[buddenfan]

I never had one but I know the M3 gets alot of love from BMW enthusiasts. How come the M3 is such a beloved iconic car?

[m630]

It was always the best at what it was meant to be- ie ....a small, compact sports coupè/saloon.

In 2021 its leveraging its heritage but very little resembalance to what made it an icon, todays its just a big expensive car with a badge from a different era, though likely to still be successful but not because if it being iconic

[JustChris]

M2 has inherited the original intent.

[mkoesel]

Same reason any other vehicle gains legendary status - a tradition of offering an outstanding driving and ownership experience, a history of excelling in areas that excite, and consistently offering a class leading performance.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by m630

It was always the best at what it was meant to be- ie ....a small, compact sports coupè/saloon.

In 2021 its leveraging its heritage but very little resembalance to what made it an icon, todays its just a big expensive car with a badge from a different era, though likely to still be successful but not because if it being iconic

That's not really true. The M3 was never a small compact sports car relative to small cars of the eras. I owned a 1991 Accord and by today's standards it's a small car but it was a big car in 1991. There's not a single enthusiast forum today where a group of posters aren't lamenting how big their favorite car of choice has become and that's because people have a hard time letting go of the past. The G82 is still based off the 3 series platform which is a mid size offering in today's market. It is what it is yet people keep trying to hammer this narrative that the M3 used to be small. ALL CARS USED TO BE SMALL RELATIVE TO TODAY! Some of you need to get over this.

[xlover]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's not really true. The M3 was never a small compact sports car relative to small cars of the eras. I owned a 1991 Accord and by today's standards it's a small car but it was a big car in 1991. There's not a single enthusiast forum today where a group of posters aren't lamenting how big their favorite car of choice has become and that's because people have a hard time letting go of the past. The G82 is still based off the 3 series platform which is a mid size offering in today's market. It is what it is yet people keep trying to hammer this narrative that the M3 used to be small. ALL CARS USED TO BE SMALL RELATIVE TO TODAY! Some of you need to get over this.

THIS, that is the heart of the fallacy that drives much of the frustration from traditionalists on the boards

The original M3 and each following iteration was exactly the same as the car today, similar in size, content, and weight to its peers. Then juiced up by M to offer more street/track performance without over compromising its position as an everyday luxury car. Too many traditionalists on this board just point to their favorite date in history and say "THAT IS THE REAL M3, all others are less real".

[m20e3087]

Originally Posted by JustChris

M2 has inherited the original intent.

True that.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by m630

It was always the best at what it was meant to be- ie ....a small, compact sports coupè/saloon.

In 2021 its leveraging its heritage but very little resembalance to what made it an icon, todays its just a big expensive car with a badge from a different era, though likely to still be successful but not because if it being iconic

Couldn't disagree more. It's the same size as the 3 series, which is just as it's always been. It's the same price, accounting for inflation, as an E36 was, an E46, etc. in today's dollars. It's going to drive incredibly well, just as every other generation did. The only difference is the styling is much different than the base model for once. I think that's a good thing, but that's a subjective statement.

What is this but "contempt prior to investigation?"

[m630]

Sorry guys but theres zero connection today between what the M3 originally stood for.

The M2 is the M3 of icon period.

[SickGTR]

It always has a major engine flaw, it's Iconic!! LOL. Yet, I still buy one

[Young04]

Originally Posted by m630

Sorry guys but theres zero connection today between what the M3 originally stood for.

The M2 is the M3 of icon period.

Doesn't the same thing apply to other icons like the 911? The Cayman is the size of the 911s of old. Like others said, all cars have morphed.

[AR_Motorwerkz]

Originally Posted by xlover

THIS, that is the heart of the fallacy that drives much of the frustration from traditionalists on the boards

The original M3 and each following iteration was exactly the same as the car today, similar in size, content, and weight to its peers. Then juiced up by M to offer more street/track performance without over compromising its position as an everyday luxury car. Too many traditionalists on this board just point to their favorite date in history and say "THAT IS THE REAL M3, all others are less real".

Agreed! The M3 has, and always will be an excellent driver's car. Despite the G80s current size, reviews seem to point it still drives a true M3 and not an old M5 it's nearly the same size as.

[M3AWD]

Originally Posted by xlover

THIS, that is the heart of the fallacy that drives much of the frustration from traditionalists on the boards

The original M3 and each following iteration was exactly the same as the car today, similar in size, content, and weight to its peers. Then juiced up by M to offer more street/track performance without over compromising its position as an everyday luxury car. Too many traditionalists on this board just point to their favorite date in history and say "THAT IS THE REAL M3, all others are less real".

And for those who prefer the "real" (i.e. old) M3s they can go and buy them used. Even the way overpriced E30 M3 can be had for less than G8x money on bring-a-trailer. The E36 much cheaper. The E46 & E9x are still at a reasonable price amd probably appreciating. And of course the F8x can be purchased in any condition and with a wide price range...

I moved on. I drove most of the M cars and owned a few of them when they were new. Every generation was better than the prior IMO. As much as I love the iconic E30 M3 I don't care to own one today. A good buddy of mine has 3 of them. To each his own.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

That's not really true. The M3 was never a small compact sports car relative to small cars of the eras. I owned a 1991 Accord and by today's standards it's a small car but it was a big car in 1991. There's not a single enthusiast forum today where a group of posters aren't lamenting how big their favorite car of choice has become and that's because people have a hard time letting go of the past. The G82 is still based off the 3 series platform which is a mid size offering in today's market. It is what it is yet people keep trying to hammer this narrative that the M3 used to be small. ALL CARS USED TO BE SMALL RELATIVE TO TODAY! Some of you need to get over this.

I see your point but most would agree that the 3-series has gotten large enough that it's really just a 3-series in name now. Same goes for the M3, a model that was always small and light enough to be nimble, tossable, and happy to dance through traffic. That is no longer the case! Looking through the 3-series generations most would agree that the E21, E30, E36, E46, and E90 were the "right" size. Now the 3-series is too large to be the entry level car which it always was, hence the 2GC.

Regarding OP's question, the M3 is the car that defined the essence of BMW and every model shared a certain driving character that kept customers and the media addicted to them. Similar to how the 911 defines Porsche, the S-class to Mercedes, and the Range Rover to Land Rover.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by Young04

Doesn't the same thing apply to other icons like the 911? The Cayman is the size of the 911s of old. Like others said, all cars have morphed.

No the same logic does not since the 911 has always been a rear-engined car whereas the Cayman is not. It's a fair point about the growth in size of the 911 (997 was the sweet spot) but fundamentally the 911 has not been replaced.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by m630

Sorry guys but theres zero connection today between what the M3 originally stood for.

The M2 is the M3 of icon period.

You can't begin to measure the enthusiasm and excitement the community has for the M2 vs the M3.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Young04

Doesn't the same thing apply to other icons like the 911? The Cayman is the size of the 911s of old. Like others said, all cars have morphed.

If you dig, you'll find the Boxter/Cayman to be the spiritual successor to the 914/6

[VetteGuy]

One thing missing from the discussion is that the average human ass has grown over the past few decades so it is only appropriate that their cars have grown a little to accommodate accordingly. LOL

[Dr.Deep]

Originally Posted by Germanauto

No the same logic does not since the 911 has always been a rear-engined car whereas the Cayman is not. It's a fair point about the growth in size of the 911 (997 was the sweet spot) but fundamentally the 911 has not been replaced.

This is relative view, even if not same logic.

The 3er / M3 also has not been replaced by anything, it is still there.
So only some people are stating it has been replaced because thst is their view, and in todays world, it seems that people need to complain about every thing possible they could see.
I'm already waiting on the complains on the next M2, and what will replace it, as it is clear that the next M2 will grow in size as well, which every new and modern car nowadays is doing.

We don't have any reviews so far, only 1,2 videos, and these do not say anything like, not a M as we know, it is the other way around, they are impressed and statement are: An M in every way we know M cars...but a lot of complains here are bashing the car about so many things, and the majority has not seen the car in real, despite having driven one, seems that a lot of people are not liking the design and translate then their disappointment in bashing all other things about the car.

However, I own a M2 currently, was lucky to testdrive an M4C a week ago and just ordered one 2 days ago.
And there are plenty cars out there, new ones, old ones. If you don't like something about the new M3, move on, but don't complain in every second thread about the car. The complains won't change the car anyway to your liking...

(This is not towards you, just a general statement)

[SYT_Shadow]

The M3 is loved as it's a single car that works to go to the racetrack, to go to buy groceries, to go pick your kids up from school, go to home depot, go skiing and to do long trips. You can do pretty much everything in an M3.

What other car can you say this about? More than one person on the board has moved to a 'dedicated sports car platform' only to return, because it is not realistic to have a 2 seater as your only car.

If you go to American Endurance Racing you find almost all the cars are M3s. So many different sporty cars have been built by so many brands, yet you go to grassroots racing and you see BMW after BMW.

Another nice thing about the M3 is you are given a very solid chassis and engine. Changing brakes and suspension nets you a very competitive platform for heavy track use at a much cheaper price than a Pcar.

I remember many years ago when I started tracking there was a husband and wife couple that had two matching 1980 Porsche Cup Cars and a collection of ~40 cars. Huge car people. They had mechanics with them and other friends. Over dinner, someone brought up which car would different people have if they could only have one car. People went talking about Bentleys, etc etc. Eventually it came to the guy, owner of a 40 car collection, with more money than everyone else at that event combined, who said he'd have an M3 for the same reasons I mentioned in the first sentence.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by VetteGuy

One thing missing from the discussion is that the average human ass has grown over the past few decades so it is only appropriate that their cars have grown a little to accommodate accordingly. LOL

From the E46 to the G80, the M3 has grown exactly 12" in 18 years. C'mon, it aint even that bad!

[wtwo3]

Anyone wanna do an analysis of the historical progression of size, performance, and price of the M3 relative to C63 and RS5?

Not it