The story of the BMW M3, from the E30 legend to the new electric and hybrid era ready for 2027
Few names in the history of the automotive industry manage to arouse the same intense passion as the BMW M3. Considered the absolute benchmark of the high-performance sports sedan, the Bavarian model celebrates 40 years of excellence on the road and on the track. Since its first official appearance to date, the M3 has written history in six distinct generations, and the future sounds even more radical: in 2027 the debut of a new generation is scheduled that will bring, for the first time, a purely electric version.
The origin of a legend: The first generation (E30) and the great successes in motorsport
The story began in 1985, when the first BMW M3 was officially presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show, entering the market a year later. Compared to today's standards, the first performance model relied on a minimalist but extremely efficient recipe: under the hood was a relatively compact 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that developed 200 horsepower.
Thanks to a curb weight of only 1,200 kilograms, the most powerful version of the E30 generation accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds and reached a top speed of 235 km/h (later a convertible version was also introduced).
Beyond numbers, the first generation M3 made a decisive impact on the world's circuits. It achieved resounding victories in the 1987 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), the European Touring Car Championship (ETCC) and the famous DTM. It also triumphed in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and went down in history as the only car from the brand to win a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC), winning the legendary Tour de Corse in 1987.
Evolution of the species: The E36 and E46 generations (1992–2006)
In 1992, the second generation (E36) took the concept further. Originally launched as a coupe, the range was later completed with sedan and convertible variants. The 4-cylinder engine gave way to a new 6-cylinder unit. Initially, the 3.0-liter engine delivered 286 horsepower, and after the 1995 facelift, the displacement increased to 3.2 liters, power rising to 316 horsepower. Also in 1996, the M3 received the SMG (Sequential M Gearbox) for the first time.
The third generation (E46, launched in 2000) raised the bar with a 3.2-liter 6-cylinder engine that developed 343 horsepower. This generation gave birth to some dream versions:
- M3 CSL (2003): A radical variant, with power increased to 360 hp, lightweight materials and a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 4.9 seconds.
- M3 GTR: A purebred racing car that dominated the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and achieved two memorable victories in the Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The V8 era and the transition to turbocharging (E92 and F80)
With the fourth generation (E92), the M division made a bold decision, temporarily abandoning the 6-cylinder engines in favor of a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V8. With 420 horsepower and an unmistakable metallic sound, the model accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. This was the last generation offered in coupe and convertible configurations under the M3 name. At the same time, in 2012, BMW made a triumphant return to the DTM after a 20-year break, winning the drivers' (with Bruno Spengler), constructors' and teams' (BMW Team Schnitzer) titles.
The fifth generation (F80, launched in 2014) marked another first: the M3 was offered exclusively in a 4-door version (the coupé becoming the 4 Series). In addition, the naturally aspirated engine was replaced by a turbocharged, inline-6 ??engine that developed 431 horsepower (or 450 hp with the Competition package, with a 0–100 km/h sprint reduced to 4.0 seconds).
Current generation (G80/G81) and the horizon of 2027
The sixth generation, which debuted in 2020, took performance to paroxysmal levels. In addition to the sedan body, the long-awaited M3 Touring estate variant was introduced for the first time in 2022, and from 2021 customers could opt for the intelligent M xDrive all-wheel drive.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter biturbo inline-6 ??engine, which offers from 480 hp in the basic version, rising to extreme levels in special editions such as the M3 CS, where power reaches 550 horsepower, allowing a 0–100 km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 302 km/h.
On its 40th anniversary, the story doesn't stop there: the German manufacturer is preparing a new generation scheduled for 2027, which will carry forward the sporting legacy and introduce, for the first time in the M3 family, a fully electric engine.
Sales and prices on the Romanian market
On the Romanian market, the BMW M range enjoys an extremely loyal base of enthusiasts and collectors, and the M3 remains one of the most desired imported sports cars.
- Positioning and local preferences: In recent years, demand has shifted strongly towards the top versions equipped with M xDrive all-wheel drive, as well as the spectacular M3 Touring, which combines family utility with supercar performance.
- Catalog prices: In the official distribution network in Romania, starting prices for the current generation M3 start at approximately 89,000 euros (VAT included) for the basic versions, while top models configured with performance packages (Competition), all-wheel drive variants or exclusive editions such as the M3 CS and M3 Touring frequently exceed the threshold of 110,000 - 130,000 euros, an amount justified by the exclusivity and cutting-edge technology offered by the M division in Munich.