It took BMW more than a decade to bring back the M Touring, but we’re glad it’s finally here as a suitable alternative to high-performance SUVs. The first M3 with a long roof travels to the Nürburgring where Ben Collins aka “The Stig” has fun on the super train. Ex Upper Equipment star tasting competitors AMG C63 Estate and the late Audi RS4 Avant on the Grand Prix layout at the famous German circuit.
Just like its domestic rival, the 2023 Touring M3 is sold exclusively with all-wheel drive. However, BMW has engineered a smart xDrive system that allows the driver to select rear-wheel drive behavior for an enjoyable experience. Of course, it didn’t take Ben Collins long to select the 2WD mode from the infotainment system.
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If you can live with a massive kidney grille, the M3 Touring really is the kind of car that can do it all. BMW has gone to great lengths to make the wagon as fun as a sedan and judging by the reaction of The Stig, the extra weight is barely noticeable. The car he sampled had optional bucket seats with carbon shells, which he found very comfortable when driving a fast wagon around the ‘Ring.
The adjacent video was posted by Drivetribe, who happened to have owned a previous M Touring – an M5 E61 with a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V10. BMW has alluded that it will be reviving a larger performance wagon and we will see a prototype of it tested soon on the same Nürburgring. The M5 Touring is believed to go on sale sometime in 2025, and unlike its little brother, the Bavarians intend to bring it to North America.
Meanwhile, the M3 Touring will be available outside of the US, including the right-hand drive market. BMW sells the versatile vehicle only under the guise of the Competition with an automatic transmission. With a load capacity of 500 liters (17.6 cubic feet) behind the rear seats, the fast estate can comfortably accommodate a dog while Ben Collins dances with the car around the track. Folding down the rear seats increases volume to 1,510 liters (53.3 cubic feet).
Under €100,000 at home in Germany before options, the M3 Touring is certainly not cheap. However, it is (possible) ideal for a one-car garage provided you don’t consider the iDrive 8’s taped front grille and screen to be offenders.
