The BMW M3’s relative accessibility, thrilling powertrains, and razor-sharp dynamics make it successful with drivers. However there’s one other element to the formulation that helps make every era of the M3 simply as fascinating because the one previous it. The nameplate’s illustrious legacy spans 4 many years and is a part of what makes the automobile so fashionable. And every era of the M3, trying again, has one thing that contributed to the automobile changing into the crimson sizzling hit it’s at present. The query we’re posing at present 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 so as to qualify the mannequin for DTM/Group A races, which occurred over the span of the automobile’s five-year manufacturing run from 1986 till 1991. Naturally, the E30 M3’s legacy has it simple: it’s the automobile 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 Collection (together with physique panels).
The E36 M3 got here subsequent, and whereas its one among my private favorites, a definitive “legacy” just isn’t really easy to establish. However, there are a variety of the way the E36 M3 has endured. And, in actual fact, 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 grew to become 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 grew to become the one method you may get an M3 badge on the again of your efficiency sedan!
The E46 M3 got here subsequent. Legacy maybe just isn’t the very best phrase for the E46 M3, because the automobile stands by itself, definitively, because the M3’s “coming of age.” Unimaginable chassis stability stood out because the E46 M3’s promoting level — and enduring, endearing trait many years later. It additionally united the US market with European market, as each side of the pond noticed the (largely) identical engine, slightly than the 2 distinct flavors of E36 M3 that shipped to totally different elements of the world. The automobile’s revolutionary efficiency has solely been matched by its actually timeless model. With over 85,000 examples bought worldwide, it additionally stays the nameplate’s most-sold mannequin.
The Trendy M3 Legacy
As we get nearer to the current, issues develop into each easier and extra complicated when reviewing every era of the BMW M3’s legacy. The E90, E92, and E93 M3 fashions touted a motorsport-derived V8 underneath the hood, the primary and final to take action. Extra vital, maybe, they have been additionally the ultimate M3s to take pleasure in hydraulic power-assisted steering—a beloved trait for purists searching for 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 break 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 large tuning potential and cemented the turbo inline-six formulation that continues at present.
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 slightly pleasant. It isn’t even the primary to make use of a standard, 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 doubtless we’ll proceed to see xDrive as a staple because the M3 lineage progresses. And, disappointingly, maybe essentially the most constructive factor the G80 might 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 on the subject of the automobile’s legacy. And scope varies wildly. It might nicely 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 doubtless) chance is that it’s the ultimate M3 supplied with a guide transmission. Sharing a standard thread with a few of its predecessors, there’s an angle for it to be the “final actual M3.” Significantly if the subsequent M3 is both electrified or automatic-only.
In conclusion, we’ll doubtless have to attend a number of years to find out the G80 M3’s definitive legacy. Though, there’s at the least one different vital milestone. It’s the primary time BMW has supplied a manufacturing facility Touring mannequin, albeit not within the US. And naturally, there are some extra polarizing issues that may doubtless carry into future M3 fashions. Particularly, a excessive curb weight and general design ethos. Significantly, these grilles. Hopefully, the G8X might be remembered for greater than its grilles and all-wheel drive, however time will inform. What do you suppose the G80 M3’s legacy might be?
