While the M3's cousin, the 3-series, underwent an overhaul in the 2006 model year, there were no significant changes to the high performance M3. That didn't really matter to lovers of the M3: enthusiasts call the 2006 M3 one of the best sports cars of all time.
The M3 is available as both a coupe and convertible and has a 3.2 liter, inline six cylinder engine capable of producing 333 horsepower. The engine drives a six-speed-manual transmission that can incorporate sequential shifting.
While we highlight specific author bylines where possible, sometimes our content results from the combined efforts of several members of the CarGurus editorial team. As with all our editorial content, you can expect high levels of automotive insight and expertise delivered in a style that is approachable and free from jargon.
2006 M3 is a drivers car! SMG shifts super fast, and the suspension allows you to lean in and handles those long bends. Highly recommend!Jun 26, 2022
by John M
Nov 27, 2020
Best car Ive ever owned. Hands down. Timeless look. Nov 27, 2020
by Anonymous
Dec 17, 2014
This car is everything you could ask for, it will do anything you want it to, easy to work on and fun to drive. Very reliable and is never in the shop, customizing is very easy on this car, anything you could imagine, you could put on or into this powerful engine.Dec 17, 2014
User rating:
by Frederic M
Jun 26, 2022
2006 M3 is a drivers car! SMG shifts super fast, and the suspension allows you to lean in and handles those long bends. Highly recommend!Jun 26, 2022
by John M
Nov 27, 2020
Best car Ive ever owned. Hands down. Timeless look. Nov 27, 2020
by Anonymous
Dec 17, 2014
This car is everything you could ask for, it will do anything you want it to, easy to work on and fun to drive. Very reliable and is never in the shop, customizing is very easy on this car, anything you could imagine, you could put on or into this powerful engine.Dec 17, 2014
by Ed K
Jul 18, 2014
This is a really cool looking head turning and very fun to drive, solidly built automobile, The stereo needs a speaker upgrade though , as the Harmon Kardon are junk (BSW papercones are good), The loud muffler is too loud to hear the radio so I went to stock with no loss of power, Comfortable front seats and a very solid buildJul 18, 2014
by Anonymous
Jun 07, 2014
I have owned and drive BMW's for most my life but the M product they offer is amazing. The car gets a lot of looks by onlookers and compliments. The maintenance on this vehicle is affordable for the average BMW enthusiast.Jun 07, 2014
by Melisa Z
Jul 02, 2013
Very fast car, responds whenever you need it to. Its color and beauty turns heads on the street each time i take it out. Year 2006 but still looks and smells new as if it came out of the factory. BeautyJul 02, 2013
by William T
Apr 13, 2012
hits 0-60 in 6.9 secs so it hits a top speed of 182mph and is fun to slide it can also b
good 4 when u want to go sumwhere wit a few m8s. it is very comfortble and front
seats heat up got loud speakers as i put extra speakers in the xarApr 13, 2012
by Gogo L
Nov 02, 2011
Best car ever own, it has lots of power and torque, it looks great too. Handles like a
dream. I doesn't need constant repairs, but when it does it costs a lot. The fun
factor is WOW, greatest car of all time :DNov 02, 2011
by James P
Jan 10, 2011
As a whole the car is great it has plenty of get up and go and looks good while doing it. Its a geat daily driver and does well on gas for how hard i drive it, braking is great, never at a need for anymore breaking. will put a smile on your face every time you open that s54 up.Jan 10, 2011
by James L
Dec 09, 2010
Overall a very capable car. Though in corners it reminds one that its suspension
is still from the standard 3 series. The build quality is lacking as there are many
complaints on the rear subframe failure. Also the interior B and C pillars fabric is
known to fall off. The rear deck rattles with too much bass or on rough roads.
The alt will fail at around 40K. The cats often fail around the 50K-60K mark. The
engine requires specific oil 10/60 that is only available from the dealer. The
styling of the car still turns heads though the last model is 4 years old. While
the first model is 8 years old. The S54 is a great engine and the Getrag trans is
a good transmission though is often picky when selecting gears 1-3 often
amplified in cold weather . Fun factor is still a 8 out of 10. I would buy again Dec 09, 2010
by Máhmöüd Yuşuf Ş
Oct 27, 2010
i love my car BMW M-3 but i cant drive cuz i don't have licens but i'm wating for my
old 18 but i'm now 16 <3 BMW this is amazing car in the world and spried in the
world Oct 27, 2010
by Zac C
Aug 21, 2010
this car is awsome but no one knows that i have it, i wish it was a little faster, its a 6 speed, it is silver and black leather, and it has aftermarket look alike m3 dished wheels, too bad i really dont own one....Aug 21, 2010
by Sam A
Aug 02, 2010
lovked it, miss it .................................... .....................................
sucks i dont want to write no 40 words because i have nothing to say an m3 talks for itsself , one of the nicest cars ever made ,it was fun to drive and had some great experiances and some not so great ;)Aug 02, 2010
by Jose G
Apr 02, 2010
Acceleration: 0 - 60 in 4.5 secs. Top speed: 204 mph= 326.4 km
Very fun and sporty to drive, very nice car, it has never needed repairs.
It's the euro version, so it has a 3.3L engine with 343 Horsepower.
Very nice and fun to drive in a racetrack, has a lot of grip, fun when traction control is turned off.Apr 02, 2010
by Almir A
Feb 09, 2010
0-100 km/h = 3.6 sec
velocita massima = 305.8 km/h
quanto viene sta macchina??? = più de qnt te puoi permettere..
assetto da gara con un motore spettacolare di cui non sono autorizzato a rivellare i dati.. è una macchina davero bella e agile..Feb 09, 2010
by Tom W
Dec 23, 2009
brilliant performance
great acceleration
good build quility
good for price
fun to drive
stunner
comfortable
not that bad mpg
has had no repairs and is clean and straight
great fun on a track and reccomended for anyone wanting a bmw.Dec 23, 2009
by Babak A
Sep 18, 2009
Very fast & forgiving car. It handles like a dream.
My second M3, can't see how any other car can
measure up to it. Not the most comfortable ride,
but if you just care to be comfortable, stay on the
couch or just buy a Lexus.Sep 18, 2009
by Anibal M
Sep 17, 2009
este carro corre bn bn bn kbrn, es el mejor carro del mundo.. es convertible y se ve demasiado de sobrao, es lo mas excelente q existe, no se compren todos uno pq dsps van a tener el mismo q yo.. entonces me gusta mas asi pq es cmo q unico el mio.. jajaSep 17, 2009
by Najib E
Sep 13, 2009
euuh c est juste pask je veux passer a lotre epreuve ke j ecriis
ils son vraiment debiile mais jadoore les voituure c pour
sa mais je pense ke ke ke ke ke ken le, ke ke k k k Sep 13, 2009
by Brett K
Aug 03, 2009
is ok but very good for 2 ltr v6 but can go wen needed
build quality is very good but you woul expect that for wat yoou pay
very sporty looks
very good on fuel due to engine size servicing on the other hand expect to pay with a arm and a leg just for brakes..
very good car overall.
Aug 03, 2009
by Raphael T
Jul 30, 2009
Acceleration is insanely fast. Braking hasn't been a problem with this car. The car is very tight around corners but sometimes a bit hard. Build quality is pretty good. There haven't been many problems with the car. However, repairs on this car, especially because of how old it is are expensive. Just for the 50k mile checkup it cost 2 grand. This car is definitely fun to drive and its a very uncommon car to see in my areaJul 30, 2009
by Oscar C
May 16, 2009
Custom Direct Port Nitrous - 4.10 gearing - full exhaust - intake - DINAN software - SMG Tranny - Carbon Fiber Interior - Full sound system - Viper Alarm System - Rouge Engineering EVC - DINAN High Flow Throttle bodies- love the way it handles, sounds and gets attention and is soooo much fun to drive.May 16, 2009
by Wayne B
Oct 17, 2008
This car is out standing for drifting and street racing. but you dont have to spend alot to get alot go buy the M1 and its just as fun. You could go out and buy your self a nice impreza or what ever but you will just be last thats all:0Oct 17, 2008
by David K
Oct 13, 2008
Performance – 10 of 10 (350hp with additional mods)
Build Quality – 9 of 10 (SOLID and premium materials used)
Appearance – 10 of 10 (With additional add-ons)
Cost of Ownership – 8 of 10 (Expensive oil 10W60)
Fun Factor – 10 of 10 (FUN FUN FUN!!!!)
Best vehicle i have ever driven and owned!!
Oct 13, 2008
by Curtis Z
Sep 16, 2008
These cars have so much potential to be modified and just have the true proformance pulled from them. also you can inter change alot of different parts and even chevy engines. I would have a twin turbo 7 speed manual m3 in a silver or m3 blue and be pushing close to 680 hp Sep 16, 2008
by Brad J
Sep 11, 2008
Great performance and handling sports car with all the creature comforts one could want or need in a day to day car. The SMG gearbox took some getting used to, but seemed to work well. Although the gear change when set on super fast was somewhat rough. I never tried out the launch control which apparantly worked like a bomb, killed your rear tyres though. I did switch off the traction control to get her sideways on many occations which took a few km off the tyres as well. Really miss her.Sep 11, 2008
by Johan A
Aug 28, 2008
Love everything about the bmw m3 world racing team! its just awsome! best and coolest car ive seen in my entire life! O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O o OAug 28, 2008
by Kyle B
Jun 28, 2008
Awesome car worth every penny. Unbelievable performance from a small engine and very nimble handling.Jun 28, 2008
by Anonymous
Jun 25, 2008
absolutely nothing at all. I love everything about this car, especially the speed and the nice looks it has.I think the prices on this car are totally worth it!Driving it and hearing the nice engine drive is awesome!Beamers are amazingly good cars to own!Jun 25, 2008
by Niccolo I
Jun 24, 2008
Amazing car in every way. i paid about $400,000 and its worth every
penny.Jun 24, 2008
by Arnaldo B
Jun 02, 2008
It's the best car I've ever owned. Jun 02, 2008
by Paul P
Apr 10, 2008
This care was awesome to drive and when put in the hands of real race driver Like Alan
Moffat who blasted around the track to show me what it could really do is even better!Apr 10, 2008
by Ian A
Apr 07, 2008
Amazing car, the speed is awesome and the handling blows you away.Apr 07, 2008
by Andrea F
Mar 10, 2008
Very fast car, super super super fun to drive. I love when I look at the rear mirror and all the cars behind me become smaller sooooooooo fast!!!!Mar 10, 2008
by Ryan W
Feb 11, 2008
While working at BMW I had the chance to drive A LOT of their cars, especially the E46 M3. This car, now a used vehicle for most purchasers, should be on the top of the list. The build quality is second to none. The performance is seamless. The 332hp I6 is still just as wonderful as it always was, delivering a thrilling exhaust note. Handling is perfect with 19" wheels all around, and a limited slip rear differential. I happen to prefer the regular 6 speed transmission, but the SMG on these cars isn't bad either, although totally impractical for the street. For the price, this car delivers prestige, luxury and performance in spades.Feb 11, 2008
by Pete T
Dec 10, 2007
Stunning car - doesn't handle as good as it needs to..Dec 10, 2007
IF I VIEWED A CAR AND IT HAD HARDOM KARNOM STEREO IN IT AND ALSO LISTED ON ADD, I PURCHASED IT AND IT WAS SHIPPED IT HAD A PIONEER STEREO IN IT? IS THIS BAIT AND SWITCH? CAN I DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?
I am looking into purchasing a 2006 BMW M3 Coupe. I have found a couple with around 90-100K miles priced from $22K-$26K. I drive a company car (Jeep Compass) so looking for a fun weekend/summer driver. I have never owned a BMW so know little about what to expect from a maintenance standpoint. Does a 6 year old M3 with around 100K miles require considerable routine maintenance (do certain parts wear or break around the 100K miles mark?). Since this is a weekend/summer car I would rather not spend $5K per year on maintenance. I know all things are relative and each car is different but just some practical guidelines to help in my decision will be a HUGE help. Thank you Gurus!!!
I have my email as ggroland617@gmail.com.....for my ad for a 2006 BMW M3. I'd rather use my other email (which does not contain my last name). Can we please change the contact email from ggroland617@gmail to: gordo617@aol.com.? Thank you. Gordon Groland (386-451-8422)