2021 BMW M3 Competition (G80): A Deep Dive into the Hot-Selling AWD Performance Sedan

The G80 M3's Market Dominance

• 🚀 The G80 BMW M3 Competition is experiencing a surge in the pre-owned market, making it the hottest selling AWD performance sedan.
• 💡 While initial styling was debated, many have come to appreciate the G80's look, especially with the variety of available colors and customization options.
• 🎯 Competitors like the Cadillac Blackwing and AMG models exist, but the M3 stands out in the performance sedan segment.

Exterior Design and Features

• 🎨 The Isle of Man Green paint, named after the iconic TT race, is a standout feature, offering a bright metallic finish.
• 💡 BMW Laser Lights with distinctive blue accents and LED halo daytime running lamps enhance the front-end design.
• 🚗 The G80 generation features sculpted corner air curtains, gloss black splitter extensions, and a honeycomb grill style, with the prominent massive grills being a key design element.
• ⚙️ The wheel and tire setup includes 19-inch forged aluminum wheels up front with 275 width tires and 19-inch wheels out back with 20-inch wheels and 285 width tires, all featuring M branded Brembo calipers and cross-drilled rotors (carbon ceramics are optional).
• 💨 A gloss black trunk lid spoiler and a quad-tip M Performance exhaust with active sound control contribute to the aggressive rear styling.

Powertrain and Performance

• 🐎 Under the hood lies a 3.0L twin-turbo inline-6 engine producing 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in the Competition model.
• ⚡ The M3 Competition is exclusively paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, with 0-60 mph achieved in 3.4 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 11.5 seconds.
• ⚖️ The vehicle weighs approximately 3,870 lbs, offering a balance of power and manageable performance for a four-door sedan.

Interior Comfort and Technology

• 🍊 The interior features a striking full leather orange interior with contrast stitching, ambient lighting, and a Harman Kardon sound system.
• 🖥️ A full touchscreen infotainment system, M menu for customization, and selectable driving modes (Sport, Road) allow for personalized driving experiences.
• 🔌 Convenience features include dual-zone climate control, heated seats (no ventilated seats), a real volume knob, wireless charging, and a USBA/USBC port.
• 🏎️ The driver-focused cockpit boasts a leather steering wheel with carbon fiber accents, carbon fiber paddles for the automatic transmission, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with an 11-inch head-up display.

Driving Dynamics and Practicality

• 🛣️ The steering is quick, though a tad heavier feel would be desired for more feedback, and the all-wheel-drive system effectively puts power to the ground.
• 🔊 While the exhaust offers pops and bangs, the artificial pumped-in sound is noted as a drawback, with a preference for a louder factory exhaust.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The rear seat offers adequate space for a four-door sedan, with AC vents and two USBC ports, though no rear seat pockets or heated/ventilated seats are present.
• 📦 The trunk provides 15 cubic feet of space, with rear seats that fold down for expanded cargo capacity.