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F80M3

Buyer's guide

Crank hub: ask first

The top risk of the 9 checks below.

What to check, what breaks, and which year to buy. Short and sourced.

The F80, start to finish

Five years of cars, launches, changes and recalls on one line.

Cars by model year; 2014 includes 99 early cars from 2012 and 2013. Bars under the steps are recalls.

Later:

Tap a label on the strip to read what happened, with its source.

See all 16 as a list
  1. Dec 17, 2013
    BMW publishes 2014 NAIAS press kit naming the M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe world premieres.
  2. Jan 13, 2014
    World debut of the F80 M3 Sedan alongside the F82 M4 Coupe (and 2 Series Coupe) at the North American International Auto Show, Detroit, BMW stand 11:10 a.m.
  3. May 2014
    European market launch / launch press kit (dated May 19, 2014). M3 built at BMW Plant Regensburg on the 3 Series line; M4 at Plant Munich.
  4. Summer 2014
    US sales start as MY2015 ('early Summer 2014' per BMW NA; 'late spring 2014' per BMW Canada). US launch MSRP $62,000 + destination.
  5. Jun 30, 2015
    F80 M3 LCI (Life Cycle Impulse) build-date cutover per Bimmerpost: full-LED tail lights (from F30 LCI), iDrive NBT EVO ('iDrive 5' on forums), revised climate-control font. Becomes US MY2016.
  6. Nov 23, 2015
    NHTSA recall 15V782000 filed: driveshaft slip-joint possibly not greased (M3 built May 30, 2015 to Sep 2, 2015).
  7. Jan 13, 2016
    Competition Package announced for M3/M4: 444 hp (US) / 450 PS (EU), retuned Adaptive M suspension, 20-in Style 666M forged wheels, M sport exhaust, lightweight seats. US $5,500 on M3. Available from spring 2016.
  8. May 29, 2016
    '30 Years M3' (30 Jahre) edition announced: 500 cars worldwide, Macao Blue metallic, based on Competition Package (444 hp US / 450 PS EU), '30 Years M3 1/500' trim plaque. 150 to US (from Aug 2016, $83,250 with manual), 30 to UK.
  9. Feb 28, 2017
    Bimmerpost: F8x option-552 adaptive LED headlight design changed from this build date (F82/F83 LCI 'Icon' lights). F80 adoption tied to US MY2018 (July 2017 production).
  10. Jul 2017
    US MY2018 changes effective July 2017 production: LED headlights (5A2) standard, replacing xenon adaptive (522+524); iDrive 6.0 with touch screen; gloss-black 'M3' seat badge; new Style 666M Black Star-spoke 20-in wheels (2CQ) with Competition Package; rear-view camera standard. M3 MSRP $65,500 + $995.
  11. Aug 11, 2017
    BMW M announces CFRP driveshaft to be gradually replaced by a smaller-diameter steel shaft from November 2017 production (to make room for a petrol particulate filter).
  12. Nov 7, 2017
    M3 CS revealed: 453 hp / 443 lb-ft (460 PS / 600 Nm), 0-60 3.7 s, 174 mph limited, CFRP hood and roof, ~1,200 units worldwide (~550 US), M-DCT only.
  13. Jan 30, 2018
    BMWBlog reports F80 M3 production to end May 2018 because WLTP / OPF rules (from Jun 1, 2018) would require an Otto particulate filter.
  14. Feb 5, 2018
    BMW spokesperson (via Autocar) says the F80 M3 will be built until August 2018, not May.
  15. Mar 2018
    M3 CS production begins (ROW press kit: orders from January 2018, production from March 2018). US orders opened May 2018.
  16. 2018
    End of F80 M3 production at Regensburg. BMW's own figure: 34,677 F80 M3s built (2012-2018 incl. pre-series). No M3 for MY2019-2020; the G80 M3 followed for MY2021.

Check before you buy

Ask about these before you buy. Tap one for the details.

2 of 9 rated high risk.
HighS55 crank hub can slip (spin)Ask if the hub was upgraded (brand, invoice). A tuned car without the fix carries more risk. Price an unfixed tuned car accordingly.Stock car: ask if it was ever tuned; if yes, ask for the hub invoice.
What it is
The hub on the front of the crankshaft drives the timing chain and oil pump. It is not keyed or splined; a single central bolt and a friction washer hold it. A sharp torque spike can turn it on the crank. Then cam timing is off. A small slip gives poor running and fault codes. A big slip lets valves hit pistons.
The fix
Crank bolt capture plate · Pinned (2-pin/4-pin) or one-piece keyed hub
If it fails
toward £10,000 for a replacement engine (UK); >$10k quoted in a US NHTSA complaint
All F80 M3 (S55), every model year, manual and DCT. No factory fix and no recall.
Source
HighFuel tank leaks at the top seal (fuel smell after fill-up)Smell around the rear seat / driver side after a full tank. Ask a BMW dealer to check open campaigns and warranty extensions by VIN.
What it is
Owners report fuel leaking from a broken plastic seal or weld on top of the tank, usually noticed as a strong gas smell after filling up. This is the largest theme in NHTSA complaints for the F80 M3 (9 of 21 MY2015-2018 complaints; two look like the same owner).
Reports on MY2015-2018 M3 and F82/F83 M4. Coverage by VIN.
Source
MediumPlastic charge pipes crackAluminum pipes already fitted is a plus. Original plastic pipes at high miles: budget about $300-400 in parts.
What it is
Factory pipes from the turbos to the intercooler (and the cold-side J-pipe to the throttle) are thin plastic. Heat cycles make them brittle. They snap at the flange, split, or pop out of couplers. Tunes with more boost make it worse.
The fix
Aluminum replacement pipes.
Parts cost
$129–$399
All F80 M3, stock or tuned. Same pipes on F82/F83 M4 and F87 M2 Competition.
Source
MediumRear differential bushing tears; wheel hop and clunk
What it is
The back of the diff hangs on one rubber bushing. S55 torque, hard launches and on-off throttle tear it, often around 30,000-40,000 miles (vendor claim). Signs: clunk on take-off or shift, wheel hop. Wheel hop also loads the driveline and is listed as a crank-hub trigger.
The fix
Genuine BMW updated hybrid bushing 33179503009 (replaces all-rubber 33177852495) · Polyurethane bushings (Powerflex, ECS) or dual-mount plate kits
All F8x M2/M3/M4.
Source
LowM-DCT (Getrag GS7D36SG) notes
What it is
Generally robust. Known items: leaks at the lower sump pan, right-side mechatronic cover, cooler-line O-rings and mechatronic connector. Low-speed shudder or slow engagement on high-mile or tracked cars. Mechatronic repairs are the expensive failure. BMW calls the fluid 'lifetime'; specialists say change it.
Cars with the 7-speed M-DCT (optional MY2015-2018; standard on CS).
Source
LowRod bearings: not the S65/S85 problemAsk for oil-change history (5,000-7,000 mi intervals are a good sign). Optional oil analysis.
S55 (F80 M3).
LowOil filter housing / cooler line seepage
What it is
Oil filter housing gasket (S55 part 11428637820) seeps with age, as on most modern BMW sixes. The gasket is cheap; access is labor-heavy. Cracked filter caps or bad O-rings can mimic it.
Source
Good to knowCarbon ceramic brake (CCB) rotor wear and costAsk for rotor weights or wear-indicator photos. Worn CCBs can cost more than $16k; take it off the price or plan an iron conversion.
What it is
Rotors wear by mass loss, not thickness. Replace when a wear indicator is past 50% or the rotor is under the minimum weight printed on the hub. Track use wears them fast.
Parts cost
$3,183–$12,458
Cars with optional M carbon ceramic brakes (gold calipers).

Which year?

BMW changed the car a little each year. Here is what changed.

2015

US model year

Launch year. 425 hp / 406 lb-ft S55, 6-speed manual standard, 7-speed M-DCT optional. Pre-LCI halogen-style tail lights; bi-xenon headlights (adaptive xenon optional). CFRP roof and CFRP driveshaft standard. Base MSRP $62,000 + destination.

Only pre-LCI year. Cars built May 30, 2015 to Sep 2, 2015 are in recall 15V782000 (driveshaft slip joint).

Source

2016

US model year

F80 LCI (built from about Jun 30, 2015): full-LED tail lights, newer iDrive (NBT EVO), revised climate-control graphics. Competition Package (ZCP) available from spring 2016 (444 hp, $5,500). 30 Years M3 edition (150 US cars). Adaptive Full LED headlights offered in a Lighting Package ($1,900 per cars.com).

Earliest year with LED tails and the factory Competition Package.

Source

2017

US model year

Mostly carry-over. Competition Package optional (444 hp). Some sources say Apple CarPlay became available. Base MSRP not confirmed (KBB lists $68,895 'when new', which may include options or destination).

Same hardware as late 2016 cars. Pre-July 2017 cars keep xenon headlights.

Source

2018

US model year

Effective July 2017 production: LED headlights (5A2) standard, iDrive 6.0 touch screen, rear-view camera standard, gloss-black 'M3' seat badge, new 20-in Style 666M Black Star-spoke wheels (2CQ) for the Competition Package. CFRP driveshaft gradually replaced by steel from Nov 2017 builds. M3 CS (~550 US) arrives. Base MSRP $65,500 + $995 destination. Final US F80 model year.

Newest F80s. Check build date if you care about CFRP vs steel driveshaft.

Source

Outside the US, 2014 to mid-2015

431 PS / 550 Nm. Pre-LCI tail lights.

Source

Outside the US, mid-2015 to 2018

Same LCI tail lights / iDrive changes as US MY2016. Competition (450 PS) from spring 2016. Headlight redesign (Icon adaptive LED) and iDrive 6 around 2017. 30 Jahre (2016) and CS (2018, 460 PS) limited editions. Production ended mid-2018 because of WLTP/OPF rules.

Source

Recalls

From the US safety agency, NHTSA. A BMW dealer can tell you if a car's recalls were done.

4 recalls.Source
15V782000
2015, 2016 M3 · Nov 2015
Driveshaft
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
16V653000
2015, 2016, 2017 M3 · Sep 2016
Frame and members
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
18V713000
2016, 2017 M3 · Oct 2018
Driveshaft
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
24V288000
2014, 2015 M3 · Apr 2024
Side/window
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.

Service schedule

Break-in (running-in) service
1,200 mi (~1,900 km)Engine oil + filter, rear differential oil. 2015 manual cars also manual gearbox oil.
Engine oil + filter
CBS, max 10,000 mi or 12 months (BMW). Owners and specialists often do 5,000-7,000 mi.
Spark plugs
MY2016+: every 3rd oil service (~30,000 mi). MY2015 booklet: every 6th (~60,000 mi). Tuned/tracked: ~20,000 mi.
Rear differential oil
Break-in, then every 5th oil service (~50,000 mi)
Brake fluid
Per CBS; GarageHub says every 24 months
Engine air filter
Every 3rd oil service (~30,000 mi)
Cabin microfilter
Every 2nd oil service (~20,000 mi)
Coolant
Long-life; only for repairs
M-DCT fluid
BMW: lifetime. Specialists: 30,000-60,000 mi
6-speed manual fluid
2015 booklet only: break-in then every 5th oil service; 2016+ booklets: none

Where the F80 sits

The V8 before it, the bigger car after it.

E92 M3 Coupe (2008)414 hp3,704 lb
E90 M3 Sedan (2008)414 hp3,726 lb
F80 M3 (2015)425 hp3,540 lb
F80 M3 Competition (2016-2018)444 hp3,595 lb
F80 M3 CS (2018)453 hp
G80 M3 (2021)473 hp3,840 lb
G80 M3 Competition (2021, RWD)503 hp3,830 lb
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