2018 BMW M3

2018 BMW M3 Highlights

The 2018 BMW M3, part of the F80 generation, is what buyers get when they need a Porsche 911 that can haul four adults. It continues as the benchmark for performance sedans. New items for 2018 include an update to the iDrive infotainment system and LED headlights. The most significant addition is the lightweight, extra-powerful M3 CS (Club Sport), which is a level of performance above even the 2018 BMW M3 Competition package and is limited to 1,200 examples.

Key Details

• Compact sport sedan body style
• Two-row seating for up to 5 passengers
• High-performance luxury sports sedan
• 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine (S55)
• Available six-speed manual or seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT)
• Rear-wheel drive
• Standard M3 and limited-edition CS model
• Seating for five passengers
• Updated iDrive 6.0 infotainment system
• LED headlights replace the previous xenon units
• High-gloss black M3 badging on the seats
• New limited-edition M3 CS model

Benefits

• Powerful twin-turbocharged engine
• Available manual transmission
• Balanced handling with rear-wheel drive
• Practical four-door sedan body style
• Advanced technology and luxury features

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2018 BMW M3 Overview

Performance

2018 BMW M3 horsepower ranges from monstrous to deranged. Its S55 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine delivers impressive performance:

Standard M3:

• 425 horsepower at 5,500-7,300 rpm
• 406 lb-ft of torque from 1,850-5,500 rpm

M3 with Competition Package:

• 444 horsepower at 5,500-7,300 rpm
• 406 lb-ft of torque from 1,850-5,500 rpm

M3 CS:

• 453 horsepower at 6,250 rpm
• 443 lb-ft of torque from 4,000-5,380 rpm

Transmission options include a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT) with Drivelogic. The M-DCT offers lightning-fast gear changes with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manual control.

Performance figures are impressive, as they should be. 2018 BMW M3 0-60 times and top speeds are as follows:

• 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds (with M-DCT, standard M3)
• Top speed: 155 mph (electronically limited), 174 mph with optional M Driver's Package

The M3 CS offers even more impressive figures:

• 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
• Top speed: 174 mph (electronically limited)

Other performance enhancements include:

• Active M Differential for optimized traction
• M-specific suspension with adaptive dampers
• Available carbon ceramic brakes
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires (standard) or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires (on CS)

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not evaluated the 2018 BMW M3, nor has the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Standard safety features across all 2018 BMW M3 models include:

• Dynamic stability control (DSC) with M dynamic mode
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
• Dynamic brake control (DBC)
• Cornering brake control (CBC)
• Dynamic traction control (DTC)
• Active protection system (pre-collision preparation)
• Emergency request system
• Rearview camera

The M3 also offers a range of passive safety features:

• Driver and front passenger airbags
• Front side-impact airbags
• Head protection system (HPS) for front and rear
• Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with belt force limiters

Optional driver assistance technologies include:

• Park distance control
• Active driving assistant (provides lane departure warning, forward collision warning, and city collision mitigation)
• Head-up display with M-specific information

Driving

The 2018 F80 generation M3 is a supercar in sedan clothing. It can easily handle track days and grocery store excursions and exhilarates every winding road.

At the heart of the M3 is the S55 twin-turbocharged inline-six. There’s minimal turbo lag and maximal power. The engine's broad torque curve provides ridiculous thrust for around-town driving and high-speed passing.

Shift-it-yourselfers will enjoy the precise-shifting six-speed manual. The seven-speed M-DCT provides lightning-fast gear changes and can be fully automatic or manually controlled via paddle shifters.

The M3's handling is sports car precise. The rear-wheel-drive layout, combined with the Active M Differential, provides excellent traction and allows for controlled oversteer. With its adaptive dampers, the M-specific suspension offers a good balance between comfort and performance.

The Competition Package further enhances the M3's performance with a power bump, revised suspension tuning, and 20-inch wheels with wider tires. For the ultimate F80 M3 experience, track down a CS model with additional power, reduced weight, and model-specific tuning.

Interior

The 2018 BMW M3 interior is luxurious yet comfortable for daily and track use.

Key interior features include:

• M sport seats with 10-way power adjustment
• Memory system for driver's seat and exterior mirrors
• Anthracite headliner
• M-specific instrument cluster
• M leather steering wheel with shift paddles (for M-DCT models)
• Carbon fiber interior trim (with other options available)

For 2018, the M3 receives high-gloss black badging on the seats. The M sport seats offer excellent support and comfort, with substantial bolstering to hold occupants in place during aggressive cornering.

Material quality is generally high throughout the cabin. The carbon fiber trim pieces let you brag to owners of lesser sedans.

The M3 CS model adds exclusive elements:

• Lightweight M sport seats
• Alcantara and leather combination upholstery
• CS badging
• M Performance steering wheel with Alcantara trim

The rear seats offer reasonable space for adult passengers, though taller individuals may find headroom slightly limited. The trunk provides 12 cubic feet of cargo space.

Technology

The 2018 BMW M3 features an updated iDrive 6.0 infotainment system.

Key technology features include:

• iDrive 6.0 system with 8.8-inch touch-screen display
• Navigation system with real-time traffic information
• BMW ConnectedDrive services
• Harman Kardon surround sound system (optional)
• Apple CarPlay compatibility (optional)
• Wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot (optional)

The iDrive 6.0 system offers improved usability with its touch-screen interface while retaining the traditional rotary controller. The system provides access to vehicle settings, navigation, media, and connectivity features.

Performance-oriented technology features include:

• M Dynamic Mode for the Dynamic Stability Control system
• Adaptive M Suspension with electronically controlled dampers
• Active M Differential
• M Drive mode selector for customizing vehicle settings

The M3 CS model includes some additional technology features:

• M Dynamic Mode with extended features
• Model-specific engine management software

Fuel Economy

The 2018 BMW M3, despite its high-performance nature, offers reasonable fuel economy for its class. EPA fuel economy estimates are as follows:

Manual Transmission:

• RWD/Manual (mpg): 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined
• RWD/M-DCT (mpg): 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined
• M3 CS/RWD (mpg): 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined.

2018 BMW M3 Reviews

Consumer reviews on Kelley Blue Book give the 2018 BMW M3 an overall rating of 4.7 out of five. Owners praise the M3 for its reliability, quality, performance, comfort, and styling.

Reasons to Buy It

• Thrilling performance from the twin-turbocharged inline-six engine
• It still offers a manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive shenanigans are always at the ready
• It’s a sports car that can carry more than two adults
• High-quality interior with supportive seats
• Advanced technology features

Problems

• The ride can be firm, especially with larger wheels
• Some may find the exhaust note too subdued for a performance car
• Interior design may feel less unique compared to some competitors
• Advanced driver assistance features are mostly optional
• It can be expensive, especially with options

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CoPilot's Take

The 2018 BMW M3 is the gold standard of sports sedans. Even the least potent example still has 425 horsepower. It is a four-door, luxurious, comfortable, razor-sharp, glued-to-the-road rocket ship.

Mash the gas and the twin-turbocharged inline-six engine spools to life, providing thrilling acceleration and responsiveness. The M3 offers an engaging driving experience that's equally at home on twisty back roads as on the track. Surprisingly, the M3 provides reasonably spacious rear seats and a usable trunk, making it a more versatile choice than many high-performance coupes.

No car is perfect, though. The ride can be firm, especially with larger wheels or in models equipped with the Competition Package. While well-crafted and functional, the interior may not feel as memorable as some competitors in this price range. Additionally, although the iDrive system is improved for 2018, it may still require a learning curve.

2018 BMW M3 FAQs

How much is a 2018 M3 BMW?

According to CoPilot national listings, a 2018 BMW M3 costs $38,000 to $67,000, depending on mileage, condition, equipment, and marketplace factors.

Is the 2018 BMW M3 a turbo?

The S55 inline-six uses two mono-scroll turbochargers to produce 425 horsepower in the standard M3, 444 in models equipped with the Competition Package, and 453 horsepower in the M3 CS.

Is a BMW M3 a fast car?

Terrifyingly so. The 2018 M3 can accelerate from 0-60 mph in as little as 3.9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph but can be increased to 174 mph with the optional M Driver's Package. The M3 CS model can hit 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Why is the BMW M3 so expensive?

The BMW M3's high price tag is due to its advanced performance engineering, sophisticated technology, quality and rare materials, brand prestige, and limited production. Fortunately, the BMW M3 2018 price is not the current price. Used examples cost tens of thousands less than when new.

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