If you commonly associate the BMW M3 with the coupe (and maybe a convertible), you’re not alone. But if you visit a BMW dealership today, you’ll find that every M3 is a sedan. It’s easy to prefer the coupe—now known as M4—but our Pick of the Day is a vehicle that will make you forget about the Bimmer with the two doors. This 2011 BMW M3 Competition Sedan is listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Oviedo, Florida.
The M3 first appeared in 1986 in the generation known as “E30”. Much like the Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Road Runner Superbird were homologation specials for NASCAR, the M3 was the same for the DTM and Group A Touring series. It was powered by a 2.3-liter DOHC inline-four putting out 197 horsepower but, thanks to the feds in DC, those with a catalytic converter lost five horses. The M3 was mainly available as a coupe, though a handful of cabriolets were built—none for the American market.
The M3 moved into the “E36” generation for 1993, though it didn’t appear in North America until 1995. New was a 3.0-liter DOHC inline-six rated at 282 horsepower but, once again, North Americans had to make do with less, though the difference was a much more profound 42 horses. M3 models for 1996 were upgraded to 3.2 liters and 316 horsepower, but pity the poor North Americans as they once again had to make do with 240 horsepower, though torque was slightly higher. This generation featured an M3 sedan for the first time, with the convertible also being mainstreamed into production.
For 2001, the “E46” M3 coupe and convertible returned with a 3.2-liter straight-six putting out 343 horsepower. North Americans gave a sigh of relief because now they were not treated as second-class citizens since BMW was able to create an engine certified the world over, though horses fell to 333 thanks to minor specification differences that likely could not be felt by the seat of the pants.
And then there was the “E9x” M3, known as such because BMW offered the M3 as an E92 (coupe), E93 (convertible) and, in a return to the fold, the E90 (sedan). Interestingly, this generation of M3, which began for the 2008 model year, was powered by a DOHC V8 measuring 4.0 liters. Horsepower was 414 the world over, marking the first time that North Americans didn’t have to settle for second-best. Starting in 2011, the “ZCP” Competition Package became available for the coupe and sedan. This reduced the ride height by 10 mm, revised the tuning of the Electronic Damping Control, added a track-oriented M Dynamic Mode for the Dynamic Stability Control, and upgraded the wheels to Y-spoke 19-inchers.
This 2011 BMW M3 Competition Sedan is interesting because 2011 was the first year for the Competition Package and the final year for the E90 M3 (though the conventional E90 continued for two more years). For the model year, 2,170 M3 sedans were built, of which 1,220 were equipped with the Competition Package. Of those, only five M3s were built in Fire Orange, one of 30 special-order M3s painted in a “different” color. According to the seller, “the original owner [spent] 10s of thousands of dollars on modifications on top of the $72,325 MSRP,” leaving us with a completely unique vehicle. “To keep the Fire Orange paint looking flawless, both the front end and rear bumper have been wrapped in Paint Protection Film and the entire car has been ceramic coated, meaning that even 12 years after production, the paint shows like new.” The front seats have been upgraded with AMC Custom BMW M Performance buckets with leather, Alcantara, and orange accents.
Of course, it’s the engine that’s the star, and it’s been enhanced with an ESS 650 supercharger kit that helps the V8 achieve 527 horsepower. There’s plenty more that’s been done to this Bimmer so, even if you’ve been itching for a coupe, it can be said that the number of doors is a hint there’s more to this $69,980 Bimmer.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
