BMW
M3
BMW M3: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditMakeBMW
ClassCompact car
Model years (US)2001–2006, 2008–2013, 2015–2018, 2021–2027
New registrations (EU)2000–2026
Recall dataNHTSA (United States)
Generations and technical specifications
G80 M32020–present
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 2020–present |
| Body styles | 4-door saloon (G80) 5-door estate (G81) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Platform | BMW CLAR platform |
| Engines | 3.0 L S58B30T0 twin-turbo I6 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed ZF GS6-53BZ manual (except xDrive models) 8-speed ZF 8HP automatic |
| Wheelbase | 2,857 mm |
| Length | 4,801 mm |
| Width | 1,903 mm |
| Height | 1,438 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,719 kg |
| Designer | Anne Forschner |
F80 M32014–2018
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | 2014 – October 2018 |
| Body styles | 4-door saloon |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Engines | 3.0 L S55B30T0 twin-turbo I6 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed manual 7-speed Getrag 7DCI600 DCT |
| Wheelbase | 2,812 mm |
| Length | 4,671 mm |
| Width | 1,877 mm |
| Height | 1,424 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,614 kg |
| Designer | Florian Nissl |
E90/92/93 M32007–2013
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | September 2007 – July 2013 |
| Body styles | 4-door saloon (E90) 2-door coupé (E92) 2-door convertible (E93) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Engines | 4.0 L S65B40 V8 4.4 L S65B44 V8 |
| Transmissions | 6-speed ZF GS6-53BZ Manual 7-speed Getrag 7DCI600 DCT |
| Wheelbase | 2,761 mm |
| Length | 4,582–4,618 mm |
| Width | 1,803–1,821 mm |
| Height | 1,377–1,448 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,580–1,810 kg |
| Designer | Stephan Baum (E90) Karl Elmitt, Hans-Bruno Starke (E92) |
BMW M3 (E46)2000–2006
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | September 2000 – August 2006 |
| Body styles | 2-door 2+2 coupé 2-door convertible |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Engines | 3.2 L S54B32 I6 4.0 L P60B40 V8 (M3 GTR) |
| Transmissions | 6-speed manual 6-speed SMG-II |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm |
| Length | 4,490 mm |
| Width | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,370 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,565 kg |
| Designer | Ulf Weidhase |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2027 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2022–2027 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 8-speed automatic | All-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2021–2027 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 8-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2018 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl | 7-speed automated manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2008–2013 | 4.0 L, 8 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2013 | 4.0 L, 8 cyl | 7-speed automated manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2008–2012 | 4.0 L, 8 cyl | 7-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2002–2006 | 3.2 L, 6 cyl | 6-speed automatic | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
| 2001, 2003–2006 | 3.2 L, 6 cyl | 6-speed manual | Rear-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2027 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 12.4 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km |
| 2022–2027 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 8-speed automatic · All-wheel drive | 13.1 L/100 km | 14.7–15.7 L/100 km | 10.2–10.7 L/100 km |
| 2021–2027 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 8-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 12.4 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 10.2 L/100 km |
| 2018 | 3.0 L, 6 cyl · 7-speed automated manual · Rear-wheel drive | 12.4 L/100 km | 14.7 L/100 km | 10.7 L/100 km |
| 2008–2013 | 4.0 L, 8 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 14.7 L/100 km | 16.8–18.1 L/100 km | 11.2–12.4 L/100 km |
| 2013 | 4.0 L, 8 cyl · 7-speed automated manual · Rear-wheel drive | 14.7 L/100 km | 16.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km |
| 2008–2012 | 4.0 L, 8 cyl · 7-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 14.7 L/100 km | 16.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km |
| 2002–2006 | 3.2 L, 6 cyl · 6-speed automatic · Rear-wheel drive | 14.7 L/100 km | 16.8 L/100 km | 11.8 L/100 km |
| 2001, 2003–2006 | 3.2 L, 6 cyl · 6-speed manual · Rear-wheel drive | 13.8 L/100 km | 16.8 L/100 km | 11.2 L/100 km |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
EU type-approval data
| Years | Powertrain | Engine | Power | Mass | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2025 | Petrol | 2993 cm³ | 353 kW (480 PS) | 1780 kg | 228–239 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2021–2025 | Petrol | 2993 cm³ | 375 kW (510 PS) | 1805–1940 kg | 224–233 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2024–2025 | Petrol | 2993 cm³ | 390 kW (530 PS) | 1855–1940 kg | 228–234 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2023–2025 | Petrol | 2993 cm³ | 405 kW (551 PS) | 1840–1925 kg | 231–238 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2020–2025 | Petrol hybrid | 2998 cm³ | 275 kW (374 PS) | 1800–1880 kg | 178–192 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2019–2021 | Petrol | 2998 cm³ | 275 kW (374 PS) | 1745–1845 kg | 185–194 g/km (WLTP) |
| 2016–2019 | Petrol | 2979 cm³ | 331 kW (450 PS) | 1635–1660 kg | 194 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2018–2019 | Petrol | 2979 cm³ | 338 kW (460 PS) | 1660 kg | 198 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2014–2018 | Petrol | 2979 cm³ | 317 kW (431 PS) | 1635 kg | 194 g/km (NEDC) |
| 2011–2014 | Petrol | 3999 cm³ | 309 kW (420 PS) | 1675–1905 kg | 263–269 g/km (NEDC) |
Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Compact car, Subcompact car, Minicompact car |
| Model years in EPA data | 2001–2006, 2008–2013, 2018, 2021–2027 |
| Powertrains | Petrol |
| Engine displacement | 3.0–4.0 L |
| Cylinders | 6, 8 |
| Transmission types | Manual, Automatic, Automated manual |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive, All-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (premium) |
| Configurations listed | 57 |
| Forced induction | Turbocharged (on some versions) |
| Start-stop system | On some versions |
| Luggage volume (EPA) | 255–368 L |
| Passenger volume (EPA) | 2,095–2,718 L |
| Powertrains (EU) | Petrol, Petrol hybrid |
| Engine displacement (EU) | 2,979–3,999 cm³ |
| Power (EU) | 275–390 kW (374–530 PS) |
| Mass in running order (EU) | 1,635–1,940 kg |
| Wheelbase (EU) | 2,761–2,857 mm |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2001–2006, 2008–2013, 2015–2018, 2021–2027 |
| New registrations (EU) | 2000–2026 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | 177 | 2005, 2006, 2008 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 89 | 2008, 2009, 2011 |
| Engine and cooling | 84 | 2006, 2008, 2011 |
| Electrical system | 63 | 2006, 2008, 2011 |
| Latches and locks | 28 | 2001, 2006, 2008 |
| Steering | 28 | 2006, 2008, 2011 |
| Body and structure | 20 | 2001, 2006, 2008 |
| Fuel and propulsion | 20 | 2006, 2008, 2018 |
| Visibility and wipers | 15 | 2001, 2005, 2006 |
| Tyres | 15 | 2006 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2001, 2005–2006, 2008–2013, 2015–2018, 2021–2022, 2025: 496 complaints, 16 with a crash and 7 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.