For the first time ever, the M3 CS gains a six-speed manual gearbox. Expect to see values go up. Most new cars depreciate the moment you drive off the lot, losing thousands of dollars in value. However, some cars are exceptional enough to avoid this curse, with limited production, desirable characteristics, and a dedicated fan base driving up demand and, consequently, values.
The 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter is likely to be one of these cars. The "Handschalter" name, which translates to "manual transmission" in German, was first used for a version of the now-defunct Z4 with a manual transmission. The M3 CS Handschalter comes with a six-speed manual shifter, similar to that found in entry-level versions of the M3, with tuned steering and electronic nannies specifically for the hand-shifter model.
View Price on AmazonDue to the limits of the gearbox, the M3 CS Handschalter makes 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, leaving it 50 ponies and 73 lb-ft behind the original M3 CS. The new car is also solely rear-wheel drive, versus the earlier CS's all-wheel grip. As a result, it's a bit slower off the line, with the 0-60 mph dash taking 3.8 seconds versus 3.2 seconds for the more potent AWD version. Top gear will take the Handschalter all the way to 180 mph, eight mph behind the automatic gearbox car but still fast enough that you'll be too busy clenching the wheel and your teeth to be bothered by the discrepancy.
The M3 CS Handschalter is about engagement and enjoyment both on the road and on a track. The suspension has been revised, with shocks from the M4 CS and new springs joining a new rear axle link and unique camber and axle kinematic tuning. The M3 stick-shift supreme also benefits from extended use of carbon fiber, with the material used in the hood, roof, and front and rear fasciae, as well as in the frames of the nutcracker seats and in the cabin trim. There's also a new titanium muffler for the exhaust; all told, the changes make the car 42 pounds lighter than the normal M3 stick, but you can shave off almost 32 more by picking the optional carbon-ceramic brakes.
On the appearance front, the Handschalter looks much like the automatic M3 CS, complete with the same array of aerodynamic additions and the yellow-tinted DRLs that might briefly fool other drivers into thinking they accidentally veered onto the track at Daytona. Isle of Man Green and Black Sapphire metallic paints come standard, while the Imola Red seen here costs an extra $4,500, as does Techno Violet. The forged alloy wheels, meanwhile—275/35/19 up front, 285/30/20 in back, and clad in either high-performance or track-ready rubber—come in your choice of black or Gold Bronze.
The M3 CS Handschalter will start at $108,450, which is actually $11,245 less than the regular M3 CS started at when it went on sale in the spring of 2023, but roughly $28,000 more than a base M3 with the manual. Hardly chump change, but as I said, odds are good that price is only going up once they're all sold.
Source: roadandtrack.com
