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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.0L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 16 / 23 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,300 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 472 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $69,979–$90,608 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 BMW M3 is a sports that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 9.5/10, while Reliability at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.7/10 for reliability, this sports trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Few rivals match it for performance: 9.5/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining sportss to actually drive. On technology it rates 8.3/10: a modern, well-integrated suite that compares favorably with anything at this price point.
Priced from $69,979–$90,608, 17 MPG, seating 5, the BMW M3 sits in the luxury tier of the sports market. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 BMW M3 will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on value and reliability if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sports should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 BMW M3 ranks #121 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $69,979 starting price is about 52% above the segment's median of $46,090.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 BMW M3 scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.8 — and starts roughly $7,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8.0/10 | $79,207 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 8.0/10 | $79,207 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $76,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $74,593 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $72,286 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $69,979 | |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $67,672 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.5/10 | $65,365 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $63,058 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $60,751 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $58,444 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $56,137 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts 21/07/2021 · 21V554000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1… |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic 10/02/2021 · 21V062000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M,… |
| Seat belts / Front / Buckle assembly 28/04/2021 · 21V298000 | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M3, and 330e xDrive vehicles. The bolt securing the seat belt assembly to the frame was not tightened to specification. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2021 BMW M3's reliability 6.7/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #121 of 316 sportss in our database (better than 62% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 BMW M3 starts at $69,979 and ranges up to $90,608 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of BMW models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.