---
title: "New BMW M3 Will Get Manual Transmission and Be Offered With RWD and AWD: Report"
description: "As far as rumors go, this is one we're certainly hoping is true."
date: "2018-11-23"
modified: "2018-11-23"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui.md"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/25064/new-bmw-m3-will-get-manual-transmission-and-be-offered-with-rwd-and-awd-report"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "3 Series"
  - "All Wheel Drive"
  - "BMW"
  - "BMW M3"
  - "luxury"
  - "m3"
  - "Manual Transmission"
  - "rear-wheel-drive"
  - "sedan"
  - "sport sedans"
  - "sports car"
---

# New BMW M3 Will Get Manual Transmission and Be Offered With RWD and AWD: Report

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/11/p90329422_highres-e1542822840932.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Despite the hottest non-M 3 Series, [the M340i](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/24882/2020-bmw-m340i-xdrive-revealed-ahead-of-la-auto-show-debut.md>), appearing to ditch the manual transmission, the real M3 will be getting the three-pedal setup, if a new report is to be believed.

According to an anonymous source speaking to [*BMW Blog*](<https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/11/19/exclusive-g80-bmw-m3-will-be-manual-sdrive-and-automatic-xdrive/>), the upcoming M3 will be available with the customer's choice of either all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, with the rear-driven car available to be fitted with a manual gearbox. Purists, rejoice.

The all-wheel-drive car, meanwhile, will be automatic only and get a modest power bump over its rear-driven twin.

This is very different to the setup seen in [the M5](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/24259/2018-bmw-m5-test-drive-review-luxury-sedan-or-supercar-but-never-both-at-the-same-time.md>) which features all-wheel drive with a selectable two-wheel drive *mode*; no manual or purely rear-wheel-drive model to be found. It sounds like owners of the next M3 won't be selecting between drivetrains through their iDrive systems, but on the order sheet.

When *The Drive* reached out to [BMW](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/23972/2019-bmw-3-series-all-new-and-ready-to-impress.md>) for comment, a company spokesperson replied, "BMW has not made any announcements at all regarding the next M3 so I would not be able to confirm nor deny anything at this time."

From the report, the next M3's rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models will naturally carry the sDrive and xDrive monikers, respectively. It's unclear whether the xDrive M3 will come with a rear-wheel-drive mode *à la* the aforementioned M5 but *BMW Blog* is doubtful, pointing to the car's increased power as a barrier.

It is also said that BMW's upcoming sports sedan will get an xDrive, automatic-only Competition model at launch, packing a little extra poke, stiffer shocks, performance-biased all-wheel-drive calibration, and sharper steering.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)

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