Tuesday 7th June 2022

BMW confirms M3 Touring reveal for Goodwood

Festival of Speed visitors will be among the first people on the planet to the see the all-new BMW M3 Touring

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It was always going to take something special to upstage the all-new BMW M4 CSL - a car we’ve spent decades patiently waiting for. But the wait for an estate version of the M3 has been longer. We’ve even forgiven BMW for its interminable build-up to the car’s official unveiling; that’s how excited we are about the ‘distillation of the technological prowess and know-how from the BMW M3 and M4 family, combined with the practicality of a five-door touring model’. You see? Not even a BMW press release can defuse the craving. 

And now at last, we have a date. And a time. And, yes, a location. BMW has confirmed that the first-ever M3 Touring will get its world premiere at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed - specifically at 10am on Thursday 23rd. This its exceptionally good not just because it’s obviously the perfect setting, but also because it means that thousands (and thousands) of UK-based enthusiasts (mostly PHers) will be able to see the car in the flesh ahead of everyone else. Who knows - the sight of the new rear end might persuade some people to forgive the M3’s much more contentious front…

If that doesn’t work, there’s always the new CSL to consider. That will be at Goodwood, too, for its UK public debut. Both cars will be running up the hill every day of the Festival in the ‘First Glance’ category. If that weren’t already enough, BMW has said it will also show a ‘high-performance’ M3 Touring with various Performance Parts fitted. Oh yes, and it gets better still - there’s the small matter of M GmbH’s 50th anniversary to consider, a milestone celebrated not just by the ‘Central Feature’ showcasing iconic models and an expansive BMW M at Trackside stand, but also a whole heap of historic cars running up the hill all weekend. 

“There can be no better place to celebrate our 50th anniversary than among our fans at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, surrounded by the iconic cars that have cemented our position in motorsport history,” noted Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M. “But we’ll also spend our time at the world-famous event looking to the future, with a selection of exciting new models from our innovative electrified line-up, and the global premiere of the eagerly- anticipated first-ever BMW M3 Touring.” Consider us primed, Frank. 

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• 2021 BMW M3 Competition | PH Review
• 2021 BMW M4 Competition xDrive | PH Review

[hu8742]

Can't think of a more hotly anticipated car in recent times. Hope it lives up in reality.

[GTEYE]

hu8742 said:

Can't think of a more hotly anticipated car in recent times. Hope it lives up in reality.

It’s hard to see how it won’t live up to expectation. It’ll be the same as the M3 saloon - that’s a good thing.

[Skeptisk]

Never really understood why BMW didn’t make an M3 Touring given that Audi and Merc had hot estates for years. I sold my E46 M3 shortly after my daughter was born because it was too impractical. We went for a five series estate but would have liked an M3 Touring had it been available.

[nordboy]

There hasn't been a load of announcements about what is coming to the FOS so far. This may well be one of the highlights for me.

[redroadster]

Think this is up there top of want list every day all rounder just collosal price to grapple with.

[AmyRichardson]

One of the few lead-ins that I've genuinely heard people enthuse about - even if they've no intention of buying one. It's as if late-30s dads cucked into mid-sized SUVs fantasise about these during their few quiet moments (with the estate adding a degree of readers-wives tangibility.)

The CSL, by comparison, got no interest - a warmed over version of a product that's already with us.

[SidewaysSi]

AmyRichardson said:

One of the few lead-ins that I've genuinely heard people enthuse about - even if they've no intention of buying one. It's as if late-30s dads cucked into mid-sized SUVs fantasise about these during their few quiet moments (with the estate adding a degree of readers-wives tangibility.)

The CSL, by comparison, got no interest - a warmed over version of a product that's already with us.

I agree, too many cucked men about

[cerb4.5lee]

Skeptisk said:

Never really understood why BMW didn’t make an M3 Touring given that Audi and Merc had hot estates for years. I sold my E46 M3 shortly after my daughter was born because it was too impractical. We went for a five series estate but would have liked an M3 Touring had it been available.

Agree, and for me BMW have really missed the boat with this. SUVs are king nowadays too, so I'm very surprised why BMW have left it so long to make this. However it is great that people do have the choice with this now though I reckon.

[SWoll]

Skeptisk said:

Never really understood why BMW didn’t make an M3 Touring given that Audi and Merc had hot estates for years. I sold my E46 M3 shortly after my daughter was born because it was too impractical. We went for a five series estate but would have liked an M3 Touring had it been available.

Back in 2004 (when my kids were 3 and 1) we had an E46 330i saloon and never struggled with practicality. Always surprises me just how much space people seem to need, although the 3 door setup would be a pain in the arse getting them in and out I agree.

[L.Len]

Can’t wait.
I paid my deposit for the m3 touring a while ago. Gonna be early 2023 I reckon

[MarkM2]

Skeptisk said:

Never really understood why BMW didn’t make an M3 Touring given that Audi and Merc had hot estates for years. I sold my E46 M3 shortly after my daughter was born because it was too impractical. We went for a five series estate but would have liked an M3 Touring had it been available.

They did a good video earlier this year about why an E46 version never appeared, well worth a watch. https://youtu.be/fF66OPqEC7k

[MrBarry123]

redroadster said:

Think this is up there top of want list every day all rounder just collosal price to grapple with.

I agree and yes, the price will be insane - wouldn’t be surprised to see several beyond £100k - but I suppose that’s the way nowadays with everything being financed.

Still looking forward to seeing it though.

[Skeptisk]

MarkM2 said:

Skeptisk said:

Never really understood why BMW didn’t make an M3 Touring given that Audi and Merc had hot estates for years. I sold my E46 M3 shortly after my daughter was born because it was too impractical. We went for a five series estate but would have liked an M3 Touring had it been available.

They did a good video earlier this year about why an E46 version never appeared, well worth a watch. https://youtu.be/fF66OPqEC7k

Thanks for the link. Reading between the lines it was killed by the bean counters because the changes from coupe to touring were too substantial (and so presumably would have cost too much to be profitable).

[Mafioso]

Will it keep the gear knob though?

I have 2 years left to run on my PCP'd M340d and am planning to pay off the balloon and keep the car. However I've been hankering with the idea of upgrading to this but the new facelifted dashboard with the lack of heating buttons seems to be a deal breaker for me (and also the inevitably high price of the thing). Shame.

[Harry_523]

I have a theory on why BMW havent really done M tourings. Its a bit tenuous but...

Its all to do with Albert biermann's requirement for rear wheel control. The lack of rigid support between the tops of the rear damper towers would reduce the lateral control of the rear to much, which would have a significant impact on feel, and oversteer control which is a big M attribute...

The evidence? 1, only 1 M touring, and the SUV's dont power oversteer so dont need it. 2, have a look in the boot of an i30N (which beirmenn advised on), see that strut brace? 3, now he's gone, suddenly an M3T appears

[pb8g09]

Skeptisk said:

Thanks for the link. Reading between the lines it was killed by the bean counters because the changes from coupe to touring were too substantial (and so presumably would have cost too much to be profitable).

Not sure being able to deliver a viable product lies fundamentally on the heads of the Finance team. Not sure I'd refer to a commercial accountant as a bean counter either... shall we call the engineers 'grease monkeys' or 'mechanics' and declare anyone who works in sales as not having a true profession or just pick on the ones good with money!

Back on point though, I don't think they necessarily missed out on sales on an M3 touring as they sold plenty of 340i, 335i and even the 335d estates that no doubt will have suffered some level of cannibalisation if they had offered an M3 version. I suspect those top of the range alternatives probably had far greater profit margins too... you know, to keep the bean counters happy.

[Roma101]

AmyRichardson said:

One of the few lead-ins that I've genuinely heard people enthuse about - even if they've no intention of buying one. It's as if late-30s dads cucked into mid-sized SUVs fantasise about these during their few quiet moments (with the estate adding a degree of readers-wives tangibility.)

The CSL, by comparison, got no interest - a warmed over version of a product that's already with us.

Too close to the bone!

[anonymous-user]

SidewaysSi said:

AmyRichardson said:

One of the few lead-ins that I've genuinely heard people enthuse about - even if they've no intention of buying one. It's as if late-30s dads cucked into mid-sized SUVs fantasise about these during their few quiet moments (with the estate adding a degree of readers-wives tangibility.)

The CSL, by comparison, got no interest - a warmed over version of a product that's already with us.

I agree, too many cucked men about

Perma-scowl in place too.

[Robertb]

Skeptisk said:

Never really understood why BMW didn’t make an M3 Touring given that Audi and Merc had hot estates for years. I sold my E46 M3 shortly after my daughter was born because it was too impractical. We went for a five series estate but would have liked an M3 Touring had it been available.

An Alpina B3S Touring might have fitted the bill. That 3.4 is a lovely engine... I had the cabriolet version which I loved, apart from the 5 speed auto box which got on my nerves occasionally. It was so loud when started that it used to set the car alarm off in the car next to it in the garage!

[catfood12]

L.Len said:

Can’t wait.
I paid my deposit for the m3 touring a while ago. Gonna be early 2023 I reckon

Properly orderable from BMW after Goodwood too. They're not on Launchpad to be ordered by the dealers yet. Local dealer has my 'deposit' too, but that just bought me the place in the queue so far. They have no idea of allocations or dates yet.

In fact, all as I'd put here a couple of weeks ago. Goodwood reveal is old news;) ;

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by catfood12 on Tuesday 7th June 14:27