4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
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4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
Overall Rating
The refreshed 2016 BMW M3 gains a revised exterior design, an updated navigation system, new LED taillights, and ambient lighting in the center stack.
A 425-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 with 406 lb-ft of torque is the only engine available in the M3, and it can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission. Fuel economy is respectable for a high-performance sports sedan at 17/26 mpg city/highway with the manual and 17/24 mpg with the automatic.
There is 12 cubic feet of trunk space in the M3, and it can be expanded via the standard split-folding rear seats. The refreshed 2016 BMW M3 gains a revised exterior design, an updated navigation system, new LED taillights, and ambient lighting in the center stack. Comfort access keyless entry, satellite radio, and the Harman/Kardon audio system are now standard in the 2016 M3.
The 2016 BMW M3 is the high-performance variant of the 3 Series sedan and comes exclusively in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. A coupe and convertible variant called the M4 is also available. A class act both on the street and at the track, the 2016 BMW M3 is one of the best high-performance sedans you can buy.
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 425 hp 7AM)
4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6M)
The refreshed 2016 BMW M3 gains a revised exterior design, an updated navigation system, new LED taillights, and ambient lighting in the center stack.
A 425-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 with 406 lb-ft of torque is the only engine available in the M3, and it can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission. Fuel economy is respectable for a high-performance sports sedan at 17/26 mpg city/highway with the manual and 17/24 mpg with the automatic.
There is 12 cubic feet of trunk space in the M3, and it can be expanded via the standard split-folding rear seats. The refreshed 2016 BMW M3 gains a revised exterior design, an updated navigation system, new LED taillights, and ambient lighting in the center stack. Comfort access keyless entry, satellite radio, and the Harman/Kardon audio system are now standard in the 2016 M3.
The M3 comes in a single well-equipped package featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, 10-way power-adjustable sport seats, split-folding rear seats, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, heated front seats, and keyless entry/start as standard. Optional extras include adaptive full LED headlights, a head-up display, a rearview camera, adaptive suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, and parking sensors.
Trim |
M3 |
---|---|
MSRP |
$63,500 |
Key Features |
18-inch alloy wheels |
HID headlights |
|
10-way power-adjustable sport seats |
|
split-folding rear seats |
|
Bluetooth connectivity |
|
navigation |
|
heated front seats |
|
keyless entry/start |
|
adaptive suspension |
|
Auxiliary audio input |
|
Carbon-ceramic brakes |
The 2016 BMW M3 marks the second year of production for BMW's latest small super-sedan, and it's been an eventful run so far. Like its two-door M4 sibling, the latest M3 challenges BMW's M division tradition with its turbocharged inline-6 engine, departing from the model's long history of natural aspiration with no added boost. This choice led to an initial backlash from purists, but their protests have been muted as of late. Maybe that's because they've had a chance to drive the car. Once you're in the pilot's seat, it doesn't take long to realize that the current M3 is still a singular machine.
We Recommend
The 2016 BMW M3 is the high-performance variant of the 3 Series sedan and comes exclusively in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. A coupe and convertible variant called the M4 is also available. A class act both on the street and at the track, the 2016 BMW M3 is one of the best high-performance sedans you can buy.
The rear-wheel-drive 2016 M3 packs a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine that cranks out 425 hp and 406 pound-feet of torque.
Two transmissions are available: a standard six-speed manual with automated rev-matching or an optional seven-speed automated manual transmission (M-DCT) with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Model |
BMW M3 |
Cadillac ATS-V |
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$63,500 |
$60,465 |
$75,500 |
Engine |
6-Cyl Turbo 3.0 Liter |
Turbocharged Gas V6 3.6L/217 |
Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L/183 |
Drivetrain |
RWD |
RWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
6 Speed Manual |
6-Speed Manual |
6-Speed Manual |
Power |
425hp@5500rpm |
464hp@5850rpm |
400hp@6400rpm |
Torque |
406lb-ft@1850rpm |
445lb-ft@3500rpm |
350lb-ft@1600rpm |
0-60 mph (seconds) |
4.1 |
3.9 |
4.5 |
Quarter-mile (mph) |
12.7 |
12.1 |
13.0 |
Top Speed (mph) |
155 |
185 |
155 |
In comparison, Cadillac ATS-V stands at the top with a power output of 464 hp. According to BMW, the M3 with M-DCT can sprint to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds, while the six-speed will do the trick in 4.1 seconds. A six-speed Cadillac ATS-V needed 3.9 seconds to hit 60. Note that the six-speed lacks launch control, making the launch procedure more of a guessing game, whereas M-DCT has it as standard.
The EPA estimates that an M3 with the standard manual transmission will deliver 20 mpg combined with (17 city/26 highway). Opting for M-DCT lowers those numbers to 19 mpg combined and (17/24 for city/highway). Automatic engine stop-start (which shuts off the engine to save fuel while the car is stopped, such as when you're at a red light) is standard on every M3.
Model |
BMW M3 |
Cadillac ATS-V |
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) (mpg) |
17 |
17 |
19 |
MPG (Highway) (mpg) |
26 |
23 |
27 |
MPG (Combined) (mpg) |
20 |
19 |
22 |
Fuel Capacity (gallon) |
15.8 |
16.0 |
20.0 |
When it comes to the most fuel-efficient among the three cars, Infiniti takes the top spot with a combined mpg of 22 and 19/27 for city and highway, respectively. The M3, which has 20 mpg combined, is not the worst among the competition but is certainly not the best as it marginally beats the Cadillac who has the least figures among them when it comes to mpg, of just 19 mpg combined.
The 2016 BMW M3 gets the same understated cabin design as the 3 Series, albeit with liberal sport-themed enhancements. We hope you like the iconic M logo, because it's seemingly everywhere you look, as is carbon-fiber trim that emphasizes the car's premium performance mission.
Happily, the regular 3 Series sedan's extra-cost 8.8-inch central display screen comes standard in the M3; indeed, this is a genuinely loaded car with remarkably few options by BMW standards.
Model |
BMW M3 |
Cadillac ATS-V |
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
40.3/55.0/42.0 |
37.6/54.1/42.3 |
39.5/56.7/44.5 |
Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in) |
37.7/55.1/37.0 |
35.1/51.1/33.5 |
36.8/56.1/35.1 |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
12.0 |
10.4 |
13.5 |
The well-bolstered front seats are both comfortable on trips and supportive in aggressive driving, and there's plenty of front headroom and legroom. The backseat is decently sized for this class of car, with enough headroom and legroom for two average-size adults. Trunk space is about average at 12.0 cubic feet. The only sedan beating BMW in cargo capacity is Infiniti with a cargo space of 13.5 cubic feet. Few key features include-
BMW's iDrive system is proof that persistence can pay off. In my book, it's among the best infotainment systems on the market. The single rotary dial in the center console controls everything short of the HVAC system, letting you quickly and seamlessly jump from selecting a destination in the nav system to cranking up the satellite radio.
It's quick, booting instantly with the car, and only making you wait another five seconds before the GPS system is initialized. There is a bit of a learning curve, but it's a short one, yet the system still retains enough power to not feel restrictive. Major infotainment features include-
They have a spidery, open-air appearance, and offer that deep-dish, high-offset look that's come to define BMW's M cars over the years.
For previous generations, the BMW M3 was available in both four-door sedan and two-door coupe configurations. But, to bring things in-line with the rest of its numerical naming conventions, the M3 is now exclusively available with four doors.
Model |
BMW M3 |
Cadillac ATS-V |
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3540 |
4255 |
3849 |
Length (in.) |
183.9 |
184.0 |
189.1 |
Width (in.) |
73.9 |
71.3 |
71.8 |
Height (in.) |
56.1 |
55.7 |
57.2 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
110.7 |
109.3 |
112.2 |
The exterior of the 2016 BMW M3 and a standard tuxedo will look good even after 10 years. The sedan’s lines are still attractive, helped by its classic profile and rear-wheel-drive tendencies. Its shapely hood and kidney-shaped grille are BMW hallmarks and help future-proof it against a new generation of the M3’s that’s surely coming soon. Few key exterior features include-
The 2016 BMW M3 comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags. The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as self-drying brake rotors (when the windshield wipers are in use) and automatic brake-pad preparation (when the driver abruptly lifts off the gas).
BMW Assist emergency communications is standard and includes automatic crash notification, stolen-vehicle recovery, and on-demand roadside assistance. Major safety features available with the sedan are-
Due to the car's track-focused performance, the ride is very firm even in its softest setting. The steering feel is also lacking, as there's little indication of what the front wheels are doing because of the electric power steering unit. In a comparison test that also included the Cadillac ATS-V and Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400, the M3 placed third because of its overly aggressive stability control system and for the fact that it didn't inspire much driver confidence compared to the ATS-V and the Red Sport 400.