When BMW released the first-ever M3 CS model in 2018, the German luxury car giant claimed that the CS would be the pinnacle of M3 performance, with the 2018 CS making 430 hp and blending it all with the tried and true rear-wheel drive layout. The 2024 M3 CS aims to continue the legacy, but it does so in a big way, with all-wheel drive coming to the CS for the first time ever.
CS Styling Is Ready For The Track
The core styling for the 2024 BMW M3 CS is carried over from the standard M3, including the gigantic twin-kidney grilles (we still miss the F80’s smaller twin-kidneys). That said, the CS does come with a whole host of revisions that help it stand out from the rest of the 3-Series family. They include yellow daytime running lights to help it pay homage to BMW’s racing machines, while the front grilles are finished in black with the contour portion featuring a splash of red trim. The car that BMW used in their press images also stands out thanks to the bright Signal Green paintwork (a hue from BMW’s Individual Collection).
However, the styling is more than just a brightly colored styling statement; it also plays a prominent role in the CS’s crash diet, with the car shaving 75 lbs of excess flab due to extensive use of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). The hood, front splitter, exterior mirror caps, rear diffuser, and spoiler are all made out of the material and complement the CFRP roof. The interior also uses CFRP for the shift paddles, center console, and interior strips of trim. While the CS didn’t pitch the back seats like the M4 CSL did (it still has to moonlight as a family offering on the weekends), M engineers did give the CS standard M Carbon sport bucket seats with the heavily bolstered thrones featuring a back panel piece made out of woven carbon fiber.
Beefier Performance Makes This CS A Deadly Track Weapon
Performance for the 2024 BMW M3 CS comes from a tweaked version of the familiar 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six that now makes 543 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. That’s a noticeable upgrade over the 453 hp that defined the last iteration of the CS, and all of this power will also be going through an all-wheel drive system for the first time ever. An eight-speed automatic will be the lone transmission available, and the addition of all-wheel drive allows the 2024 CS to make the sprint to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, with the car capable of hitting a top speed of 188 mph thanks to the standard M Driver’s Package.
The suspension also benefits from extensive upgrades that sharpen handling behavior and allows drivers to have a greater level of involvement and response from the steering system. With all the performance that the M3 CS brings to the table, it’s surprising that BMW is still making owners pay extra for carbon-ceramic brakes with the model using compound brakes as standard equipment. However, the one option that we would gladly get is the super sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires that help this Bimmer hang with the segment’s best when tasked with tackling sharp sweepers.
When Can I Buy One?
BMW claims that the 2024 M3 CS will be a limited production run, but the firm stopped short of revealing exactly how many units they will build before production ends. Pricing for a base model starts at $119,695, which includes the $995 destination fee. While it’s unknown how many are allotted for the U.S. market, the company did reveal that production will begin in March, with global shipments kicking off shortly afterward.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.