The BMW M3 is in its sixth generation and while it has come a long way from the lightweight, homologation special that was the E30 M3. As one of the most iconic models to ever come out of BMW's M Division, the M3 is still considered one of the most iconic and capable, German performance cars. For a long time, there have been fan-made M3 wagons, based on previous M3 generations.
However, BMW themselves had no answer to the Mercedes C63 AMG and Audi RS4, but that changed in 2022, with the BMW M3 G81 Touring. Although station wagons are not particularly popular in the US, there is a lot going for the practical Bavarian. Here are a few reasons why it is the M-car to buy in 2023.
The First And Probably Last M3 Wagon
Every BMW 3 Series since the E30 generation has had a station wagon body style on offer. Until now, this never included the sportier, M3 version of the Bavarian bestseller. Fast wagons are nothing new, and the world has had its fair share of them. Depending on which region you live in, the definitive fast wagon may be the Audi RS2 Avant, the Cadillac CTS-V wagon or the Dodge Magnum Wagon. For reasons unknown, BMW only now decided to give us an M3 Touring, and even then, it isn’t coming to the US.
So, why am I telling you all this? If you are in the US, you won’t be able to get one, not from a showroom that is. Depending on how the wagon sells, BMW may give Americans an M3 station wagon, eventually, but it doesn’t seem like it’s happening for this generation.
The reason behind BMW’s decision is that the M3 Touring was approved for development too late in the current 3 Series’ production cycle. Here’s hoping a mid-cycle refresh could fix that. And if not, you can probably import one under the "show and display" clause, or simply wait for it to become a 25-year-old, modern classic.
The Best Straight-Six Currently In Production
Regardless of the body style, the current BMW M3 and M4 come equipped with the S58, 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, inline-six engine. Since the BMW M3 Touring only comes in Competition trim, this means 510 horsepower (380 kilowatts) at 6,250 RPM and 479 pound-feet (650 Nm) at 2,750 to 5,500 RPM, while mated to the ZF, eight-speed automatic.
The G81 M3 Touring comes with the company’s xDrive, an all-wheel-drive system. Officially, the 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) sprint takes 3.4 seconds, but we have seen a 2.9-second figure on an M3 Competition xDrive sedan. That one, however, tips the scales at 3,924 pounds (1,780 kg) while the M3 Touring boasts a curb weight of 4,111 pounds (1,865 kg).
In addition to the inherent smoothness of the inline-six configuration, BMW’s S58 unit is notoriously underrated, as demonstrated by AutoTopNL's dyno tests. BMW’s factory mapping also decreases boost after a certain RPM, otherwise, the M3 would rival the V-8-powered M5. It’s no wonder why 100-horsepower gains can be seen on an M3 with little more than a tune.
Able To Beat The Definitive Modern-Day Wagon
When you think fast station wagons, you probably think of Audi RS4 and RS6 Avant. After all, it was Audi that started the performance station wagon segment, albeit with help from Porsche. In a recent, Carwow drag race, Matt Watson pitted a BMW M3 Touring against the latest Audi RS6 Avant.
The logical competitor for the RS6 Avant would be the M5 Touring, only there hasn’t been one since the E60 generation. Regardless, the RS6’s 600 horsepower (447 kilowatts) and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) from a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 are a stout argument, despite the curb weight of 4,574 pounds (2,075 kg). Quattro, all-wheel-drive is standard, as is an eight-speed, torque-converter automatic.
After exchanging a series of blows, the BMW M3 Touring finally managed to score ahead, finishing the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds versus the Audi’s 11.4. It’s also worth noting the race was done in wet conditions. Starting prices in the U.K. are £85,465 for the BMW and £112,650 for the Audi, so performance-wise, the Bavarian is better value for money.
As far as modern day luxury brands go, neither BMW nor Audi are cheap to purchase or run, but the M3 Touring is over 30 percent more affordable while being no slower. With 17.66 to 53.33 cubic feet (500 to 1,510 liters) of cargo capacity, the M3 Touring falls behind the RS6 Avant’s 19.95 to 59.33 cubic feet (565 to 1,680 liters), but let’s face it, no one buys either of those as a hauler.
An M3 That Is A Future Collectible
Every BMW M-car tends to appreciate in value, and this goes double for special or ultra-rare editions, making this wagon a future collectible. The BMW G81 M3 Touring certainly has the potential to become one for more than one reason. This will, likely, be the last M3 Touring that isn’t a hybrid. We know that a G99 M5 Touring, scheduled to debut in 2024 will feature electrification, which would make the current M3 Touring the last pure gas-powered wagon with an M-badge.
The next BMW 3 Series will be heavily inspired by the Vision DEE, which means you can forget about a non-BEV 3 Series in the near future. Adding to the allure of the M3 Touring is the fact you can’t get one in the US, meaning that prices are bound to go sky-high when you can finally import one legally.