BMW M3 vs. Lexus RC F
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the BMW M3 and Lexus RC F 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 Lexus RC F.
When comparing the BMW M3's and the Lexus RC F's specifications and ratings, the BMW M3 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, interior volume and base engine power. The Lexus RC F has the advantage in the area of resale value. The BMW M3 and Lexus RC F have the same fuel efficiency. Based on this comparison of the BMW M3's and the Lexus RC F's specifications and ratings, the BMW M3 is a better car than the Lexus RC F.
Pricing: For a new model, the BMW M3's price is between $83,110 and $112,475, with the Lexus RC F priced between $93,822 and $99,713.
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 Lexus RC F loses 33.6 percent of its value. This means the Lexus RC F retains 20.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the BMW M3.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the BMW M3’s base engine makes 473 horsepower, and the Lexus RC F base engine makes 472 horsepower. Both the M3 and the RC F are rated to deliver an average of 19 miles per gallon, with highway ranges of 359 and 418 miles respectively. Both models use premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The BMW M3, a compact 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 Lexus RC F, a sports car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
83110 - 112475
Starting MSRP:
76700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
49451
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
33000 - 79900
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
93822 - 99713
Starting MSRP:
92825
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
90928
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
54500 - 150000
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
95081
Price Range:
81919 - 109870
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
51959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
34107 - 95081
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
121269
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
60394 - 258844
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
Depreciation %:
Resale Value $:
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.51356376
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
0.34749831 - 0.55942423
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
31337
Depreciation %:
0.3375957
Resale Value $:
61488
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.27961642
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.17060832 - 0.55051463
BMW M3 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.3 / 10
Reliability:
7.0 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Lexus RC F Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.9 / 10
Safety:
Not available
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for BMW M3
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
9.5 - 20.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus RC F
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
20.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
13.0 - 29.7
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
6.96382201764952
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
2.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Compact Cars)
1.5 - 10.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.511289368131745
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
3.9
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Sports Cars)
0.9 - 7.2
BMW M3 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 35Ranking
3 out of / 35Ranking
7 out of / 35Ranking
9 out of / 35Ranking
14 out of / 35Ranking
22 out of / 35Ranking
22 out of / 35Ranking
28 out of / 30Ranking
30 out of / 35Lexus RC F Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 39Ranking
7 out of / 39Ranking
11 out of / 24Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
16 out of / 39Ranking
17 out of / 39Ranking
26 out of / 39Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Coupe
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
BMW M3 Trim Levels
Base, Competition, Competition xDrive
Lexus RC F Trim Levels
Final Edition
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:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 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:
472 hp @ 7100 rpm
Torque:
395 foot-lbs @ 4800 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.121 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:
5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
8
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
RWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
16 / 24 / 19
Range (city/hwy):
278 / 418 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
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
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
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
N/A
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Sunroof/Moonroof:
N/A
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
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
360-Degree Camera:
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:
37.8 inches
Front Leg Room:
45.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
50.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
35 inches
Rear Leg Room:
27.3 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
46.1 inches
Cargo Space:
10.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
79.4 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3840 lbs
Width:
81.4 inches
Height:
56.6 inches
Length:
189.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3902 lbs
Width:
80.7 inches
Height:
54.7 inches
Length:
185.4 inches
Wheelbase:
107.5 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.1 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 9.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
255/35R19
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
Silver
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Not available
Blue
Not available
Gray
Incognito
Green
Not available
Red
Infrared
White
Ultra White
Yellow
Not available
Silver
Iridium
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
Not available
Blue
Not available
Brown
Not available
Gray
Not available
Orange
Not available
Red
Black and Circuit Red w/ Black Carbon Fiber Trim
White
Not available
