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The 2025 BMW M3 with a six-speed manual gearbox is a rare thing: a modern performance saloon that still expects the driver to do some proper work. Rear-wheel drive, three pedals and a physical gearlever give it an old-school flavour, even though the rest of the package is packed with contemporary tech. Finished in bold paint shades and sitting on wide tyres, it looks every bit the serious driver’s car, yet it still offers four doors and a generous boot, so it can slip into family life during the week.
Under the bonnet sits BMW’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six, producing 473bhp and a thick band of torque that runs across most of the rev range. It hauls the M3 from rest to 100km/h in a little over four seconds if you get your launch right, but the real appeal is how involved that process feels. The clutch pedal has a firm, clear bite point, the gearshift is weighty and mechanical, and timing your shifts using the head-up display’s rev counter becomes a deeply satisfying rhythm. With a kerb weight that remains reasonable for a well-equipped saloon, there is a strong response in almost any gear, so a quick downchange is usually all that is needed for rapid overtakes.
The chassis has been tuned to match that drivetrain. Adaptive dampers, a stiff body shell and grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres give the car serious composure when you lean on it. Comfort mode takes the edge off poor surfaces, while Sport and Sport Plus serve up tighter body control for fast road or track use without turning the ride into a punishment. The steering is electrically assisted rather than old-school hydraulic, but it is quick and precise, making it easy to place the car and catch any movement from the rear axle when you provoke it. Light steering at parking speeds, plus sharp cameras and parking sensors, mean it feels surprisingly friendly around town.
Inside, the M3 balances luxury and purpose. BMW’s curved dual-screen layout combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14.9-inch touchscreen running the latest iDrive software, complete with performance timers, configurable drive modes and optional track tools such as lap timing and drift analysis. The standard front seats blend long-distance comfort with strong lateral support, while the 40:20:40 split-fold rear bench and 480-litre boot add genuine practicality for everyday use. Road noise and engine sound remind you that this is a performance car, but at motorway speeds it settles into a stable, confident cruise. As one of the last high-power manual sports saloons on sale, the 2025 BMW M3 keeps the art of changing gear yourself very much alive, rewarding drivers who still enjoy being an active part of the process.
