Compare the2023 BMW M3VS 2023 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

The M3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The M3 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The M3 has a standard PostCrash iBrake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M3 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M3 Competition offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The M3 offers an optional Surround View to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Giulia Quadrifoglio only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the M3 and the Giulia Quadrifoglio have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The M3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s (12 vs. 5 years).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M3 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Alfa Romeo only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

There are almost 3 times as many BMW dealers as there are Alfa Romeo dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the M3’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the M3 has a standard 720-amp battery. The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s 525-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in initial quality. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Alfa Romeo is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Alfa Romeo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 17 places higher in reliability than Alfa Romeo.

The M3 Competition’s standard 3.0 turbo 6-cylinder produces 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 443) than the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s 2.9 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the M3 Competition is faster than the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (automatics tested):

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the BMW M3 higher (5 out of 10) than the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (3). This means the M3 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Giulia Quadrifoglio every 15,000 miles.

The M3 offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The M3’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the M3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Giulia Quadrifoglio:

The M3 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The M3 stops shorter than the Giulia Quadrifoglio:

For better traction, the M3 has larger front tires than the Giulia Quadrifoglio (F:275/40R18 & R:285/35R19 vs. F:245/35R19 & R:285/30R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the M3 offers optional 20-inch rear wheels. The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the M3’s wheelbase is 1.5 inches longer than on the Giulia Quadrifoglio (112.5 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the M3 is 2.5 inches wider in the front than on the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

The M3 Competition handles at 1.03 G’s, while the Giulia Quadrifoglio pulls only .96 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The M3 Competition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Giulia Quadrifoglio (23.8 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 24.2 seconds @ .84 average G’s).

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the M3 Competition is quieter than the Giulia Quadrifoglio (44 vs. 49 dB).

The M3 has 2 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear headroom, .5 inches more rear legroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Giulia Quadrifoglio.

The M3 has a larger trunk than the Giulia Quadrifoglio (13 vs. 12 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the M3 offers cargo security. The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the M3’s trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The M3 also offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Alfa Romeo. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 65% lower rating, Alfa Romeo is ranked 32nd.

The M3 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

If the windows are left open on the M3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Giulia Quadrifoglio can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

When the M3 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the M3 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The M3’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Giulia Quadrifoglio doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the M3 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the M3 will cost $3440 to $4695 less than the Giulia Quadrifoglio over a five-year period.

The M3 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the M3 will retain 53.8% to 54.04% of its original price after five years, while the Giulia Quadrifoglio only retains 50.5%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the BMW M3 will be $5390 to $10780 less than for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.

The BMW 3 Series outsold the Alfa Romeo Giulia by almost six to one during the 2021 model year.