The 186mph BMW M3 CS Touring is the ultimate fast estate

The fast estate has been a popular segment for some time, and while the likes of Mercedes-AMG and Audi have tried their hardest to create the very best offering, not much has met the brief quite as well as the G81 BMW M3 Touring. While it’s an outstanding driver’s choice in its standard form, Munich’s finest engineers have now taken it one step further with the CS treatment. Prices start from £120,600, with UK deliveries beginning in March.

Following in the footsteps of the G82 M4 CS coupe and G80 M3 CS saloon, the new M3 CS Touring brings more power, dynamic focus and design enhancements to the fast estate. As with its relatives, it borrows the M4 CSL's uprated 3-litre twin-turbocharged S58 straight-six, increasing output by 20bhp to 542bhp through an increase in peak boost pressure to 2.1bar – torque is unchanged at 479lb ft, matching both the standard M3 Touring and CS saloon. Oil cooling and delivery systems have also been tweaked to cope with the increased demands associated with track driving.

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Like the CS saloon and coupe, the new Touring makes use of stiffer engine mounts for improved response, with a tweaked gearbox map for its eight-speed torque converter designed to do the same. The CS Touring retains the variable xDrive all-wheel drive system, but DSC and drive modes have all been recalibrated with more engagement in mind. While the power uplift is mild, it does result in a one tenth improvement in 0-62mph time at 3.5sec, with the standard 155mph speed limiter now raised to 186mph to put it just 2mph behind the CS saloon.

Elsewhere, BMW has given the steering and adaptive dampers a CS-specific tune, increased spring rates and added a new exhaust system equipped with a titanium silencer for a reduction in weight and an increase in sound. Numerous components have also been selected with a reduction in weight in mind, with a lightweight aluminium front end strut brace providing a boost to rigidity. Despite the effort though, it’s just 15kg lighter than the standard M3 Touring Competition overall.

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As with its CS counterparts, the M3 CS Touring adopts the carbonfibre bonnet from the M4 CSL, with its new front splitter, front intakes, mirror caps and rear diffuser also constructed from carbonfibre. Forged, staggered 19 and 20-inch wheels can be had in gold or black, wrapped in 275-front, 285-rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres as standard – stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 or 2R tyres are available at a cost. Steel brakes are standard fit, but carbon ceramic items can be had at a cost, with either red or gold calipers. Those trademark CS yellow daytime running lights make a return too, with frameless kidney grilles a reference to its M4 GT3 racer.

Colour choices are limited as with any M special, with just four on the options list: British Racing Green, Laguna Seca Blue, Frozen Solid White and Black Sapphire metallic. While the roof is finished in carbonfibre on the saloon, the Touring makes do with black paint – to set it apart though, it does come with its own unique roof spoiler complete with red detailing.

Inside you’ll find the latest BMW OS operating system displayed on that ubiquitous 14.9-inch curved display unit, with plenty of carbonfibre trim, Merino leather upholstery, supportive carbonfibre bucket seats (with unique illuminated CS badging) and an M-specific flat-bottomed three-spoke M steering wheel making an appearance. 

The 2025 BMW M3 CS Touring will hit UK roads from March, with prices starting from £120,600 before options, £4700 more than the CS saloon when it went on sale.

BMW M3 CS Touring specs

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