All the BMW M3s Ranked from Worst to Best

who doesn’t like the looks of the f80

I love my #6 99 3.2L the best traded my e46 M3 for

The real question is, if the “new” M3 wasn’t the end of an era, where would it be on the list? It’s ugly as sin, bloated and so far from the ethos of what an M3 was that it should be called something else as far as many are concerned. Being the last of something doesn’t automatically make it great. Not to say that idiots won’t drop $300,000+ on them 25 years from now but having it so high on the list just because the automakers are changing seems pretty ridiculous.

Guess my stock E90 M3 is slowly becoming a unicorn...

Oooooh Doug...thin ice there buddy😮😮😮 A difficult task, but I agree, E90/92 "koulda been a kontendahhh" (in a New York accent)😂😂😂😂

Strangely the E87 1M Coupe was technically the best M3 ever. Shoot me😏

My best from last to first G80, e36, f80, e9x, e46, e30, but….. I love them all 😂🤣😂

E46 m3 is the best!

e46 and f80 are the top 2 in my books. I was shocked you ranked the F80 so low

in my opinion i would have the e30 alot lower if not at the bottom. I understand that its legendary but its not as good as the other cars

DO A 911 RANKING!!!!!!!

Having driven the E46 M3 SMG for a few years now it is definitely growing on me too.

I think the BMW engineers had a particular use in mind when designing that gear box.

In my experience there is a perfectly timed SMG gear change in the same way there is a perfect manual shift between gears.

As you go up the gears you pull the shifter whilst keeping the revs on. Wait about half a second, then blip off the throttle and back on again. The 'blip' is about 1/3 of a second.

You have to experiment a lot to get it perfect but when you do it is really engaging, faster than a manual shift, and thoroughly satisfying.

It is quite a nuanced experience.

Clearly designed for when you are driving fast. But with practice it works well driving around town too.

I rarely use the auto setting. I prefer to use the 'manual' shift with the SMG.

E46 all day, got one, know the issues, willing to spend on it, never selling it.

Best to worst... E46, F80, E30, E9X, G80, E36

Cant believe Doug talked badly about the E90/92 m3 V8. Sure it had rod bearing and throttle actuator issues but once those were replaced with aftermarket unit, I literally hit redline every time I drive it and I wouldnt want a lower redline torquey v8 which is so common.

Interesting that Doug specifically calls out the F80 is larger than it's predecessor, and that it has more power to help with that - reason I find this interesting is because Doug forgets to mention that the F80 is lighter than both its predecessor and successor, by a significant margin. That said, and taking into account the desirability of DCT now that they are gone, the F80 would likely move above both the G80 and E90.

The E30 M3 is the one that is the easiest to distinguish from the regular 3 series.

How about ranking the Alpina B3s?

Screw electric cars. OK" we're history. Dinosaurs walk the earth at that time of the first real motorized vehicle. But hay after over 100 years of great mechanical machinery you can't go wrong. Now, electric car are a mess, junk to be honest. Those car are a big waste of money. One, the price, no way are we going to pay for a shell with a heavy battery and 2 to 4 electric motors. That just don't last. And after a few years of depression. The battery cost more than the car. And some people are still paying for the car. The charge for that battery, how much? Ya" in your house good luck if you drain your battery fast. And the charge stations, dose it fit the connection, do I have the right card or I.D. to charge.? Will I make my long distance trip, and no charge station for miles. It realty is a problem, a big problem not to mention the cost. Were staying with the old fill it up and GO..!! OUT.

There will always be something about the e46 ❤

mann the F80 is the best M3 that’s no cap

Okay so I agree with most of what Doug has said.

However I would put the 46 in first place, 30 second, 90/92 3rd then g80, f80 and e36.

The E30 M3 is the coolest M3 by far, really is. The history and styling are legendary, but if we are talking the BEST M3 - it has to be the e46.

The e46 is such an incredible car, really well balanced, perfect size, great power and power delivery. Analogue feeling, fairly reliable once major issues are sorted and modern enough that it would be enjoyable to drive everyday. The e46 offers everything that the other M3 generations offers, a true do everything car and a dream to drive. I honestly believe that it is one of the best cars of its era and up there for one of the best cars ever created.

And that’s coming from an Audi fanboy.

You mixed up the e36 with e30

G80 better then e90????? No way..
My list:
1. E93 M3
2. E46 M3
3. G80 M3
4. E30 M3
5. F80 M3
6. E36 M3

Selling my E30 was the biggest mistake of my automotive life.

I would put the f80 on the bottom 100%, what an annyoing car. Waaapuhh waaaapuhhh. Buuurp buuuurp. Im so sick and tired of that exhaust note. I agree with your list doug, i would’ve switched the f80 and e36

I feel like you have to rank m3 and the regular 3series differently especially taking in price as a factor. If you get a e36 325i you can turbo it and make 370 hp reliably for a quarter of the price the m3 go for and it’s basically the same car and chassis

Swap the E36 and the G80 and I think you have yourself a great list!

Perfect ranking

Just asking, what are your parameters for this? Styling, performance, how it drives, powertrain/drivetrain, reliability?

the title is wrong and, your information is too. "All the BMW M3s Ranked from Worst to Best, IN AMERICA", There are many other places else where.

EVs are a fad and not viable.

Check this in 10 years when (honest) news stories say, "What do we do with these hunks of toxic waste that have no resale value? Did our parents really believe they were good for the planet?"

Wake up.

Three years later the G80 is far and away the best model!

as an e36 owner that hurt lmao.

Looks and nostalgia no doubt .. but Driving it, I found the E30 underwhelming

The E36 was also not widened It’s as narrow as the base.
The rear fender arch is to far from the bottom of the window just like the later model e30 (all e30 m3 s)

I love the e30 I have one but the e30 m3 is fugly. And how dare they run LESS cylinders.

Best m3 is the E92. Hands down.
Should have been 7 liters though

Best to worst
E92. Perfect but needs larger v8 shave gills and hood
E46. Perfect but needs v8 and shave hood and gills
E36 needs v8 and wider higher fender arches
E30 Needs non m fender style widened. Needs higher arch in back and lower trunk like non m
F82 shave gills and hood needs v8 and a bit smaller in body size
G80 can go to hell

Doug ate a lollipop before the video 😂

The E9x M3 just needs a good warm up period to avoid rod bearing issues - and is also not designed to be a 0-60 car. It's designed for the track where you're never at 0 except to start. Hearing that engine in its 'happy range' is incredible.

I think the RB/TA problems on the E9X car are blown out of proportion... Even if you ARE scared of those problems, the rest of the engine/car is so reliable.

Love the ford gt in the background

You should do this for vw gtis i think it would be a good video

Gusheshe wins...Hit like if you know

Reliability = Proper maintenance and care

G80 is not ugly.

The G80 is an actual piece of crap. I used to be the biggest BMW fan, now I hate them. And I’m 31, so this isn’t some old timer talking. Buying another E46 now, BMW’s pinnacle.

Who’s here after Doug called the e36 a top 5 bmw of all time