2026 BMW M3 Prices Leaked and They’re Up Across the Board

A leaked company memo shows an increase in the starting price across all 2026 BMW M3 models. However, no other changes are noted.

If you’ve been eyeing a new 2026 BMW M3, it might be time to make peace with a slightly lighter wallet. Nobody is surprised to see prices increasing on the iconic German sports car in this climate. However, it’s never a welcome thought. Still, it’s not an incredibly substantial leap in price. So, perhaps we should consider ourselves lucky if this is all we have to deal with.

According to a leaked memo that surfaced on Bimmerpost and brought to our attention by Car and Driver, BMW is increasing prices across the M3 lineup for 2026. It’s not a massive jump, but it’s enough to notice—and it’s already in effect.

A Uniform Hike Across the Board

The increase is reportedly $1,700 across all models. No matter which version you’ve been fantasizing about, it’s now officially more expensive. The base M3 climbs to $79,575, the rear-wheel-drive Competition rises to $83,775, and the all-wheel-drive Competition xDrive lands at $88,875.

No changes to the trim levels or powertrain options are being introduced at this point, just a slight increase in the checkout screen pain. Sure, the M3 has never been what one might consider affordable. However, those prices are getting uncomfortably close to the six-figure range. There is, however, some fantastic news for driving enthusiasts.

Manual Transmission Lives to Fight Another Year

Happily, BMW didn’t mess with the M3’s core ingredients. The base model remains the purist’s choice: a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and 473 horsepower from the iconic 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six. That setup is increasingly rare in today’s performance market, so we’re not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The Competition trims, meanwhile, offer more grunt—503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque—but are automatic-only. Rear-drive is standard, though the xDrive system remains a compelling option if traction matters more than tail-out theatrics.

The memo suggests production for the 2026 model year kicks off in July, but if you’re placing an order now, you’re already in new-pricing territory. At the time of writing, BMW hasn’t officially confirmed the memo’s details, but they’ll likely chime in soon enough. Either way, the pricing shift appears to be locked in.

Yes, the M3 is more expensive. However, it’s also one of the last great driver’s cars you can buy with a stick shift and a genuine connection to the road. It’s fast, it’s loud (when you want it to be), and it’s got enough grip and poise to compete with cars far above its weight class. So sure, the entry point to M3 ownership has crept up. But if that $1,700 difference is your dealbreaker, were you really going to buy one anyway?

Photos: BMW