BMW M3

The BMW M3 is a car that has been in production since 1986. It measures 4,495 mm in length, seats 5 passengers, and achieves a top speed of 255 km/h. Engine options vary across generations, with displacement ranging from 2,300 to 4,000 cc and cylinder counts between 4 and 8. In Norway, new registrations of the M3 totalled 161 between 2019 and 2025, with a peak of 61 in 2023, declining to 13 by 2025. For 2025 EU/EEA registrations, the petrol variant emits 233 g/km COâ‚‚ under WLTP testing, while the hybrid petrol variant emits 185 g/km COâ‚‚.
| Manufacturer | BMW |
|---|---|
| Production | From 1986 |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Engine power (EU/EEA average) | 353 kW (474 hp) |
| COâ‚‚ (WLTP, EU/EEA 2025) | Petrol 233 g/km, hybrid (petrol) 185 g/km |
| Kerb weight (EU/EEA average) | 1,890 kg |
| Displacement (engines) | 2,300–4,000 cc |
| Cylinders (engines) | 4–8 |
| Top speed | 255 km/h |
| Length | 4,490 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,781 mm |
| Height | 1,389 mm |
| Seats | 4 |
| Doors | 3 |
Engine power and kerb weight are registration-weighted averages of the BMW M3 registered in the EU/EEA in 2025 (7,907 cars), engine power from 25 countries, kerb weight from 26 countries. Source: EEA COâ‚‚ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).
Engine power is the type-approved engine power (EEA field Ep). For hybrids and plug-in hybrids it is the power of the combustion engine, not the system power, and for electric cars it can differ from the peak power the manufacturer advertises.
New registrations in Norway
Number of BMW M3 registered for the first time in Norway per year.
Source: EEA COâ‚‚ monitoring (CC BY 4.0).
Power by engine variant (Norway)
161 BMW M3 cars registered for the first time in Norway in 2019–2025, by drivetrain and type-approved engine power. The EEA data has no trim names, so variants are told apart by power.
| Drivetrain | Power | Kerb weight | Years | Registered in Norway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 375 kW (503 hp) | 1,892 kg | 2021–2025 | 139 |
| Petrol | 390 kW (523 hp) | 1,925 kg | 2024–2025 | 11 |
Plus 4 variants with fewer than 10 cars (11 cars in total).
Power is the type-approved engine power (EEA field Ep). For hybrids and plug-in hybrids it is the combustion engine, not the system output; for electric cars it can differ from the peak power in the maker’s marketing. Kerb weight is the average for the variant. Source: EEA CO₂ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), one record per car (the years EEA lists twice, 2019 to 2021, are counted once).
New registrations by country (2025)
Number of BMW M3 cars registered for the first time across 27 European countries in 2025.
| Country | Registrations |
|---|---|
| Germany | 5,492 |
| United Kingdom | 1,323 |
| Poland | 452 |
| Italy | 392 |
| Spain | 242 |
| Austria | 226 |
| Hungary | 226 |
| Czechia | 158 |
| Belgium | 148 |
| Luxembourg | 97 |
| France | 77 |
| Sweden | 63 |
| Romania | 62 |
| Netherlands | 58 |
| Portugal | 54 |
Source: EEA COâ‚‚ monitoring (CC BY 4.0), 2025 data.
Other BMW models
Common problems & reliability
US owners have filed 22 complaints for the BMW M3, most often about fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other, power train, electrical system. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy. In the UK, 88% of BMW M3s pass their MOT test first time, based on 15,701 inspections in 2023. (2023 is the most recent annual release published by the DfT.)
Based on real owner complaints and inspection data, not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain), DVSA MOT (UK, Open Government Licence).
Recalls & safety
7 in the US-market NHTSA database, which may not apply to European versions for the BMW M3. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.
- SEAT BELTSUS · NHTSAModel year 2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
NHTSA campaign 21V554000 · reported 21/07/2021
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYUS · NHTSAModel year 2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belt buckle assembly connection and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 21V298000 · reported 28/04/2021
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICUS · NHTSAModel year 2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M50i, X5M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, and 2021 M3, M3 Competition, M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, X5 xDrive45e, 745 Le xDrive. The rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during a hard braking event, possibly resulting in a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and braking assistance.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 21V062000 · reported 10/02/2021
- POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTUS · NHTSAModel years 2016–2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
Remedy: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 18V713000 · reported 11/10/2018
- STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSUS · NHTSAModel years 2015–2017
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 16V653000 · reported 09/09/2016
- POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFTUS · NHTSAModel years 2015–2016
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 15V782000 · reported 23/11/2015
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOWUS · NHTSAModel year 2015
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign 24V288000 · reported 24/04/2024
Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all BMW recalls.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top speed of the BMW M3?
- The BMW M3 has a rated top speed of 255 km/h.
- How much power does the BMW M3 have?
- The BMW M3 produces 353 kW (474 hp).
- What are the dimensions of the BMW M3?
- The BMW M3 is 4,490 mm long, 1,781 mm wide and 1,389 mm tall.
- How much does the BMW M3 weigh?
- The BMW M3 has a kerb weight of about 1,890 kg.
- What are the CO2 emissions of the BMW M3?
- It depends on the drivetrain. For the BMW M3 registered in the EU/EEA in 2025: Petrol 233 g/km, hybrid (petrol) 185 g/km of CO2 (WLTP).
- How many seats does the BMW M3 have?
- The BMW M3 has 4 seats.