2016 BMW M3 Expert Review

Reviewed by Stefan Ogbac

The refreshed 2016 BMW M3 gains a revised exterior design, an updated navigation system, new LED taillights, and ambient lighting in the center stack. Comfort Access keyless entry, satellite radio, and the Harman/Kardon audio system are now standard in the 2016 M3.

Vehicle Summary

The 2016 BMW M3 is the high-performance variant of the 3 Series sedan and comes exclusively in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. A coupe and convertible variant called the M4 is also available.

Overview

A 425-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo I-6 with 406 lb-ft of torque is the only engine available in the M3 and it can be paired to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission. Fuel economy is respectable for a high performance sports sedan at 17/26 mpg city/highway with the manual and 17/24 mpg with the automatic. There's 12 cubic feet of trunk space in the M3 and it can be expanded via the standard split folding rear seats.

Safety

In addition to the standard dual front, side-front, and side curtain airbags, the M3 also comes with knee airbags for the driver and front passenger. The Driver Assistance Plus package adds more safety aids including blind spot warning, side and top view cameras, and the Active Driving Assistant, a system the bundles together forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and pedestrian detection.

Trims, Packages, and What's Standard

The M3 comes in a single well-equipped package featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights, 10-way power adjustable sport seats, split-folding rear seats, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, heated front seats, and keyless entry/start as standard. Optional extras include adaptive full LED headlights, a head-up display, a rearview camera, adaptive suspension, carbon ceramic brakes, and parking sensors.

What We Think

In a 2015 First Drive review, we said that the M3 is a proper M car, offering engaging driving dynamics. On the track, the car impresses thanks to its chassis, which keeps it flat on turns and enables it to handle extremely well. The twin-turbo I-6 has a lot of grunt, giving the M3 a lot of power at any speed while the twin-clutch automatic shifts quickly and seamlessly. However, due to the car's track-focused performance, the ride is very firm even in its softest setting. Steering feel is also lacking, as there's little indication at what the front wheels are doing because of the electric power steering unit. In a comparison test that also included the Cadillac ATS-V and Mercedes-AMG C63 S, the M3 placed third because of its overly aggressive stability control system and for the fact that it didn't inspire much driver confidence compared to the ATS-V and the C63 S. Additionally, there was no ideal setting despite the extensive ways to customize the car's driving dynamics.