BMW M3 Competition xDrive Blends Pace With Daily Comfort

The latest BMW M3 Competition takes a familiar recipe and turns it into something even more focused. Since the 1980s, the M3 badge has stood for a saloon that can embarrass proper sports cars, and this generation keeps that tradition alive while looking and feeling more aggressive than ever. You may still be on the fence about the bold front end, but once you’ve settled into the low-slung driver’s seat and hit the starter button, it very quickly earns its keep.

Under the bonnet sits a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six, now tuned to 523bhp. It delivers a huge surge of shove from low in the rev range, and with power going through a clever four-wheel-drive system, the M3 explodes out of bends with serious urgency. The steering is quick and accurate, letting you place the nose with real confidence, while the chassis does an impressive job of disguising the car’s considerable weight. There’s also a configurable traction control system with multiple levels, so you can gradually loosen the electronic safety net as you get to know the balance of the car on a favourite B-road or circuit.

Ease off the pace and the M3 shows its more mature side. Drive it gently through town, and it’s not far removed from a regular 3 Series in terms of refinement, just firmer and more conspicuous on its big alloys. Out on the motorway, the engine settles down, wind noise is well contained, and the car munches miles with very little effort. It’s not quite as cushioned as some rivals, but it feels solid and composed at speed, with plenty of straight-line stability for long journeys.

Inside, the M3 serves up the high-quality cabin you’d expect from BMW, with a clear step up in ambience over the standard saloon. A wide curved display combines a digital instrument cluster with a large central touchscreen running BMW’s latest operating system, which responds crisply to both touch and voice commands. Sports seats hold you firmly in place, and the optional carbon buckets add an even more purposeful feel for those who spend time on track. There are still plenty of cubbies and useful storage areas dotted around the cabin, so it works as a genuine daily driver rather than a weekend toy.

Practicality remains a key part of the package. There’s ample space in the rear for adults, a generous boot with split-folding backrests, and the Touring version is on hand for buyers who want estate-car carrying capacity with M-car pace. Running costs and tax bills will be steep, and some of the most desirable driver assistance systems live in option packs, but that comes with the territory for a no-nonsense performance saloon. Taken as a whole, the latest M3 successfully blends brutal speed, real-world usability and everyday practicality, and that makes it a very worthy standard-bearer for the iconic badge on its boot lid.