Used 2021 BMW M3 for SaleNationwide

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 117 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 strong choice if you want a luxury performance sedan that can be calm in daily driving and ferocious when you push it, though its appeal depends on whether you value driving excitement over comfort and practicality. It earns a 3.7/5 user rating and a 6.7/10 expert rating.

The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

The M3’s core appeal is its powerful engine, manual transmission availability, and genuinely fun driving experience, while the overview also frames it as a redesigned model that still delivers the driver engagement you expect from BMW. On the downside, the expert notes poor ride quality and poor fuel economy, and the car’s limited cargo space makes it less convenient for everyday hauling.

With 36.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitively priced example if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 reliable?

The 2021 BMW M3 is presented as a capable, well-engineered performance sedan, but its long-term ownership picture is shaped more by high-performance hardware than by low-stress commuting duty. The expert notes that BMW strove to maximize engine, oil, turbocharger, and brake cooling, and that the performance exhaust can be adjusted to suit your preference.

The performance write-up also emphasizes that the car is built to be driven hard, with track-oriented capability and a chassis that rewards smooth inputs. On the cost side, the expert says the M3 is not a cost-effective choice in its class, and that its capabilities have moved beyond what most public roads can fully use.

If you buy used, the main long-term risk is that a car built for serious performance may bring higher maintenance and repair exposure than a more ordinary sedan.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean title alone does not tell you how hard the car was driven or how well it was maintained. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on wear items tied to performance use, and pay close attention to ride quality, tire condition, brake condition, and any signs of track abuse.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The standard M3 brings the manual transmission and the core performance setup, while the M3 Competition adds more power and an automatic transmission; the Competition is also the only path to the available advanced driver-assistance package.
• Powertrain: The standard car uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six with 473 horsepower and a six-speed manual, while the Competition uses the same engine with 503 hp and an eight-speed automatic.
• Safety package: Standard equipment 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 with automatic collision notification; 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 M3 Competition.
• Infotainment: The M3 uses iDrive 7.0 with a touchscreen and voice recognition, and it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; the system is quick to respond, and the voice controls work especially well.
• Fuel efficiency: The expert notes that fuel economy drops by 7 mpg to 19 mpg in combined driving compared with the related M340i.

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 purist setup, because it gives you the 473-hp twin-turbo inline-six and the six-speed manual transmission. It suits you best if you care most about driver involvement and want the standard car’s core performance character without stepping up to the automatic-only Competition.
• M3 Competition: This is the better-value pick if you want the quickest and most fully developed version of the car, since it adds 503 hp, an eight-speed automatic, and the strongest straight-line performance. It also unlocks the available advanced driver-assistance package, so it makes the most sense if you want maximum speed and more available tech.

The safety package is only available on the M3 Competition, and it requires the automatic transmission.

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

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

• Deal availability: 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 117 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 77.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $67,240, 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 $69,362 sits slightly above last year's $69,042.

That small increase suggests the M3 has held its value fairly well over the past year. For a future seller, that kind of stability is encouraging because it points to a market that is not swinging sharply in either direction.

If you own one and keep it in good condition, you should have a reasonable shot at preserving value relative to many mainstream sedans. The key will be mileage, condition, and how well the car’s performance-oriented hardware has been maintained.

Is the 2021 BMW M3 safe?

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

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. 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, but it is limited to the M3 Competition.

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:

• 36.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 77.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• The redesigned M3 is described as a car that feels calm in everyday driving and ferocious when pushed hard, with the Competition version singled out as “multiple cars in one.”

The bottom line: Choose the 2021 if you want the redesigned M3’s blend of everyday usability and serious performance, especially if you value the manual-transmission standard car or the Competition’s extra speed. If you are more price-sensitive, a different year may make sense, but the 2021 remains appealing because its market has been relatively stable and the car’s core performance character is especially strong.

How does the 2021 BMW M3 compare to the 2021 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.