Used 2011 BMW M3 Base for sale 

The BMW M3 sedan is the high-performance version of the regular 3 Series sedan and comes only in a single trim option. The sedan comes with a single engine and drivetrain options and an RWD layout is standard. The sedan comes with a host of features and for the 2011 model year, the Competition Package has been introduced which further adds 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, a lowered suspension, and different programming for the Electronic Damping Control system.

We Recommend

We would recommend you to go for the M3 with the Competition Package if you truly want to unleash the full potential of the sedan. However, if you need more interior features the Premium Package will suit you just fine.

The BMW M3 is an icon of performance and sheer driving pleasure, and the guys at BMW’s M-division just know how to treat the vehicle with care and love. The sedan is powered by a growling 4.0liter V8 motor which generates a maximum of 414 horsepower and 295lb-ft of torque. There is no lack of performance from the motor and the Competition Package further enhances the sedan for those who like to take their to the track frequently. Without the enhancements, the M3 can blend in perfectly well within the city traffic and can drive in a relaxed manner too, however, the moment you change the drive settings and press your foot down, there’s no turning back.

The mighty Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is one of Benz’s finest performance machines and offers an absolute bang for the buck at a similar price point as the BMW M3. Unfortunately, both the sedans have an electronically limited top speed of 155mpg.

Performance-oriented cars and fuel efficiency don’t really go hand-in-hand and the 2011 BMW M3 is just another example. With a brawny V8 under its hood and a healthy dose of performance on tap, the sedan returns an average of 14mpg in the city and 20mpg on the highways. The combined rating is a measly 17mpg. The figures are barely decent but considering the performance and driving pleasure this car offers, one can live with it.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 is an absolute beast of a machine with solid power output. However, the sedan compromises heavily on the fuel economy for the amount of performance it offers.

Interior and comfort are secondary for the M3 sedan yet it still packs-in some handy and premium features inside the cabin to give you the best possible experience. The front seats are supremely comfortable and come with electronic adjustments.

The rear seats are not so comfortable though with a bit lesser headroom than usual sedans and the legroom is also on the shorter side as well. Overall, the cabin is a nice place to be and is quite driver-centric. The switches and panels are made out of high-quality materials and feel robust too.

The C63 AMG is not the more spacious one wither. It has even more cramped rear seats and the headroom is also lesser at the front in comparison with the M3. However, the sedan is also quite well-appointed and gives a tough competition to the M3.

Infotainment

The BMW M3 comes with an excellent infotainment system known as iDrive which can be found on most of the vehicles of the brand. The system comes with a vibrant and colorful display but is controlled via a rotary knob and buttons placed on the center stack.

The system incorporates all the basic connectivity features and some premium features too. The interface is smooth and quite user-friendly but it might need some time to get used to.

Some features of the infotainment system are listed below:

• AM/FM/HD/Satellite-prep with seek-scan, single in-dash CD player
• Speed sensitive volume
• Radio data system
• Bluetooth
• Navigation

The exterior of the M3 is given some tasteful modifications to make it stand out from the regular 3 Series sedan. It features a sportier front grille design with long swept-back headlamp units.

The front bumpers are bigger and lower with wider lips and bigger air-dams for more air intake. The overall design follows a smooth and flowing manner with top-notch aerodynamics at play. The rear styling is a bit altered too with quad-exhaust pipes and sleeker tail lights.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG comes with a distinctive styling too and is more recognizable over its standard C Class sedan owing to its aggressive styling and AMG specific wheels. The C63 is a bit more compact than the M3 which helps in better maneuverability.

BMW has always prioritized safety apart from performance and luxury and the M3 sedan is a live example of it. Since the M3 is a high-performance vehicle with a premium price-tag it sells in low volumes and both the NHTSA and the IIHS didn’t crash test it. Despite not having any crash ratings, the M3 offers a lot of safety techs and since it is based on the regular 3 Series sedan, which performed brilliantly in the IIHS tests, we can safely assume that the M3 is as safe as its lower-powered sibling. Some of the safety techs include dynamic stability control, an interlocking door anchoring system, and automatic seat-belt safety pretensioners.

Some highlighted safety features include:

• High-performance-tuned anti-lock braking system (ABS) 
• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
• Crash sensor with Battery Safety Terminal disconnect 
• Automatic front safety-belt pretensioners
• Child safety rear door locks
• Tire Pressure Monitor
• Emergency trunk release

The M3 promises to deliver you the best of both worlds i.e comfort and performance and it does so gracefully. Owing to its high performance and power figures, its fuel economy might disappoint some buyers but one must remember that it is a performance machine and not a regular 3 Series sedan. The sedan faces tough competition from the more powerful Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG which comes in at a similar price point but the Beemer packs in some high-tech features which the former lacks, giving an edge to the M3.