The Finest BMW You Nonetheless Can’t Purchase in America

that feeling if you come upon one thing wonderful, solely to be reminded you’ll be able to’t have it? That was me, standing within the BMW Romania storage, observing a Twilight Purple 2025 BMW M3 Touring Competitors. I used to be again in Bucharest visiting household and pals, however let’s be sincere—I additionally got here to drive cool vehicles. And this one? This was the forbidden fruit. We don’t get it within the U.S., which nonetheless makes completely zero sense.

Now, earlier than we get into the way it drives, let me set the scene. BMW Romania has a stacked press fleet—all the things from luxo-barges just like the i7 and seven Collection to M5s, X5s, you title it. However tucked away underground was this gem of a wagon, carrying a correct set of 825M double-spoke wheels and dressed to impress in that wealthy, moody purple. It even got here loaded with a baby seat and sufficient cargo area to deal with my spouse’s 4 suitcases. That’s proper. 4. We had been visiting for per week, not relocating. However hey, nice likelihood to check the practicality.

Bucharest: A Stunning, Chaotic Driving Simulator

Driving in Bucharest is…an expertise. Truthfully, it’s like leaping into your individual private Components 1 championship. You want quick reflexes, a heavy proper foot, and eyes in every single place. As quickly as the sunshine turns inexperienced, it’s a race. You’re dodging pedestrians who assume they’re invincible, weaving by slim streets, and hoping nobody parked within the lane you’re driving by (spoiler: somebody positively did).

There’s a motive they name Bucharest “Little Paris.” The architectural distinction between old-world class and communist-era blocks tells a narrative. However the vehicles? Man, I noticed extra Ferraris and Lambos in someday than I do in per week again in Chicago. Nonetheless, even amidst the insanity, the M3 Touring held its personal. It was simple to maneuver due to its gentle steering and heaps of torque. The 360-degree digital camera? Lifesaver. Slim alleys and chaotic parking conditions made it really feel much less like a luxurious sports activities automobile and extra like a high-performance city tank.

Regardless of its measurement—as a result of let’s not fake it is a small automobile—the M3 Touring by no means felt like an excessive amount of. In Consolation mode, it soaked up potholes higher than most sedans. And sure, for the document, Bucharest’s roads are higher than Chicago’s. I stated it.

Let’s Speak Efficiency, As a result of Wow

For those who’re not acquainted with the G81 M3 Touring, fast recap: it launched in 2022 and already bought a facelift in 2024. Together with the beauty refresh, BMW bumped the ability output of the three.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six. We’re now speaking 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Formally, BMW claims 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds. However real-world assessments say in any other case. This factor can do it in 3.4 seconds. In a wagon.

And you’re feeling it. Get it out of town and onto Romania’s Carpathians mountain roads, and the Touring transforms. Flick it into Sport Plus, and it sharpens like a switchblade. The chassis, retuned from the sedan to deal with the Touring’s further 85 kg, doesn’t miss a beat. Grip is immense, physique roll practically nonexistent, and the best way it powers by corners on Michelin PS4S rubber is confidence-inspiring. It’s a automobile that dares you to go sooner—till your conscience, or your spouse within the passenger seat, reminds you to decelerate.

Let me clarify one thing: the torque curve on this automobile is like your favourite rollercoaster. It climbs laborious, flattens briefly, then throws you ahead once more. There’s nearly no finish to the acceleration. And but, it by no means feels brutal or sketchy. M xDrive retains all the things tidy, and in case you’re courageous (or silly), you’ll be able to dial it right into a extra rear-biased setup for further tail-happy enjoyable.

Nation Roads and Freeway Zen

The actual shock got here not on tight switchbacks however out on the open freeway. Right here, the M3 Touring proves it’s not only a monitor weapon—it’s a reputable street journey machine. Sure, even with the M Carbon bucket seats.

Now, don’t get me improper. These carbon buckets look the enterprise and maintain you in place like a fighter jet seat. However after 4 or 5 hours, the laborious bolsters and carbon slab beneath your thighs begin to make their presence recognized. Truthfully, I’d spec the M Sport seats subsequent time. Nonetheless, they didn’t cease me from having fun with the lengthy hauls.

With driver help options buzzing alongside, adaptive cruise management engaged, and the straight-six barely breaking a sweat, the M3 Touring ate up the miles effortlessly. And even my spouse—usually a fan of plush SUVs just like the X7 or a Vary Rover—had no complaints in regards to the journey. That’s saying one thing.

Inside, It’s Nonetheless a BMW

Step inside, and also you’re greeted by the acquainted (and massive) curved show, working BMW’s newest iDrive setup. It handles each the gauge cluster and infotainment, with crisp graphics and an intuitive format. Certain, some menus are buried slightly deep, however when you’ve saved your favourite drive settings to the M1 and M2 steering wheel buttons, it’s clean crusing.

You get full entry to drivetrain and chassis configuration, which implies you’ll be able to combine and match aggressive energy supply with delicate suspension—my go-to setup for sketchy roads and surprising dips. Truthfully, that stage of personalization makes all of the distinction in a every day driver.

Cargo area? Legit. With the seats up, you get 17.6 cubic toes—up barely from the sedan—and over 53 cubes with the seats folded. For comparability, an X3 offers you a bit extra, however lacks the M3’s soul. Even with a baby seat behind my bucket, rear legroom was completely sufficient. You would completely use this as your solely automobile.

So… Would I Purchase One?

If BMW provided the M3 Touring within the U.S., I’d have already got one. No exaggeration. It’s that good.

I do know the M5 Touring is on our shores now, and don’t get me improper, that factor is a beast. Nevertheless it’s additionally heavier, costlier, and targets a distinct purchaser. The M3 Touring would’ve been the fanatic’s dream every day. A hero automobile. The form of machine you are taking to automobile meets and other people get it. It’s quick. It’s composed. It’s beautiful. And it’s simply sensible sufficient to justify to a partner who would in any other case insist on a crossover.

Even the grille works on this one. Yeah, I stated it.

After per week with the 2025 BMW M3 Touring Competitors, I didn’t need to hand it again. It’s the form of automobile that will get beneath your pores and skin in the easiest way—equal components purposeful and ferocious. It dealt with Bucharest’s city jungle (with some bruises, sorry Alex), sliced by Transylvanian corners like a sizzling knife, and cruised highways with poise.

That is completely the one automobile BMW USA dropped the ball on. The M3 Touring might have been the halo automobile for the M model within the States—a rolling showcase of all the things BMW does proper. As a substitute, it’s simply one other instance of Europe getting the great things whereas we’re left watching from the sidelines.

That’s the actual disgrace. As a result of typically, the best vehicles are those we will’t have. And this? That is one in every of them.