BMW M3 CS Handschalter: A farewell version with a manual transmission
The G80 M3 generation is coming to an end, and BMW has decided to mark this occasion by releasing a model with a manual transmission. Exclusive to North America, the M3 CS Handschalter version serves as a kind of farewell, but finding one will be difficult, and the price will be even higher.
BMW does not disclose the exact number of vehicles planned for production, only stating that production will be limited to a “very small number.” Reports indicate that the US will receive between 800 and 900 units, with standard dealerships receiving only one vehicle each. If a dealer declines their allocation, a second vehicle may be assigned to another dealer. Certified BMW M dealers can expect two units.
Although only a few weeks have passed since the sports sedan’s debut, allocations are quickly being snapped up, and many dealers have already created long waiting lists for interested buyers. Additionally, it is reported that many dealers are selling the M3 CS Handschalter above the suggested retail price, attempting to capitalize on the high demand for a vehicle available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
Exclusivity comes at a price
Some dealers, according to rumors, are asking up to $25,000 over the suggested retail price. This is a bold move for a car that was already not cheap. The limited-edition M3 CS starts at $107,100, plus $1,350 for destination and handling in the US.
This is significantly higher than the base BMW M3 sedan, which costs $79,300, though slightly lower than the 2024 BMW M3 CS with a starting price of $118,700. However, with the dealer markup, the Handschalter easily exceeds that amount.
Lighter weight and power
Like the standard CS, the Handschalter version sheds nearly 75 pounds (34 kg) compared to the standard rear-wheel-drive M3 when equipped with optional carbon-ceramic M brakes. It also includes several carbon fiber components, revised steering responses, and the same dampers as the M4 CSL.
The only somewhat disappointing aspect of the CS is that it uses the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine as the base M3, with output limited to 473 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque. For comparison, the all-wheel-drive M3 CS xDrive produced 543 hp and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque.
Thus, the M3 CS Handschalter becomes a true collector’s item for enthusiasts of manual transmissions, but its limited availability and high prices make it unattainable for most. It is not just a car, but a symbol of the end of an era when the manual transmission was the standard for sports models. In a market increasingly oriented towards automatic transmissions and electric vehicles, such a move by BMW appears as a nostalgic gesture, which, however, is in high demand among enthusiasts. It is worth noting that the reduction in power compared to the all-wheel-drive version may be a compromise for those who value the driving experience of a manual more than absolute speed figures.