What do you get when you put four of the greatest BMW M cars on one airfield runway? Motoring nirvana that�s what.
That�s precisely what the UK�s CarWow did by gathering four generations of M3�s for an interesting drag test. While this test might appear to be utterly pointless to a few, to petrolheads, just the thought of seeing four of the most special M3s ever made � together at one time � will have us rubbing our hands with glee. Unfortunately, the E36 � the first M3 to get a 6-cylinder - is missing from this line-up.
The oldest car in the line-up is the very first M3 � the iconic E30. This particular car is the rare Roberto Ravaglia version � and is one of only 25 in the UK. The car uses a 2.3-litre 4-cylinder S14 motor and produces 162kw and 230nm � even more power than the large capacity 6-cylinder South African-built 333i and the 325iS.
While they somehow skipped the E36, next up was the legendary E46 M3 CSL. With only 500 built worldwide, the CSL represented what many believed to be the best handling M3 ever made. It featured a 3.2-litre inline-6 S54 and makes 265kw and 370nm, and created and most spine-tinging sound. Its 7:50 Nurburgring lap time is proof of its pedigree.
Next up was one of the most track-focused road cars ever made � the lightweight M3 GTS. Whereas the E92 M3 used a high-revving 4.0-litre V8, the GTS had to motor stroked to 4.4-litres, with output leaping to 331kw and 440nm, whilst dropping over 115kgs. This all equated to a Nurburgring lap time of 7:48.
And finally, the most powerful M3 ever created � the F80 M3 CS. The F80 was the first turbocharged M3, and drew its power from a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-6 S55 to produce 338kw and an incredible 600nm in the CS. Paired with a fast shifting 7-speed M-DCT, it went onto become one of the quickest sedans to ever lap the Nurburgring with a time of 7:38.
And without further ado, prepare to have your day made�
Also worth a look: the BMW Glc and the BMW M3.
FAQ
Q: What does a BMW M3 cost in South Africa?
A new BMW M3 Competition starts at around R1,850,000 in South Africa, while you can find decent E46 M3s from R450,000, E92 M3s from R750,000, and F80 M3s from R950,000 depending on condition and mileage.
Q: Which BMW M3 generation is the best to buy?
The E46 M3 remains the sweet spot for most buyers, offering the legendary naturally aspirated straight-six experience, proper manual gearbox, and relatively affordable maintenance costs compared to the newer turbocharged models.
Q: Is the BMW M3 reliable and expensive to maintain?
M3s are generally reliable when properly maintained, but expect to budget R30,000 to R50,000 annually for servicing and repairs, with older models like the E30 and E46 being cheaper to maintain than the complex F80 generation.
Q: What's the difference between BMW M3 generations?
The E30 pioneered the formula with a 162kW four-cylinder, the E46 perfected it with a 252kW naturally aspirated six, the E92 went V8 with 309kW, and the F80 introduced turbos with 317kW, each offering distinct driving experiences and price points.
Q: Should I buy a BMW M3 as my first performance car?
An E46 M3 makes an excellent first serious performance car if you have a R500,000 budget and another R40,000 for inevitable maintenance, offering legendary handling and that spine-tingling straight-six soundtrack without modern turbo complexity.
Should You Buy It?
Absolutely yes, but choose wisely based on your budget and tolerance for complexity. The best M3 under R500,000 in South Africa is a well-maintained E46 M3 with service history, offering that legendary naturally aspirated experience without breaking the bank. If you've got R800,000 to R1,200,000, the E92 M3's V8 howl is intoxicating, while the F80 M3 from R950,000 delivers modern turbocharged punch with everyday usability. Each generation represents a different era of BMW's M philosophy, so you really can't go wrong with any M3, just make sure you budget properly for the inevitable love affair with your local BMW specialist.
