Wednesday 8th November 2017

BMW M3 CS announced

We've seen how the Club Sport coupe stacks up, now it's the saloon's turn...

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We've known it's been coming for a little while now, but BMW has finally announced the arrival of the M3 CS. Having driven the M4 CSearlier this year, we concluded that while it may have been the all-around best M4 to date, it was still too expensive for what it was. Now we have the M3 CS which, at £86,380, is nearly £30,000 more expensive than even the Competition Pack equipped standard car. Will it be able to make a more compelling case for its premium though?

As you might expect, the M3 CS takes advantage of many of the same performance pieces as the M4 CS before it. Namely a bonnet hewn from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (saving 25 per cent versus standard), a CFRP roof (6kg lighter than the previous steel one), a CFRP spoiler and the rear diffuser from the M4 GTS, constructed from the same material. There's also a carbon fibre front splitter, all of which contributes to a kerb weight 50kg lighter than that of the standard M3.

Powering the M3 CS from 0-62 in 3.9 seconds - and on to a top speed of 174mph - is a 460hp turbo-charged straight-six, putting out 443lb ft of torque. That's 10hp and 37lb ft more than the Competition Package for those of you playing at home. While underneath you'll find a "motorsport influenced" Active-M suspension set-up - complete with double-wishbones at the rear and a Competition Package setting for the springs and dampers - and a specially tuned M Sport exhaust system.

Ten-spoke forged alloy wheels, based on those of the M4 DTM cars, are standard. These come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and house BMW M compound brakes, with carbon-ceramic items optional.

Following the motorsport theme, the M3 CS comes equipped with a weight-optimised magnesium oil pan which, "keeps the surge of the lubricant even" at forces of up to 1.5g - make your own jokes here - and an individual oil cooler, allowing the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to withstand "even the hardest driving conditions".

Inside you'll find a smattering of Alcantara and the lightweight seats from the Competition Package. But, despite its reductionist nature, the M3 CS still boasts amenities such as climate control and a Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.

Production is limited to just 1,200 units in the UK, which will be available to order from January 2018 onwards, with the first cars due to be built in March. With its flared arches and purposeful stance, the Club Sport additions ought to make the fast foor-door even more of a looker, we'll have to wait to find out whether it'll have the substance to match the style, and the price tag.

Inspired? Buy a BMW CS here

[MegaCat]

It seems to be a ‘carbon’ copy (apologies) of the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio but costs at least £20k more and is 17mph slower at vmax. Nice effort, but happy with my Alfa ; )

[MegaCat]

CaptainRAVE said:

Just about the only thing the Alfa looks good about in comparison.

Have you driven one, I’m guessing not.

[MegaCat]

Chestrockwell said:

I wonder how residuals will fare though, this is a limited model, yes it’s 85k for a 4 door saloon but I don’t find it overly expensive as a 335d can easily be specced up to over 50 k for a car that literally could be a 320d with a badge delete.

Yes you can get a big discount on a diesel however that’s only if you opt for the pcp. At a guess, I wouldn’t think people buying limited CS M3’s would go for the pcp deals, they are most likely cash buyers.

Also I see a lot of comparisons to the Alfa...tell me this, what will be more desirable in 15 years time? Check the classifieds, hundreds of e46’s all pushing 10 k with over 100k Miles, i know what I’d rather lump my money on

The reason I bought my Alfa Giulia Qv was that I enjoy driving it now, every car I buy is used as a daily, so I am not in the slightest interested in long term investment. Every one of my cars ends up with a few miles on it, mainly because I enjoy driving. For me the Alfa gives so much more back than the alternative’s, and it didn’t even cost me £60k!

[MegaCat]

bilo999 said:

As said already - the Alfa is now the mark to hit, amazing that BMW have tried hard and not there. Of course, this car will sell, because whilst its nearly as good (maybe) as the Alfa, people will feel safer spending more on a BMW because of brand perception etc....and I feel ashamed to admit this as an Alfa person, I cant totally disagree. However things are changing, not the best place to post information like this and I do take some of these surveys with a pinch of salt - but I've never seen Alfa do so well in the attached reliability survey - i.e. they are now the most reliable European car !

https://www.whatcar.com/news/reliability-survey/

I just think the big thing Alfa need to sort are their patchy dealers service, and I think their biggest problem are the sales staff attitudes. There are some amazing dealers but too many who are better geared in selling higher volume low price, rather than low volume, higher price.

What would BMW do if Alfa started on a Giulia performance special !

They already do! The Qv is ‘very special’, but I know what you mean ; )

[MegaCat]

I just watched the Carwow review of the M3 CS and yes it is a lovely car, but I am really struggling to see how this is anything other than a copy of the Alfa Giulia Qv for £25k more! It does not make any sense at all - 911, F Type R, AMG GT, V8 Vantage S - all 2017 virtually brand new and way more exclusive and are a class above the M3 etc. The price is just wrong.