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

If you find a listing below $67,286.76, 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 is a compelling choice if you want a luxury performance sedan that can be calm in daily driving and ferocious when you push it. The user rating is 3.67/5, and the expert rating is 6.67/10.

The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

The M3’s appeal comes from its dual personality: it aims to be usable and exciting at the same time, with a powerful engine and real driver engagement. The trade-offs are clear, though, because the ride quality is poor and cargo space is limited, so it fits you best if performance matters more than comfort or practicality.

With 26.2% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively if you want to balance excitement with price.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 reliable?

The 2021 BMW M3 is built around a high-performance formula that prioritizes speed and engagement over simplicity. Its engine is powerful, the manual transmission is available, and the car is described as rewarding when you drive it smoothly and with respect.

BMW’s performance notes also point to serious engineering attention around cooling for the engine, oil, turbocharger, and brakes, which supports the car’s track-capable mission. The cost-effectiveness notes make clear that this is not a low-stress ownership proposition, especially if you plan to use it hard or keep it long term.

If you buy used, the biggest long-term risk is that a car this capable can be expensive to maintain and repair, so condition and service history matter a lot more than mileage alone.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.7% — 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. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on wear from hard driving, signs of neglected maintenance, and whether the car has been modified. Condition matters especially here because the M3’s appeal depends on how well it has been cared for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base M3 gives you the manual transmission and the core performance setup, while the Competition version 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.
• Powertrain: The standard car 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 it uses an eight-speed automatic.
• Safety package: The standard driver-aid suite includes 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 is only available on the Competition model.
• Infotainment: You get iDrive 7.0 with a touchscreen, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a head-up display. The system is quick to respond and easy to use.
• Fuel efficiency: The base M3 is described as returning 19 mpg in combined driving, and the test-drive notes also say 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:

• M3: This is the one to choose if you want the manual transmission and the core M3 experience. It delivers the standard 473-horsepower setup and the most direct connection to the car’s performance character.
• M3 Competition: This is the best-value trim if you want the quickest version and prefer an automatic. It adds more power, sharper acceleration, and the automatic transmission that makes the car easier to live with in traffic.

The Competition-only Driving Assistance Professional Package is the key safety-package note to keep in mind, since that upgrade is tied to the automatic-transmission model.

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting a deep buyer’s market.

• Deal availability: 26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 103 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $67,286.76, 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 $70,628 sits slightly above last year's $69,940.

That small increase suggests the market has stayed fairly stable, which is a good sign if you plan to sell later. You are not looking at a model year that appears to be sliding sharply in value, so a well-kept example should remain relatively easy to price against the market.

For a future seller, that means condition and equipment will matter more than trying to time a dramatic swing. If you keep the car clean, documented, and unmodified, you should be in a stronger position when it is time to list it.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 safe?

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 an SOS button and automatic collision notification.

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

The available Driving Assistance Professional Package adds adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, extended traffic jam assistance, lane-centering assistance, evasive steering assistance, and emergency stop assistance, but it is only available on the Competition model. Since BMW says neither NHTSA nor IIHS has tested this sedan, you should lean heavily on the standard driver aids and the car’s equipment level when evaluating safety.

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:

• 26.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• The expert summary says the redesigned M3 delivers authentic driver’s-car character and especially strong performance in Competition specification.

The bottom line: If you want the sharpest driver-focused version of this sedan and you are comfortable shopping carefully for condition, the 2021 M3 is a strong pick. If you are more price-sensitive, you may want to compare nearby model years and focus on the cleanest, best-documented example rather than chasing the newest badge alone.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.