BMW prices M3 CS from $179,900 BOCs

BMW Group Australia has confirmed that a yet-to-be-determined number of examples of the most potent M3 sports sedan yet, the CS, will hit local showrooms in the third quarter this year, priced from $179,900 before on-road costs.

Restricted to 1200 units globally, the M3 CS attracts a $33,000 premium over the former M3 Competition flagship, while it undercuts the mechanically related M4 CS sports coupe by $10,000.

Compared to its nearest rival, the 375kW/700Nm Mercedes-AMG C63 S Sedan, the M3 CS is $22,689 dearer.

As previously reported, the M3 CS draws motivation from a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine that pumps out 338kW of power at 6250rpm and 600Nm from 4000 to 5380rpm, up 7kW/50Nm over the M3 Competition thanks to an ECU tune.

Just like the M4 CS, the M3 version exclusively sends drive to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

As a result, the M3 CS can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds while on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 280km/h – 0.1s quicker and 30km/h faster than the M3 Competition.

The M3 CS is more efficient and less pollutant than the M3 Competition despite its improved performance credentials, with its claimed fuel consumption of 8.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test and carbon dioxide emissions of 198 grams per kilometre outpointing its siblings by 0.3L/100km and 6g/km.

This is partly due to the M3 CS’ reduced weight of 1585 kilograms, which was achieved due to the extensive use of carbon-fibre and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic for the front splitter, rear diffuser, bonnet, roof and driveshaft.

Rolling on a mixed set of 10-spoke alloy wheels finished in Orbit Grey, the M3 CS features Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres (265/35R19 front, 285/30R20 rear) as standard, while less aggressive Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber is a no-cost option.

Braking is handled by compound discs with four-piston front and two-pot rear callipers as standard, while carbon-ceramic rotors with six-piston front and four-pot rear stoppers are optional.

Other standard equipment includes a sports exhaust system with quad 80mm tailpipes, a rear limited-slip differential, launch control, an adaptive suspension, adaptive LED headlights, tinted LED tail-lights and high-gloss black trim.

Inside, lashings of Alcantara, two-tone Merino leather upholstery with grey contrasting stitching, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, an 8.8-inch iDrive touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, a head-up display, a 12-speaker sound system and adaptive cruise control feature.

Options include a rear roller sunblind, sun protection glazing, a headlight washer system, television functionality and wireless Apple CarPlay support.

Five exterior paint colours will be on offer, including no-cost San Marino Blue and Black Sapphire metallics, and Alpine White, as well as extra extra-cost Lime Rock Grey and Frozen Dark Blue II.

According to BMW Group Australia chief executive Marc Werner, the M3 CS will prove to be an enticing proposition for performance enthusiasts.

“The combination of the M4 CS’s drivetrain into the M3’s pumped-up sedan body makes the M3 CS highly desirable,” he said.

“Even better, we’ve been able to follow up from the M4 CS’s strong price position. The 338kW M3 CS will be available from June, priced from $179,900 plus on-road costs.”

When pricing for the M4 CS was initially announced in July last year, it wore a $211,610 price tag, but BMW Group Australia dropped it by $21,710 five months later following customer and media feedback.

Sales of the 3 Series took a significant hit last year, with 2584 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a 35.0 per cent decrease over the 3975 deliveries made in 2016.

This effort saw the BMW place third in the $60,000-plus mid-size-car segment last year, trailing the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (8549 units) and CLA (3445) but ahead of the Audi A4 (2177), Lexus IS (1524) and Jaguar XE (791), among others.

The 3 Series’ downwards trajectory has been reversed in 2018, with 757 vehicles finding homes to the end of March, equating to a 4.7 per cent increase over the 723 examples sold during the same period in 2017.