Elon Musk Talks Smack Saying He's Got The BMW M3 Killer. Is He FULL Of SH!T?

When it comes to entry-level luxury sedans, the benchmark for the past 30 years has been the BMW 3-Series. Sure, the BMW has ebbed and flowed in terms of how good each generation is relative to the competition, but at the end of the day it typically rules the category.

Even if there's momentary lapses, it always comes back around to the 3-Series being the best pick of the litter.

And when you consider performance, well, there's no question that "W" goes to the BMW M3. Sure, you could go get a Hellcat-powered vehicle and it'll go faster in a straight line, but put both on the same track and the M3 will be victorious.

For eons companies have claimed to have the 3-Series and M3 killer. No one has really succeeded except for those momentary lapses. But, can a dual-engined Tesla Model 3 be the vehicle that takes the M3 to task?

Elon Musk says so.

In a series of tweets that were posted over the weekend, Musk stated the performance of the vehicle and said it will be better than the M3. Considering reviews have said the Model 3 has Porsche Boxster-like characteristics, perhaps Musk is onto something.

And we've seen how fast Tesla's Model S can be with the dual engines powering the car.

So, I've got to ask: Does Musk have the M3 killer or is he full of sh!t? What say you, Spies?

TheSteve - 5/21/2018 8:48:53 PM

+5 Boost

I observe that everyone and their uncle claims to have (or is working on) a BMW-killer.

I believe the best approach is not to make such claims. Instead, just quietly make it, and unleash it unto the world. Allow people to come to their own conclusions. If they feel you've created a BMW killer, then they will surely evangelize that belief.

Otherwise, it's just more talk.

MDarringer - 5/21/2018 9:15:19 PM

+8 Boost

Besides EVERY new challenger to the 3 Series "beats" the BMW hands down when "journalists" go to the wine, filet, and prostitute weekends, but then it real testing the 3 Series seems to do quite well.

DinduNuffin - 5/22/2018 10:51:08 AM

0 Boost

Tell me more about this "prostitutes weekend"?

MDarringer - 5/22/2018 6:32:49 PM

+1 Boost

Haven't you ever noticed how gung ho so-called journalists are after a "press" junket? Food, alcohol, and a non-self-induced "Big O" are the only possible explanations for the breathless enthusiasm that is 17 on a scale of 1-10 for some of the cars.

Runamukk - 5/21/2018 11:20:36 PM

0 Boost

One word..."Sales"

runninglogan1 - 5/22/2018 12:00:57 AM

-1 Boost

We'll find out soon enough. Model 3P better deliver or Musk is going to have egg on his face. I have a feeling it's going to be REALLY fast.

SanJoseDriver - 5/22/2018 12:38:41 AM

-8 Boost

I hope the AWD version will also get upgraded brakes. Poor man's performance edition.

Agent00R - 5/22/2018 1:55:12 PM

0 Boost

A spied Model 3 thought to be the dual motor car had upgraded brakes on it. See the cover image for one shot.

Note the larger wheels/tires, lower stance and bigger brake kit?

Lovesponge76 - 5/22/2018 7:58:45 AM

+10 Boost

I've followed Autospies since 2004 and I've finally decided to share my thoughts! Mr. Musk is famous for outlandish claims. This vehicle may be quicker to 60MPH than a 911, however, I would not put this vehicle in the same class as M3. I will tip my hat to Mr. Musk when a Tesla laps the Ring in a respectable time. Until then sit down and prep your vehicles to make turns.

I would/could never own a fully electric vehicle. A car and a vacuum cleaner should not sound the same.

Vette71 - 5/22/2018 8:53:31 AM

+7 Boost

Popcorn!!!That last line is a gem.

SanJoseDriver - 5/23/2018 2:02:07 PM

-8 Boost

We'll see, this car is being designed for the track in mind. Also the Model 3 RWD models that have been taken to the track have done well with everything but braking.

As for the sound... can't help you there. Porsche is going all-electric eventually as well, it won't just be a Tesla thing.

scenicbyway12 - 5/22/2018 12:17:09 PM

+13 Boost

First off what the? A performance car is more than 0-60 and I seriously doubt the 3 handling is close to the M3. at 78k for the 3 it makes the M3 look more of a bargain.

Funny how BMW performance numbers are always conservative, while anything coming from Tesla is overblown.

SanJoseDriver - 5/23/2018 2:04:05 PM

-9 Boost

Really, because a lot of people are getting a 0-60 below 5.1 seconds on the Model 3 (as low as 4.5/4.6 verified by dragtimes). If anything, Tesla is known to sandbag the performance of cheaper models and asks the EPA to reduce range figures on cheaper cars. Consumer Reports got 350 miles out of the Model 3 (rated for 310).

scenicbyway12 - 5/23/2018 7:43:38 PM

+7 Boost

Please show me these verified drag times, other wise fiction. Car and Driver who always produces the fastest 0-60 times, that I have seen, quotes 5.1 sec. EPA numbers "seriously" that is a government produced number. Congratulations on completely missing my point, show me the track times, skid pad numbers,braking times and. All which are available on the M3 and are currently just words from Musk.

By the way I am a Musk fan,I like people with big goals. The 3 is a car that a car that was rushed into production far to early (see Edmund's falling apart 3) There also is ZERO evidence that 3 is a better performance car than the M3.

oh by the way where are the 500 cars a day.

SanJoseDriver - 5/24/2018 1:45:04 AM

-9 Boost

Here is the Drag Times video of the current Model 3 (not performance, not AWD) doing 4.6s: https://electrek.co/2018/01/06/tesla-model-3-accelerates-0-60-mph-in-4-6-faster-than-tesla-advertises/

I don't know what the current production rate is, but on my 20 mile drive home today I counted 11 different Model 3s on Highway 101. Last time I did a count of the same drive a couple weeks ago it was 5. Super unscientific, but there seem to be a lot more on the road in Silicon Valley. I think they are up to 3k a week, but have nothing to back that up.

2ndbimmer - 5/26/2018 10:09:27 AM

+1 Boost

The funny part is, it is still in development when BMW built the current M3 in 2012. Musk, you don't have a built yet that you are trying to compete against an outgoing body style. haha
I love all of these comparisons against BMW right before BMW is changing that model.

MDarringer - 5/26/2018 10:51:19 AM

+1 Boost

And despite being on sale, the Model 3 is still in development and prototype stages.