2023 BMW M3 Touring (G81) | PH Review | PistonHeads

The new BMW M3 Touring then, at last. There have been great M3s in the past, and great 3 Series Tourings as well, but never have the two been fused together - until now.

One of 2023’s most highly anticipated new cars, the G81 M3 xDrive Competition Touring - to give this BMW its full name - not only brings a long-held enthusiast dream to life, it also promises to breathe new life into the fast estate segment. After all, the first all-wheel drive M3 has proven itself a formidable fast car already, and with the Audi RS4 not long for this world and the Mercedes-AMG C63 now down to four cylinders, it appears to be an open goal for the 510hp, straight-six Touring - so does it deliver? Over to Matt (and a couple of special guests) to find out...

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[nab]

#TEAMALPINAB3HERE...An Alpina B3 review would be beyond lovely. Glad that you mentioned the elephant in the room😂

[jamesj]

£100k is too much for any BMW. The fact that there is 77 brand new M3's and 200 (yes 200) M4's sat on Autotrader at the time of writing this tells you these cars are too expensive. BMW as a brand always struggle once they tip of the £80k mark and this is just proving it. The market needs a readjustment!

[stephenw]

Lovely little one, great car and excellent review. Enjoyed it, thanks!

[wasdwasdwwasd]

Fantastic review, I’d take it over the B3 in a heartbeat but in fairness I’d probably save up for the CS.

[Wellspicedchaffinch]

The way he was jumping around in his seat tells me this is very stiffly sprung. Can't do it. Wish I could - but my back couldn't take that on a long trip.

I've gotten old :-(

Was yearning for this. But couldnt afford it (of course). Settled for an XC90 T8 2016 used and have fallen in love with its comfort (and safety record). The complete package for my needs.

[doggiehowzer]

In the Nissan GTR world, there were 2 specs - M Spec and V Spec. I can imagine they could have the same base M3 and have one tuned for outright performance (V Spec) and one tuned by Alpina for comfort and touring (M Spec), but both with the same M3 underpinnings. It doesn't have to be M Spec or V Spec of course, maybe a CS and a GT variant in keeping with the older monikers just repurposed

[joemclaughlin]

Save a huge whack of money and buy the six cylinder diesel Touring. This diesel car is shockingly good with huge torque, 60s mpg and the best resale value of any car. BMW's best kept secret !

[peterhammer]

I might have waited for this, if it would have a dual clutch. I just can't stand the torque converter, I feel I am always too late with my gear changes.

[Eric-qius]

when i saw that "PH Review" on the title it reminded me of something i shouldn't think of

[tepes]

Loved the fact how Alpina B3 was introduced into the equation ✌

[deputydd]

Heart says get the M3 but head says a 340i is actually a better car as I’ll never take it on a track so just for road use

[fredc]

I'll pick G81 M3 Touring for that bulk rear-end and bucket seats, Alpina B3 just not look as special.

[anotae]

I love M3s ... I'm a BMa guy. But the new C63s 4 cilinders ahhhh

[stuartlloyd-jones]

ride looks very very choppy. He's bouncing around all over the pace. Got the new rs5 sportback competition package with oem coilovers. Doesnt react like this. Does it feel twitchy like the m3?

[definedcoding]

Absolutely love these, all it’s missing is some CSL/CS software and it’s a touring CSL. Epic baby carrier too!

[jamieoconnor]

Savage M3 wagon, but the alpina b3 is just a cooler machine 😎great review sir respect

[roygardiner]

Nice museum piece in the swansong of BMW.

[amospizzey]

I’ve owned an E46 CSL ( great ) and an F80 competition ( ok )
Worn I drove the latest M3 ( G ) it really wasn’t very good

[Bmontepeque]

This is such a great car ❤️😩 This is the besy alternative to performance SUVs! 🙌🏻❤️ Really among the best one car garages! As an enthusiast, I wouldn't even consider the Alpina, dynamics > comfort in my case 🌚❤️

[AlteredBaron]

I was like please please don't put the dog in that trunk. Huh, what a relief.