I had in fact ordered an xDrive-equipped M3, but combined with all the options, it just became too much (over $100k!). So I compromised with a rear-wheel drive model, and immediately the hecklers came with their pitchforks. How could I? I dunno. Maybe it was a mistake. Or maybe, just maybe, BMW M xDrive doesn’t matter.
BMW M xDrive does matter
Yup. It makes the car faster in a straight line. Thanks for reading.
…now that the haters are gone, let me explain. Actually, I’ll let Jason Cammisa…
To summarize, the Tesla Model 3 Performance and M3 CS are tied from 0-60 (2.8 seconds), but the M3 is actually faster to the quarter mile, 10.9 vs 11 flat. The hybrid Merc was a distant last. You might be thinking “Yes Mike, this is good. You have purchased the wrong car.”
But did you watch to the end? That performance includes the use of launch control. If you don’t use it and simply mash the pedal from launch, the M3 is actually the slowest of the three. By far.
So what’s the big deal, just use launch control all the time?
I’ll let the boys take this one…
Yes, you can use it at the track. You can sometimes use it at a stop light. But you’ll always look (and sound) like a tool box.
This is compounded by the fact that the Tesla has no launch control. It just goes when you smash the pedal, letting the computer sort it all out.
To top it off, the M3 knows when you launch (it keeps a record), and if it overheats, you can’t do it for a bit. Remember when the GT-R’s transmission was exploding because of people using launch control, and Nissan refused to fix it?
The M3’s transmission won’t blow up. But Heaven help the person buying these things third-hand.
So you’re saying M xDrive is useless?
Not at all. Let’s compare all three automatic M3 models’ 0-60 times (all the numbers are from Car & Driver):
- M3 Competition: 3.5 seconds
- M3 Competition M xDrive: 2.8 seconds
- M3 CS: 2.7 seconds
M xDrive, and especially the CS, make the M3 supercar fast. It’ll catch the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds. But take away the launch and do a roll from 5 MPH:
- M3 Competition: 4.5 seconds
- M3 Competition M xDrive: 4.2 seconds
- M3 CS: 4.0 seconds
This second number is much closer to how the car will be used each day. While the CS is 0.8 seconds faster with launch control, the gap closes when you’re in a real-world setting. Take away the CS’s slight power and weight advantage, and you gain just three tenths with M xDrive alone.
Hmm…
There’s also absolutely no advantage at higher speeds:
- 30-50 MPH: 2.4 seconds
- 50-70 MPH: 2.7 seconds
All three variants have the same exact acceleration from top gear pulls, which is perhaps most damning for the CS since it has more power.
Yea but, M xDrive helps you stop and grip!
I don’t know why people believe this, because all-wheel drive actually hurts you more than helps once you’re underway. Let’s look at grip:
- M3 Competition: 1.03 G (Michelin 4S)
- M3 Competition M xDrive: 1.03 G (Pirelli)
- M3 CS: 2.7 seconds: 1.06 G (Michelin Cup 2)
The CS’s marginal extra grip comes from more aggressive rubber. What about braking from 70 MPH (all had carbon ceramic brakes)?:
- M3 Competition: 150 ft
- M3 Competition M xDrive: 153 ft
- M3 CS: 2.7 seconds: 146 ft
The CS does the best because it’s got those tires, but all three can be dismissed as differences in surface conditions.
Since we’re here, we might as well mention that the rear-wheel model gets 1 MPG better, according to the EPA.
Paying the price for those eight tenths
I know the CS is discontinued, but I’m sure they’ll make another for the LCI. In the meantime, let’s take base prices:
- M3 Competition: $80,200
- M3 Competition M xDrive: $85,300
- M3 CS: $119,695
The $5,100 difference is okay, but the $39,495 difference from a Competition to a CS model means you pay $4,936 for each tenth you get to sixty faster.
Ah, I can hear those haters now…“I still want the fastest M3!”
But if all you care about is speed, then uh…why not get the Tesla? Tell you what, we’ll get back to the electrons because…
You can easily tune the M3
How much is up to you, from adding 100 horsepower to making 1,000, the S58 takes well to mods. And if you’re doing that, you should go ahead with M xDrive – the difference in grip off the line is still clear, and becomes more important the more power you make. I’ve seen some of these run sub 8 seconds in the quarter-mile.
I don’t want to run 8s. I just want to have fun taking my daughter to school and eating highway miles at an “enhanced” pace.
Wait, did you say I should get a Tesla?
No – of course I understand the difference. M3 has noise pipes, make go boom.
What I am saying is that, if you’re going to tell me I’ll regret not getting xDrive, than I suppose we should all regret not purchasing a Model 3 Performance. It’s just as fast, it’s speed is much more useful (and more consistent) hell – Tesla even gave it more range than the M3.
And you could buy two of them for the price of one M3 CS.
Which brings me to my last point. No matter what G8X you have, it isn’t a special car, simply a very good one. Drive it.
Wonder if I should keep the manual…
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