BMW 3 Series vs. BMW M3
When comparing the BMW 3 Series to the BMW M3, the BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and overall quality score. The BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series versus the BMW M3, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the BMW M3.
BMW 3 Series versus BMW M3 Pricing
A used 2023 BMW 3 Series ranges from $44,791 to $65,045 while a used 2023 BMW M3 is priced between $86,463 to $119,955. For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $45,554 and $66,867, with the BMW M3 priced between $79,014 and $109,058.
BMW 3 Series versus BMW M3 Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.5 out of 10 while the BMW M3's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the BMW 3 Series being ranked 5 out of 39 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW M3 being ranked 12 out of 39.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
For engine performance, the BMW 3 Series’s base engine makes 255 horsepower, and the BMW M3 base engine makes 473 horsepower. The 3 Series is rated to deliver an average of 29 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 530 miles. The M3 is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 359 miles. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison
While both models are compact cars, the BMW M3 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, rear head room and rear leg room. The BMW 3 Series has the advantage in the area of front leg room. The BMW 3 Series and BMW M3 are comparable in regards to front shoulder room, rear shoulder room, and trunk space.
Safety Ratings Comparison
The BMW 3 Series has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$45,554 - $66,867
Used Asking Price:
$44,791 - $65,045
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
52.3%
Pricing
New Asking Price:
$79,014 - $109,058
Used Asking Price:
$86,463 - $119,955
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
41.1%
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.5 / 10
Reliability:
8.7 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
7.7 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Rankings
Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Ranking
2 out of / 39Ranking
4 out of / 8Ranking
5 out of / 39Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value
Ranking
34 out of / 39iSeeCars Rankings
Luxury Small Cars with Best Resale Value
Ranking
7 out of / 39Most Reliable Luxury Small Cars
Ranking
10 out of / 39Ranking
12 out of / 39Summary Review
Not yet available
Summary Review
Not yet available
Pros and Cons
Not yet available
Pros and Cons
Not yet available
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
Trim Levels
Base, Competition, Competition xDrive
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
255 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
295 foot-lbs @ 1550 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.072 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specifications
Horsepower:
473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque:
406 foot-lbs @ 2650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.123 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 34 / 29
Range (city/hwy):
390 / 530 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Manual
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 23 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
250 / 359 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Standard/Optional Features
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Safety Equipment
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
42 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
94.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.6 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
35.6 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.6 inches
Cargo Space:
13 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3536 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.8 inches
Length:
185.9 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.4 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3840 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.4 inches
Length:
189.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R18
