Used 2021 BMW M3 for Sale nearChicago, IL

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

Is the 2021 BMW M3 a good car?

The 2021 BMW M3 is a compelling choice if you want a luxury performance sedan that prioritizes driving excitement over comfort-first compromises, and the data backs that up with a 3.67/5 user rating and a 6.67/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

The test-drive notes describe it as a car that can feel calm when you want it to and ferocious when you do not, with a powerful engine, a manual transmission available, and genuinely engaging dynamics. The trade-offs are clear too: poor ride quality and poor fuel economy, plus not much cargo space.

That makes the M3 best suited to you if you want a driver’s car that still works as a sedan for everyday use, especially if sharp responses and serious speed matter more than comfort. With 38.1% of listings priced as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 reliable?

The 2021 BMW M3 is presented as a high-performance sedan that emphasizes capability and driver involvement, but the ownership picture is shaped more by performance hardware than by low-stress simplicity. The test-drive notes highlight a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six, rear-wheel drive, and an adaptive performance suspension, all of which point to a car engineered for serious use.

The performance notes also emphasize engine, oil, turbocharger, and brake cooling, which suggests BMW built in the kind of thermal management you want in a hard-driven sports sedan. On the cost side, the data makes clear that this is not a low-maintenance proposition, and the car’s track-ready hardware is more than many used buyers will ever need.

If you buy one used, long-term ownership risk is highest when the car has been driven hard without careful maintenance, so you should favor a well-documented example over one that simply looks clean.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should start with the history report, then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear from hard driving, brake condition, suspension behavior, and signs of neglected maintenance. Because this is a performance sedan, condition matters more than mileage alone, and you should pay close attention to how the car was used and serviced.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base M3 gives you the manual transmission and the core driver-focused setup, while the M3 Competition adds more power and an automatic transmission. The Competition is the better fit if you want the quickest version and do not want to work a clutch pedal.
• Powertrain: The standard M3 uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the M3 Competition uses the same engine with 503 hp and 479 lb-ft. The standard car is manual-only, and the Competition uses an eight-speed automatic.
• Safety package: 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 SOS and automatic collision notification. The Driving Assistance Professional Package is available only on the M3 Competition and adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, extended traffic jam assistance, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and emergency stop assistance.
• Infotainment: The M3 uses iDrive 7.0 with a touchscreen and voice recognition, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is quick to respond, and the test car also had a head-up display and gesture controls.
• Fuel efficiency: The data says fuel economy drops by 7 mpg to 19 mpg in combined driving.

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:

• M3: This is the one to choose if you want the manual transmission and the most direct driver involvement. It gives you the core M3 experience with 473 horsepower, rear-wheel drive, and the six-speed manual, so it suits you best if engagement matters more than outright convenience.
• M3 Competition: This is the best-value trim if you want the quickest version and prefer an automatic. It adds 503 hp, an eight-speed automatic, and stronger straight-line performance, making it the better pick if you want maximum pace without giving up the sedan format.

The Driving Assistance Professional Package is only available on the M3 Competition, so if you want the extra driver-assistance features, that trim is the one to target.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 113 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $67,246, 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 $70,119 sits slightly below last year's $70,215.

That small decline suggests the market has been stable rather than volatile, which is helpful if you plan to resell later. You are not looking at a model year that has suddenly lost value, but you also should not expect a sharp appreciation story.

For a future seller, that means condition, mileage, and documentation will matter more than trying to time a big market swing. A clean, well-kept M3 should remain easier to move than a neglected one, especially because buyers in this segment tend to be selective.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 safe?

The 2021 BMW M3 does not have published crash-test ratings from either NHTSA or IIHS in the data provided.

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 SOS and automatic collision notification. If you choose the M3 Competition, you can also add the Driving Assistance Professional Package, which brings adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, extended traffic jam assistance, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and emergency stop assistance.

The main safety caveat is that the more advanced driver-assistance package is limited to the Competition model, so you need to shop that trim if those features matter to you.

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:

• 38.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• The 2021 stands out as a driver’s car that blends everyday usability with serious speed and sharp responses.

The bottom line: If you want the M3 experience with stable pricing and a solid pool of listings, the 2021 is a sensible target. If you are especially price-sensitive, keep shopping carefully and focus on condition, because the best examples will matter more than small year-to-year differences.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.