BMW 3 Series vs. BMW M3
In comparing the BMW 3 Series's and the BMW M3's specifications and ratings, 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, reliability and overall quality score. The BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of resale value, interior volume and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the BMW 3 Series's and the BMW M3's specifications and ratings, the BMW 3 Series is a better car than the BMW M3.
BMW 3 Series vs. BMW M3 Pricing
A used 2024 BMW 3 Series ranges from $47,312 to $65,946 while a used 2024 BMW M3 is priced between $88,999 to $150,533. For a new model, the BMW 3 Series's price is between $47,938 and $68,615, with the BMW M3 priced between $82,026 and $125,090.
BMW 3 Series vs. BMW M3 Resale/Retained Value
Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW 3 Series loses 52.3 percent of its value and the BMW M3 loses 41.1 percent of its value. This means the BMW M3 retains 11.2 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW 3 Series.
BMW 3 Series vs. BMW M3 Quality Rating
The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.7 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 6 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW M3 being ranked 14 out of 36. Out of 30 Best Luxury Compact Cars, the BMW 3 Series is ranked 6 and the BMW M3 is ranked 13.
BMW 3 Series vs. BMW M3 Reliability Rating
iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW 3 Series is 8.4 out of 10. For the BMW M3 the reliability rating is 7.6 out of 10. This gives the BMW 3 Series a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M3.
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. This gives the BMW 3 Series the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the BMW M3. 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 cargo space.
Safety Ratings Comparison
The BMW 3 Series has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
Pricing
New Asking Price:
47938 - 68615
Used Asking Price:
47312 - 65946
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.522554
Pricing
New Asking Price:
82026 - 125090
Used Asking Price:
88999 - 150533
5-Year Depreciation (lower is better):
0.410857
BMW 3 Series Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.686143 / 10
Reliability:
8.358429 / 10
Retained Value:
7.7 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
BMW M3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.218848 / 10
Reliability:
7.637696 / 10
Retained Value:
8.8 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW 3 Series Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 21Ranking
2 out of / 15Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 30Ranking
6 out of / 10Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
10 out of / 30Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
12 out of / 26Ranking
14 out of / 31Ranking
15 out of / 30Ranking
17 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 30Ranking
31 out of / 36BMW M3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 30Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 30Ranking
7 out of / 30Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 30Ranking
9 out of / 15Ranking
10 out of / 21Ranking
10 out of / 10Ranking
11 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 36Ranking
13 out of / 30Ranking
14 out of / 36Ranking
25 out of / 26Ranking
29 out of / 31Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW 3 Series Trim Levels
330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive
BMW M3 Trim Levels
Base, Competition, Competition xDrive, CS
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
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple Car Play:
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Safety Equipment
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Safety Equipment
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
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:
5.6 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:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R18