Good time to buy F80 M3 and what to look out for.
Discussion
Hey,
I notice 5 year old F80 M3's are reaching 30kish now for what appears to be decent examples.
I was looking at slightly newer 3 or 440i but thought by the time you factor depreciation in, may not be much in total cost between a 5 year old M3 and 40i. Am I thinking along the right track here, or will running costs be much higher for the M3? Its unlikely I'll be doing more than 4-5k miles per year.
Is there anything in particular to look out for when buying one around this age?
Are they considered generally reliable? Hear people talking about 5 figure gearbox issues or engine rebuild. worth extending warranty if possible or are those kind of failure almost 'black swan' events.
Cheers!
I notice 5 year old F80 M3's are reaching 30kish now for what appears to be decent examples.
I was looking at slightly newer 3 or 440i but thought by the time you factor depreciation in, may not be much in total cost between a 5 year old M3 and 40i. Am I thinking along the right track here, or will running costs be much higher for the M3? Its unlikely I'll be doing more than 4-5k miles per year.
Is there anything in particular to look out for when buying one around this age?
Are they considered generally reliable? Hear people talking about 5 figure gearbox issues or engine rebuild. worth extending warranty if possible or are those kind of failure almost 'black swan' events.
Cheers!
Prices for M3 and M4 are high at this present time.
WBAC are paying some of the highest prices for many months.
There is plenty of info on M3 Cutters forum.
There are many vehicles available but some are offered with better options and more desirable colours.
Just read and read a bit more about the vehicle and watch the market for what people are after.
Many want certain options such as HUD, HK, Reverse Camera, Competition Packs, etc.
Individual colours are also in huge demand and command a premium.
WBAC are paying some of the highest prices for many months.
There is plenty of info on M3 Cutters forum.
There are many vehicles available but some are offered with better options and more desirable colours.
Just read and read a bit more about the vehicle and watch the market for what people are after.
Many want certain options such as HUD, HK, Reverse Camera, Competition Packs, etc.
Individual colours are also in huge demand and command a premium.
Biggest issue, for me, when I looked was that - and I'm in the minority - I hated the Competition Pack seats. No adjustable lumbar. Hopefully you're in the majority but I'd recommend a longer test drive, just in case.
BMW made incremental changes to both CP and non CP. So do your research. LCI CP onwards seemed to be the sweet spot according to reviewers.
Aesthetically, full leather and carbon trim are good, plus Icon adaptive lights. HUD (with speed limit display preferably) and Harmon Kardon , are usually minimum other options talked about.
Careful if you buy outside franchise dealer, as modded cars and "clocked" ones (mileage blockers) are out there. If you join M3 cutters, maybe buy from an enthusiast owner?
I don't hear too many concerns from owners re: the 'spun crank hub" you hear about.
I have a 340i tourer as a runabout, but a M car is a totally different prospect. Would have had a CP or CS but for hating the seats
BMW made incremental changes to both CP and non CP. So do your research. LCI CP onwards seemed to be the sweet spot according to reviewers.
Aesthetically, full leather and carbon trim are good, plus Icon adaptive lights. HUD (with speed limit display preferably) and Harmon Kardon , are usually minimum other options talked about.
Careful if you buy outside franchise dealer, as modded cars and "clocked" ones (mileage blockers) are out there. If you join M3 cutters, maybe buy from an enthusiast owner?
I don't hear too many concerns from owners re: the 'spun crank hub" you hear about.
I have a 340i tourer as a runabout, but a M car is a totally different prospect. Would have had a CP or CS but for hating the seats
I just sold my individual 2018 f80 m3 as I needed space for the dog.
I would try and get a competition pack. The wheels can be a pain to clean, hud a must, adaptive leds are also good if doing lots of night driving. Reverse camera is good, surround view not essential.
They are quite noisy with tyre drone on the motorway that did get tiresome. I had a mpe which was a must in my opinion, sounded amazing but cost £3k.
Carbon exterior bits are nice and can be added later.
I would try and get a competition pack. The wheels can be a pain to clean, hud a must, adaptive leds are also good if doing lots of night driving. Reverse camera is good, surround view not essential.
They are quite noisy with tyre drone on the motorway that did get tiresome. I had a mpe which was a must in my opinion, sounded amazing but cost £3k.
Carbon exterior bits are nice and can be added later.
Mits said:
I just sold my individual 2018 f80 m3 as I needed space for the dog.
I would try and get a competition pack. The wheels can be a pain to clean, hud a must, adaptive leds are also good if doing lots of night driving. Reverse camera is good, surround view not essential.
They are quite noisy with tyre drone on the motorway that did get tiresome. I had a mpe which was a must in my opinion, sounded amazing but cost £3k.
Carbon exterior bits are nice and can be added later.
That’s stunning. I would have got a cat;) I would try and get a competition pack. The wheels can be a pain to clean, hud a must, adaptive leds are also good if doing lots of night driving. Reverse camera is good, surround view not essential.
They are quite noisy with tyre drone on the motorway that did get tiresome. I had a mpe which was a must in my opinion, sounded amazing but cost £3k.
Carbon exterior bits are nice and can be added later.
What grey is it ?
Mits said:
Grigio Telesto, a Lamborghini colour. I might order a individual m3 touring in a couple of years, if I can get over that grill.
I’m quite enjoying my c43 estate.
Thought it was a GT, but you captured the color better than any dealer advert I've seen at BWM site.I’m quite enjoying my c43 estate.
C43s sound pretty good.
I think the grill will look better in the flesh, or they'll change it for the LCI
On the subject of 'what to look out for', are there any common problems / failures with this generation to look out for (like rod bearings on previous generation cars)?
I'm still trying to decide between several options, one of which is the M4, so knowing about bork factor would be good. I've not seen much on the net in generally, so assuming these are generally trouble-free?
I'm still trying to decide between several options, one of which is the M4, so knowing about bork factor would be good. I've not seen much on the net in generally, so assuming these are generally trouble-free?
Magnum 475 said:
On the subject of 'what to look out for', are there any common problems / failures with this generation to look out for (like rod bearings on previous generation cars)?
I'm still trying to decide between several options, one of which is the M4, so knowing about bork factor would be good. I've not seen much on the net in generally, so assuming these are generally trouble-free?
A spun crank hub gets a mention , but I don’t sense that’s as common or as dangerous as rod bearing. I'm still trying to decide between several options, one of which is the M4, so knowing about bork factor would be good. I've not seen much on the net in generally, so assuming these are generally trouble-free?
from helping several people find one :-
Ensure full service history all uploaded to iDrive
That the car hadn’t been modified unless that’s what you want
That a mileage blocker hasn’t been applied.
These are the key issues from my experience,
I’ve been keeping an eye on the market too... and tbh Best Buy would have been new a month or 2 ago. Discounts were huge and new ones for Mid to high 40’s .. so 3 yr warranty and looking priced of 17 plate ones depreciation around 5-6k a year which probably isn’t much more than depreciation on a 4 yr old one ?! Especially overall cost of your financing as generally the APR on a new car is 3-4% less than AUC
Turbo seals appear fairly common and four figures if you've no warranty. I'd buy an AUC with warranty and ask them to confirm it hasn't been mapped.
I don't have any issues with the lack of lumbar support in my Comp. I've done four hour stints with no issue.
The HUD is something that now I have, I wouldn't want to be without. 360 camera is also helpful. I have the Ultimate Pack on mine which is a one stop shop of the options you want. Full leather is nice but extended leather is perfectly fine.
I don't have any issues with the lack of lumbar support in my Comp. I've done four hour stints with no issue.
The HUD is something that now I have, I wouldn't want to be without. 360 camera is also helpful. I have the Ultimate Pack on mine which is a one stop shop of the options you want. Full leather is nice but extended leather is perfectly fine.
Picked up mine in May, thoroughly enjoyed the ownership experience so far!
Ours is one of only 19 RHD in Audi Nardo Grey - like the Telesto above it seems the M3 appeals the most to me painted in other brands colours
(I was tempted with a Ferrari Red one but it had gone before I could view it in person)!
Ours is one of only 19 RHD in Audi Nardo Grey - like the Telesto above it seems the M3 appeals the most to me painted in other brands colours
(I was tempted with a Ferrari Red one but it had gone before I could view it in person)! Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff