For BMW enthusiasts, the clock may officially be ticking on one of the last great analog performance sedans. According to a new report from BMWBlog, the current G80-generation BMW M3 is expected to end production in February 2027, marking the close of an era for a car that has become both celebrated and controversial since its debut. More importantly for purists, the report suggests the next-generation  M3 will abandon the manual transmission altogether, potentially making 2027 the final opportunity to buy a stick-shift BMW M3.

The G80 M3 arrived for the 2021 model year and quickly made headlines with its aggressive styling, massive kidney grilles, and serious performance credentials. Over time, however, the sedan managed to win over many skeptics thanks to its razor-sharp handling, brutal acceleration, and surprisingly livable daily driving manners. BMW continued to cater to enthusiasts by keeping a manual gearbox available on rear-wheel-drive versions, a rarity in today’s shrinking performance car landscape. The recently revealed 2027 BMW M3 CS Handschalter already felt like a celebration of that formula, and now it appears there was a good reason for it.

If the timeline proves accurate, BMW fans will experience an unusual gap between generations. Production of the current M3 reportedly ends in early 2027, while the next gas-powered model, internally known as the G84, is not expected to begin production until the summer of 2028. That leaves roughly a year and a half without a traditional combustion-powered M3 on dealer lots. While that may sound dramatic, BMW has followed similar patterns before. There was also a noticeable gap between the previous F80 generation and the arrival of the current G80 model.

BMW is not planning to leave the performance sedan space completely empty during that period, though. The company is expected to introduce a high-performance electric version of its upcoming i3 sedan sometime in 2027. Rumors suggest the model could wear the iM3 badge, signaling a major shift for BMW’s legendary performance nameplate. While many enthusiasts are still hesitant about electric M cars, BMW has repeatedly hinted that future EV performance models will prioritize driving engagement and track capability rather than simply delivering straight-line speed figures.

Perhaps the biggest headline from the report is the expected death of the manual transmission in the next-generation M3. If true, the G80 will become the final chapter for enthusiasts who still enjoy rowing their own gears in a high-performance BMW sedan. In a market increasingly dominated by electrification, hybridization, and automatic-only drivetrains, the current M3 may soon be remembered as one of the last truly traditional sports sedans. For buyers who have been considering a manual M3, this latest report makes waiting a much riskier gamble.