BMW’s intuitive iDrive system comes as standard, controlling a large screen on top of the dash. It’s a great system that integrates nicely with the standard 3 Series’ interior design – although, on this M Division model, you can turn the dial up when it comes to sportiness with options such as carbon fibre trim inlays.

More supportive sports seats fix you in place when you’re in the mood for faster driving, while the sportier steering wheel (with gear shift paddles on the DCT version) also set it apart from the standard 3 Series saloon.

There’s a head-up display so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road, as well as two configurable M Sport modes that tweak the steering, throttle response, gearbox, stability control and suspension to your preferred setting at the touch of a button.

Overall, the quality feels great inside, with lots of leather and soft-touch plastics, as well as sportier carbon fibre and aluminium trim if you want to customise your M3 that bit further still. The dashboard is clear to read – which is a great help if you do need to take your eyes off the road at speed – while the technology is easy to get to grips with.

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2015 BMW

36,657 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £27,990

View M3

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2018 BMW

68,500 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £31,995

View M3

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2018 BMW

75,950 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £29,995

View M3

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2018 BMW

48,500 milesAutomaticPetrol3.0L

Cash £33,999

View M3

The cabin design is familiar from other models in the BMW range, but fundamentally it works. It feels at least as special as the Mercedes-AMG C63 when it comes to design and material quality, although the most recent Audi RS 4 Avant is a step ahead of both rivals here.

As the M3 is a saloon with four doors, access to the rear is easy, and the attention to detail is just as good in the back, with comfortable seats and a few other bespoke features.

Design changes for the M3 CS include a carbon-fibre bonnet, lightweight, matt grey forged 19-inch wheels, a front carbon-fibre splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser, all with exposed weave.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The iDrive system is controlled by a rotary wheel located on the transmission tunnel. It’s surrounded by buttons for the radio, sat-nav and so on, so there are plenty of hot keys to quickly jump to the area of the infotainment system you want.

The controller is simple to use, and you can scroll between settings with little fuss. The screen is huge, too, so it’s easy to view sat-nav instructions, for example.

Sat-nav, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and a DAB radio all come as standard, so there are plenty of creature comforts to go with the more hardcore track focus the chassis and engine bring. Although the huge tyres and stiff suspension mean there’s a noticeable amount of road roar, the powerful stereo and strong refinement ensure long-distance journeys are still easy to complete.

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Name
M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 4dr Step Auto
Gearbox type
Semi-auto
RRP
£87,895

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M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 4dr Step Auto
Gearbox type
Semi-auto
RRP
£87,895

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Fastest

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M3 xDrive 530 Competition M 4dr Step Auto
Gearbox type
Semi-auto
RRP
£87,895

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Sean Carson

Sean’s been writing about cars since 2010, having worked for outlets as diverse as PistonHeads, MSN Cars, Which? Cars, Race Tech – a specialist motorsport publication – and most recently Auto Express and sister titles Carbuyer and DrivingElectric.