BMW has recently unveiled the mid-life facelift of the M3 Competition, which comes with a range of performance and technology upgrades. This luxury sports sedan, which competes with the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, now boasts more power, subtle styling tweaks, and improved chassis dynamics.
Under the hood, the M3 Competition retains its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine (codenamed B58). However, thanks to an ECU remap, it now produces 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, a 20 horsepower increase from before. What’s notable is that the M3 is now exclusively four-wheel-drive, with the Competition variant being the only option available. The system is rear-biased and can send all power to the rear wheels when the stability control is disabled.
The power delivery of the M3 has also been optimized for performance on the track. Peak power is now delivered at 6250rpm compared to the previous model’s 5600rpm. Peak torque is sustained for longer in the rev range, maxing out at 5730rpm versus 5500rpm. These changes result in a faster 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds, which is 0.4 seconds quicker than before. The top speed remains limited to 155mph but can be increased to 180mph with the optional M Driver’s package.
In terms of design, the new M3 features subtle styling revisions. The headlights now have arrow-shaped LED designs, and the alloy wheels come in new designs split into 19-inch sets at the front and 20-inch sets at the rear. The wheels themselves are available in new colors, and the M3 badging has been redesigned.
Inside the cabin, the M3 receives significant updates. It now comes equipped with BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment system, similar to the one found in the standard new 3 Series. This introduces features such as a customizable widget bar, augmented reality for the sat-nav, 5G connectivity, and seamless integration with the MyBMW app. The car also features a 14.9-inch curved infotainment display alongside a 12.3-inch instrumentation display, both with graphics specific to M cars. The steering wheel has been upgraded to a new flat-bottomed design from the 5 Series and 7 Series, available in leather and Alcantara for the first time. Additionally, new aluminum trim pieces now come as standard.
The pricing for the new M3 starts at £82,420 for the saloon variant, with the estate version costing an additional £2,280. Compared to its competitors, the Mercedes-AMG C63 saloon is £15,110 more expensive, while the Audi RS4 Avant estate is £9,445 cheaper.
Overall, the mid-life facelift of the BMW M3 Competition brings significant improvements in terms of performance, technology, and styling. With more power, enhanced driving dynamics, and updated features, BMW aims to solidify the M3’s position as a top contender in the luxury sports sedan segment.
