Lot 12683: 2023 BMW M3

The choice between manual and automatic on the 2023 BMW M3 (G80) isn’t just about preference—it’s about which car you want, because BMW made the decision for you in a pretty clever way:

Here’s the Real Choice

So you’re not really choosing “manual vs automatic.” You’re choosing between two different M3s with ~$10k–$20k separating them.

The Yellow Manual at $69,880

Good news: That São Paulo Yellow M3 you’re looking at is priced at the low end of the manual market. Most base M3s have lower miles (~21k average) and higher asking prices. With 35k miles, this one’s been driven properly—and it’s $7k+ under the average.

My Recommendation

Go manual if: You want the most engaging, analog experience in a modern sports sedan. The 6-speed in the M3 is one of BMW’s best—notchy, mechanical, and deeply satisfying. It’s also the “enthusiast spec” that’ll hold value long-term, especially as manuals become scarcer.

Go automatic (Competition) if: You want the fastest M3, plan to track it, or daily-drive in heavy traffic. The ZF 8-speed shifts quicker than any human, the extra 30 hp is noticeable, and the AWD xDrive option (where applicable) makes it year-round capable. But you’ll pay $10k+ more.

The Bottom Line

For this specific car at $69,880? It’s a solid buy for a manual M3—especially with that wild yellow/blue color combo that’ll make you smile every time you walk up to it. Check out the listing here or browse all 2023 M3 base models.

What matters more to you—engagement or raw speed? And will this be a daily driver or a weekend toy? That’ll seal the decision.