In recent times, it is began to really feel like BMW’s M badge has slowly misplaced its symbolism as the most effective Bavaria has to supply. However automobiles just like the 2024 BMW M3 CS show that there’s nonetheless extra efficiency left to extract – and solely a fortunate few may have the privilege to expertise it.
CS stands for Competitors Sport, and it designates one step up from the traditional M3 Competitors. It nonetheless will get the identical 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six engine, however this one is tuned to ship 543 horsepower, which is greater than any manufacturing M3 ever constructed. Not like the M4 CSL, which is barely accessible in rear-wheel-drive, the M3 CS packs BMW’s M xDrive system with 4 pushed wheels, making it heavier however faster than its two-door counterpart.
DrivingOnRoad was handed the keys to certainly one of only some M3 CS items in North America for every week of festivities round Monterey Automotive Week. In our time behind the wheel, we discovered how the M3 CS differs from the maniacal M4 CSL, which was developed with the only real goal of lapping a race observe. The M3 CS definitely is not a luxurious automotive, but it surely’s a extra livable option to get pleasure from BMW at its most unhinged.
Exterior: Constructed To Be Seen
Standing out in visitors throughout Monterey Automotive Week is not straightforward, particularly when seeing a Pagani or Koenigsegg driving round is just not unusual. Nonetheless, we received our justifiable share of consideration within the M3 CS, provided that clients haven’t taken supply of this automotive but. BMW will solely supply 4 colours, together with Black Sapphire, Brooklyn Gray, Frozen Stable White Metallic (an M3 CS unique), and Sign Inexperienced. We want our automotive was completed within the outlandish Sign Inexperienced, however the matte white paint stood out greater than we anticipated.
Serving to the CS stand out from the group much more are particular gold wheels, purple ‘M3 CS’ badging, and carbon fiber accents on the hood, splitter, rear diffuser, spoiler, and roof. As with the M5 CS, the daytime operating lights illuminate yellow slightly than white to alert oncoming visitors that this isn’t an ordinary M3.
Inside: A Every day Race Automotive
Although the M3 CS is not fully devoid of creature comforts, it does take some sacrifice to drive this automotive every single day. The M Carbon bucket seats, that are non-compulsory on the common M3, come normal right here. We managed to get used to them after spending every week within the CS, however they don’t seem to be what we might name comfortable. On the plus facet, they appear epic completed in black and purple, particularly when considered from the again. Additionally they hug you in correctly, supplying you with a way of bolstered safety.
The CS is awash with carbon fiber on the steering wheel, sprint, and middle console. In truth, BMW even changed the usual M3’s middle console with a full carbon piece, and there’s no armrest and no cupholders to save lots of weight. There are two bottle holders in every of the entrance doorways, however who wants espresso when you’ve a twin-turbo inline-six to wake you up?
Oddly, options like heated energy seats, a wi-fi cellphone charger, and large infotainment screens have been all spared from the load loss effort, however a 360-degree digicam system was axed, leaving that beneficial carbon splitter in danger to parking blocks.
Efficiency: 4-Door Supercar
Going from an M3 Competitors to an M3 CS, you get a further 40 hp for a complete of 543 from the inline-six engine. Torque stays the identical at 479 lb-ft. This increase in energy comes from a rise in increase stress from the 2 turbochargers, up from 24.7 psi to 30.5 psi, together with some modifications to the engine administration and cooling system. Peak energy is now accessible from 6,250 rpm as much as the 7,200 rpm redline, which means the M3 CS pulls laborious proper till it is time to shift. Peak torque is accessible from as little as 2,750 rpm, proper as much as 5,950 rpm.
An eight-speed automated transmission sends this automotive’s large energy by means of an xDrive AWD system with a rear bias. The system may also be put into RWD mode if you wish to roast the again tires. BMW quotes a 3.2-second 0-60 time, however impartial exams have already clocked this automotive as little as 2.7 seconds to 60 mph. That is supercar territory in a four-door sedan. Even the M4 CSL cannot sustain in a straight line.
Opting to maintain the xDrive system could appear counterintuitive to this automotive’s weight financial savings, however the intensive use of carbon fiber bolstered plastic helped hold the CS 44 kilos lighter than an M3 Competitors with AWD. Not together with the M carbon buckets, that are non-compulsory on the Competitors, the CS cuts 75 kilos complete, but it surely’s about 275 kilos heavier than the M4 CSL.
Driving Impressions: CS Is One Step Up
BMW’s lacking steering really feel has been listed on the again of milk cartons in recent times, however after driving the M3 CS, we lastly know the place it has been hiding. That is the M3 for fanatics: a sharper, extra participating expertise that sacrifices every day livability in trade for driving pleasure. Driving on the curvy roads exterior Pebble Seashore, the CS communicates small highway imperfections higher than virtually some other fashionable M automotive. There is a sharpness on-center that makes the CS really feel keen to alter course – it feels primed and able to dart about at a second’s discover. Who mentioned BMW does not know easy methods to construct an attractive automotive anymore?
Even the softest suspension setting continues to be on the agency facet of comfy, however we may immediately inform that the M3 CS is tuned to be a bit extra livable than the M4 CSL, a automotive that feels prefer it desires to harm its driver when pushed too slowly. The automated transmission goes from seamless visitors smoothness to supercar sharpness, eliminating any doubt that this automotive could be higher with a guide. This author does not suppose it will.
Practicality: Livability Intact
Lack of cupholders apart, the M3 does not lose a lot by way of practicality within the transition to turn out to be a CS. Not like the M5 CS, which had a novel again seat that mimicked the entrance buckets, the M3 CS will get a standard bench that seats three individuals and may fold to allow entry into the trunk.
Talking of the trunk, the M3 CS suits 16.9 cubic ft, which is loads for a number of massive suitcases. BMW may have deleted the power to fold down the rear seat or eradicated the center seat to save lots of extra weight, however we’re joyful that each have been left intact.
Pricing: Paying For Particular
Pricing for the 2023 M3 CS begins at $118,700 (plus $995 vacation spot and dealing with) and it’ll solely be accessible for a single mannequin yr. BMW hasn’t specified an actual quantity that might be constructed, however the CS might be extraordinarily restricted, probably round 2,000 items globally. Assuming you might get one with no markup, which is an enormous if, the CS prices round $35k greater than an M3 Competitors xDrive. Factoring for options just like the M carbon buckets and the additional carbon fiber bits and items that come normal on the CS, that differential shrinks a bit. For all however probably the most loyal BMW fanatics, the common M3 might be greater than sufficient automotive.
Most drivers will be unable to extract the extra efficiency from the CS with out accessing a race observe. In different phrases, you might be paying much more for a much less comfy M3 that stands out like a sore thumb in a parking zone. Admittedly, some individuals relish this. Is it epic to drive? Completely. We simply want the usual M3 may really feel this sharp so extra individuals may expertise BMW at its greatest. To the two,000 or so people who find themselves fortunate sufficient to convey dwelling an M3 CS, we’re jealous.