Compare the2024 Honda Civic Type RVS 2024 BMW M3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Honda Civic Type R have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The BMW M3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Honda Civic Type R are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M3 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Civic Type R deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Civic Type R’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The M3’s side airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Civic Type R and the M3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, plastic fuel tanks, 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, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

Honda’s powertrain warranty covers the Civic Type R 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than BMW covers the M3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the M3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 3 times as many Honda dealers as there are BMW dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Civic Type R’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Honda vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Honda above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 4 places higher in reliability than BMW.

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Type R gets better mileage than the M3:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Civic Type R uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The M3 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Civic Type R higher (6 out of 10) than the BMW M3 (5). This means the Civic Type R produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the M3 every 15,000 miles.

The Civic Type R stops shorter than the M3:

The Civic Type R’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the M3’s standard 40 series front and 35 series rear tires. The Civic Type R’s tires are lower profile than the M3’s optional 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Civic Type R has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch front wheels are standard on the M3.

The Civic Type R offers an available space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the M3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Civic Type R Touring handles at 1.04 G’s, while the M3 pulls only 1.02 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Civic Type R’s turning circle is .1 feet tighter than the M3’s (39.9 feet vs. 40 feet). The Civic Type R’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the M3 xDrive’s (39.9 feet vs. 41.3 feet).

The Honda Civic Type R may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 650 to 800 pounds less than the BMW M3.

The Civic Type R is 8.2 inches shorter than the M3, making the Civic Type R easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the Civic Type R Touring is quieter than the M3 Competition (70 vs. 72 dB).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Civic Type R a Large car, while the M3 is rated a Compact.

The Civic Type R has 4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the M3 (99 vs. 95).

The Civic Type R has .7 inches more front legroom, 1 inch more front shoulder room, 1.8 inches more rear legroom and 1.4 inches more rear shoulder room than the M3.

The Civic Type R’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The M3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Civic Type R has a standard rear wiper. The M3 doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

Insurance will cost less for the Civic Type R owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Civic Type R will cost $4520 to $5775 less than the M3 over a five-year period.

The Civic Type R will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Civic Type R will retain 59.77% of its original price after five years, while the M3 only retains 54.52% to 54.54%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Civic Type R will be $33117 to $40304 less than for the BMW M3.

The Civic was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 9 more times in the last 40 years. The M3 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Honda Civic outsold the BMW 3 Series by almost six to one during 2023.