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Hardcore BMW M3 CS price emerges, but with a catch
Reportedly, all 20 units allocated for South Africa have already been sold.
Thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, at 1 765kg, the M3 CS tips the scales at 20kg lighter than the normal M3 Competition. Image: BMW
Having showcased the M3 CS in January this year, pricing for BMW’s most extreme four-door sedan in recent years has emerged in the run-up to its market premiere later this year.
More power
Supplementing the equally limited run M4 CSL introduced at BMW M Fest last year, the M3 CS receives the same uprated S58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine as its coupe sibling, with outputs of 405kW/650Nm.
Figures that represent an increase of 30 kW over the standard M3 Competition with torque remaining unchanged, the CS, unlike the CSL, keeps the xDrive all-wheel-drive system and thus gets from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds before hitting a top speed of 302 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package selected.
As before, the amount of twist is delivered to the ground and all four wheels through the ZF-sourced eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.
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Spec
Citing pricing details from vehicle information specialists duoporta.com, cars.co.za reports that all 20 of the confirmed M3 CS’ bound for South Africa will have the mentioned M Driver’s Package as standard, along with the heated and cooled M Carbon bucket seats trimmed in Merino leather and with carbon shells, the yellow bulb Matrix Laserlights and the M specific tweaks to the Curved Display.
Less weight
Tipping the scales at 1 765 kg, 20 kg less than the M3 Competition, the M3 CS’ under-the-skin changes comprise a retuned electromechanical M Servotronic power steering, new springs, anti-roll bars and dampers and a new strut brace made out of die-cast aluminium.
It doesn’t stop there though as the kinematics of the axle has been retuned, the Dynamic Stability Control reprogrammed and more bias placed on the rear axle even in the default 4WD or 4WD Sport modes.
Finally, two brake options are available, though it remains unknown as to whether South Africa will be privy to both or only one.
Nonetheless, should both be allocated, expect black or red calipers for the standard M compound stoppers and red or matte gold for the carbon ceramic buffers.
Price
It’s body making extensive use of carbon fibre that has also been carried over to the interior, the M3 CS will carry a price tag of R2 971 000, R930 203 more than the M3 Competition, which includes a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
According to the cars.co.za post though, all 20 examples have already been sold out.
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