BMW 318is vs BMW M3
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2027 BMW M3
Overview
| Spec | BMW 318is318is | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | 318is | Sedan |
| Body style | Coupe | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | rear wheel drive | rear wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 1997 | 2027 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | BMW 318is318is | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $0 (best) | $79,300 |
| Lowest listing price | — | $35,831 (best) |
| Median listing price | — | $77,897 (best) |
| Highest listing price | — | $95,762 (best) |
| For sale now | 0 | 7 (best) |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | BMW 318is318is | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 23 MPG (best) | 19 MPG |
| City MPG | 20 MPG (best) | 16 MPG |
| Highway MPG | 29 MPG (best) | 23 MPG |
| Fuel tank | 16.4 gal (best) | 15.6 gal |
Performance
| Spec | BMW 318is318is | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 138 hp | 473 hp (best) |
| Torque | 133 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 1.9 L | 3 L (best) |
| Cylinders | I4 | I6 |
Size & capability
| Spec | BMW 318is318is | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | — | 5 seats (best) |
| Doors | 2 | 4 (best) |
| Cargo volume | 9.2 cu ft | 16.9 cu ft (best) |
| Payload | — | 860 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 2,976 lbs (best) | 3,840 lbs |
| Ground clearance | — | 4.7 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in | 112.5 in (best) |
| Length | 174.5 in | 189.1 in (best) |
| Width | 67.3 in | 74.3 in (best) |
| Height | 53.8 in | 56.6 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | BMW 318is318is | BMW M3Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | None reported (best) |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | BMW 318is | BMW M3 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 318is $0 MSRP(Currently comparing) | Sedan $79,300 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | — | Competition Sedan $83,500 MSRP |
| 3 | — | Competition xDrive Sedan $88,600 MSRP |
Live inventory
BMW M37 for sale
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Used2021 BMW M3
Competition
Brooklyn Grey Metallic•Black41,620 mi$64,217Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
Used2015 BMW M3
Base
Marina Blue•silverstone96,844 mi$35,831Fred Anderson Toyota of Charleston
Charleston, SC
Used2021 BMW M3
Competition
Tanzanite Blue II•Kyalami Orange/Black28,768 mi$77,693Land Rover St Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL
Used2023 BMW M3
Competition 4D Sedan
Green Metallic13,629 mi$84,981Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton
Pleasanton, CA
Certified2026 BMW M3
Competition xDrive
Isle of Man Green Metallic•Silverstone/Black430 mi$93,300BMW of Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Used2023 BMW M3
Competition
Individual Dravit Gray Metallic•Black25,872 mi$77,897INFINITI of Scottsdale
Scottsdale, AZ
BMW 318is vs BMW M3 FAQ
- Which is better: 1997 BMW 318is or 2027 BMW M3?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 1997 BMW 318is vs 2027 BMW M3 on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 1997 BMW 318is or 2027 BMW M3?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 1997 BMW 318is starts lower at $0. Live BMW M3 listings start at $35,831.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 1997 BMW 318is or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 1997 BMW 318is leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (0).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 1997 BMW 318is or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 1997 BMW 318is leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (23).
- Which has better horsepower: 1997 BMW 318is or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 2027 BMW M3 leads on horsepower in this comparison (523).
- Which has better seats: 1997 BMW 318is or 2027 BMW M3?
- The 2027 BMW M3 leads on seats in this comparison (5).