- The 2025 BMW M3 receives a minor visual refresh with new headlights, wheels, and badges on the outside.
- Inside, you’ll find a new Sensatec dashboard and a reduction in physical buttons in favor of touchscreen controls.
- The all-wheel-drive M3 Competition receives a 20 horsepower increase for the new model year.
Say hello to the lightly refreshed 2025 BMW M3, featuring a smattering of upgrades and more power for the M3 Competition xDrive models. And yes, changes have actually been made. If you’re struggling to see exactly what this facelift (or, as BMW calls it, LCI) entails, don’t worry — you’re not alone.
BMW has chosen to be fairly conservative with its approach to the 2025 M3. Instead of taming that snout or perhaps de-escalating the rear-end theatrics, they’ve decided not to alter the styling formula. Evidently, the looks work for them, if not the rest of us. What you do get is new headlights with a different arrowhead arrangement for daytime running lights and turn signals.
Read: 2025 BMW M4 CS Is A More Sensible CSL, But Does It Hit The Sweet Spot?
To be fair, it’s not exactly surprising since the facelift of the 4-Series didn’t bring with it many changes either. Still, it would have been nice to see BMW finally tackle the critics on that grille. We’re also disappointed that the M3 doesn’t get the same kind of trippy laser goodness that was bestowed upon the taillights of the upgraded M4.
The other visual change for the 2025 M3 is a new set of forged alloy wheels with a bright silver finish. Oh, you want more changes? You’ll have to settle for knowing that the M3 Competition models get silver-bordered badges.
Still hankering after something different? Then, you’ll have to stump up for the M Carbon Exterior Package. This grants you carbon fiber-reinforced plastic components such as front air intake inlays, a rear diffuser, mirror caps, and a rear spoiler. If you want to take that carbon theme even further then the M Carbon Package will add in carbon ceramic brakes, a set of M Carbon bucket seats, an Alcantara steering wheel, and carbon fiber trim.
Fewer Physical Buttons Inside
Meanwhile, there are more changes inside the cockpit, but not all of them are good. For instance, there are fewer physical buttons inside, with BMW’s Operating System 8.5 taking over control of things like HVAC adjustments. Still, you get a high-resolution curved display with a 12.3-inch information screen and a 14.9-inch control display.
There’s a new flat-bottomed, three-spoke steering wheel for the 2025 M3, which features multifunction buttons and a red center marker. Plus, the interior has been enhanced to include a more premium-feeling Sensatec dashboard, with the trim now featuring standard Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite, with optional M Carbon Fiber and M Fine Brushed Aluminum.
More Power, But Only For The Competition
Under the hood, the M3 retains all of what makes it the benchmark of its category, including the turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six engine. In standard form, you will have the option of a six-speed manual gearbox and 473 hp driving the rear wheels for a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.1 seconds. Upgrade to the M3 Competition, and you’re given an eight-speed automatic sending 503 hp to the rear wheels for a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) in 3.8 seconds.
Meanwhile, the top-spec xDrive (aka all-wheel-drive) BMW M3 Competition now gets 20 more hp, for a total output figure of 523 hp at 6,250 rpm, with peak torque of 479 lb-ft between 2,750 and a now higher 5,730 rpm. This version can accelerate from 0 to 60mph (96 km/h) in 3.4 seconds.
Pricing And Availability
Order books for the 2025 M3 are open now, with production beginning in July 2024. The cars will be built at BMW’s plant in Munich. Prices for the base M3 start at $76,000 and rise to $80,200 for the M3 Competition, not including a $1,175 destination and handling fee. The most powerful option is the M3 Competition with M xDrive, which will set you back $85,300 plus destination.
