The 2022 BMW M3 range will expand with the arrival of the Competition model with xDrive in the fourth quarter of this year priced from $160,900 plus on-road costs.
With the arrival of xDrive, the BMW M3 range will grow to three strong. The new AWD car will join the base model manual and automatic Competition RWD alongside the M4 coupe range.
The BMW M3 Competition will be available with an xDrive system later this year.
BMW chose to offer the M3 with an AWD system to broaden its all-weather appeal among its usual competitors like the Audi RS4 and Mercedes-AMG C63.
How much will the M3 Competition xDrive cost?
The Competition xDrive is the halo in the Australian M3 range and as such, commands a $6,000 premium over the RWD M3 Competition ($154,900).
With all four wheels gripping the tarmac, the M3 Competition xDrive will sprint to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds, besting the 3.9-second sprint of the RWD cars.
The added grip saw BMW have to re-engineer the oil supply system to cope with the demands.
Due to the grip the AWD system can generate, BMW has had to revise the oil supply system to cope. Additional settings have been added to control the xDrive system torque split (and include a rear-drive only drift-mode).
The suspension settings differ from the rear-drive M3 models with bespoke damper and spring settings as well as different front axle geometry.
Apart from these small tweaks the specification of the M3 Competition xDrive is identical to the RWD car. It retains the ‘S58’ 3L twin-turbo straight-six engine that produces 375kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
But otherwise, the xDrive car is mechanically similar with the same engine under the bonnet.
Meanwhile, inside the M3 gets Merino leather-appointed sports seats with electric adjustment and heating, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, DAB radio, premium harman/kardon sound system and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with M specific graphics.
What options does BMW offer for the M3?
Naturally, you can spec the M3 up to your tastes. A carbon fibre package adds ($26,000) lightweight bucket seats inside, carbon mirror caps, front bumper, diffuser and carbon-ceramic brakes. You can cherry-pick those items individually, too.
Additionally, premium paint is available with metallic colours costing $2,500 and frozen finish (BMW speak for matte) costing up to $7,000.
Carbon ceramic brakes are an eye-watering $16,000 option for the M3 Competition xDrive.
For those keen on getting into track work, BMW offers the M Driver’s package. For $5,000, you get a raised speed limiter (from 250km/h to 290km/h) and a voucher for the marque’s advanced driver training course that redeemable at tracks like Phillip Island or the venerable Nurburgring Nordschleife.
The order books are open for the BMW M3 Competition xDrive. The first examples are set to arrive toward the end of this year.
2022 BMW M3: pricing in Australia
Prices are before on-road costs
- M3 Manual – $144,900
- M3 Competition Auto – $154,900
- M3 Competition xDrive Auto – $160,900
- M Carbon Package – $26,000
- M Driver’s Package – $5,000
