2024 BMW M3 CS: The Best M3 Yet, Although...

Kelowna, British Columbia—In the wonderful world of BMW M, special editions with an even greater focus on performance and handling are always part of the plan. For 2024, the legendary BMW M3 is upping its game with a track-focused yet street-legal M3 CS.

While the car is landing on Canadian soil this month, consider yourself extremely lucky if you come across one. The company will allocate a mere 72 units to our market. That’s right: only six dozen of these hardcore sedans are coming here.

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BMW Canada invited The Car Guide to test the limits of the M3 CS at Area 27 Motorsport Park in Oliver, B.C., a track that former Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve helped design. Below is our full account.

CS as in Competition Sport

The new 2024 BMW M3 CS draws inspiration from the M4 CSL coupe, but adds the German automaker’s xDrive all-wheel drive system for improved traction and easier driving. 

Nestled below new high-precision strut braces, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine benefits from increased boost pressure (from 24.7 psi to 30.5 psi) and delivers 543 horsepower between 6,250-7,200 rpm, an increase of 40 horsepower from the M3 Competition xDrive. Peak torque remains unchanged at 479 lb-ft., but is available between 2,750-5,950 rpm.

A specially designed engine mount with increased spring rates creates an extremely rigid connection between the power unit and the vehicle’s structure. Without a doubt, the M3 CS proves stiffer than the M4 Competition. By the way, the two were part of a test fleet that also included an M2, M8 Competition and X5 M Competition.

The eight-speed M Steptronic transmission combines with an M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The latter uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch with optimized oil supply to keep it performing effectively even under hard driving on the track. The system’s rear-wheel bias and the way it teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle add to the signature M feeling when accelerating or powering through corners.

Fortunately, it’s not all about power when it comes to the BMW M3 CS. The model-specific settings for the stability control system and M Dynamic Mode have also been purposefully geared to the unique demands of high-speed track driving.

However, the thing that makes the sporty sedan more agile on the tarmac is the adaptive M suspension (bespoke wheel camber settings, dampers, auxiliary springs and anti-roll bars), as well as M light-alloy wheels measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear. Oh, and the ultra-grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.

Naturally, weight saving is a big part of the M3 CS concept, too. This includes a number of carbon fibre components (roof, hood, front splitter, front air intakes, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoiler). The standard M Carbon bucket seats also do their bit to keep weight down in the cabin. Overall, the car is approximately 20 kg lighter—a real blessing considering a BMW M3 Competition with M xDrive tips the scales at nearly 1,800 kg.

On the Track

For this Canadian media event, we were only allowed to test the new M3 CS on the track, so you won’t find on-road driving impressions in our review. With so many great M vehicles waiting for us in the pit lane, who are we to complain?

The extra horses wasted no time making their presence felt, whether in a straight line or out of a hairpin turn. The top speeds of 215 km/h we achieved are proof that weight is not an obstacle for the M3 CS.

The left turn following the long straightaway is the perfect place to test the optional M Carbon ceramic brakes ($10,900). And boy, they passed with flying colours. Unlike the brakes on the M4 Competition we got to drive later in the afternoon, they didn’t show any sign of fatigue, which felt quite reassuring.

Even more impressive and joy-inducing were the upgraded suspension and tenacious Michelin tires. Once we got more familiar with the track after 6-7 laps, we started pushing and abusing the $148,000 sedan a bit more. Despite repeated attempts to throw it off balance, the car never really flinched, showing all the amazing engineering that went into its creation.

Our Verdict

Neatly slotted between the RWD-only M4 CSL and the M3/M4 Competition xDrive, the 2024 BMW M3 CS is arguably the best M3 yet. However, there is a pretty steep price to pay in order to play. Our tester on that particular day, complete with Signal Green paint ($4,000) and the aforementioned M Carbon ceramic brakes, carried a tag of $162,900—almost twice as much as a regular M3 Competition. While obviously a lesser track performer, the latter just can’t be ignored, not at a reasonable base MSRP of $89,500. What a formidable machine it is.