BMW M3 Configurator: Build Your Own Full-Fat Sports Sedan Latte

by Gabrielle DeSantis

It’s time once again to play that game of configurator-fueled wishful thinking that all enthusiasts like to play, this time with BMW. This week, I spec out an M3. Love or hate that big ol’ schnoz, the M3 is still a serious driver’s car, always has been. In recent years, the Bavarian sports sedan has become the pinnacle of fast daily drivers, and this one is no exception to that trend. A quick disclaimer: these are all my own personal tastes and opinions, so feel free to spec your M3 as different from mine as you like.

BMW M3: exterior and wheels

My Isle of Man Green Metallic M3 | BMW

In keeping with that daily driver theme, I opted for the non-Competition M3 for two reasons: the manual is only available on non-Comp cars, and price. I built my M3 on the assumption it would be my only fake car in my fake one-car garage. As it should be, with a monthly payment of nearly $1500 and an as-built price of $91,694 with destination charge. I also included BMW Ultimate care for almost seven large to keep my fake M3 on the road.

Now for the paint. I chose Isle of Man Green, a $550 extra. It helps hide the big grille a little better, and the same goes for other dark colors like grey and black. Moreover, who doesn’t love a little racing green in their life? The wheels were an unfortunate after effect of the carbon brake package, which runs a cool $8,000. Personally, I’m selling those and buying a nice set of gold wheels to match the gold calipers. Can’t be too subtle.

M3 interior and options

The Kyalami Orange interior of the M3 with manual transmission
Kyalami Orange seats | BMW

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A word of caution on the interior of the M3. If you’re a fan of the Kyalami Orange leather seats as I am, they do look far more orange in person depending on who you ask. Personally, I think they look great, but I skipped the optional leather surfaces to keep my budget under $95,000. I did however pick up the ventilated seats. They’re the kind of thing you can’t let go of once you’ve had them.

I also skipped the $3,800 carbon bucket seats. They have a little lump in the middle for aesthetics that seems painful to clamber over every day, as Mr. Farah of The Smoking Tire points out. What I didn’t skip was the free upgrade to a moonroof. What’s the point of that rowdy motor if you can’t hear the exhaust on a sunny day, windows down? Finally, I opted for BMW’s $2,800 “Executive Package” which nets you a host of luxury features like a heated wheel, HUD, and adaptive LED eyes for your M3.

My BMW M3: tasteful or rubbish?

The gold M carbon ceramic brake calipers on a BMW M3
The M3 with carbon ceramic brakes | BMW

All in all, I ended up with around $20,700 in options alone. Not cheap, but other bits and bobs such as carbon trim and more leather can easily bring an M3 right up past the $100,000 mark. That’s Porsche territory and dangerous waters for an M3. Despite its controversial looks, the M3 is a solid driver’s car and a great daily with speed to rival far more expensive cars. You can try out BMW’s configurator here, should you wish.

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