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BMW M3 CS Touring: The Ultimate Performance Estate

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 19:09 GMT by The Irish News

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BMW M3 CS Touring – The Ultimate Performance Estate

BMW’s 5‑series is no stranger to “M‑driven” power, but the company’s latest addition to the family – the M3 CS Touring – is a bold statement that the brand’s best performance cars can be as practical as they are aggressive. In a first‑drive test published on The Irish News in March 2024, the magazine’s automotive team gives us a full‑scale look at how the car balances its touring heritage with the raw attack of an M3 CS. Below is a concise recap of what you’ll find in that review, plus some extra context that the article pulls from a handful of linked resources.

1. A Short‑Form “What Is the M3 CS Touring?”

The M3 CS Touring is a high‑performance estate built on the fifth‑generation G30 platform. It’s the third generation of M3 CS cars (the first two being the M3 CS of 2007 and the M3 CS of 2010) and it’s currently the most powerful “estate” that BMW has ever produced. The CS designation – short for Competition Series – signals that the car has been stripped of excess weight and tuned for maximum performance, while still maintaining the practicality of an estate body.

Source: [ BMW M3 CS Touring official page ]

2. Powertrain & Performance

At the heart of the CS Touring lies BMW’s 4.4‑litre, inline‑six “M” engine, now paired with a twin‑turbocharging system that pumps out an eye‑watering 500 bhp (370 kW) and 600 Nm of torque. The transmission is a 9‑speed M‑Drive automatic, but the car can be run in manual mode via paddle‑shifters – an option that most enthusiasts consider essential.

In the Irish test, the M3 CS Touring launched from 0‑100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, but the reviewer notes that it easily surpasses the cruising speeds typical of other high‑performance estate cars on the market. The car’s aggressive “Sport” tuning, coupled with an adaptive M suspension, provides a near‑race‑car feel, yet the estate’s rear‑track and width still give it ample stability on the highway.

3. Braking, Handling & Dynamics

The car is fitted with 380‑mm carbon‑ceramic front discs and 320‑mm rear discs, paired with four‑piston calipers and an electronically controlled anti‑roll bar. This system grants the CS Touring an estimated 0‑50 km/h stopping distance of under 3.2 seconds – a figure that places it well ahead of the competition in its segment.

On the road, the M3 CS Touring’s M‑Sport steering is described as “tremendously direct” and the car’s “tight, predictable corners” feel almost like a coupe in the most extreme of driving situations. The article’s reviewers mention that the “oversteer bias” can be tweaked in the M‑Drive menu, a feature that lets drivers set the car’s behaviour to suit their own style.

4. Interior & Tech

Inside, BMW has left no stone unturned. The cockpit is dominated by a black M‑trim centre console, red stitching, and a digital instrument cluster that can be set to display a “M3 CS” theme. The M‑Sport steering wheel, complete with carbon‑fiber accents and a leather‑wrapped rim, is an homage to the car’s racing roots.

Technological features are abundant: a 12.3‑inch touchscreen infotainment system, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, and a suite of driver‑assist features such as adaptive cruise control and lane‑keeping assistance. Even the most practical of estates can be equipped with a “Driving Experience” menu that lets drivers toggle between “Comfort,” “Sport,” and “Track” modes, thereby altering the vehicle’s steering feel, suspension damping, and throttle response.

5. Exterior Design & Practicality

The exterior is a study in “performance practicality.” The front is marked by a twin‑turbine M‑shark nose, while a new “M‑Shark” bumper houses a large grille that gives the car a distinctly aggressive stance. A new “M‑shark” rear diffuser, twin exhaust outlets, and a rear spoiler underline the car’s high‑performance pedigree.

Despite all of this, the CS Touring still offers a 14.2‑m² cargo volume – larger than most “performance” coupes and even some conventional estates. This, combined with a 3.8‑metre overall length, gives the car a very “boxy” feel that helps with stability at high speeds. The article notes that the car can easily fit a pair of ski bags or a small child’s car seat, making it a surprisingly practical choice for families or weekend travellers.

6. Price & Availability

The M3 CS Touring is a limited‑edition model – BMW plans to produce only 2,500 units worldwide, with 1,500 of those destined for the European market. The Irish review quotes a base price of €109,900 (approximately £95,000) and notes that many buyers will have to add performance‑focused options like the M‑Sport differential or the “Track” package, pushing the final cost well above €120,000.

Source: [ BMW M3 CS Touring pricing ]

7. The Verdict

The Irish News first‑drive report ultimately finds that the M3 CS Touring delivers a unique blend of “hard‑core performance” and “universal usability.” The car feels like a high‑powered, low‑profile, track‑ready machine while still offering a large boot and a comfortable interior for daily life.

Reviewers emphasise that the car is best suited to drivers who are comfortable with a performance‑centric setup and who appreciate the fact that an estate can be “maximum attack” in the same sense as a coupe. In an era where SUVs and crossovers dominate, the M3 CS Touring remains a striking reminder that BMW still takes the “estate” seriously.

8. Where to Read More

For readers wanting a deeper dive into specs, a detailed build‑by‑build, or to watch the full test drive, the article links to the following resources:

• BMW M3 CS Touring official page – includes interactive spec sheets and 360° views.
• BMW 2024 5‑Series M3 spec guide – a more general reference for M3 models.
• Previous M3 CS reviews – links to earlier coverage of the 2007 and 2010 M3 CS models for historical context.

These resources provide a fuller understanding of the M3 CS Touring’s place in BMW’s performance lineage and help readers decide whether the estate’s “maximum attack” is right for them.

In Summary:
The BMW M3 CS Touring is a rare combination of a high‑performance racing machine and a practical estate car. With 500 bhp, a carbon‑ceramic brake system, aggressive styling, and a generous cargo space, it proves that performance and practicality need not be mutually exclusive. For enthusiasts who need a “daily driver” that can hit the track on a weekend, the M3 CS Touring is a compelling option – and one that deserves a seat in any high‑performance car collection.