Social media, and in fact content creation in general, are strange things. Staying top-of-mind is key. But I’ve tried to take a different approach to this site – each story and review comes from the heart, and if it doesn’t work, I did my best. So you know that when I decided I would move on from my manual G80 and into a 2025 BMW M3 Competition, it’s because this is what I really want.
Uhh…Surprise!
Why? Lots of reasons…
The manual has never fit the G80 M3 well
You and I both know that when BMW made this car, it was an afterthought – something to keep the purists happy for one last go-around. But if you look at all the cars I’ve driven, I can honestly say the six-speed in the BMW is probably one of the worst.
That doesn’t mean it’s bad – it works great, and is easy to drive. But this M3 has never been a car that yells at me to flog it on back roads – it’s too soft and comfortable for that. Drive any modern manual Porsche or Cadillac, and you’ll soon see why as well.
So like, you’re selling out?
Stop – this M3 is meant to be a daily driver. It’s so comfy and capable. Should I ever get a third car, perhaps that can be a manual, and thus more special.
But the days of me driving a stick daily are done.
But you didn’t like the LCI?
I don’t like the headlights as much. I lament the fact that there will now be a giant iPad plopped on my dash – but to be honest, I’ve gotten used to it. And since they are fresh out of M3s with laser lights, this will do.
Why sell it now?
I wasn’t planning on it – I still love the car. But when I went to buy out the lease, I found it silly to finance at an 8% interest rate. Plus, this isn’t really the spec I’ve wanted – I hate seeing a 330i in Portimao Blue drive by.
Hopefully it won’t take nine months to get here.
So what about all the parts on your current M3?
Some, I will transfer. Some, I will sell. And some will stay, because I’m going to flip this M3 and sell it at auction (unless a reader wants it first – I’ll post a future Talk Me Out Of It with specifics).
Did you even consider anything else, you dummy?!
At the end of the day, there’s just one car that’s as good as the M3, and in many respects better – the CT5 V Blackwing.
But I don’t want to do another manual, and I don’t want a daily that does 13 MPG. The Caddy isn’t as nice inside either. Regardless – the manual is incredible, and I don’t think I could drive one around knowing I didn’t opt for the special transmission.
The other car I thought about for a hot second was the IS 500. But that is a car that you date, not marry. It’s tight inside, the transmission is a mess…nope, not to live with every day.
Okay so, xDrive Competition, right?!
No, just the regular rear-wheel drive model. It’s down 20 horsepower (though it’ll still feel like a big bump to me), but it has the same amount of torque as the xDrive, and it’s 130 pounds lighter. Also gets one MPG better, for whatever that’s worth. I don’t think I’ll be tuning this to 930 horses (but it’s nice to know I finally could).
Still, it comes down to price, and I had a choice – do traction, or do art, and well…
I want something you won’t see every day
BMW Individual charges $4,500 for mostly any color you’d like, which is oddly the same amount as the xDrive trim. I wanted the color this time, so it’s going to be Miami Blue.
I have not seen a G8X in that shade yet, and so though I am usually drawn to darker shades, this felt like a chance to break out of that.
So how did you spec your 2025 BMW M3 Competition?
Outside, I’ve now put on 825M wheels in silver. Very excited about that, though I’m not sure if they are shiny or matte. I hope it’s like chrome!
Inside, it’s the same Kyalami Orange Merino leather, but extended this time. BMW gives you less standard now than they did in 2022, and I’d hate for the door cards to be black instead of matching. Though Silverstone leather would look great with Miami, I know it’ll get dirty, and that will drive me insane. Elsewhere:
- Carbon fiber trim, a must
- Parking Assistance Package, I like the 3D view it offers
- The Executive Package – the only way to get Adaptive LED headlights.
- Front ventilated seats – I find BMW to be lacking with this option, but it’s better than nothing.
- Galvanic controls – sure, let’s make everything match as much as possible
- Drive recorder because people are idiots on the road
- M Alcantara steering wheel – it’s one less mod for me to worry about
- Red Brake calipers
- Extended Shadowline Trim deletion.
Carbon ceramic brakes are still too much. You already know how I feel about the carbon fiber bucket seats. And I’m not paying BMW prices for carbon fiber bits when it all comes from the same place. Finally, no one ever really noticed, but I left off Shadowline headlights on my last M3, and I’m glad I did – it matches the brightwork and makes the car pop a bit more.
The car should be here by late fall. In the meantime, if you’re interested in my current M3, please reach out.
Thanks to Danny at Circle BMW!
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