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BMW M3 Competition

The independent definitive BMW M3 Competition video review
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    M TO THE POWER OF 3 (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_bmwm3competition_2021

    By Jonathan Crouch

    BMW's M3 Competition carries an illustrious badge but that doesn't appear too big a burden for this 510hp powerhouse, offered in saloon and Touring forms. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

    Ten Second Reviewword count: 63

    The MK6 'G80'-series generation BMW M3 ups the ante in a number of regards. It's quicker, cleverer, better looking and offers more equipment. You even get the option of AWD for the first time. It's offered in both saloon guise and in a Touring estate version and it keeps to an enhanced version of the classic straight-six engine configuration. What's not to like?

    Backgroundword count: 173

    If you've an ounce of petrol flowing through your veins, you'll probably know quite a lot about BMW's M3. It's a name that evokes a rich history of competition, tyre smoke and unremitting motorsport development over thirty five years and six generations of the Munich maker's practical, power-packed performance car. Welcome to the MK6 model. You'll might still remember this car as a coupe, a body shape BMW's M division still makes but designates the 'M4'. When the fifth generation 'F80'-series model was launched in 2014, the more familiar M3 badge was restricted to the four-door body style and that theme continues with this 'G80'-series car. That old 'F80' model swapped the previous 'E90' version's thirsty high-revving 4.0-litre V8 for a 3.0-litre twin turbo straight six, a format that continues on here though, inevitably, with a little more power. In 'G80'-series form, the M3 has evolved from hairy-chested racer to cultured street supercar. It's a matured, though still magnificent prospect. Does that make it fit to wear this famous badge? Let's find out.

    Driving Experienceword count: 259

    So here are the key things you need to know. Power from the latest version of BMW's twin turbo 3.0-litre straight six (codenamed 'S58') is up 60hp to 510hp. That's in M3 Competition form, which is the only mainstream M3 variant our market will get. The standard M3 with 473hp won't be coming here, which is a pity as it alone can be had with a manual gearbox option. The M3 Competition has to be had with a freshly developed paddleshift 8-speed torque converter automatic with M Drivelogic software; this transmission replaces the previous model's 7-speed dual clutch auto. If you want more power, there's the uber-rare M3 CS, which offers 551hp and gets to 62mph in just 3.4s. But out focus here is on the standard M3 Competition model, primarily the saloon model. This was the first model in the line to be fitted with the option of 4WD - BMW's fully variable M xDrive system. AWD will certainly make this BMW more seasonably usable; it offers three driving modes - '4WD', '4WD Sport' and (with the Dynamic Stability Control system disabled) '2WD', in which form most of the torque goes to the rear. As for performance, well basically, this M3 Competition model is as fast as the previous generation M3 CS was. Which means rest to 62 mph in 3.9s for the rear-driven model, 0.2s quicker than before. Top speed is still limited to 155mph, mainly to give BMW an opportunity to sell an optional 'Drivers Package' which lifts it to 180mph in combination with Z-rated tyres.

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    Pictures (high res disabled)

    Statistics (subset of data only)

    Min

    Max

    Price:

    £74,755.00 (At 4 Dec 2020)

    Insurance group 1-50:

    50

    CO2 (g/km):

    234 (WLTP)

    Max Speed (mph):

    155

    0-62 mph (s):

    3.9

    Combined Mpg:

    27.7 (WLTP)

    Length (mm):

    4633

    Width (mm):

    1811

    Height (mm):

    1467

    Scoring (subset of scores)

    Category: Sporting Cars

    Performance
    90%
    Handling
    80%
    Comfort
    70%
    Space
    70%
    Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

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