BMW M3 TOURING M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 5dr Step Auto

BMW's M3 Touring was the M division's very first compact estate. Jonathan Crouch reports on the updated version.

Ten Second Review

The Touring estate variant of BMW's M3 at last opened up ownership to family buyers of this iconic Munich-made super sports model. Tick off fiery performance, room for a trans-continental road trip and space for one potentially very queasy Labrador. Here's the improved version.

Background

British buyers love fast estates and they particularly love BMW's M3. It was surprising then, that the Munich maker never married the two things together until 2022. In that year, the M3 Touring was launched in late 2022 as part of the celebrations for the company's M division's 50th anniversary. This was the first time in seven generations of 3 Series that the full-fat M treatment had been applied to the Touring estate body style. Which we'd always thought odd given the success over the decades of Audi's RS4 Avant and the Mercedes-AMG C 63 estate. Prior to 2022, M division estate cars of any kind had in fact been rare - we'd only ever had two, based on older E34 and E61 versions of the larger M5, with only the latter ever offered in right hand drive. A concept M3 Touring version of the old E46 3 Series was made, but never productionised. So the introduction of this new M3 Touring was quite an event, a car then updated in mid-2024 to create the model we're going to look at here.

Driving Experience

Like the M3 saloon and the M4 coupe and convertible models, the M3 Touring comes only in Competition-spec form where in this updated guise it now offers 530hp (20hp more than before). As before, you can only have it with xDrive AWD. The dynamic set-up is pretty much identical to that of the M3 saloon and there's only a fractional acceleration penalty for the extra weight of the extended bodywork. The 62mph sprint time is 3.6s, en route to 174mph with the optional 'M Driver's' package fitted. There's 650Nm of torque from the S58 3.0-litre twin turbo straight six which, as with this model siblings, works through an 8-speed auto gearbox and an active M differential controlling both axles. With this updated model, peak torque is sustained for longer in the rev range, maxing out at 5,730rpm (it was 5,500rpm before). That uber-rapid potential is accompanied by a glorious roar from the active sports exhaust, whose soundtrack is one of the things you can alter either via this centre console 'Setup' button or the centre stack display's selectable 'M Menu'. Either way, you get to a screen allowing you to tailor your preferred drive settings and store your two most favoured combinations behind little red 'M1' and 'M2' tabs on the steering wheel - one perhaps for commuting, the other maybe for your favourite backroad. You can alter parameters for engine, transmission and steering; plus there are three 'chassis' options for the suppleness of the Adaptive M suspension with its electronically controlled damping; and two pedal feel settings for the M Compound brakes. Plus there's a centre console 'M Mode' button, which offers 'Road', 'Sport' and 'Track' settings, each of which changes the instrument display and the level of drive assistance system intervention. Braver folks can use the 'M Menu' to deactivate the DSC traction system and play with the track-orientated 'M Drift Analyser'. BMW's standard 'M Drive Professional' package also includes an 'M Laptimer', plus the brand has also redesigned the cooling and oil supply systems specially for circuit use.

Design and Build

Apart from the extended roofline and boxier rear end, the M3 Touring replicates the look of the M3 saloon. That means large vertical front air intakes, unique bumpers, flared wheel arches, side skirts and a quad-exit exhaust. Wheels are 19-inches in size at the front and 20-inches at the back. Visually, this model update is subtle, though M3 enthusiasts will spot the new arrow-shaped LED headlight designs, the smarter coloured alloy wheels and the redesigned M3 badging. The changes inside are as subtle as the exterior ones. There's a new flat-bottomed steering wheel which can now be trimmed in race-style alcantara (we'd tick that box); and various aluminium fascia trim pieces that were optional before are now standard. As before, the 12.3-inch instrument screen is accompanied by a 14.9-inch curved infotainment display, the latter considerably upgraded as part of this update. There's now 5G connectivity, a widget bar that can be customised with favourite driver functions, augmented reality tech for the navigation and a more streamlined system to connect the car with the provided MyBMW app. As before with this generation M3, there are grippy M Sport seats which can be cooled. Plus there are M-specific graphics for the bigger head-up display. Two adults will fit reasonably comfortably on the rear bench but it would be a squash for three. As for the estate compartment, well there's 500-litres of boot space (compare that to the 440-llitres available in the M3 saloon), capacity which you can extend in this Touring model by dropping the 40:20:40-split rear bench to free up 1,510-litres. There's a powered tailgate and a rear window that opens separately so that you can more easily put in smaller bags.

Market and Model

BMW says the M3 Touring offers 'variability and generosity in terms of transport capacities for eventful everyday mobility and fast-paced travel activities'. You wouldn't expect any that come cheap and it doesn't - and the asking price (around £92,000 at the time of this review) is £2,230 more than you'd pay for an M3 M xDrive Saloon. There are the same colour and trim combinations as the sedan too. There's also a wilder M3 CS Touring model available - for an equally wild asking price of just over £126,000. With the standard Competition version, you do at least get a lot of kit for the asking figure, particularly inside where signature M details include red accents for the M buttons on the M leather steering wheel and the start/stop button on the centre console. The selector lever with-Drivelogic switch is leather surfaced with an embedded M logo and stitching in M colours. An anthracite-coloured BMW Individual headliner and interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre High-gloss are standard. Fine-grain Merino black leather trim is standard as are M sport seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated. These seats have pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge. Options include rubberised anti-slip rails that rise up from the boot floor after the tailgate has been closed, preventing items of luggage sliding around when cornering; and buttons to automatically fold the rear seats from the boot. Another highlight of the options list is the M Carbon bucket seats available for the driver and front passenger, which include CFRP in their construction and save 9.6kg over the standard M sport seats. These can be specified on their own or within the M Carbon Package.

Cost of Ownership

BMW has done what it can to make this car's S58 straight six as efficient as it can be and the result of that is a best possible combined fuel figure of 27.4mpg and a CO2 best of 233g/km. as you'd expect, this is much the same as an equivalent M3 saloon or M3 coupe. The BiK Benefit in Kind taxation rate is a lofty 37%. Insurance (group 43E) is as expensive as you'd expect from a car with this sort of potency under the bonnet, so younger drivers ought to ensure they can get halfway sensibly priced cover first. Residual values should hold up well too; used demand for this rather unique M3 should prove very healthy indeed. On to the warranty package. BMW's warranty only lasts for three years but it includes an Emergency breakdown service and at least it isn't mileage limited - unlike the comparable package you'd get as standard with a rival Audi. You can of course extent the warranty with either monthly or annual payments. There's a three year paintwork warranty and the usual 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.

Summary

BMW's pre-2022-era reticence to rival Mercedes and Audi by producing an estate version of its M3 was difficult to understand. Yes, there were Alpina B3 and D3 Touring models to plug the gap for an uber-quick 3 Series estate, but most potential buyers simply went and bought an RS4 Avant or a C 63 estate instead. Today though, they need to take this M3 Touring very seriously indeed, especially in this updated form. This is really the car that customers for the Munich maker's X3 M, X4 M, X5 M and X6 M SUV models ought to be buying. It's so much more satisfying, better looking and agile. Plus visually, you might, like us, think it has more pavement presence than any more conventional M3 or M4. Now all we need is a CSL version...

Body Glass

Rain sensor

Rear wiper

Heated washer jets

Front electric windows with open and close fingertip control, anti trap facility and comfort closing

Heat protection, sun protection glazing

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution

Automatic Stability Control (ASC)

Cornering brake control (CBC)

Dynamic brake control

Electromechanical parking brake

Dynamic Traction Control - DTC

Hill start assist

Brake energy regeneration

Brake fade compensation

Dynamic stability control + (DSC+)

Dry braking

Compound structure brake discs

Electronic differential lock control (EDLC)

Carpets/Rugs

Floor mats in velour

Chassis/Suspension

M Drive Professional including track mode, laptimer, traction control & Drift analyser

M Adaptive suspension

Double joint spring strut front axle

Driver Aids

Park distance control

Electric Power Steering (EPS) with Servotronic

Speed limiter

Variable sport steering

Cruise control with braking function

Active Guard

M drive buttons

Driver Convenience

Automatic start/stop system

Pull away assistant

Start/stop button in red

Electric boot lid

Driver Information

On board computer

Lights on warning

Service interval indicator

Oil temperature gauge

Door/boot open warning light

On board diagnostics

Outside temperature display

Run flat indicator

Brake pad wear indicator warning light

BMW Teleservices

Smartphone integration

Optimum shift indicator

BMW legal emergency call

Condition based service

Oil sensor for level and grade, warning by check control system

BMW ConnectedDrive online services

Language version English

Shifting point display

BMW Live Cockpit Pro with Head up display including 12.3" instrument display and 14.9" high resolution control display with navigation function

Driving Mirrors

Electric folding door mirrors

Auto dimming driver's door mirror

Door mirror integrated indicators

Electric adjustable heated door mirrors

Mirror glass aspheric on driver's side, convex on passenger side

Automatic parking function on front passenger's exterior mirror

Electrochromic interior rear view mirror with automatic anti-dazzle function

Electrochromic exterior driver side mirror

Embellishment Trims

Galvanic embellisher for controls

Engine

Safety battery terminal clamp

Entertainment

Auxiliary point for auxiliary devices

Personal eSim

Harman kardon surround sound audio system

DAB radio with bluetooth music capability

Exterior Body Features

Body colour bumpers

Rear reflectors

Shark fin roof aerial

Black model designation badges

Visible VIN plate

Front and rear bumper system

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof

Door sill finishers with aluminium inserts

M designation

BMW high gloss shadow line with extended contents

Rear side wing doors

High gloss black M roof rails

High gloss black lower bumper edges, side sills and diffuser edge binding

Entry sills with aluminium inserts and model badge

Bonnet and tailgate badge

BMW radiator grille, frameless, with horizontal double blind slats, black high-gloss, with model badge

Strakes in front side panel, black matt/high-gloss black, with model badge

Roof fin and roof trim strips in Black high-gloss

Front and rear plastic apron in vehicle colour

Front door sill strips in aluminium inlays with M3 inscription

Exterior Lights

Reversing light

Day time running light

Third brake light

Follow me home headlights

Automatic headlights + automatic windscreen wipers

Welcome lighting

Dynamic brake lights

Rear fog lights

Headlight beam throw control

LED tail lights with 3D L-shaped LED light design

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

Anthracite headlining

Front door storage bins with bottle holder

Rake/reach adjustable steering wheel

Lockable/illuminated glovebox

Front/rear door armrests

2 cupholders in front centre console

Toolkit located in luggage compartment

Storage compartment in rear doors

Multifunction steering wheel

Storage tray and compartment with cover in centre console

English handbook

Battery in luggage compartment

Through loading system

Centre console armrest with storage compartment

Wireless charging tray

2 cupholders in rear armrest

2 x 12 V Power sockets (luggage compartment and front centre console)

2 x USB Type C ports for charging and data transmission in front centre console

Driving experience mode switch

Illuminated bow-type door handles in vehicle colour, driver's side with door lock

Interior Lights

Luggage compartment lighting

Front reading light

Front interior light

Front and rear door exit lights

Ambient lighting front and rear

Ambient lighting for storage compartment

Front footwell ambient lighting

Dynamic ambient interior lighting

Interior mirror lighting

Ambient inside door handle light

Contour lighting for door trim

Waterfall lighting for central air vent

Packs

Connected package professional - M3

High gloss shadowline exterior trim pack - M3

Extended storage pack - M3/M4

Safety

Front seat side impact airbags

Side impact protection

Two tone horn

Seatbelt warning

3 point seatbelts on all seats

Tyre pressure sensor

Warning triangle and first aid kit

Rear child proof door locks

Front and rear head airbags

Curtain airbags

Driver/Front Passenger airbags

Front seatbelt pretensioners + load limiters

Crash sensor

Seat occupancy detection for driver and passenger side

M Sport seat belts

Seats

Electric front seats + driver memory

Heated front seats

2 rear head restraints

Height adjustable front headrests

Isofix on 2nd row outer seats

Front isofix attachment + airbag deactivation

3 seat bench in 2nd row

40:20:40 split folding rear seat with loading system

Front seat backrest width adjustment

M Sport seats with with illuminated model designation

Single front passenger seat

Security

Remote central locking

Locking wheel bolts

Centre lock switch

Electronic immobiliser

Thatcham cat 1 remote alarm

Closing system with central locking

Vehicle Key with 4 buttons including the integrated key

Transmission

M Sport differential

Sport automatic transmission with gearshift paddles

Vanity Mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors with ticket holders + illuminated vanity mirrors

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 355

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 232

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 198

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 221

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 234

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 235

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 234

Emissions - Lifecycle

Production Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 14.6

Lifetime Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 26.3

In-Life Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 11.1

End-of-Life Emissions - CO2e (Equivalent) - tonnes: 0.6

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 90

Engine Code: S58B30T0

Gears: 8 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Compression Ratio: 9.3:1

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Catalytic Convertor: No

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Camshaft: DOHC

Number of Valves: 24

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 6

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 84

CC: 2993

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 27.4

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 10.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 10.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 8.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 10.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 15.7

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 27.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 27.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 27.2

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 28.8

WLTP - MPG - Low: 18

WLTP - MPG - High: 32.1

General

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 43E

Based On ID: N

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

Coin Series: M3 Competition M

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Badge Power: 530

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Coin Description: xDrive [530]

Performance

Engine Torque - MKG: 66.3

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.6

Top Speed: 155

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - BHP: 530

Engine Power - KW: 390

Engine Power - RPM: 6250

Engine Torque - RPM: 2750

Engine Torque - NM: 650

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 479

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 275/35 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 285/30 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Wheel Style: DOUBLE SPOKE - 826M

Space Saver?: 0

Alloys?: No

Vehicle Dimensions

Wheelbase: 2857

Width: 1903

Length: 4801

Width (including mirrors): 2068

Height: 1446

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Max. Loading Weight: 505

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 59

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 500

No. of Seats: 5

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2370

Max. Roof Load: 75

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1510

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.6

Minimum Kerbweight: 1865

Body Glass

Acoustic glazing

Brakes

M brakes with black calipers

M brakes with red calipers

M Carbon ceramic brake

Driver Aids

Parking assistant plus with 360 degree surround view camera system and remote 3D view

Driver Information

BMW Drive recorder

Embellishment Trims

Luxury instrument panel

Carbon Fibre M interior trim finishers

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Additional solid paint

BMW Individual Metallic paint

BMW Individual Frozen paint

BMW Individual special request paint

Chrome exhaust tailpipes

Model designation deletion

Body colour roof

Exterior Lights

BMW Individual shadowline lights

High beam assistant

Interior Features

Roller sunblind for rear side windows

Individual extended Merino leather upholstery

Heated steering wheel

Individual full Merino leather upholstery

Bicolour Merino leather upholstery

M Alcantara steering wheel

Full bicolour Merino leather upholstery

Full Merino leather upholstery

Packs

Deletion of specific exterior design contents - M3 Touring

M Race track pack - M3 Touoring

M Drivers pack - M3 Touring

M Carbon exterior pack - M3 Touring

Technology pack - M3 Touring

Technology pack in combination with Driving assistant professional - M3 Touring

Luggage compartment pack - M3 Touring

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Black sapphire

Metallic - Aventurine red

Metallic - Brooklyn grey

Metallic - Toronto Red

Metallic - Skyscraper grey

Metallic - Isle of Man green

Metallic - Portimao blue

Paint - Solid

Solid - Alpine white

Solid - Sao Paulo yellow

Paint - Special

BMW Individual Special request paint - Light Red

BMW Individual metallic paint - Dravit grey

BMW Individual metallic paint - Tanzanite blue

Individual paint - Frozen brilliant white

Individual paint - Frozen Portimao blue

BMW Individual Special request paint - Dakar Yellow II

BMW Individual Special request paint - Fireorange III

BMW Individual Special request paint - Fire Red II

BMW Individual Special request paint - Imola Red

BMW Individual Special request paint - Rosso Corsa

Individual paint - Frozen pure grey

BMW Individual Special request paint - Speed Yellow

BMW Individual Special request paint - Ruby Star NEO

BMW Individual Special request paint - St James Red

BMW Individual Special request paint - Verde mantis

BMW Individual Special request paint - Cinabar

Safety

Active protection

Seats

Active seat ventilation in the front seats

M Carbon bucket seats

Trim - Leather

Merino leather - Black

Full Merino leather - Black

Bicolour Merino leather - Yas Marina Blue and black with yellow accents

Individual extended Merino leather - Fjord blue and black

Individual extended Merino leather - Ivory white

Individual full merino leather - Ivory white

Full bicolour Merino leather - Kyalami orange and black

Full bicolour Merino leather - Silverstone and black

Individual extended Merino leather - Tartufo

Individual Full Merino Leather - Tartufo

Full bicolour Merino leather - Yas Marina Blue and black with yellow accents

Bicolour Merino leather - Silverstone and black

Individual extended Merino leather - Fiona red and black

Individual full Merino leather - Fjord blue and black

Individual full Merino leather - Fiona red and black

Bicolour Merino leather - Kyalami orange and black

Wheels - Alloy

19" front / 20" rear double spoke alloy wheels 825M with mixed tyres in Bicolour black

19" front / 20" rear double spoke alloy wheels 826M with TRACK tyres in Bicolour black

19" front / 20" rear double spoke forged alloy wheels 825M with mixed tyres in Silver

19" front / 20" rear double spoke forged alloy wheels 826M with mixed and TRACK tyres in black

19" front / 20" rear double spoke forged alloy wheels 826M with mixed and TRACK tyres in black in combination with M race track pack

19" front / 20" rear double spoke alloy wheels 826M with TRACK tyres in Bicolour black in combination with M race track pack

19" front / 20" rear double spoke alloy wheels 826M with mixed tyres in Bicolour black