Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 F80 - [2017]

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 2017. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2018 Bugatti Chiron Sport 8.0L W16 Quad Turbo and the 2018 Bugatti Divo 8.0L W16 64 Valve 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 1622 kgs (3575 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo 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 2011 Ginetta G60 3.7 V6 (287.0 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 262.0 bhp per ton and 250.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2017 3 Series competing with the 2011 Ginetta G60 3.7 V6 (287.0 bhp per ton) or the 2009 Jaguar XK R 5.0 Supercharged (286.9 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 250.3 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 2017 Jaguar XJ R 575 5.0 V8 Supercharged (275.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW 5 Series 540d xDrive G30 (275.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 F80 is also faster than 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 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.75 secs @ 107.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (12.70 secs), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged (12.70 secs), and the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (12.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2017 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 F80 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2017 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 2017 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:

2017 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison