Is the BMW M3 Touring – a wagon – the king of the business-class performance sedan segment? Ciro De Siena discusses the Bimmer’s design, practicality, and thunderous performance, and weighs up the car’s talents with those of its M3 Sedan sibling.
For decades, many performance car enthusiasts longed for a BMW M3 wagon (estate), a wish that has now been granted with the G81-series M3 Touring. While some might have dismissed the possibility of BMW reviving the M5 Touring, which was last seen in the mid-Noughties, that too is now a reality.
While the world waited, Audi and Mercedes-Benz capitalised on the demand for performance wagons, but BMW’s M division remained steadfastly loyal to the sedan, coupe and convertible body styles.
But now that the M3 Touring has finally arrived, Ciro gets behind its steering wheel to find out whether this much-anticipated, but extremely limited, machine lives up to the monumental hype.
S58 motor gains 48V hybrid tech
Does the addition of a big load bay and tailgate spoil the M3 experience? In short, no. Under the bonnet, the S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-6 has been enhanced with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which boosts the engine’s peak outputs to 390 kW/650 Nm, thereby enhancing both acceleration and efficiency.
The BMW M3 Touring delivers on all fronts, with staggering performance figures to back it up. BMW claims a 0-100 kph sprint time of 3.6 seconds, but Ciro’s colleague, David Taylor, achieved an even quicker time of 3.37 seconds in this car using Cars.co.za’s performance-test equipment.
The active dampers provide an excellent balance between comfort and sportiness, with Ciro concluding that the M3 Touring ride quality is superior to that of its key rivals, which is lofty praise indeed.
Excellent balance between comfort & sportiness
The ZF 8-speed automatic transmission is another highlight, offering smooth and rapid shifts that feel responsive and reliable, even if it lacks the aggressive “kick” of older M-DCT dual-clutch transmissions.
Ciro (shown above) describes the car as a “fantastic effort,” praising its unique blend of practicality and performance. He appreciates that it’s a wagon in a country dominated by SUVs and highlights the car’s brilliant feedback, blistering pace, and the incredible sound from the active exhaust system.
The M3 Touring isn’t without its (albeit) minor flaws, however. Ciro points out that features such as remote engine start are still pricey optional extras, which he feels is a little stingy.
Activating the launch control system also proves to be a surprisingly complicated process.
The review unit also came loaded with options, including carbon-ceramic brakes, bringing the total price to around R2.4 million, up from the standard R2.2 million list price.
How much does a BMW M3 Touring cost in South Africa
| BMW M3 competition Touring M xDrive | R2 218 506 |
Price (Aug 2025) includes a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
New BMW M3 Price & Specs in South Africa
Find a new/used BMW M3 listed for sale on Cars.co.za
Summary
The BMW M3 Touring proves to be a business-class performance wagon that sacrifices nothing for its added practicality. It is just as menacing as its M3 sedan sibling and makes an impressive case for versatility without compromising performance, thanks to a minimal weight gain of only 85 kg.
Watch our drag race between the BMW M3 Touring vs Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance:
By combining the legendary M3 performance with the utility of a wagon, it stands as one of the best all-around performance cars available today. For those who want more from their Bavarian thunderwagon, BMW SA has confirmed that the 405 kW M3 CS Touring will be unleashed in early 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the starting price for the BMW M3 Touring in South Africa?
A: The BMW M3 Competition Touring M xDrive starts at R2 218 506, including a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 5-year/100,000 km maintenance plan.
Q: What engine powers the BMW M3 Touring?
A: The M3 Touring is powered by a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo inline-6 S58 engine, which has been enhanced with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It produces 375 kW and 650 Nm of torque.
Q: How fast is the BMW M3 Touring from 0 to 100 kph?
A: BMW claims a 0-100 kph sprint time of 3.6 seconds, but in a real-world test, a time of 3.37 seconds was achieved on Cars.co.za’s test equipment.
