Price (as tested) 💲: $101,195
Powertrain ⚙️: 3.0-liter Twin-turbocharged inline-6
Output 💪: 503 hp/479 lb-ft of torque
Transmission 🕹: 8-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH 🚦: 3.5 seconds
Top Speed 💥: 180 mph
MPG (as tested) ⛽️: 16 city/22hwy/18 combined
Curb weight ⚖️: 3,820 lbs
It took longer for me to learn how to pronounce “Jahre” than to fall in love with the M3 Competition xDrive’s driving character.
A pull of the paddle (no manual option for Competition trims), a turn of the wheel, and a blip of the throttle are all that is required to get a baseline on M’s enduring prowess.
Sports car capability has advanced to such a degree that numerous models guide the hand of drivers rather than take their lead. The M3 can certainly put you on a set of train tracks if you like, but it will just as readily apprise the role of lifeguard – stepping in only when you’re about to drown.
Slide it or finesse as you please, just don’t baby it (cuz the suspension won’t return the favor).
The BMW M3 Competition xDrive Edition 50 ‘Jahre’ (German word for “Years”) bumps the price tag to M5 territory in exchange for some legacy paint colors (mine was clad in Fire Orange), a few badges, and a number plate, but I’d rather spend that extra coin on an aftermarket remedy for the snout (time hasn’t changed my mind).
Special edition or not, the 2023 model’s updates bring big screens to match the latest BMW models. The new iDrive software is snappy and the visuals are trick.
Those slick Sport buckets are here. They’re a literal pain in the butt to get in and out of, but supportive once lodged inside. Oh, and they feature peek-a-boo cutouts. Something about weight savings, blah blah. More importantly, rear riders can jab the driver with a good poke when necessary.