The current generation of BMW’s high-performance sedan will reportedly end production after this year. According to a report from BimmerLife, Scott Stirling, a product planning specialist for BMW’s 3 Series, 4 Series, and X3, said this year will be the last for the BMW G80 M3.
This leaves a significant gap with no gas-powered M3 on the market. The next generation of the M3, the G84, will not arrive until 2028, according to BMW Blog. There are also reported plans for an electric M3 (referred to as the ZA0) as BMW expands its electrification efforts.
If that timeline holds, buyers interested in a gas-powered M3 could face a long wait between generations.
Manual Transmission May Be Phased Out
Another key question concerns the future of the manual transmission in the M3 lineup. Multiple outlets have reported that neither the upcoming electric model nor the next-generation gas-powered M3 will offer a manual transmission.
While BMW has not confirmed final specifications, the shift reflects broader industry trends as automakers move toward electrification and automatic transmissions.
A Final Send-Off for Manual Fans?
BMW has recently introduced the M3 CS “Handschalter,” a limited-edition G80 model available exclusively in North America. This lightweight, track-focused model features a standard 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive (RWD). The M3 CS is 75 pounds lighter than the M3 Base model, thanks to carbon-fiber components, and is optimized for precise driving.
If this is indeed the last year of a manual M3, collectors may soon consider this model highly desirable. If that’s the case, demand may increase, and prices could begin to rise.
For now, BMW still offers both automatic and manual transmissions for the M3. However, with the model’s transition to a new generation and BMW’s increasing focus on electrification, buyers considering a traditional gas-powered performance sedan may want to keep an eye on availability and future announcements from BMW.