2019 BMW 3 Series M Performance Bits
We’ve got a new 3 Series on the way. For some reason it feels like forever since the last one came out, but anyway. This time around, BMW seems more prepared and has a lot of M Performance bits to part you with more of your cash straight away.
English-speaking markets absolutely love their M Performance bits. Up until recently in Australia, the 330i M Sport was the 3 Series to have. Highest-selling individual model in the range. Amazing.
Anyway, BMW obviously caught on to that and instead of waiting a year or so to introduce performance bits, the brand is kicking off with them. It does help that during the old car’s life M Performance became a thing, but it’s nice to see that you can put a bit of grrr into your new 3.
Aero parts
The G20 is pretty sleek from the get-go – a Cd of 0.23 is super-low, although that’s probably not likely on the spec you or I would buy. Here you’ve got a choice of two diffusers, two front splitters and two rear wing styles.
Fancy.
BMW reckons all these bits reduce lift and therefore improve roadholding. Sure, why not?
The carbon mirror caps don’t do much, but they’re handmade and look good.
Brakes, Wheels, Tyres
The M Performance 18-inch brake set is fairly self-explanatory. The discs are 18-inches (46cm) and feature four-piston front calipers. The discs themselves are perforated and grooved. The press release says they have better thermal properties which seems fair enough to me.
You’ll also be able to choose several designs of 18-inch and 20-inch wheels.
And you can bag your wheels during winter or if you want to keep a spare set for track days.
Interior Parts
Now you’re talking. That lovely fat steering wheel looks the business. I’m a big fan of chunky M wheels and think every car on earth should have one. Silver stitching, red top marker and if you want, you can get a carbon and Alcantara treatment. Finish it off with a set of carbon fibre paddles if you’ve gone for the eight-speed auto.
There are also a nice set of alloy pedals, M puddle lights (they look terrific), M logos pretty much everywhere and some cool trim replacements.
What about the fast stuff?
So here’s the thing – there are some performance cars coming, even before we talk about the new M3/M4 pairing which are probably two years away, in typical BMW fashion.
The quickest launch cars are the 330i or 330d. None of them are slow (the slower ones are coming) but fast? No. Well, not yet.
There is definitely a six-cylinder petrol M340i xDrive – that thing has 275kW and 500Nm. The sprint to 100km/h (62mph) will be over in just 4.4 seconds, which is mighty quick. The M340i is meant to take on the Mercedes C43 AMG and Audi S4. With those figures, it’s quicker than both of them.
The car will also have a proper M Sport rear diff and a serious sporting chassis, just like a M140i. So, useable day to day, but tons of fun when you want to hammer it.
The M3 will have around 368kW (500PS), most likely with xDrive (switchable like the M5 we hope) and a sub 4-second run to 100km/h. And hopefully be as much fun as the M3 CS.
