2018 BMW M3 CS: One Last Brilliant Flash of Speed
2019 BMW M3 CS - Only 1200 units of the BMW M3 CS have been produced, and only 52 cars were allocated for Canada. Rare and fast? You bet. The CS is a more powerful and more dynamic M3.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Its release also signaled the end of the line for the current generation of the 3 Series, code name F30, soon to be replaced by an all-new car, code name G20, to be introduced at the 2018 Paris Auto Show. That qualifies the M3 CS as one last brilliant flash of speed, as it is the fastest and most dynamic as well as the last variant of the F30 3 Series.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Rated at 453 horsepower, the M3 CS is not that much more powerful than a regular M3 (425) or the M3 Competition (444), but it’s S55 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six delivers more torque with 443 pounds-feet under your right foot, as opposed to 406 for the base M3 or the M3 Competition.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Detail shot of the CFRP piece linking both strut towers.
2019 BMW M3 CS - It doesn’t seem like much of a power and torque boost on paper but, out on the road, the M3 CS is a shining star, always ready and willing to rev to it’s 7600 RPM-redline with a great soundtrack from it’s tweaked exhaust.
2019 BMW M3 CS - As expected, the powertrain settings can be calibrated at the touch of a button, with the Sport Plus mode delivering faster shifts from the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and the run to 100 kilometers per hour takes a shade under 4 seconds, being rated at 3.9.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Some purists, who like shifting gears themselves, will bemoan the fact that the M3 CS is only available with a dual-clutch gearbox and not the standard manual, which is still available on the regular M3. A fair point, but the dual-clutch is way faster and the paddles on the M3 CS are a delight to operate.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Compared to the regular M3, the M3 CS gets the “Nigel-Tufnel-of-Spinal-Tap-fame” treatment in that all its system are dialed all the way up to eleven. The engineers have re-calibrated the driving modes and the electronic stability control systems to give the car a more direct, more edgy feel.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The dampers are also adjustable with settings known as Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. A word of advice, Sport Plus is only advisable on billiard-table-smooth pavement and Sport and Comfort will be your go-to settings ninety percent of the time.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The body of the M3 CS gets the requisite performance look by way of the power dome on the hood, flared wheel arches and, of course, parts made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, such as the roof and rear diffuser, not to mention the very cool looking Gurney flap on the decklid. It looks like the very serious performance machine that it is without resorting to a boy-racer rear wing or other tacky accoutrements.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The body of the M3 CS gets the requisite performance look by way of the power dome on the hood, flared wheel arches and, of course, parts made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, such as the roof and rear diffuser, not to mention the very cool looking Gurney flap on the decklid. It looks like the very serious performance machine that it is without resorting to a boy-racer rear wing or other tacky accoutrements.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The body of the M3 CS gets the requisite performance look by way of the power dome on the hood, flared wheel arches and, of course, parts made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, such as the roof and rear diffuser, not to mention the very cool looking Gurney flap on the decklid. It looks like the very serious performance machine that it is without resorting to a boy-racer rear wing or other tacky accoutrements.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The body of the M3 CS gets the requisite performance look by way of the power dome on the hood, flared wheel arches and, of course, parts made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, such as the roof and rear diffuser, not to mention the very cool looking Gurney flap on the decklid. It looks like the very serious performance machine that it is without resorting to a boy-racer rear wing or other tacky accoutrements.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The cabin is very similar to that of the regular M3, but the CS can be equipped with an optional anthracite-coloured Alcantara steering wheel that features a 12 o’clock marking, but also features the steering-wheel-mounted controls of other M Cars ($600 option). Also exclusive to the CS is a red starter button.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The cabin is very similar to that of the regular M3, but the CS can be equipped with an optional anthracite-coloured Alcantara steering wheel that features a 12 o’clock marking, but also features the steering-wheel-mounted controls of other M Cars ($600 option).
2019 BMW M3 CS - A CS logo adorns the dashboard over on the passenger side.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The seats are of the same design as the ones fitted to an M3 Competition, and are upholstered in an exclusive two-tone combination with contrast stitching. The seatbelts get the subtle light-blue-dark-blue-red stripe M treatment, which adds a very cool touch.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The seats are of the same design as the ones fitted to an M3 Competition, and are upholstered in an exclusive two-tone combination with contrast stitching. The seatbelts get the subtle light-blue-dark-blue-red stripe M treatment, which adds a very cool touch.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The retail price of the M3 CS is 113,500 Canadian dollars. Add 600 dollars for the aforementioned optional Alcantara steering wheel and you get to a price of 114,100 dollars for our test car. In Europe, this car sells for the same figure, but in Euros instead of dollars, so it’s a relative steal over here.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Very few M3 CS remain unsold in Canada at this time, including our test car, which will no doubt be released and sold as a demo. If you are interested, note that my colleagues and I have already done the break-in for you and ask for a discount. LOL. The vehicle identification number is WBS8M9C52J5K98986. You’re welcome.
2019 BMW M3 CS - Interior.
2019 BMW M3 CS - The infotainment system is identical to the F30 generation 3 Series
2019 BMW M3 CS - The car is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. Lots of grip on dry pavement, but not that great on wet roads.
2019 BMW M3 CS
