BMW M3 goes xDrive-only with 530PS for 2025

Let’s address the important stuff first: power and performance. The M3 wasn’t a car wanting for more poke, really, but it’s getting some anyway, with the Competition now putting out 530PS (389kW), via the engine first seen in the updated M4. 

Another big change in terms of the mechanicals is that there is no longer the option of rear-wheel-drive, with the Competition xDrive now the sole M3 offering in the UK for both saloon and touring. You can still switch the xDrive into a rear-drive mode if you turn all the systems off but of course, that’s not for the faint of heart and as a result, a relatively long-winded process.

On the inside BMW’s now-ubiquitous Curved Display comes with the latest slickest UI in Operating System 8.5. What isn’t quite so curved as before, is the steering wheel, which now comes with a flat bottom and optional Alcantara trim for the first time.

Design-wise, on the outside the most noticeable change is to the front lights, which swap their semi-angel-eye curved signatures for fangs. There’s also a new forged alloy wheel option.

As for changes across the rest of the 3 Series range? Well, coming as quite a shock to some of the BMW faithful will be the omission of a diesel option – more a sign of changing times than the M3 going all-wheel-drive only, we’d suggest. At least you can still get six-cylinder engines in a non-M3 Series, though those are surely on the chopping block for the next iteration, failing their being electrified.

For the ultimate in 3 Series versatility in 2024, the star of the range is – arguably as it was before – the PHEV, which now has up to 63 miles of WLTP-certified range. That sounds very appealing indeed for a reasonable-sounding £46,080 (EX OTR costs). And the best bit? That M3 grille still evades the ‘standard’ 3 Series…

The price of the new M3s? Close to double that, at £82,420 for the Competition xDrive saloon and £84,700 for the Competition xDrive Touring. With options, you know these are £100k cars and truthfully, have been for some time.