Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 F80 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 2979cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 3 Series shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1595 kgs (3516 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp)

In terms of power the 2979cc 24V St6 engine produces 425 bhp (316 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (450 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 406 lb-ft (550.4 Nm) @ 1850 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2 V8 2d (291.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 266.4 bhp per ton and 254.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 3 Series competing with the 2007 Chevrolet Corvette 6.2 V8 2d (291.4 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Aston-Martin Vantage 4.7 V8 GT8 (291.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 254.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG (279.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 BMW 5 Series M550d xDrive F10 (279.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 F80 is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.68 secs @ 107.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 Mazda RX7 RZ (12.64 secs), the 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400 (12.65 secs), and the 2016 Audi A3 S3 Sportback 2.0 Turbo S-Tronic (12.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 3 Series equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 BMW 3 Series M3 F80 then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2013 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison