2022 BMW M3 Sedan Review: Sharper Than Ever

When the all-new BMW M3 sedan was unveiled alongside its M4 coupe sibling, one camp of Bimmer fanatics were appalled to find that the sports sedan featured those, er, unusual grilles. Another camp loved the bold new look. Somewhere in the middle were the true BMW fanatics, who said that the styling doesn't matter as long as the performance is up to scratch. So is it? Well, on paper, the answer is definitely yes. A 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six sends power to the rear wheels, and a manual gearbox is still the default option. Furthermore, with the base version providing 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, you've got more grunt than Audi's recently refreshed RS5 Sportback. The xDrive all-wheel-drive system has now been introduced too, adding even more capability to the range. But in trying to be the everyman's sports car, has the sharp-edged, incisive sports sedan become a bit dull? Our M3 review reveals all.

2022 M3 Sedan Exterior

Dimensions

2022 M3 Sedan Performance

Handling and Driving Impressions

These BMWs' balance is excellent. As you'd expect, provoking drifts is quite easy when you turn everything off in the RWD models, and the standard launch control system on both manual and auto models does a remarkable job of not smoking the tires. In the Competition xDrive, traction during hard launches is breathtaking. The steering is impressive too, proving well-weighted and incredibly accurate without being twitchy, but like almost all modern electric systems, you can't feel a bloody thing through the wheel. Run over road imperfections and the adaptive suspension smooths out any harshness, but you also can't feel these through the wheel, and it takes a little bit of time to get on equal terms with the steering and to trust it.

Nevertheless, we must commend BMW on creating a more usable and easier-to-live-with machine. You get minimal road noise and a supple ride while losing none of the stiffness that makes going around corners so enjoyable. However, we do wish there was more drama from the engine and exhaust, both of which sound a little dull. The available M Performance exhaust will help fix this problem, but based on what we've heard of this system, it's still not a necessarily pleasing tone that comes from the engine and down the pipes. That's what you get from turbocharging an engine.

Braking is unbelievable too, with adjustable feel, brake drying, and brake-fade compensation all working to ensure that you get the most out of every track day, but carbon ceramic brakes are available if you really intend to use this car to the full.

On the whole, the M3 and M3 Comp offer unbelievable grip, loads of fun, and astonishing ease of use, but things like the automatic rev matching system on the manual, the insulated cabin on both cars, and the fact that an idiot could drive either car fast mean that some of that all-important driver engagement is impossible to find. In the Competition xDrive model, driver engagement is even scarcer in the default 4WD mode, but can be dialed right back up in 4WD Sport and 2WD mode, the latter essentially turning it back into a normal Competition. Still, all models are more fun than the equivalent Audi, but that's the bare minimum we expect of Bavarian machines.

2022 M3 Sedan Interior

2022 M3 Sedan Trunk and Cargo Space

Warranty

Verdict: Is the 2022 BMW M3 Sedan A Good car?

We're not going to harp on about the divisive styling for two reasons: firstly, styling doesn't change a bad car into a good one, nor vice versa, and secondly, those grilles don't look too bad in the metal and have grown on us. Styling is subjective, but performance and capability are pretty much either good or bad. This car, overall, is good. It's more comfortable than ever, it's smoother and easier to drive, and it still provides immense thrills when you're giving it stick. The aural feedback of the turbocharged engine and its exhaust are average, and there's no feel from the steering wheel, but those are common characteristics these days, and finding cars that make these systems sound and feel good is a rarity. The M3 does have its own problems that it has made for itself though. The old DCT was a touch quicker than the current automatic transmission, and the excessively light clutch pedal on the manual gearbox combined with auto rev matching make this a less engaging car than its predecessor.

The effect is that, next to the F80 M3, the G80 feels a little too refined, too luxurious, and too easy to drive fast. That may disappoint purists and expert drivers, but it's something that all BMW M3 generations since the E36 have been criticized for. The new M3 may not be razor-sharp compared to the old one, but it's still the ultimate all-rounder and feels damn incisive compared to the equivalent Audi or Merc. And with the 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio not much different from the 2021 one, the Bimmer hasn't got much to worry about from Italy. So is the M3 still the benchmark? Yes, just with more tech and luxury than ever before.

2022 BMW M3 Sedan Comparisons

2022 BMW M3 Sedan vs Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

While the C63 looks soft alongside the M3, the M3 looks soft against the Giulia Q, one of the segment's top competitors. With a Ferrari-derived 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, the Italian keeps up with the RWD M3 Comp in terms of acceleration and beats it in terms of outright speed, achieving a maximum of 191 mph. Of course, as an Italian car with some American influence, the ergonomics and quality of the materials and digital systems are not on par with what Germany offers. Sadly, another downside is that we don't get a manual gearbox option as Europe does, but as above with the C63, reviews have shown that the quirky Alfa is the one to have for the most thrills while the Bimmer is the one to have if you want a bit more comfort and convenience.

2022 BMW M3 Sedan vs Mercedes-AMG C63 Sedan

This is the last year in which you can buy a C63 with a V8, and it's almost worth buying for that reason alone. After that, the C63 will switch to four-cylinder power. But the existing C63 is getting on a little, although that does mean a cheaper base price of $68,600. In base form, the C63's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generates 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque and has very similar interior specs to the M3: a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display reside in a leather-clad cabin accented by aluminum. But as for the way they perform, these cars couldn't be more different. By comparison, the C63's infotainment system is not up to scratch, and the focus of this car leans more towards comfort than carving corners. It's still astonishingly good, but the fact that only an automatic gearbox is offered should tell you all you need to know - buy the C63 if you want a comfortable but crazy cruiser or buy the M3 if you want more engagement and less interior glitz.