The '''BMW M3''' is a high-performance version of the [[BMW 3 Series]], developed by [[BMW]]'s in-house [[motorsport]] division, [[BMW M|BMW M GmbH]]. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
The initial model was available in a [[coupé]] body style, with a simple [[convertible (car)|convertible]] body style made available soon after. M3 [[Sedan (automobile)|saloons]] were offered initially during the E36 (1994–1999) and E90 (2008–2012) generations. Since 2014, the coupé and convertible models have been rebranded as the [[BMW 4 Series|4 Series]] range, making the high-performance variant the [[BMW M4|M4]]. Variants of the 3 Series since then have seen the M3 produced as a saloon, until 2020, when the M3 was produced as an estate (Touring) for the first time, alongside the saloon variant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcarfans.com/10605017186/bmw-m3-celebrating-20-years-of-a-sporting-legend|title=BMW M3 Celebrating 20 Years of a Sporting Legend|access-date=27 February 2012|publisher=worldcarfans.com|date=27 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329221659/http://www.worldcarfans.com/10605017186/bmw-m3-celebrating-20-years-of-a-sporting-legend|archive-date=29 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clubsportiva.com/blog/bmw-m3-the-evolution-of-the-benchmark/|title=BMW M3 – The Evolution of the Benchmark|access-date=8 April 2011|publisher=clubsportiva.com|date=27 February 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918135521/http://www.clubsportiva.com/blog/bmw-m3-the-evolution-of-the-benchmark/|archive-date=18 September 2011|df=dmy}}</ref>
