RE: BMW officially previews new M3 CS Touring
Sunday 26th January 2025
BMW officially previews new M3 CS Touring
The Touring doesn't need CS sprinkles to be great - but that hasn't stopped M from applying them...
‘Fast is about to meet faster’ says the accompanying social media tagline. That pretty much sums up the mentality behind the incoming M3 CS wagon, officially teased for the first time over the weekend. In ‘standard’ format, the car is already a fully paid-up member of the sub-4-second-to-62mph club - the Competition Sport variant, which has previously been seen testing you know where, ought to shave another tenth or so off its sprint time, while earning many of the same tweaks that were applied to the saloon back in 2023.
Primary among them will be the CS’s slightly more aggressive look and yellow-tint DRLs, the badge-specific splitter distinguishable here despite the presence of so much camouflage. The read end, it seems, may have been left alone - although you’d have to assume that forged wheels and an exposed carbon bonnet are in the mix. Increased use of composite ought to contribute to some claimed weight loss, but expect this to be no more trifling than in the saloon, which only shed 10-15kg from the M3’s hefty total.
Consequently, it’ll be the CS’s improved power output that’ll be taking up most of the upgrade slack, the wagon almost certainly sharing its sibling’s 550hp output. The same modification brought with it no more torque, although as Matt found out at the time, the increase in boost pressure did lead to an appropriate upgrade in straight-line enthusiasm. Nonetheless, expect the CS’s chassis modifications - previously distinguished from standard by auxiliary springs and sturdier anti-roll bars - to deliver the most telling difference on the road.
Needless to say, the premium required to get it onto the road is likely to be substantial. The standard M3 Touring starts at £87,945; when we drove it in the UK at launch, the CS was from £115,955. So there’s no reason to expect much change from £125k, especially as Touring production is almost certain to be limited. We’ll know for certain soon enough. BMW offers no hints as to the car’s reveal, although almost certainly it’s due in the coming months. Soon enough for a public unveiling at this year’s Festival of Speed? We wouldn’t bet against it.
Discussion
Oily76 said:
Suspect this will have a decent shot at the 'all-time most aggressively styled mass production estate car' title. Love the standard car but it already looks bonkers for an estate!
The RS6 must hold that title at the moment. I think this'll be a really interesting car but £125k for a 3 series estate just doesn't compute in my brain.I think the latest M3/4s look at their best in standard form the CS and CSL treatment pushed them firmly over to the ugly side, a stock touring makes 530hp you're not going to notice another 20hp in a 2 tonne car and why would you want the extra "focus" the CS bits will give it in an estate.
Gecko1978 said:
The front end has grown on me to be honest but 125k for a 3 series estate...
I'd like to go back to the time when you could buy a new M3 for £50k please. They're expensive now as you say for sure. However, £50k doesn't even buy you a new fast Hyundai nowadays though, so we shouldn't grumble really.
Gecko1978 said:
The front end has grown on me to be honest but 125k for a 3 series estate...
Whilst I get your point, I have a question and a point to ask.... The question is what else is there, brand new, that offers an ICE engine with this performance and practicality for less? Or is the fact it's just a BMW reason alone why it should be cheaper? Or to question that another way, if it were a Porsche, but drove IDENTICALLY and all the same hardware etc, would £125k be acceptable?The other is that the M3 is actually significantly different to a standard 3 series. Body panels, many engine internals, wheels, brakes, suspension, interior bits, even the axle carrier/subframe is different.
Would I buy one for £125k? No. Because I wouldn't spend £125k on a brand new estate car (I'd save a lot and get the standard Touring), but if I did want a stupidly fast estate car that was brand new..... What else is there?
E90_M3Ross said:
Whilst I get your point, I have a question and a point to ask.... The question is what else is there, brand new, that offers an ICE engine with this performance and practicality for less? Or is the fact it's just a BMW reason alone why it should be cheaper? Or to question that another way, if it were a Porsche, but drove IDENTICALLY and all the same hardware etc, would £125k be acceptable?
The other is that the M3 is actually significantly different to a standard 3 series. Body panels, many engine internals, wheels, brakes, suspension, interior bits, even the axle carrier/subframe is different.
Would I buy one for £125k? No. Because I wouldn't spend £125k on a brand new estate car (I'd save a lot and get the standard Touring), but if I did want a stupidly fast estate car that was brand new..... What else is there?
I dont think anyone is saying that BMW in particular are price gouging more that the entire car market has become detached from incomes post pandemic. I like the look of the new Audi S5 Avant, I currently have a 2017 S4 Avant, it was about £45k with options new while the new one is around 10k above what that would cost with inflation. Even worse is the GR Yaris, I bought one in 2023 for £34k and the new one £45k (£50k if you include interest with current finance). The other is that the M3 is actually significantly different to a standard 3 series. Body panels, many engine internals, wheels, brakes, suspension, interior bits, even the axle carrier/subframe is different.
Would I buy one for £125k? No. Because I wouldn't spend £125k on a brand new estate car (I'd save a lot and get the standard Touring), but if I did want a stupidly fast estate car that was brand new..... What else is there?
BevR said:
E90_M3Ross said:
Whilst I get your point, I have a question and a point to ask.... The question is what else is there, brand new, that offers an ICE engine with this performance and practicality for less? Or is the fact it's just a BMW reason alone why it should be cheaper? Or to question that another way, if it were a Porsche, but drove IDENTICALLY and all the same hardware etc, would £125k be acceptable?
The other is that the M3 is actually significantly different to a standard 3 series. Body panels, many engine internals, wheels, brakes, suspension, interior bits, even the axle carrier/subframe is different.
Would I buy one for £125k? No. Because I wouldn't spend £125k on a brand new estate car (I'd save a lot and get the standard Touring), but if I did want a stupidly fast estate car that was brand new..... What else is there?
I dont think anyone is saying that BMW in particular are price gouging more that the entire car market has become detached from incomes post pandemic. I like the look of the new Audi S5 Avant, I currently have a 2017 S4 Avant, it was about £45k with options new while the new one is around 10k above what that would cost with inflation. Even worse is the GR Yaris, I bought one in 2023 for £34k and the new one £45k (£50k if you include interest with current finance). The other is that the M3 is actually significantly different to a standard 3 series. Body panels, many engine internals, wheels, brakes, suspension, interior bits, even the axle carrier/subframe is different.
Would I buy one for £125k? No. Because I wouldn't spend £125k on a brand new estate car (I'd save a lot and get the standard Touring), but if I did want a stupidly fast estate car that was brand new..... What else is there?
But has the entire car market become detached from incomes? or is it simply a correction of a misalignment caused by cheap unsustainable ticking time bomb finance. (yes here we go again...) time was new cars were a semi rarity and scrimping and saving etc was done and a new and or expensive motor was a status symbol. that completely exploded with cheap finance as everyone could have a new car every 6 months and make the monthlies work on what was previously semi exotica. that in itself is was not necessarily bad, although it was artificial and not sustainable and what is an issue has led to the expectation among many that affording a new car is a basic right (along with hols etc) of modern britain, when it isnt, and that attitude leads to entitlement and debt which will explode one day.
Prices now are perhaps a correction, but no idea if finance has followed suit and become equally as spendy. its not bad in itself IMO.
i had no idea about the yellow DRL's being on these, so that why a proliferation of crappy beemers now seem to have them. makes them look even stupider (the aftermarket copies) i get having distinguishing features on premium models, and the yellow drl in itslf on these isnt bad but keep it exclusive don't let it filter down and let barrys barry up their non CS's with them. still along with 3d number plates and m badges and badge delete gives an indication to be extra aware around them as invariably driven badly!
. theplayingmantis said:
sure it will be an epic weapon.
But has the entire car market become detached from incomes? or is it simply a correction of a misalignment caused by cheap unsustainable ticking time bomb finance. (yes here we go again...) time was new cars were a semi rarity and scrimping and saving etc was done and a new and or expensive motor was a status symbol. that completely exploded with cheap finance as everyone could have a new car every 6 months and make the monthlies work on what was previously semi exotica. that in itself is was not necessarily bad, although it was artificial and not sustainable and what is an issue has led to the expectation among many that affording a new car is a basic right (along with hols etc) of modern britain, when it isnt, and that attitude leads to entitlement and debt which will explode one day.
Prices now are perhaps a correction, but no idea if finance has followed suit and become equally as spendy. its not bad in itself IMO.
i had no idea about the yellow DRL's being on these, so that why a proliferation of crappy beemers now seem to have them. makes them look even stupider (the aftermarket copies) i get having distinguishing features on premium models, and the yellow drl in itslf on these isnt bad but keep it exclusive don't let it filter down and let barrys barry up their non CS's with them. still along with 3d number plates and m badges and badge delete gives an indication to be extra aware around them as invariably driven badly!
Great post But has the entire car market become detached from incomes? or is it simply a correction of a misalignment caused by cheap unsustainable ticking time bomb finance. (yes here we go again...) time was new cars were a semi rarity and scrimping and saving etc was done and a new and or expensive motor was a status symbol. that completely exploded with cheap finance as everyone could have a new car every 6 months and make the monthlies work on what was previously semi exotica. that in itself is was not necessarily bad, although it was artificial and not sustainable and what is an issue has led to the expectation among many that affording a new car is a basic right (along with hols etc) of modern britain, when it isnt, and that attitude leads to entitlement and debt which will explode one day.
Prices now are perhaps a correction, but no idea if finance has followed suit and become equally as spendy. its not bad in itself IMO.
i had no idea about the yellow DRL's being on these, so that why a proliferation of crappy beemers now seem to have them. makes them look even stupider (the aftermarket copies) i get having distinguishing features on premium models, and the yellow drl in itslf on these isnt bad but keep it exclusive don't let it filter down and let barrys barry up their non CS's with them. still along with 3d number plates and m badges and badge delete gives an indication to be extra aware around them as invariably driven badly!
theplayingmantis said:
sure it will be an epic weapon.
But has the entire car market become detached from incomes? or is it simply a correction of a misalignment caused by cheap unsustainable ticking time bomb finance. (yes here we go again...) time was new cars were a semi rarity and scrimping and saving etc was done and a new and or expensive motor was a status symbol. that completely exploded with cheap finance as everyone could have a new car every 6 months and make the monthlies work on what was previously semi exotica. that in itself is was not necessarily bad, although it was artificial and not sustainable and what is an issue has led to the expectation among many that affording a new car is a basic right (along with hols etc) of modern britain, when it isnt, and that attitude leads to entitlement and debt which will explode one day.
Yup, that’s all true. I never considered buying a new car until the GRY, growing up it just wasn’t something that ever made sense. One of the reasons for that was that I could see that it was probably the last chance to take advantage of low interest combined with a semi-special car (opinions may vary) and due to the lead time I could already see where prices were going (£50k Type R). Even then I only did it with the purchase price ring fenced to pay it off. But has the entire car market become detached from incomes? or is it simply a correction of a misalignment caused by cheap unsustainable ticking time bomb finance. (yes here we go again...) time was new cars were a semi rarity and scrimping and saving etc was done and a new and or expensive motor was a status symbol. that completely exploded with cheap finance as everyone could have a new car every 6 months and make the monthlies work on what was previously semi exotica. that in itself is was not necessarily bad, although it was artificial and not sustainable and what is an issue has led to the expectation among many that affording a new car is a basic right (along with hols etc) of modern britain, when it isnt, and that attitude leads to entitlement and debt which will explode one day.
If it does swing back to historical norms then the car industry as a whole is going to face an incredibly difficult few years.
The holidays topic is a little different as its generally cheaper to go abroad than stay in the UK, a crazy statement on the cost of flying.
On the topic of the car id rather take an Alpina B3!
cerb4.5lee said:
Gecko1978 said:
The front end has grown on me to be honest but 125k for a 3 series estate...
I'd like to go back to the time when you could buy a new M3 for £50k please. SDK said:
The E46 M3 CSL was £60k new in 2003, that is the equivalent of £110k now, so this isn't much more expensive.
By the time you add in AC and a radio to the E46 (they were options!) and then consider the fact tourings are always more expensive it's pretty much the same I guess. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff