 · 550 hp · G80 M3 CS2024 · 530 hp · G80/G81 Competition M xDrive 550 hp G80 M3 CS 192 hp E30 2.3 catalyst
1235678910121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1986192E30 2.3 catalyst
1990235E30 2.5 Sport Evolution
1992282E36 European S50 3.0
1995316E36 European S50 3.2
2001333E46 North American S54
2007414E90/E92/E93 S65 V8
2014425F80 S55
2016444F80 Competition
2018460F80 M3 CS
2021503G80 Competition S58
2023550G80 M3 CS
2024530G80/G81 Competition M xDrive

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    G80 M3 Sedan

    2021–

    473 hp
  • G81 M3 Competition Touring

    Performance

    G81 M3 Competition Touring

    2024–

    523 hp

  • Performance

    E46 M3 CS / Competition Package

    2005–2006

    3,011 built

  • F80 M3 CS

    Special

    F80 M3 CS

    2018

    460 hp
  • E46 M3 CSL

    Limited

    E46 M3 CSL

    2003

    355 hp

    1,383 built

  • E30 M3 Sport Evolution

    Racing

    E30 M3 Sport Evolution

    1989–1990

    235 hp

    600 built

  • Limited

    F80 M3 30 Years M3

    2016

    444 hp
  • G81 M3 CS Touring

    Limited

    G81 M3 CS Touring

    2025

    550 hp

  • Limited

    M3 CS Handschalter

    2027

    473 hp
  • E92 M3 GTS

    Limited

    E92 M3 GTS

    2010

    450 hp
  • E46 M3 GTR road version

    Racing

    E46 M3 GTR road version

    2001–2002

    380 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • E30: flared arches, a raised trunk lid, rear wing and a re-angled rear window.1
  • E36: aerodynamic M mirrors, wider M3-logo side strips and a mesh front air dam.5
  • E46: wider fenders, front-fender gills, a hood power dome and four exhaust tips.12
  • E92 coupe: a bulging hood and carbon-fiber roof when no sunroof is fitted.89
  • G80/G81: tall vertical kidneys with horizontal double bars, swollen arches and black side skirts.3

Year by year

  1. Sep 1995–Feb 1996

    E36 facelift: revised wheels and clear indicators, starting with coupes and reaching convertibles last.2

  2. September 1996

    European E36: reshaped grille and side repeater lights, plus a three-spoke M steering wheel.6

  3. March 2003

    E46: LED taillights arrive; the coupe also gets a revised trim panel above the rear plate.12

  4. September 2008

    E90 sedan: the facelift adds taillights with luminous strips and LED turn signals.8

  5. March 2010

    E92 coupe and E93 convertible gain full-LED taillights; sedan and coupe buyers can add Y-spoke Competition wheels.8

  6. July 2024

    G80/G81: redesigned headlights and steering wheels, optional silver forged wheels and iDrive 8.5.3

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a BMW M3
    M3
    Photo of a BMW 3 Series (E30)
    BMW 3 Series (E30)

    BMW 3 Series (E30)

    The M3 has flared fenders, a higher trunk with a wing and a different rear-window angle.1

  • Photo of a BMW M3
    M3
    Photo of a BMW 3 Series Coupe/Convertible (E46)
    BMW 3 Series Coupe/Convertible (E46)

    BMW 3 Series Coupe/Convertible (E46)

    The M3 adds wider fenders, front-fender gills, a hood power dome and four exhaust tips.12

  • Photo of a BMW M3
    M3
    Photo of a BMW M4
    BMW M4

    BMW M4

    The 2014 naming split put M3 badges on the sedan and M4 badges on the coupe and convertible.4

Against its rivals

  • Audi RS4 (2007)

    M3 vs Audi RS4 (2007)

    Price as tested lower is better

    M3$70,000
    Audi RS4 (2007)$81,885
    20
  • Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (2008)

    M3 vs Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (2008)

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    M312.8 s
    Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (2008)12.3 s
    20

Prices

Price when newAuction sale
$0$50K$100K$150K 1990200020102020 1988 · $34,810 · US base, E301995 · $36,620 · US base, E361995 · $47,900 · US base, Lightweight2001 · $46,000 · US estimated base2021 · $69,900 · US base sedan, before destination2021 · $72,800 · US Competition, before destination2027 · $107,100 · US CS Handschalter, excl. delivery 1988 · $34,810 · US base price, 1988 model year 2015 · $55,000 · 1990 M3, California 20152025 · $46,000 · 1989 M3, 109k miles shown, mileage unknown, BaT2025 · $24,500 · 1995 M3 coupe 5-speed, 57k miles, BaT2025 · $33,250 · 2003 M3 coupe SMG, 47k miles, BaT2025 · $62,500 · 2018 M3 CS, 44k miles, BaT2026 · $55,000 · 1988 M3, 148k miles, modified/repainted, BaT2026 · $96,500 · 2025 M3 Competition xDrive, 6k miles, BaT $96.5K BaT, 2026
271019252627282930313233
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1988Launch price$34,810US base price, 1988 model year
1988Price when new$34,810US base, E30
1995Price when new$36,620US base, E36
1995Price when new$47,900US base, Lightweight
2001Price when new$46,000US estimated base
2021Price when new$69,900US base sedan, before destination
2021Price when new$72,800US Competition, before destination
2027Price when new$107,100US CS Handschalter, excl. delivery
2015Auction sale$55,0001990 M3, California 2015
2025Auction sale$46,0001989 M3, 109k miles shown, mileage unknown, BaT
2025Auction sale$24,5001995 M3 coupe 5-speed, 57k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$33,2502003 M3 coupe SMG, 47k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$62,5002018 M3 CS, 44k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$55,0001988 M3, 148k miles, modified/repainted, BaT
2026Auction sale$96,5002025 M3 Competition xDrive, 6k miles, BaT

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “7:29.490: the fastest Touring full lap”
    • “Monza: every M3 disqualified”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. BMW M Registry - FAQ E30 M3 bmwmregistry.com
  2. BMW M3 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. The new BMW M3 Sedan, the new BMW M3 Touring. press.bmwgroup.com
  4. Exclusive special edition of the BMW M3 “30 Years M3”. BMW M celebrates the 30th anniversary of its benchmark-setting high-performance sports car. press.bmwgroup.com
  5. BMW M Registry - FAQ E36 M3 3.0 bmwmregistry.com
  6. BMW M Registry - FAQ E36 M3 3.2 bmwmregistry.com
  7. BMW M3 30th Anniversary caranddriver.com
  8. BMW M Registry - FAQ E90 + E92 + E93 M3 bmwmregistry.com
  9. BMW M3 Buyer's Guide: Every Generation from the E30 to G80 roadandtrack.com
  10. The New 2021 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe press.bmwgroup.com
  11. The BMW 3 CS Touring completes a lap time of 07:29.490 | Nürburgring nuerburgring.de
  12. BMW M Registry - FAQ E46 M3 bmwmregistry.com
  13. The all-new BMW M3 CS. press.bmwgroup.com
  14. The new BMW M3 CS. press.bmwgroup.com
  15. Used BMW M3 (E46, 2000 - 2006): an analogue sports coupe icon | evo evo.co.uk
  16. The Definitive BMW E46 M3 Buyer's Guide | FCP Euro fcpeuro.com
  17. 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution | Paris 2026 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  18. The first-ever BMW M3 CS Touring. press.bmwgroup.com
  19. The BMW M3 CS Handschalter: A manual, rear-wheel-drive sendoff for the sixth-generation M3. press.bmwgroup.com
  20. Tested: 2008 BMW M3 vs. Audi RS 4 vs. Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG caranddriver.com
  21. The story of an exception: the BMW M3 is 25. press.bmwgroup.com
  22. The Champion in Touring Car Racing. 25 years ago the BMW M3 started its unique series of victories. press.bmwgroup.com
  23. BMW caps dream comeback with three titles: Spengler wins DTM drivers’ title, BMW Team Schnitzer tops the team standings and BMW wins the manufacturers’ title. press.bmwgroup.com
  24. High-speed, high-tech, high excitement press.bmwgroup.com
  25. 1995 BMW M3 Lightweight Rewind Review: What's It Like to Drive Now? motortrend.com
  26. First Drive of a Future Icon: 2001 BMW M3 caranddriver.com
  27. 1990 BMW M3 | California 2015 | RM Sotheby's rmsothebys.com
  28. 1988 BMW M3 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $55,000 on June 16, 2026 (Lot #247,897) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  29. 1989 BMW M3 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $46,000 on June 6, 2025 (Lot #194,924) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. Original-Owner 1995 BMW M3 Coupe 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $24,500 on May 13, 2025 (Lot #191,516) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  31. 47k-Mile 2003 BMW M3 Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $33,250 on July 10, 2025 (Lot #199,867) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 2018 BMW M3 CS for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $62,500 on December 14, 2025 (Lot #223,382) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  33. 2025 BMW M3 Competition xDrive for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $96,500 on May 18, 2026 (Lot #243,124) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • bmwmregistry.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • press.bmwgroup.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • roadandtrack.com
  • nuerburgring.de
  • evo.co.uk
  • fcpeuro.com
  • rmsothebys.com
  • motortrend.com
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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