2017 BMW M3

The 2017 BMW M3 sedan comes in only one trim level and is priced at $64,000. There are additional packages on offer that can improve the performance, the interior and exterior, and also make the M3 a safer car. There are four packages on offer, with pricing that ranges from $1,700 to $4,750. These four packages are the Competition package, the Lighting Package, the Driver Assistance Plus Package, and the Executive Package. Some of the main features seen on the M3 have been listed below.

The Competition package is a performance package priced at $4,750. The Lighting Package ($1,900) adds automatic high-beam control and adaptive LED headlights. The Driver Assistance Plus Package ($1,700) is a safety-focused package, and the Executive package ($3,900) makes the M3's interior more luxurious. 

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The 2017 BMW M3 sedan is offered in only one trim level and what we recommend are the optional packages. According to us, the Driver Assistance Plus Package and the Executive Package will aid in making the M3's interior better and also make the car safer with the assistance features. The Competition package is something we'd recommend if more performance is required. With all these packages, the M3 will cost around $72,000.

The 2017 BMW M3 has a fuel economy of 17 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined with the 6-speed manual. With the DCT, this decreases to 17 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 19 mpg combined. The car has a 15.9-gallon fuel tank that can offer a combined range of 318 miles. The M3 comes with an automatic engine start-stop function that aids to save fuel when the car is not moving by shutting off power to the engine.

The C63 AMG has the best-combined mileage at 21 mpg. The M3 and the Giulia have the same combined economy at 20 mpg. The ATS-V, being the heaviest car is the least economical with a 19 mpg combined average. The Benz also gets the most fuel capacity among the four, which gives it the most range, at 313 city miles and 435 highway miles. The Giulia has the least range, at 260 city miles and 367 highway miles. The M3 has a range of 270city miles and 413 highway miles.

"The 2017 BMW M3 has the same sleek, understated cabin design of the 3 Series but adds tasteful sport-themed enhancements." -  Edmunds

2017 BMW M3 Seating and Comfort

The 2017 BMW not only offers enthralling performance but does so while engulfing you in the luxury seen on the 3-Series compact sedan. What will catch your eye is the M badging which is everywhere in the car. The dash and the center console feature carbon fiber trim and that looks very classy on the M3. There is one subtle touch that will appeal to everyone, which is the analog tachometer and speedometer that reminds us of the BMW M-line's sporting history. The controls are very well arranged, and the M3's interior features a driver-focused layout. As a BMW, quality sees no compromise, and the fit and finish levels are up to expectations.

The seating in the BMW is supportive and comfortable. The front seats are super comfortable for long drives and have excellent bolstering all around which helps when the ride gets sporty. At the rear, there is decent headroom and legroom, but we'd recommend fitting only two adult passengers in the back for a comfortable drive. The visibility on offer is pretty good a well. Also, ingress and egress from the M3 are quick and simple, just like on the standard 3-Series.

All the cars in this competition seat 5 passengers. The four cars are similar in terms of interior space, but there are a few minute differences. At the front, the C63 has the better headroom, whereas the Giulia has the better legroom. In the back, the BMW's headroom is the most, at 37.7 inches and the AMG offers the most rear legroom at 35.2 inches. The Benz is generally more spacious thanks to a longer wheelbase. However, the M3 and the Giulia both offer a 35.1-inch rear legroom. so the difference is not a lot at all. Some of the interior features on the M3 are:

• Carbon-fiber interior accents
• Cruise control
• Keyless entry and ignition
• Leather upholstery
• Heated 10-way power front seats
• Heated steering wheel

2017 BMW M3 Infotainment System

The 2017 M3' infotainment system comes with the latest iteration of the iDrive system, the iDrive 5.0. The M3 also gets an 8.8-inch central touchscreen. The iDrive system is not the most straightforward unit and it takes a while to get to know the working of this system. It is, however, very logically arranged and is also equipped with a lot of customization options. This system also has various methods for command inputs, from voice controls to touch commands to a few gesture controls.

Some infotainment features are:

• Bluetooth connectivity
• Navigation
• 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system
• HD Radio/ Satellite radio
• CD player
• USB audio input

2017 BMW M3 Cargo Volume

The cargo volume on the BMW M3 is about average, at 12 cu-ft. The 3-Series does offer more cargo space than the M3. This is not very large, and is well-suited for quick weekend getaways, and can manage two medium-sized bags well. The rear seats in the M3 cannot be folded like the 3-Series.

The Cadillac has the least cargo capacity at 10.4 cu-ft, whereas the C63 has an average space at 12.6 cu-ft. There is no data available about the Giulia's cargo space. The Giulia's trunk opens pretty narrow, hence we think it must be on the lower side.

"This is simply one of the most attractive cars in the world." -KBB

2017 BMW M3 Dimensions and Weight

The 2017 BMW M3 takes on the design language of the 2017 BMW 3-Series. The exterior of the 3-Series is very beautiful, and it's neatly done. From any angle, the design is appealing and it tends to grow on you. Like the standard 3-Series, the M3 also features the updated headlamps and taillight design, reshaped bumpers, and more distinctive lines all over the body.

The M3's bumpers get a redesign to separate the car from the standard 3-Series. The front kidney grille also features the M badging in the left corner. The front bumper gets air intakes that direct cold air towards the engine. Along the side, the car features a slit for hot air to pass and 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. The rear features the updated LED taillights and a sport exhaust with quad tailpipes and chrome-plated exhaust tips.

The M3 also gets a spoiler. The M Competition package adds black chrome tailpipes, revised suspension tuning, and special exterior trim. The 2017 M3 has a length of 184.5 inches, with a width and height of 73.9 inches and 56.1 inches. The car weighs 3540 lbs and has a ground clearance of 4.7 inches. The wheelbase on the M3 stands at 110.7 inches. 

The four cars are similar in terms of exterior dimensions and with the cars placed side by side, it's hard to find out the dimensional differences. The weight varies a lot, however. The M3 is the lightest, at 3540 lbs, whereas the ATS-V is the heaviest at 3812 lbs. The Alfa Giulia is just behind the ATS-V, weighing in at 3806 lbs. The C63 has a curb weight of 3782 lbs. The Mercedes also features a longer length of 187 inches. The ATS-V has the least width at 71.3 inches. In terms of wheelbase, the Mercedes has the longest one, which helps the C63 provide a slightly better interior space. The ATS-V has the tightest wheelbase.

Some exterior features on the M3 are:

• M-sport exhaust system
• LED Corona headlamps
• Forged aluminum wheels
• Automatic wipers 
• Active locking rear differential
• Power-folding and auto-dimming heated mirrors

The 2017 BMW M3 sports compact luxury sedan has not been rated by the NHTSA, not the IIHS. However, the standard 3-Series got a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and received the "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS. Standard safety features on the M3 include front side airbags, side curtain airbags, front knee airbags, traction control, stability control, and antilock brakes. The BMW Assist emergency communications functionality is standard as well.

Some other safety features available are:

• Surround-view camera system
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane departure warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision mitigation system

2017 BMW M3 Sedan vs 2017 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan

The 2017 Cadillac ATS-V gets a bigger and more powerful engine over the M3. It makes nearly 40 horses more and 39 lb-ft of torque more than the M3. This gives the Caddy a better acceleration over the M3, recording better performance times. The BMW has similar performance even then due to the weight difference between the two cars. The cars have similar braking power in terms of stopping distance, and the M3 is more economical than the ATS-V.

In terms of handling, both these performance cars have very good handling characteristics, but the Caddy does have that slight edge in the handling and steering department. The M3 is much much much better in interior finish and quality, and has more features onboard as well. In the safety section, the Caddy was rated at 4-stars whereas the M3 has not been rated at all. The ATS-V is $3,000 cheaper than the BMW M3.

2017 BMW M3 Sedan vs 2017 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Sedan

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG sedan is the top-performance car in the C-Class line-up just like the M3. It gets a V8 engine, with twin turbos and makes more power and torque over the M3, which gives it better performance run times and also a higher top speed. The C63 has better stopping power as well. The C63 also benefits from a better economy and a much longer range.

The handling on the M3 is similar to that on the C63. Also, the C63 AMG has quite a feature-rich interior, and the space on the inside is better than that on the M3. Just like the M3, the C63 has not been crash-tested, but the standard models of both these cars have a good safety rating. The Merc is slightly more expensive to maintain than the BMW. When it comes to pricing, the C63 is a tad bit more expensive than the M3.

The 2017 BMW M3 sedan is the best deal to get in the luxury compact sedan genre where performance meets premium. The M3 is a daily-performance-driver, which can hit the tracks anytime all the time, with decent mileage and a classy interior. The M3 has average cargo space, and the advanced safety features being optional is a real bummer. The M3 however is among the few cars that offers excellent performance, top handling, spacious interiors, and a classy exterior. This car is worth a pick in our books, and we surely recommend this one over the competition.