Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3 Head to Head Matchup

Tesla Model 3 outperforms a BMW M3

Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3, one fully-electric, the other a traditional gasoline powered automobile, each amazing rides, but how do they really compare?

Tesla CEO Elon Musk was quoted back in 2018 as saying: “Cost of all options, wheels, paint, etc  is included (apart from Autopilot). Cost is $78k, Musk tweeted early Monday. “About same as BMW M3, but 15% quicker & with better handling. Will beat anything in its class on the track.”

At the time, he came under major pressure for suggesting his $35,000 mass market EV could truly better a precision made German sports car with a base price of $65,000. As it turns out, Musk’s bold claims have been proven in real world tests.

To prove this, Top Gear got together a Tesla Model 3 and BMW M3 at the Thunderhill Raceway in northern California. With professional drivers behind the wheel, they sought to finally put these two amazing cars head to head for a controlled analysis.

The cars were analyzed in four separate categories: Straight Drag Race, Acceleration and Braking, Timed Lap, and Cornering. For those that like skipping to the punch line: the results were clear, the Tesla Model 3, vastly outperformed its German counterpart.

But then that should have been pretty clear from the production specs released about the cars by their manufacturers. Tesla’s all-wheel drive, 444 brake horsepower, 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds are superior to the BMW numbers in every way.

Still, BMW’s are known for high performance and sometimes production specs can be exaggerated.

In the end however, the Tesla reigned supreme and raised a crown of victory for the future of electromobility.

Here’s how the tests played out.

Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3: Straight Drag Race

Driven in Track Mode, the Tesla Model 3 was the clear winner in a straight head to head drag race with a BMW M3. Even without any battery warm-up or Ludicrous mode, the Model 3 is more than capable of beating the BMW.

The testers did comment that to best show the Tesla Model 3’s supremacy, it is essential

to keep it fully charged. Acceleration can drop off a bit after repeated use and depletion of those energy stores.

Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3: Acceleration and Braking

To test these cars acceleration and braking, Top Gear scheduled a tricky 0-100-0 mph test.

This requires the cars to accelerate AND stop as quickly as possible. While the Tesla 0-60 mph time far exceeds the BMW M3, the German car actually gains speeds faster in a push towards 100mph. The Model 3 is also a bit heavier due to the added weight involved with it’s lithium ion battery and electric propulsion system.

After testing acceleration and braking, Tesla again came out on top, though barely. The Top Gear testers suggest that it was nearly impossible to tell a difference between the runs without using the aid of a timer. To the naked eye, the Model 3 and BMW M3 are nearly able to accelerate and brake the same. After reviewing sensitive race track time clock however, it became clear the Model 3 was again superior.

Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3: Timed Lap

A timed lap is the perfect way to analyze the subtle nuances of real world handling differences between legendary sports cars such as the Tesla Model 3 and BMW M3. With expert drivers behind the wheels of these two cars, Top Gear sought to push them to their limits.

While the BMW M3 handled nimbly and in an absolute thrilling fashion, the reviewers still flt the Tesla Model 3 was superior for driving on a race track. While many gasoline driving car enthusiasts may be slow to admit it: the results are in and electric vehicles are vastly outperforming traditional cars in almost every phase of the automotive game.

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Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3: Cornering

In a final, cornering assessment, the Top Gear guys tried to push these cars to their absolute limits. While the BMW M3 is able to perform well on a race track, it does so at a massive loss of comfort to the driver. The reviewer felt they were able to push the Model 3 without losing any of the comfort one would experience in driving it down the road.

Therein lies the great divide between these cars: for the BMW to match the performance of the Tesla it has to be pushed in a way that comparably feels less taxing in the Tesla. Both these cars are epic, but it seems the Tesla Model 3 may ultimately be the better choice.

While it may be easy to say the reviewers from Top Gear are a bit biased in their assessments, numbers don’t lie and increasingly Elon Musk’s wildest claims are being proven. It’s a wonderful time to watch the automotive industry and its sometimes dramatic shift towards electromobility.

Tesla Model 3 vs. BMW M3 was decided easily and the winner is: The Tesla Model 3.

Sources: Top Gear, Market Insider