BMW M3 vs. BMW M5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW M3 and BMW M5 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the BMW M3 and the BMW M5.
When comparing the BMW M3's and the BMW M5's specifications and ratings, the BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The BMW M5 has the advantage in the areas of reliability, interior volume and base engine power. The BMW M3 and BMW M5 have the same overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the BMW M3's and the BMW M5's specifications and ratings, the two cars are fairly comparable.
Pricing: A used 2023 BMW M3 ranges from $71,995 to $95,995 while a used 2023 BMW M5 is priced between $82,697 to $123,278.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the BMW M3 loses 54.2 percent of its value and the BMW M5 loses 57.8 percent of its value. This means the BMW M3 retains 3.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the BMW M3 and BMW M5 is 7.3 out of 10. This results in the BMW M3 being ranked 20 out of 36 Best Luxury Small Cars and the BMW M5 being ranked 10 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the BMW M3 is 7.0 out of 10. For the BMW M5 the reliability rating is 7.3 out of 10. This gives the BMW M5 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the BMW M3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW M3’s base engine makes 473 horsepower, and the BMW M5 base engine makes 600 horsepower. The M3 is rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 359 miles. The M5 is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 422 miles.This gives the BMW M3 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the BMW M5 the advantage in maximum range. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW M5, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The BMW M3, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
74300
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
47499
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
31300 - 78200
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
109900
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
71383
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
38195 - 134100
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
84517
Price Range:
71995 - 95995
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
42900
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
25084 - 84517
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
101
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
19775
# Good or Great Deals:
12
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
96697
Price Range:
82697 - 123278
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
61758
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
34827 - 111788
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
29
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
20272
# Good or Great Deals:
8
BMW M3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
BMW M5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M3
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
10.1
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
7.5 - 18.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
8.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
10.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
7.4 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
9.746548509563802
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.1 - 16.5
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.265146092292842
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
2.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.6 - 16.0
BMW M3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
7 out of / 36Ranking
9 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
20 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 36Ranking
30 out of / 32BMW M5 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
10 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 24Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 24Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW M3 Trim Levels
Base, Competition, Competition xDrive
BMW M5 Trim Levels
Base
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):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
473 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque:
406 foot-lbs @ 2650 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.123 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
600 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
553 foot-lbs @ 1800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.138 hp per pound
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
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
4.4 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 21 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
302 / 422 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
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:
16.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
58.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.5 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Cargo Space:
18.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
103.0 cubic feet
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
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4345 lbs
Width:
83.7 inches
Height:
58 inches
Length:
196.4 inches
Wheelbase:
117.4 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 9.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
275/40R19
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Frozen Portimao Blue Metallic / Portimao Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Brooklyn Grey Metallic / Dravit Grey Metallic / Frozen Pure Grey II Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
Isle of Man Green Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic / Toronto Red Metallic
White
Alpine White / Frozen Brilliant White Metallic
Yellow
Sao Paulo Yellow
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Sapphire Metallic
Blue
Marina Bay Blue Metallic / Tanzanite Blue II Metallic
Gray
Alvite Grey Metallic / Dark Graphite Metallic / Skyscraper Grey Metallic
Green
San Remo Green Metallic
Red
Aventurin Red Metallic
White
Alpine White
Yellow
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Blue
Fjord Blue/Black / Yas Marina Blue/Black w/ Yellow Accent
Brown
Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone/Black
Orange
Kyalami Orange/Black
Red
Fiona Red/Black
White
Ivory White
Interior Colors
Black
Black / Black/Midrand Beige
Blue
Not available
Brown
Aragon Brown / Tartufo
Gray
Silverstone
Orange
Not available
Red
Not available
White
Smoke White/Black
