For the 2012 model year, BMW released the fully redesigned sixth-generation 3 Series, but it left the M3->ke2366 sedan on the shelf until it rebooted the fast four-door for 2015. Equipped with a massively powerful inline-six engine in place of the old V-8, the 2015 M3 was faster and more agile than it had ever been before. As we near the 2016 model year, the 3 Series->ke290 received a light refresh, and despite the fact that it just launched with a new body, the M3 joined in this redesign.

BMW->ke178 has been out testing the revised M3 for quite some time now, using plenty of camouflage to cover some of its body panels. Unfortunately, the camo proved to be just a way to build some hype around the 2016 M3, which received only a handful of updates inside and out. Not too upsetting given the M3 is still fresh and has plenty of feats to brag about, but this isn't what I'd call a facelift.

Updated 06/18/2015: BMW announced prices for the 2016 M3 sedan which will be put on sale later in the summer. For 2016 the M3 is priced from $64,195, including $995 destination and handling. The price represents a significant increase over the previous year's $62,000.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M3.

2016 BMW M3

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 BMW M3
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 425 @ 5500
  • Torque: 406 @ 1850
  • Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Before you go working yourself into a frenzy over a “new” M3, I have to break it to you that this is little more than a swap of the old lights. Specifically, the high-performance sedan gained the same headlamps as the regular 3 Series, meaning slightly revised LED strips and twin-lights moved further apart. Around back, the taillights received new LED graphics. That's not too much given these redesigned lights are nearly indistinguishable from the ones on the 2015 M3, but this is how BMW facelifts usually work.

BMW also added two new Individual exterior colors, Smoked Topaz Metallic and Champagne Quartz Metallic to the exclusive Tanzanite Blue Metallic and Azurite Schwarz Metallic available for the previous car.

Despite the light updates, I cannot get too depressed, as the M3 is one of the best-looking sleeper cars on the road today. At a quick glance, it looks like nothing more than a sporty sedan. Once the pedal hits the floor, however, the M3’s true personality shows up.

Side-by-side comparison

Interior

Updates are as limited on the inside, consisting only of new chrome highlights on the dashboard, center console, and center stack, and other minor tweaks here and there. The latest-generation Navigation system Professional with LTE, which BMW describes as the fastest mobile standard currently available, is available as an option for the BMW M3 from now on. More customizing options should be offered through the Individual program, but the Germans have yet to release specifics.

Drivetrain

Driving the 2016 BMW M3 is the same engine that powers the 2015 model. That’s not a bad thing though, as the 2015 model uses a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produces a cool 425 horsepower between 5,500 and 7,300 rpm, and 406 pound-feet of torque from 1,850 rpm to 5,500 rpm.

Like the 2015 model, the revised M3 comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, but it also has a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission available as an option. With the manual transmission, the M3 hits 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, while the DCT lowers that time to 3.9 seconds. Tops speed remains locked at 155 mph.

If you’re looking for fuel economy, then you’re in the wrong place. The 2015 M3 gets just 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway with the manual transmission, and with the DCT it gets 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Look for these numbers to carry over into 2016.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine Type

3.0-Liter I-6 Turbocharged

Engine Technology

M TwinPower Turbo technology with two mono-scroll turbochargers, High Precision Direct Fuel Injection, fully variable valve timing (VALVETRONIC) and variable camshaft control (Double-VANOS)

Output (HP @ RPM)

425 @ 5500–7300

Torque (LB-FT @ RPM)

406 @ 1,850–5,500

Transmission

Six-speed manual gearbox (optional: Seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission)

Acceleration (0-60 MPH)

4.1 Sec (W/ Manual) / 3.9 Sec. (W/ M-DCT)

Top Speed

155 mph


Prices

For 2016 the M3 is priced from $64,195, including $995 destination and handling.

Competition

2016 Cadillac ATS-V

The Cadillac ATS-V was met by huge fanfare when Cadillac unveiled it for the 2016 model year, and for good reason. It looks simply amazing, as the body kit that Cadillac fitted to the already-sexy ATS only makes it more incredible. The cabin is luxurious and sporty, thanks to the 16-way Recaro sports seats wrapped in leather with premium contrast stitching, and much more.

However, we’re not here to talk luxury; we’re here to talk power, and the ATS-V has it in spades. It carries a 3.6-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine that punishes the road with 464 horsepower at 5,850 rpm and 445 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm.

Transferring the power to the rear wheels is a standard six-speed manual transmission with a no-lift-shift feature and Active Rev Match. Optionally, buyers can go for the same fast-shifting eight-speed automatic that is available in the Corvette Stingray.

These engine and transmission combos put the ATS-V at 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds and up to a top speed in excess of 185 mph. Fuel economy is not available yet, but I wouldn’t expect anything too great.

Click here to read our full review of the 2016 Cadillac ATS-V

Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan

For 2015, the C63 AMG received a full redesign and a slight name change to Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan. The new C63 is longer and wider than the old model, and it has an all-new look. This larger body helps free up a little more cabin room, and its mixture of luxury and sports is right in line with the M3.

The V-8 is a dying breed, but Mercedes-AMG bucks this trend with the all-new 2015 C63 Sedan. Under its hood is a new 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that produces 469 horsepower from 5,500 to 6,250 rpm and 479 pound-feet of torque from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm. This engine pairs with a seven-speed AMG Speedshift transmission to deliver a 0-to-60 sprint of four seconds and a top speed of 155 mph.

Buyers can also opt for the S model, which pushes the output to 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This engine drops the sprint time to 3.9 seconds.

The Base Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan checks in at $63,900, while the S model jumps to $71,900.

Click here to read our full review of the Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan

Conclusion

The redesign may be light, but it is good to see that BMW isn’t resting on its laurels with the M3. This also means that we are getting closer to the complete redesign of the 3 Series lineup once again. It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long, but we certainly are sneaking up on it. We’ll keep an eye out for more spy shots and updates, and we’ll bring them to you as soon as we get them.

Updated History

Updated 05/07/2015: BMW unveiled the official details and images on the M3 facelift.

Spy Shots

April 9, 2015 - First testing session