The BMW M3’s relative accessibility, thrilling powertrains, and razor-sharp dynamics make it a success with drivers. However there’s one other element to the components that helps make every era of the M3 simply as fascinating because the one previous it. The nameplate’s illustrious legacy spans 4 a long time and is a part of what makes the automotive so common. And every era of the M3, trying again, has one thing that contributed to the automotive turning into the crimson sizzling hit it’s right this moment. The query we’re posing right this moment is: what is going to the G80’s legacy be?
Reviewing BMW M3 Generations and Their Legacy
BMW launched the primary M3 in 1985, debuting largely as a homologation particular. The marque wanted to make 5,000 vehicles as a way to qualify the mannequin for DTM/Group A races, which occurred over the span of the automotive’s five-year manufacturing run from 1986 till 1991. Naturally, the E30 M3’s legacy has it simple: it’s the automotive that began all of it. It additionally set the precedent for M3s previous it: a high-revving engine, direct ties to Motorsport endeavors, and many distinctive bits that didn’t come on the common 3 Sequence (together with physique panels).
The E36 M3 got here subsequent, and whereas its one in all my private favorites, a definitive “legacy” shouldn’t be really easy to determine. However, there are a variety of how the E36 M3 has endured. And, in reality, it’s fairly the cornerstone of the nameplate in some methods. It was the primary M3 to make the most of an inline-six, an engine that largely turned inextricable from the M3 line regardless of the first-generation mannequin sporting a four-pot. It additionally marked the primary time BMW supplied a four-door M3 mannequin; which, later turned the one method you may get an M3 badge on the again of your efficiency sedan!
The E46 M3 got here subsequent. Legacy maybe shouldn’t be the perfect phrase for the E46 M3, because the automotive stands by itself, definitively, because the M3’s “coming of age.” Unbelievable chassis steadiness stood out because the E46 M3’s promoting level — and enduring, endearing trait a long time later. It additionally united the US market with European market, as each side of the pond noticed the (largely) similar engine, somewhat than the 2 distinct flavors of E36 M3 that shipped to totally different components of the world. The automotive’s revolutionary efficiency has solely been matched by its really timeless fashion. With over 85,000 examples offered worldwide, it additionally stays the nameplate’s most-sold mannequin.
The Fashionable M3 Legacy
As we get nearer to the current, issues turn out to be each less complicated and extra advanced when reviewing every era of the BMW M3’s legacy. The E90, E92, and E93 M3 fashions touted a motorsport-derived V8 below the hood, the primary and final to take action. Extra essential, maybe, they had been additionally the ultimate M3s to take pleasure in hydraulic power-assisted steering—a beloved trait for purists in search of analog really feel.
Then got here the F80 era, marking a pivotal shift for the M3 nameplate. It launched turbocharging for the primary time in an M3, with the twin-turbo S55 inline-six changing the high-revving V8. It was additionally the era the place BMW cut up the M3 and M4 into two distinct fashions—sedan and coupe, respectively. The F80 M3 is commonly remembered for its brutal energy supply, stiff chassis, and aggressive tuning, which polarized lovers. Nevertheless it additionally introduced huge tuning potential and cemented the turbo inline-six components that continues right this moment.
Then, we arrive on the G80 M3.
The G80 M3’s S58 engine isn’t the primary turbo inline-six in an M3, though it’s somewhat pleasant. It isn’t even the primary to make use of a conventional, torque-converter automated transmission — the E36 M3 did, and that’s hardly an accolade anyway. However there’s one space the place the G80 M3 succeeds at setting a bar: all-wheel drive. It’s the primary M3 to supply xDrive all-wheel drive, and thus, the quickest from zero to 60 mph. It’s seemingly we’ll proceed to see xDrive as a staple because the M3 lineage progresses. And, disappointingly, maybe probably the most constructive factor the G80 shall be remembered for.
The Stakes Have By no means Been Larger
The fascinating factor in regards to the G8X vehicles is that a lot is to-be decided in relation to the automotive’s legacy. And scope varies wildly. It might properly be that its solely contribution the overarching M3 legacy is all-wheel drive. In one other situation, it’s the final non-electrified/hybrid M3 ever. Nonetheless one other (although a lot much less seemingly) chance is that it’s the ultimate M3 supplied with a guide transmission. Sharing a typical thread with a few of its predecessors, there’s an angle for it to be the “final actual M3.” Notably if the following M3 is both electrified or automatic-only.
In conclusion, we’ll seemingly have to attend just a few years to find out the G80 M3’s definitive legacy. Though, there’s at the least one different essential milestone. It’s the primary time BMW has supplied a manufacturing unit Touring mannequin, albeit not within the US. And naturally, there are some extra polarizing issues that may seemingly carry into future M3 fashions. Particularly, a excessive curb weight and general design ethos. Notably, these grilles. Hopefully, the G8X shall be remembered for greater than its grilles and all-wheel drive, however time will inform. What do you assume the G80 M3’s legacy shall be?
