How many BMW M3s are left in New Zealand?
Uncommon 1 in 3,534 on the road Built 1986-2026 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
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It began in 1986 as a way to qualify the 3 Series for touring car racing, where the original became one of the most successful racing saloons ever built. Each generation since has been the benchmark for a fast, usable road car, by turns four-cylinder, straight-six, V8 and turbocharged six.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 2008: 107 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 4 |
| 1987 | 24 |
| 1988 | 17 |
| 1989 | 6 |
| 1990 | 8 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 18 |
| 1994 | 31 |
| 1995 | 15 |
| 1996 | 30 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1998 | 16 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 26 |
| 2002 | 85 |
| 2003 | 75 |
| 2004 | 33 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 107 |
| 2009 | 82 |
| 2010 | 44 |
| 2011 | 41 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 49 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2019 | 18 |
| 2021 | 41 |
| 2022 | 38 |
| 2023 | 49 |
| 2024 | 68 |
| 2025 | 72 |
| 2026 | 32 |
By generation
How many of each generation are still registered.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third generation · E46 | 2000–2006 | 261 | Scarce |
| Fourth generation · E90/E92/E93 | 2007–2013 | 385 | Scarce |
| Fifth generation · F80 | 2014–2018 | 187 | Scarce |
| Sixth generation · G80/G81 | since 2020 | 300 | Scarce |
By badge
The versions the register records, most numerous first.
| Which one | Built | Left | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | 290 | Scarce | |
| CS | 19 | Rare | |
| CS Touring | 7 | Rare | |
| CSL | 4 | Rare |
What Uncommon means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 1,323 still registered, the BMW M3 is Uncommon: the grade for cars with 1,200 to 7,999 left.
By how many are left it ranks 9th of the 53 BMW models and 390th of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.