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BMW M3 CS First Drive Review
30 Aug 2024|2,471 views
What We Like
Even more power than the M3 Competition!
Carbon fibre galore!
Astonishing driving experience - nimble, agile and eager to turn in
Even better soundtrack with titanium exhaust
What We Dislike
Substantially pricier than the M3 Competition
Too limited for most to get hold of
When I drove the M3 Competition back in 2021, I was properly impressed by the car - there's plenty of power, its handling and agility was top-tier. In fact, even as car modification aficionado, it is one of those cars that are good enough to negate any further upgrades or enhancements.
Almost two years later, BMW M announced the M3 CS. More power, less weight, along with a multitude of upgrades promise an even more exciting car than before. There is a caveat: These cars are limited production; there's no word on the actual production number, but we were told that only five units were officially allocated to Singapore. You can imagine my elation when I found out that there was an opportunity for me to drive one on Bira Circuit in Pattaya, Thailand.
The M3 CS is unmistakable - one look and the air of aggression from its carbon fibre components would hint at its standing as something special
You'll know it when you see one
I did say that I love modified cars, maybe that's why the M3 CS has such a draw for me. The M3 CS is 20kg lighter than the standard M3 Competition, and it achieves it through the extensive use of carbon fibre. The bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoilers are all made of the lightweight material with its recognisable weave pattern.
Upon closer inspection, you'll realise those 'black stripes' on the bonnet are actually exposed carbon fibre weaves - the entire bonnet is made of the lightweight material
Aside from weight reduction, these components add flair to the M3 CS. From afar, it looks like two black stripes have been added to the bonnet, but take a closer look and you'll notice the exposed carbon fibre weave. Meanwhile the M3 CS-specific grille also has a red line adding to its aggression, along with the carbon fibre splitter and yellow daytime running lights to result in a face that's reminiscent of GT cars.
To me, the M3 CS' exterior add-ons have made the car look even better - as opposed to the M Performance option parts available for the M3, I much prefer the CS' treatment.
Yes, the M3 CS is lighter, but it also packs 40bhp more - output is raised to 550bhp and 650Nm for the CS
More power, more speed, more handling
The M3 CS isn't just a lightweighting exercise. The upgrades don't just stop at exterior components - the 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder engine has been tweaked, along with a higher boost pressure to achieve an increase of 40bhp - raising its output to 550bhp and 650Nm of torque. This allows the M3 CS to complete the century sprint in just 3.4 seconds. The exhaust system now features a titanium rear silencer, providing a sonorous soundtrack when you drive the car hard.
M3 CS-specific suspension setup and a titanium rear silencer enhanced the driving experience
Power aside, the M3 CS also gets a model-specific suspension setup - dampers, auxiliary springs, anti-roll bars and camber settings are some of the special enhancements that the car gets.
While it might be difficult to fathom, these enhancements have resulted in a markedly different car from the M3 Competition.
The M3 CS feels more agile and responsive, turning in even more keenly than the M3 Competition; roll on the throttle in a turn and you can feel the car's eagerness to rotate, adding on to driving pleasure. Combined with the slightly raspy and very aggressive soundtrack from the titanium exhaust, the M3 CS offers an unparalleled driving experience.
The inviting cockpit of the M3 CS is slathered with lightweight carbon fibre pieces
The enhancements continue within
Although the driving pleasure is something you'll have to be in the driver's seat to experience, both the driver and passenger will enjoy the supportive hold of the lightweight M Carbon bucket seats in the CS-specific design.
Equipped with lightweight M Carbon bucket seats and a couple 'CS' lettering (on the seat and the centre console), you are constantly reminded of how special the car you are in is
The entire cockpit is also filled to the brim with plenty of carbon fibre - you'll find it on the dashboard, the centre console, the seats, and even the steering. 'CS' lettering can be found once again on the centre console, and the seat to remind you of the special car that you are in.
Taking the M3 up another notch
The M3 Competition is already a formidable machine, but with the M3 CS, the engineers at BMW M have taken it to another level. If not for its exclusivity and hefty price tag - at launch, the M3 CS was around $250,000 costlier than the M3 Competition - the M3 CS is without a doubt, the M3 to go for.
Are you a fan of high-performance cars? Here are some others that you should read about:
The electrified C63 is a true AMG
What We Like
Even more power than the M3 Competition!
Carbon fibre galore!
Astonishing driving experience - nimble, agile and eager to turn in
Even better soundtrack with titanium exhaust
What We Dislike
Substantially pricier than the M3 Competition
Too limited for most to get hold of
When I drove the M3 Competition back in 2021, I was properly impressed by the car - there's plenty of power, its handling and agility was top-tier. In fact, even as car modification aficionado, it is one of those cars that are good enough to negate any further upgrades or enhancements.
Almost two years later, BMW M announced the M3 CS. More power, less weight, along with a multitude of upgrades promise an even more exciting car than before. There is a caveat: These cars are limited production; there's no word on the actual production number, but we were told that only five units were officially allocated to Singapore. You can imagine my elation when I found out that there was an opportunity for me to drive one on Bira Circuit in Pattaya, Thailand.
The M3 CS is unmistakable - one look and the air of aggression from its carbon fibre components would hint at its standing as something special
You'll know it when you see one
I did say that I love modified cars, maybe that's why the M3 CS has such a draw for me. The M3 CS is 20kg lighter than the standard M3 Competition, and it achieves it through the extensive use of carbon fibre. The bonnet, front splitter, front air intakes, mirror caps, rear diffuser and rear spoilers are all made of the lightweight material with its recognisable weave pattern.
Upon closer inspection, you'll realise those 'black stripes' on the bonnet are actually exposed carbon fibre weaves - the entire bonnet is made of the lightweight material
Aside from weight reduction, these components add flair to the M3 CS. From afar, it looks like two black stripes have been added to the bonnet, but take a closer look and you'll notice the exposed carbon fibre weave. Meanwhile the M3 CS-specific grille also has a red line adding to its aggression, along with the carbon fibre splitter and yellow daytime running lights to result in a face that's reminiscent of GT cars.
To me, the M3 CS' exterior add-ons have made the car look even better - as opposed to the M Performance option parts available for the M3, I much prefer the CS' treatment.
Yes, the M3 CS is lighter, but it also packs 40bhp more - output is raised to 550bhp and 650Nm for the CS
More power, more speed, more handling
The M3 CS isn't just a lightweighting exercise. The upgrades don't just stop at exterior components - the 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo in-line six-cylinder engine has been tweaked, along with a higher boost pressure to achieve an increase of 40bhp - raising its output to 550bhp and 650Nm of torque. This allows the M3 CS to complete the century sprint in just 3.4 seconds. The exhaust system now features a titanium rear silencer, providing a sonorous soundtrack when you drive the car hard.
M3 CS-specific suspension setup and a titanium rear silencer enhanced the driving experience
Power aside, the M3 CS also gets a model-specific suspension setup - dampers, auxiliary springs, anti-roll bars and camber settings are some of the special enhancements that the car gets.
While it might be difficult to fathom, these enhancements have resulted in a markedly different car from the M3 Competition.
The M3 CS feels more agile and responsive, turning in even more keenly than the M3 Competition; roll on the throttle in a turn and you can feel the car's eagerness to rotate, adding on to driving pleasure. Combined with the slightly raspy and very aggressive soundtrack from the titanium exhaust, the M3 CS offers an unparalleled driving experience.
The inviting cockpit of the M3 CS is slathered with lightweight carbon fibre pieces
The enhancements continue within
Although the driving pleasure is something you'll have to be in the driver's seat to experience, both the driver and passenger will enjoy the supportive hold of the lightweight M Carbon bucket seats in the CS-specific design.
Equipped with lightweight M Carbon bucket seats and a couple 'CS' lettering (on the seat and the centre console), you are constantly reminded of how special the car you are in is
The entire cockpit is also filled to the brim with plenty of carbon fibre - you'll find it on the dashboard, the centre console, the seats, and even the steering. 'CS' lettering can be found once again on the centre console, and the seat to remind you of the special car that you are in.
Taking the M3 up another notch
The M3 Competition is already a formidable machine, but with the M3 CS, the engineers at BMW M have taken it to another level. If not for its exclusivity and hefty price tag - at launch, the M3 CS was around $250,000 costlier than the M3 Competition - the M3 CS is without a doubt, the M3 to go for.
Are you a fan of high-performance cars? Here are some others that you should read about:
The electrified C63 is a true AMG
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- Carbon Fibre Enhancements
- More Power And Handling
- A Special Cockpit
- The M3 To Go For
