‘23 M3P vs ‘26 Base RWD

It's just a facelift, not a fundamentally different car. Get the Performance.

T e s t d r I v e

I have a 26 RWD and love it. Don’t need more power than this and appreciate the extra range. Had a 23 MYLR and the version is much better built than the old one (less rattles, better suspension). Love the new seats as well.

I’ve had a 2019 RWD “Standard Range Plus,” then a 2022 LR Dual Motor with Acceleration Boost (3.7s 0-60), and now a 2026 LR Dual Motor without AB (because they don’t offer it in America yet for some reason). Go for the speedy one. I do love my new one for its interior light strips and the air conditioned seats, but while I rarely floored it in my 2022, when I did, SO much fun. I think the range difference likely wont be any issue, and the worse speakers, slower charging, slower car won’t be as worth it if you get the new one.

We have a 23 RWD and a 24 RWD LR. the 2024 is substantially more refined but when you’re talking base now that means standard which I know has a lot of cost cutting so the difference would still make them fairly similar imo

If you are OK with staggered tires and extra fast tire wear the performance is probably the way to go. There are some. I e interior and exterior updates with the new car. I assume you are thinking standard RWD and not Premium RWD

I definitely wouldn’t get the base, but I also wouldn’t get the performance, depending on the price. I don’t think the 26 has a lot that the 24-25 doesn’t have, but for me I was looking for (and couldn’t find) AWD LR for 23/24 with low mileage. But I ended up with a 25 RWD LR with low mileage so who am I to blow against the wind.

Depends on your persona. I would get the M3P in a heart beat but my wife would get the newest base in a heart beat. Also if that 23 is hw4, then the M3P.

I don’t believe 23 M3s can have HW4. I’ve only ever seen 23 MYs

If it’s truly the 2026 base with the cloth seats, definitely the old M3P

Oof. Was thinking of the MYP. You right.

The ride quality on the 23 m3p will be punishing plus you'll only have hw3. Get the 26 base or if you can afford it get the 26 m3p.

I had a terrible week checking every dealership available around me looking for the mythical 23 M3 hw4 🫩

It depends on if full self driving matters to you. The newer car is more capable in that area. The P will be more fun. Both are great cars.

I have to do some research on HW4 vs HW3… I’m not familiar with

2023 has most of the “new” stuff you will find on the 2026 base already. like the heat pump. It does lack a quite some stuff compared to a new M3P tho.

2023 Performance if you’re going to actually drive the car, want all the features, and if you prefer shifter and turn signal stalks. Only major thing missing is HW4. FSD on HW3 is a chore. 2026 base if you want to be 99% driven around and don’t mind slower acceleration and shorter range.

2026 IMO. Longer Warranty. Newest everything. Plenty of zip. Hardware 4. Probably cheaper insurance. Wont go through tires every year. Smoother ride.

Where can i find more information about the difference in FSD between HW3 and HW4? I believe most of my usage will be highway driving with autopilot.

Thank you all for your interaction and feedback. I will certainly be going for a test drive in both models. Currently leaning used M3P, but need to do a little more research on HW3 vs HW4 and the impact of that. The prospect of not paying an additional 100$ / mo for FSD by purchasing a used model with lifetime sub is enticing.

Want to drive fast > Performance. Want to get driven > RWD

That performance will be way funnier but the rwd will be nicer. You will regret not getting awd