Fresh from witnessing the remarkable success of the BMW M3 Touring race car at this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours, we wanted to find out whether the road-going version could deliver the same magic away from the racetrack.
To do so, we pointed BMW’s super wagon towards one of Europe’s greatest driving roads: the legendary Col de la Bonette, the highest paved mountain pass in Europe. Our route there and back would cover more than 2,000 kilometres across three countries, combining autobahns, fast-flowing mountain roads, tight Alpine switchbacks and some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery. If there was a better way to test BMW’s ultimate family performance car, we couldn’t think of one.
Technical Specifications
At the heart of the M3 Touring Competition sits BMW M’s celebrated S58 engine, a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six producing 530 hp (390 kW) and 650 Nm of torque.
Power is sent to all four wheels through BMW’s M xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, enabling serious performance regardless of conditions.
Key Specifications:
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six
Power: 530 hp (390 kW)
Torque: 650 Nm
Transmission: 8-speed M Steptronic
Drivetrain: M xDrive all-wheel drive
0-100 km/h: 3.6 seconds
0-200 km/h: 12.9 seconds
Top Speed: 250 km/h (standard)
Top Speed: 280 km/h with M Driver’s Package
Weight: approximately 1,940 kg
Our test car was a particularly well-equipped example, featuring BMW Individual paintwork, the M Carbon Exterior Package, the M Race Track Package, carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon bucket seats, Harman Kardon audio and a host of driver assistance and technology options. With a list price of €136,670, it represented the M3 Touring at its most complete.
Performance & Handling
The first impression is one of connection. From the moment you pull away, the M3 Touring feels remarkably linked to the driver. The steering is direct, the controls are intuitive and the entire car immediately inspires confidence. The S58 engine remains one of the finest performance six-cylinders on the market. It delivers a relentless wave of torque throughout the rev range while retaining the eagerness to rev that defines BMW M’s best engines. Whether overtaking slower traffic or accelerating out of a tight mountain hairpin, performance is always effortlessly accessible.
Yet it is the chassis that truly steals the show. The M xDrive system delivers immense grip, but never at the expense of engagement. The car feels exceptionally planted, allowing you to build speed and confidence with every corner. Despite weighing nearly two tonnes, it disguises its mass brilliantly. Direction changes are sharp, body control is superb and the front axle delivers the precision needed to confidently place the car exactly where you want it.
On the endlessly twisting roads climbing towards the summit of the Col de la Bonette, the M3 Touring felt completely at home. Every switchback became an invitation to push a little harder. The confidence-inspiring handling is complemented by the optional M Carbon Ceramic Brakes fitted to our test car. On a road like the Bonette, where long descents and repeated heavy braking can quickly expose weaknesses in a braking system, the BMW remained utterly composed.
For everyday driving, the brake pedal can feel slightly diffuse compared to a traditional steel setup. Initial bite is not quite as immediate and requires a little acclimatisation around town. However, once the pace increases, the benefits become obvious. Push hard on a demanding mountain road and the carbon-ceramic brakes deliver exceptional stopping power with remarkable consistency. Even after repeated heavy braking on steep descents, there was no hint of fade and pedal confidence remained high throughout. It is a system that truly comes alive when driven enthusiastically. The result is a car that feels every bit as capable as its Nürburgring success would suggest.
Design
BMW’s Touring body style has always had a loyal following, but the M3 Touring Competition elevates the formula to another level. The aggressive front fascia, widened wheel arches, quad exhausts and purposeful stance combine practicality with genuine visual drama. It looks muscular without becoming excessive and remains one of the most attractive models in BMW’s current range. The long roofline gives the car proportions that many enthusiasts would argue are even more appealing than those of the M3 Sedan.
Our test car was finished in BMW Individual paint and fitted with the M Carbon Exterior Package. The carbon front splitter, mirror caps and rear diffuser add just the right amount of visual aggression without compromising the Touring’s understated character. Parked against the backdrop of the French Alps, it looked every bit as special as the roads it was driving on.
Interior & Technology
BMW continues to set the benchmark for driver-focused interiors. While the upcoming Neue Klasse models will move further towards touchscreen-based controls, we still love the current combination of touchscreen functionality and BMW’s excellent iDrive controller.
The infotainment system remains one of the best in the business. Menus are logical, responses are quick and everything falls naturally to hand, allowing the driver to focus on the road rather than navigating software.
A particular highlight is the pair of programmable M buttons on the steering wheel. These allow drivers to store two completely customised setups and switch between them instantly. Want everything in Comfort except the suspension in Sport? No problem. Prefer maximum engine response and aggressive shift speeds? One press is all it takes.
The level of adjustability is impressive. Drivers can fine-tune almost every aspect of the car’s behaviour, including six different transmission settings ranging from smooth and efficient to lightning-fast and aggressive.
Our test car’s Kyalami Orange and Black Merino leather interior added a welcome sense of occasion, while the carbon bucket seats looked sensational and provided excellent support when driving hard. Larger drivers should try them before ordering, however. At 1.90 metres tall, we found them a little too narrow for long-distance comfort.
Build quality is excellent throughout and practicality remains one of the Touring’s greatest strengths. There is ample space for passengers and luggage, yet at the touch of a button the M3 transforms into a genuinely engaging driver’s car.
It may well be the ultimate fast family road trip car.
What To Spec
Our test car was fitted with BMW’s €14,900 M Race Track Package, which combines the carbon bucket seats, M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, M Driver’s Package and M Drive Professional. It creates an even more focused M3 Touring, although not every element will suit every buyer.
M Driver’s Package – A must-have option in our view. Besides increasing the top speed to 280 km/h, it unlocks the car’s full Autobahn potential.
Harman Kardon Sound System – The M3 Touring is built for covering long distances and the Harman Kardon system fitted to our test car is more than capable of providing the soundtrack.
M Carbon Exterior Package – The carbon exterior details perfectly complement the Touring’s muscular design and add a welcome touch of exclusivity.
For this particular trip we enjoyed the bucket seats and carbon ceramic brakes but we can imagine they are not for everyone.
Assistance Systems
And then there are the mandatory EU driver assistance systems. During our 2,000 km test drive they only gave us a heart attack once, when the car suddenly braked for no apparent reason. We also found ourselves switching off the speed warning system and lane assist every single time we started the car. The speed limit recognition is regularly wrong, the warnings are highly annoying and, frankly, thanks EU.
Conclusion
The BMW M3 Touring Competition is one of those rare cars that makes you smile every time you get behind the wheel. What impressed us most wasn’t the headline performance figures, but the way the car makes the driver feel. From the first kilometre there is an immediate sense of connection. The steering, chassis and drivetrain work together brilliantly, creating a car that feels incredibly planted and confidence inspiring regardless of the road ahead.
Are there things we didn’t like? The exhaust note could be more exciting from the outside and the carbon bucket seats won’t suit everyone. As for the mandatory driver assistance systems, BMW handles them better than most manufacturers, even if we still found ourselves switching off the speed warnings and lane assist at the start of every journey.
The Nürburgring-winning race car may have demonstrated the platform’s capabilities on the track, but the road-going version shows just how complete the package really is.
We love it.
