The 2024 BMW M3 CS is the sharpest fringe of the three Sequence lineup. It presents big energy, head-turning design, a track-ready driving demeanor and seats that can, uh, get your consideration. In per week the place I additionally drove the 2024 Maserati MC20, the M3 CS starred in its personal proper as a efficiency sedan with angle. Listed here are 5 ideas on the 2024 BMW M3 C3.
1. It shocked me
It actually did. I used to be prepared to jot down off the M3 CS as overpriced, over-styled and basically, overwrought. It’s not. It’s over-the-top, but it’s additionally a classy evolution of the newest M3 sedans, which have grown ever extra technical and highly effective.
The truth that I felt some dissonance — the M3 is a bit a lot, but it surely’s additionally value it — made me assume extra and stoked better ardour than if it was merely nearly as good as I anticipated. It is destined for the observe, however it may be a each day driver.
2. It’s a good worth. Ish
This M3 CS stickered for $132,695. It’s virtually precisely the price of three Toyota Supras. You would get a 2004 six-speed handbook M3 convertible for $28,000 and have greater than $100 grand left over for extra toys or a downpayment on a brand new home.
I drove a Maserati MC20 the identical week I used to be within the M3. The Maser begins at $212,000, and with the entire choices it hits practically $300,000 out the door. Within the context of dropping greater than 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 {dollars} on a supercar, the MC20 felt like a screaming deal in comparison with some Lambos and Porsches.
I didn’t really feel that means concerning the M3. Nonetheless, six figures is on-par for this section, and the M3 is a number of automotive, particularly in CS trim. You get the entire M stuff, plus 543 horses that may be as offended or docile as you want, gobs of carbon, lime inexperienced paint and gold wheels. Plus there’s xDrive all-wheel drive, the adaptive M suspension and the M Sport differential. Grip the Alcantara steering wheel, mash the throttle and really feel your blood stress rise. It’s a supercar with 4 doorways. A observe machine with a objective, because the title — Competitors Sport — declares. Virtually 133 grand is the price of doing enterprise.
3. Six cylinders with character
The three.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six is a monster and output is lifted 40 horsepower over the M3 Competitors. The CS will hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and make an offended fuss whereas doing so. Whereas I assumed the MC20 was a greater worth relative to its friends, I really most well-liked the straight-six within the M3 versus Maserati’s Nettuno twin-turbo V6 mounted behind my ears, and I drove them back-to-back. The BMW motor had a bit extra character, sounded angrier and gave the M3 a imply streak. The Nettuno V6 felt a bit buzzy.
4. The massive grille works on this explicit BMW
However definitely not all of ‘em. Right here’s my standards: The tall kidneys work on massive crossovers in addition to high-performance coupes and sedans. Typically, I prefer it. The haters don’t recognize risk-taking design. Or a nod to heritage, tangential because the hyperlink to the 503 could also be. This M3 is available in Sign Inexperienced (signaling to all that you just like issues lime coloured), 19/20-inch bronze wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes with gold calipers. Why wouldn’t you need an enormous grille to prime all of it off?
5. The seats!
You’ll discover them. The M carbon bucket seats have a carbon divider on the backside of the bottom set between your legs. It’s good for aggressive driving at excessive g-forces and is a cool design component, as BMW Journal notes. So far as getting out and in of the automotive, accomplish that at your individual danger. As soon as settled, they do supply excellent assist, because the bolsters seize your rib cage with authority.
The seats themselves are a technological marvel, created with a carbon-fiber strengthened polymer construction. They’re heated, have illuminated CS badging within the headrests and are achieved up in Merino leather-based. They’d be an asset on the observe, they give the impression of being nice and so they’re not snug. Normal on the CS trim, you’ll need to weigh the seats as a part of the equation earlier than deciding if that is the game sedan for you.