What Will the G80 BMW M3 Be Remembered For? Exploring the Legacy of Every M3 Generation

The BMW M3’s relative accessibility, thrilling powertrains, and razor-sharp dynamics make it a success with drivers. However there’s one other element to the system that helps make every era of the M3 simply as fascinating because the one previous it. The nameplate’s illustrious legacy spans 4 a long time and is a part of what makes the automotive so well-liked. And every era of the M3, wanting again, has one thing that contributed to the automotive turning into the purple sizzling hit it’s right now. The query we’re posing right now is: what is going to the G80’s legacy be?

Reviewing BMW M3 Generations and Their Legacy

BMW launched the primary M3 in 1985, debuting largely as a homologation particular. The marque wanted to make 5,000 automobiles with a purpose to qualify the mannequin for DTM/Group A races, which occurred over the span of the automotive’s five-year manufacturing run from 1986 till 1991. Naturally, the E30 M3’s legacy has it straightforward: it’s the automotive that began all of it. It additionally set the precedent for M3s previous it: a high-revving engine, direct ties to Motorsport endeavors, and plenty of distinctive bits that didn’t come on the common 3 Sequence (together with physique panels).

The E36 M3 got here subsequent, and whereas its one in all my private favorites, a definitive “legacy” isn’t really easy to establish. However, there are a variety of how the E36 M3 has endured. And, in actual fact, it’s fairly the cornerstone of the nameplate in some methods. It was the primary M3 to make the most of an inline-six, an engine that largely grew to become inextricable from the M3 line regardless of the first-generation mannequin sporting a four-pot. It additionally marked the primary time BMW provided a four-door M3 mannequin; which, later grew to become the one manner you possibly can get an M3 badge on the again of your efficiency sedan!

The E46 M3 got here subsequent. Legacy maybe isn’t the perfect phrase for the E46 M3, because the automotive stands by itself, definitively, because the M3’s “coming of age.” Unbelievable chassis stability stood out because the E46 M3’s promoting level — and enduring, endearing trait a long time later. It additionally united the US market with European market, as either side of the pond noticed the (principally) identical engine, somewhat than the 2 distinct flavors of E36 M3 that shipped to totally different components of the world. The automotive’s revolutionary efficiency has solely been matched by its actually timeless model. With over 85,000 examples bought worldwide, it additionally stays the nameplate’s most-sold mannequin.

The Trendy M3 Legacy

As we get nearer to the current, issues turn out to be each easier and extra complicated when reviewing every era of the BMW M3’s legacy. The E90, E92, and E93 M3 fashions touted a motorsport-derived V8 below the hood, the primary and final to take action. Extra vital, maybe, they had been additionally the ultimate M3s to get pleasure from hydraulic power-assisted steering—a beloved trait for purists in search of analog really feel.

Then got here the F80 era, marking a pivotal shift for the M3 nameplate. It launched turbocharging for the primary time in an M3, with the twin-turbo S55 inline-six changing the high-revving V8. It was additionally the era the place BMW cut up the M3 and M4 into two distinct fashions—sedan and coupe, respectively. The F80 M3 is usually remembered for its brutal energy supply, stiff chassis, and aggressive tuning, which polarized fans. Nevertheless it additionally introduced huge tuning potential and cemented the turbo inline-six system that continues right now.

Then, we arrive on the G80 M3.

The G80 M3’s S58 engine isn’t the primary turbo inline-six in an M3, though it’s somewhat pleasant. It isn’t even the primary to make use of a standard, torque-converter automated transmission — the E36 M3 did, and that’s hardly an accolade anyway. However there may be one space the place the G80 M3 succeeds at setting a bar: all-wheel drive. It’s the primary M3 to supply xDrive all-wheel drive, and thus, the quickest from zero to 60 mph. It’s doubtless we’ll proceed to see xDrive as a staple because the M3 lineage progresses. And, disappointingly, maybe essentially the most constructive factor the G80 will likely be remembered for.

The Stakes Have By no means Been Increased

The fascinating factor concerning the G8X automobiles is that a lot is to-be decided on the subject of the automotive’s legacy. And scope varies wildly. It might nicely be that its solely contribution the overarching M3 legacy is all-wheel drive. In one other situation, it’s the final non-electrified/hybrid M3 ever. Nonetheless one other (although a lot much less doubtless) risk is that it’s the ultimate M3 provided with a handbook transmission. Sharing a standard thread with a few of its predecessors, there’s an angle for it to be the “final actual M3.” Significantly if the following M3 is both electrified or automatic-only.

In conclusion, we’ll doubtless have to attend a couple of years to find out the G80 M3’s definitive legacy. Though, there may be at the least one different vital milestone. It’s the primary time BMW has provided a manufacturing unit Touring mannequin, albeit not within the US. And naturally, there are some extra polarizing issues that may doubtless carry into future M3 fashions. Specifically, a excessive curb weight and general design ethos. Significantly, these grilles. Hopefully, the G8X will likely be remembered for greater than its grilles and all-wheel drive, however time will inform. What do you suppose the G80 M3’s legacy will likely be?