Shifterati

BMW

BMW M3 1988–2025

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

BMW M's version of the 3 Series, with its own engine in every generation, from a four-cylinder to a V8 to a turbo six. Since 2022 it can have all-wheel drive.

Learn

Badges

The name on the trunk. Each one has its own page, with every generation that wore it.

Generations

Timeline

  1. E30 1988–1991

    What changed, year by year (3)
    1. 1988 The first M3 sold in the US, with a revised air intake, a normal five-speed with an overdrive fifth in place of the dogleg, and a 4.10:1 final drive.3
    2. 1989 A driver's airbag and a four-spoke steering wheel are standard from September, with halogen headlights. Heated seats and a power moonroof are new options.3
    3. 1991 Carries over unchanged, the last year of the first M3.4,3

  2. E36 1995–1999

    What changed, year by year (3)
    1. 1995 The M3 returns as a coupe with a 3.0-litre six, a limited-slip differential and 17-inch wheels. A five-speed automatic is added later in the year.5
    2. 1996 The 3.2-litre S52 replaces the 3.0-litre engine.1
    3. 1997 A four-door sedan joins the coupe.6

  3. E46 2001–2006

    What changed, year by year (4)
    1. 2001 New M3 with a larger engine, bigger wheels and brakes, two-stage front airbags and Dynamic Brake Control.7
    2. 2003 A DVD navigation system is offered, automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers are standard, and aluminium interior trim becomes an option of its own.8
    3. 2005 Aluminium trim is standard, with Titan Shadow trim at no extra cost.9
    4. 2006 Carries on unchanged on the old body, while the 3 Series is redesigned.10

  4. E90, E92, E93 2008–2013

    What changed, year by year (3)
    1. 2008 The M3 returns after a year away with a V8 in place of the inline-six.11,12
    2. 2012 The sedan is dropped. The coupe and convertible gain Bluetooth, a USB and iPod connection and BMW Assist as standard.13
    3. 2013 The Lime Rock Park Edition coupe is added.14

  5. F80 2015–2018

    What changed, year by year (2)
    1. 2015 New M3 sedan with a turbocharged six, on sale from early summer 2014.15
    2. 2018 A rearview camera, LED headlights and the newer iDrive become standard.16

  6. G80 2021–2025

    What changed, year by year (4)
    1. 2021 New M3 sedan, as the M3 with a six-speed manual and the M3 Competition with an eight-speed automatic.17
    2. 2022 All-wheel drive becomes available on the Competition.2
    3. 2024 The limited-production, track-focused M3 CS is added, with 543 hp and all-wheel drive.18
    4. 2025 The Competition xDrive gains 20 hp, with iDrive 8.5 and a light refresh inside and out.19

Buy

Recalls 24
  • 93V015000 1990

    A cooling system fault can raise the coolant's temperature and pressure, leaking hot coolant and fogging the windows. Dealers fit a thermostatic bypass valve and a new radiator cap.20

  • 94V151000 1995

    In crash tests the dummy's readings went past the federal limits. Dealers replace the automatic gearbox's crossmember, the rear gearbox bushings and the steering column support bearing, and fit a knee bolster brace.21

  • 96V111000 1995

    The brake light switch can fail and stick on or off. Dealers fit a redesigned switch.21

  • 97V131000 1995–1997

    A worn plastic bushing can let the cruise control or throttle cable catch, holding the throttle partly open. Dealers add a spring steel clip to each cable.21,22

  • 98V178000 1995

    A cooling system fault can overheat the engine and crack the heater core's end piece, spraying hot coolant. Dealers fit a new radiator cap.21

  • 99V063001 1997

    The side airbag system can be set off by potholes or kerbs, and can trip the battery's safety terminal so the engine will not restart. Dealers reprogram the control unit.22

  • 08V595000 2008

    Under hard braking the gearbox software can shift down several gears at once, which at low speed can stall the engine. Dealers update the software.23

  • 13V172000 2002

    The passenger's front airbag can build too much pressure and burst its inflator when it goes off. BMW advises not driving the car until it is repaired.24

  • 15V318000 2002–2005

    Moisture can get into the driver's airbag inflator, which can then rupture when it goes off.24,25

  • 15V782000 2015–2016

    The driveshaft's slip joint may lack grease and fail, cutting drive to the rear wheels. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it if needed.26,27

  • 16V071000 2008–2013

    The driver's airbag inflator can build too much pressure and burst when it goes off, throwing metal fragments.23,28,29

  • 16V653000 2015–2016

    Rear subframe bolts reused during differential work can loosen, affecting the handling. Dealers fit new bolts.26,27

  • 17V047000 2002

    A replacement driver's airbag inflator can rupture as its propellant breaks down. BMW advises not driving the car until it is checked.24

  • 17V676000 2008–2011

    Wiring and connectors for the heating and air conditioning blower can overheat and melt, with a risk of fire.23,28

  • 14V428000 2002–2005

    More cars with the passenger airbag inflator fault in 13V172000. BMW advises not driving the car until it is repaired.24,25

  • 18V713000 2016–2017

    The joint between the driveshaft and its flange can fail, so the car loses drive. Dealers replace the driveshaft.27

  • 19V472000 2008–2011

    The positive battery cable's connection at the fuse box can wear, cutting power now and then and possibly stalling the engine.23,28

  • 20V018000 2002–2005

    The passenger's airbag inflator, made without a drying agent, can explode after years of heat and humidity.24,25

  • 20V017000 2008–2013

    The driver's airbag inflator, made without a drying agent, can explode after years of heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments.23,28,29

  • 21V062000 2021

    A rotor and shaft in the integrated brake system may be poorly welded and come apart under hard braking. Dealers replace the unit.30

  • 21V298000 2021

    A bolt holding the front seat belt to the frame may not have been tightened to specification.30

  • 21V554000 2021

    The passenger's seat belt retractor can switch off before the belt has fully retracted.30

  • 23V118000 2023

    A replacement control unit may have been programmed wrongly, so the doors may not lock automatically while driving.31

  • 24V288000 2015

    The head airbag's inflator can fail at a weld, leaking gas or bursting.26

Before you pay

A buyer's checklist for each generation: every warning and recall, with a box to tick.

Sources

Generations, engines and year changes are facts from BMW's US press releases, Edmunds reviews of single model years, Hagerty and Wikipedia, which gives most of the engine codes and the E36 body years. Known issues and buying advice come for the E30 from Hagerty, for the E36 from Turner Motorsport and one owner forum thread, for the E46 from ECS Tuning, BMWBlog, Grassroots Motorsports and one owner forum thread, for the E90, E92 and E93 from Euro Premium Parts and two owner forum threads, for the F80 from Euro Premium Parts and owner reports on CarComplaints, and for the G80 from Euro Premium Parts and one owner forum thread, with forum reports counted in the text. Colours, interiors, packages and figures are from Edmunds pages for single years, and recalls from NHTSA.

  1. Wikipedia (M3)
  2. Edmunds 2022 review
  3. Hagerty E30 M3 buyer's guide
  4. Edmunds 1991 review
  5. Edmunds 1995 review
  6. Edmunds 1997 review
  7. Edmunds 2001 review
  8. Edmunds 2003 M3 review
  9. Edmunds 2005 M3 review
  10. Edmunds 2006 review
  11. Edmunds 2008 review
  12. BMW USA press (2008 M3)
  13. Edmunds 2012 review
  14. Edmunds 2013 review
  15. BMW USA press (2015 M3)
  16. Edmunds 2018 review
  17. BMW USA press (2021 M3)
  18. Edmunds 2024 review
  19. Edmunds 2025 review
  20. NHTSA recalls (1990 M3)
  21. NHTSA recalls (1995 M3)
  22. NHTSA recalls (1997 M3)
  23. NHTSA recalls (2008 M3)
  24. NHTSA recalls (2002 M3)
  25. NHTSA recalls (2005 M3)
  26. NHTSA recalls (2015 M3)
  27. NHTSA recalls (2016 M3)
  28. NHTSA recalls (2011 M3)
  29. NHTSA recalls (2013 M3)
  30. NHTSA recalls (2021 M3)
  31. NHTSA recalls (2023 M3)
Also read for this model 27