2018 BMW M3

The RWD setup makes this sedan super fun to drive and the aggressive looks of this car are one of the key factors of its success. The M3 has made a legacy ever since it was first launched and has been an important part of the 3 Series lineup. Some of the main competitors of the 2018 BMW M3 are the 2018 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400, the 2018 Mercedes-AMG C 63, and the 2018 Cadillac ATS-V. Can the 2018 BMW M3 emerge as the top performance sedan in the market?

The 2018 BMW M3 comes in only one trim and there is no additional trim for the 2018 model year as compared to the previous year. This trim has plenty of the latest techs and features and is loaded with modern safety equipment with the prices of this trim starting from $66,500 and can go up based on the optional packages you choose. The optional packages can cost a lot which is one of the major cons of this car.

Which trim should you buy?

As the BMW M3 is a standalone trim there will be no confusion in choosing a trim. This trim offers many features just for the price of $66,500 that is more than enough. However, You can opt for a variety of optional features like a heads-up display, heated rear seats, and a blind-spot monitor, etc. It also has 4 optional packages on offer namely, the Competition Package, Executive Package, Driver Assistance Package, and Lighting Package. All these make the car sporty as well as practical.

The 2018 BMW M3 is available in only one engine option to choose from. It is powered by a 3.0L Inline 6-cylinder engine with BMWs M TwinPower Turbo Technology. The engine is capable of producing 425 hp of power and 406 lb-ft of torque. It is available in RWD with an Active M differential which makes the performance of the car more thrilling. It gets two transmission options to choose from. One is the 6-speed manual transmission which comes as standard and the other is the optional 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

While the manual transmission is more engaging, the automatic is brisker. It is up to you which one to prefer. The engine will be suitable for your daily needs regardless of the transmission you choose. This setup can accelerate from 0-60 in just 4.1 seconds and a quarter-mile of 12.1 seconds. 

All of the above cars are insanely fast but the Cadillac ATS-V edges out in terms of its 0-60 timings clocking 3.8 seconds. The Mercedes-AMG C 63 has impressive performance and takes the lead when it comes to the quarter-mile timings. The INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400 falls a bit short on its performance than its rivals and it also produces the least amount of power and torque of 400 hp and 350lb.-ft of torque. 

How well does the 2018 BMW M3 handle?

BMW’s are always known for their great performance and excellent handling and what can be said about the M3. The performance cars from BMW are also known as the kings of handling and agility. The same can be seen with the 2018 M3 as well. Whether be straight roads, twisty tracks, or anything the M3 will do it easily. 

The Active M differential supplies the power effectively which makes the ride more joyful. The adaptive M Suspension with an all-new double-joint spring front axle with lightweight aluminum control arms improves the ride quality furthermore. Overall the riding experience of the 2018 BMW M3 is breathtaking and memorable.

2018 BMW M3 Braking Performance

The 2018 BMW M3 has one of the best brakes in its class that complement its sheer power. It has 15-inch rotors on the front and 14.6-inch rotors on the rear. These large brakes can stop the car from 0-60 in just 101 feet. The light weight of the car also helps to reduce the braking distance. There is also an option for carbon-ceramic brakes which will improve the braking performance by a lot. The option may be expensive but it definitely proves its worth.

All the above competitors perform the same when it comes to their braking performance. The light weight of the BMW M3 comes in handy to improve its braking performance. Opting for the carbon-ceramic brakes will change the standings drastically, once up to the temperatures. In the competition, BMW's place is also co-held by the Cadillac and the Mercedes-AMG, with the INFINITI just losing to these cars by a foot.

The 2018 BMW M3 does a decent job when it comes to the MPG department. With the higher power quotient and performance on offer the economy is bound to get affected. This statement can also be solidified by the EPA’s rating of 17/25/20 MPG on city/highway/combined. The Bimmer has a 15.8-gallon fuel tank which will help you to travel 316 miles before each fuel stop. 

The Q50 offers the best fuel efficiency of its rivals while the Cadillac ATS-V on the other hand provides the least mileage of 19 MPG as compared to its competitors. The BMW M3 also has less fuel economy but is not as bad as the Cadillac. The Merc also performs pretty well in the MPG department averaging a combined range of 348 miles. The Infiniti also gets the largest fuel tank of 20-gallons and helps cover best-in-class range. 

You would expect nothing but luxury and sportiness from the interior of the BMW. The 2018 BMW M3 doesn’t disappoint in any way. There is use of premium materials throughout the interior of the car. The interior is one of the best in terms of its spacing while comparing with its competition. The space in the front is excellent so taller folks won’t find any issues getting in and out of the car. The dashboard is sporty with the infotainment system in the middle. The steering wheel is nimble and is wrapped in leather. It seats 5 people in two rows. 

Cloth seats are standard with leather seating as an option. This is a bit disappointing considering the price at which it comes. The front seats are cushioned and are 10-way adjustable which can be adjusted according to one's needs. It hugs you in a way that the driver feels very comfortable driving. The bolstering on the seats makes it look sporty as well. 

The armrest is wide enough and comfortable for both the driver as well as the passenger. Towards the rear seats are wide enough for three adult passengers to sit comfortably. Overall, the entire interior layout of the car is luxurious and very sporty with a load of the latest techs and features.

The INFINITI has an edge over its competitors because it has greater legroom on the front. The Cadillac ATS-V has the least passenger space and the legroom in the rear is a premium. Coming to the cargo space, the Q50 Red Sport 400 has the best cargo space while the ATS-V has the least cargo space. The BMW M3 also has a better interior and cargo space than its rivals.

Some of the standout interior features are as follows:

• Powered and heated front seats
• Dual-zone climate control
• Anthracite Carbon Structure cloth
• Interior air filtration

What’s there to keep you entertained in the 2018 BMW M3?

BMW is always known for its innovation so infotainment was never a problem for them. The 2018 BMW M3 gets an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The display is of excellent quality and there is no screen glare issue even in bright sunlight. It has Bluetooth Connectivity with which you can connect your smartphone with the infotainment system. 

It has a USB and auxiliary ports. It offers Apple CarPlay as an optional feature. However, it is disappointing that there is no Android Auto available even as an option. The optional navigation system will help you to reach your destination and works perfectly fine. Finally, an optional Harman Kardon audio system with a 600 Watt Premium Amplifier will take the party to the roads. Some of the highlights of the infotainment system are as follows:

• 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Harman Kardon audio system with 600 Watt Premium Amplifier
• Apple CarPlay
• Navigation

The M3 is longer and more sporty than the regular 3 Series. The car is lowered and the structure is changed a bit to meet the aerodynamic needs. The lightweight aluminum body makes it one agile and one of the lightest cars in the competition. The iconic kidney grille is finished in chrome with ‘M’ badging on it. Talking about ‘M’ badging it is visible on every bit here and there in case you forget which car you are actually driving. The front bumpers are very sporty. The all-new LED headlights and taillights now look more appealing. 

The Competition Package adds an all-black theme to the exterior which makes the car more aggressive. Overall, the exterior of the 2018 BMW M3 is a hit which was always one of the biggest takeaways of the BMW M3.

The Cadillac ATS-V has a shorter wheelbase as compared to its rivals. The BMW M3 is the lightest car out there whereas the INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400 is the heaviest in the class. The Cadillac ATS-V has the best ground clearance while the AMG C 63 on the other hand has the least ground clearance. The BMW M3 is wider than its rivals whereas the Cadillac ATS-V is lower in height when compared to its competitors.

Some of the standout exterior features include the following:

• Carbon ceramic brakes
• Cat Eye LED headlights
• 18-inch performance tires
• Moonroof

The NHTSA and the IIHS have not tested the 2018 BMW M3 yet. However, the 3 Series has received a ‘Top Safety Pick’ award by IIHS and we believe that the M3 would perform the same. BMW never compromises for its safety and offers the best build quality and safety features available. It has a long list of safety features. Some of the safety features of the 2018 BMW M3 include ABS, airbags, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, etc. It also includes a rear parking camera as standard for the 2018 model. 

Some of the standout safety features are as follows: 

• Driver's and passenger's front airbags
• Active Bblind-spot detection 
• Automatic-locking retractors
• Acoustic safety-belt warning
• Impact sensors
• Park distance control

2018 BMW M3 vs 2018 INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400

The INFINITI Q50 Red Sport 400 is the best when it comes to its fuel economy. But that’s it, rest everything is better in the BMW M3. It has a solid built quality and aggressive look. It has better performance and better interior features. But the Q50 undercuts the bimmer by 10k approximately. So, if you can increase your budget then the 2018 BMW M3 can be a perfect choice for you.

2018 BMW M3 vs 2018 Cadillac ATS-V

The Cadillac ATS-V is not as popular as the M3, but it definitely gives a strong competition to it. The M3 has better looks and build quality than the ATS-V. The Cadillac on the other hand is faster than the M3. But, reliability wise the Bimmer is better than the Cadillac. Also, the interior space on the M3 is better than the ATS-V. The fuel economy is another factor why the M3 is better than the ATS-V. So, the BMW M3 is a better option to choose from.

2018 BMW M3 vs 2018 Mercedes-AMG C 63

BMW and Mercedes lock horns whenever they meet and are two of the most toxic rivals of each other. The C 63 Sedan is the toughest rival for the M3. One has better performance whereas the other has better practicality. One has luxury whereas the other is fun to drive. If you are a fanboy of Mercedes then go for the C 63 but if you prefer BMW then go for the M3.

The BMW M3 needs no explanation. It has proved its worth time and again and does the same for the 2018 model as well. It has the best-in-class performance with the latest techs and safety features which proves its worth. The handling of this car is excellent and it is very fun to drive. The interior of the car is very sporty and luxurious at the same time. The exterior styling of the car is very aggressive which is what is needed in a sports Sedan. The overall ride quality is also amazing. So, if you are planning to buy the 2018 BMW M3 then you have made the right choice.