How much does the 2021 BMW M3 cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 100 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $67,298.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 a good car?

It can be a strong fit if you want a luxury performance sedan that balances everyday usability with serious speed. The user rating is 3.67/5, and the expert rating is 6.67/10.

The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

The overview describes a car that can feel calm in daily driving and ferocious when pushed, which makes it appealing if you want one sedan to cover commuting and enthusiast driving. The expert notes back that up with a twin-turbo inline-six, a manual transmission on the standard car, and a chassis that rewards smooth, measured inputs.

The trade-offs are clear: the ride quality is poor, fuel economy is poor, and cargo space is limited. That means you should view it as a focused performance sedan first, not a comfort-first or practicality-first choice.

With 32.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 reliable?

The 2021 BMW M3 is built around a high-performance formula, and the expert notes emphasize that it is engineered for serious driving rather than easygoing ownership. The performance write-up highlights extensive cooling for the engine, oil, turbocharger, and brakes, which supports hard use.

The expert also describes the car as capable of track-level performance, and the cost-effectiveness notes make clear that much of what it offers is beyond what most drivers will use on public roads. That usually means you should expect a more demanding ownership experience than you would from a mainstream sedan.

BMW’s maintenance and ownership approach can be helped by the car’s strong everyday usability, but the same hardware that makes it exciting can also make repairs and upkeep more consequential over time. For used buyers, long-term ownership risk is highest if the car has been driven hard, modified, or poorly maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 BMW M3?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 76% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a performance sedan like this can hide expensive past damage even when it looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear from hard driving, brake condition, tire condition, and evidence of track use or modifications. Pay close attention to whether the car has been maintained on schedule and whether any warning lights or unusual noises show up during a test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The standard car includes a six-speed manual transmission, while the Competition model adds an eight-speed automatic and more power. The base car also lacks the Competition-only availability of the Driving Assistance Professional Package.
• Powertrain: The standard model uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The Competition version raises output to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft, and the automatic is required there.
• Safety package: Standard driver aids include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, drowsy driver monitoring, post-crash braking, and BMW Assist eCall. The Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, extended traffic jam assistance, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and emergency stop assistance, but it is only available on the Competition model.
• Infotainment: BMW equips the M3 with iDrive 7.0, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a quick, easy-to-use touchscreen and voice-recognition setup. The test car also had a head-up display and gesture controls, though the gesture controls were inconsistent.
• Fuel efficiency: The base M3 is described as returning 19 mpg in combined driving, and the expert notes that fuel economy is poor.

Which 2021 BMW M3 trim should I buy?

The 2021 BMW M3 is offered in 2 trim levels: M3 and M3 Competition.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The standard M3 gives you the manual transmission, the twin-turbo inline-six, and the core driver-assistance suite, but it does not get the Competition-only automatic or the optional advanced driver-assistance package.
• Premium/top trim: The M3 Competition is the better pick if you want the quickest version, the extra power, and the automatic transmission. It also unlocks the available Driving Assistance Professional Package.

The safety package note is simple: the advanced driver-assistance package is only available on the Competition model.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 BMW M3?

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 100 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 76.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $67,298.35, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 BMW M3's resale value?

The current average of $70,577 sits slightly above last year's $70,020.

That small increase suggests the market has stayed relatively stable, which is a good sign if you plan to resell later. It also means the car has not shown a sharp drop in desirability, even with its high-performance positioning and premium pricing.

For a future seller, that kind of pricing pattern usually points to steady demand rather than a volatile market. If you buy well and keep the car in strong condition, you should have a reasonable chance of preserving value better than you would with a less distinctive performance sedan.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 safe?

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

BMW equips the M3 with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, drowsy driver monitoring, post-crash braking, and BMW Assist eCall with automatic collision notification and an SOS button.

The available Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, extended traffic jam assistance, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and emergency stop assistance. That package is only available on the Competition model, so base-trim buyers miss out on those extra convenience and safety features.

The expert notes also point out that the lane-departure warning vibration is subtle and the lane-keeping assistance works exceptionally well. Since crash-test ratings were not performed, you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the availability of the advanced package when comparing used examples.

Should I buy a 2021 BMW M3 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 76% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• The expert summary emphasizes that this redesigned M3 delivers authentic driver’s-car performance with a strong dual personality.

The bottom line: If you want the redesigned M3 experience and value the mix of daily usability and serious performance, the 2021 is a compelling choice. If you are more price-sensitive, you may want to compare carefully against other years and focus on the cleanest, best-maintained example rather than chasing the newest or most heavily optioned car.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.