Likes
- Immense levels of performance
- Subtle yet aggressive styling
- Genuine practicality
- Showing excellent reliability
Used BMW M3 review
2014 - 2020
Dislikes
- Early models are depreciating in value
- Some technical gremlins
- Modified or tuned versions can have issues
- Early versions can be a challenge when pushed
Stuff you should know
If ever a car was the epitome of understated aggression, class and cool, it’s the BMW M3.
The M3 (F80 sedan) and M4 (F82 coupe and F83 convertible) have been available in a host of different special editions with various performance and equipment configurations and received aesthetic and equipment updates in 2015 and 2017 (details listed below). They were all based around a powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six petrol engine driving the rear wheels in a heavily revised tech-laden BMW 3-Series platform.
Although heavily praised when new, how are they faring after a few years and thousands of kilometres, and, should you buy one? Read on.
What goes wrong
- Crank hub issues (not “common” as such and generally isolated to tuned engines, abused cars or a very unlucky few)
- Valve cover gasket oil leaks
- Oil pan gasket leaks
- Oil filter housing gasket leaks
- Carbon build up and clogging of the inlet tract may become an issue
- Door seals can become squeaky. Easily fixed
- iDrive systems can have technical issues
- Air conditioning systems on early versions can have issues
- Crank hub issues (not “common” as such and generally isolated to tuned engines, abused cars or a very unlucky few)
- Valve cover gasket oil leaks
- Oil pan gasket leaks
- Oil filter housing gasket leaks
- Carbon build up and clogging of the inlet tract may become an issue
- Door seals can become squeaky. Easily fixed
- iDrive systems can have technical issues
- Air conditioning systems on early versions can have issues
- Crank hub issues (not “common” as such and generally isolated to tuned engines, abused cars or a very unlucky few)
- Valve cover gasket oil leaks
- Oil pan gasket leaks
- Oil filter housing gasket leaks
- Carbon build up and clogging of the inlet tract may become an issue
- Door seals can become squeaky. Easily fixed
- iDrive systems can have technical issues
- Air conditioning systems on early versions can have issues
Should you buy it
If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.
In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour, but we feel that mild stress is totally worth it.
This generation M3/M4 is a truly special car and one that is just as capable of everyday duties as it is lapping your local race circuit on track days.
Buy one, but please know we’ll be incredibly jealous.
If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.
In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour, but we feel that mild stress is totally worth it.
This generation M3/M4 is a truly special car and one that is just as capable of everyday duties as it is lapping your local race circuit on track days.
Buy one, but please know we’ll be incredibly jealous.
Should you buy it
If you can justify the depreciation, your right foot has incredible levels of self discipline and you can sweet talk the occasional highway patrol officer, yes, you should definitely buy one.
In all seriousness, there are the typical European performance car issues of reliability and cost of parts and labour, but we feel that mild stress is totally worth it.
This generation M3/M4 is a truly special car and one that is just as capable of everyday duties as it is lapping your local race circuit on track days.
Buy one, but please know we’ll be incredibly jealous.
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Models, pricing & features
Tech Specs
Body Styles
- 4 door Sedan
Engine Specs
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 317kW / 550Nm (M3 2014 – 2018)
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 331kW / 550Nm (Competition 2016 – 2018, 30 Jahre M3 2016, Pure 2017 – 2018)
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 338kW / 600Nm (CS 2018)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (M3, Competition, 30 Jahre M3, Pure)
- 7-speed Sports Automatic Dual Clutch (M3, Competition, 30 Jahre M3, Pure, CS)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.7 – 11.1 / 100km (M3, Competition, CS)
Length
- 4671mm (All Models)
Width
- 1877mm (All Models)
Height
- 1424mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2812mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1520kg – 1585kg (All Models)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (All Models)
Body Styles
- 4 door Sedan
Engine Specs
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 317kW / 550Nm (M3 2014 – 2018)
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 331kW / 550Nm (Competition 2016 – 2018, 30 Jahre M3 2016, Pure 2017 – 2018)
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 338kW / 600Nm (CS 2018)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (M3, Competition, 30 Jahre M3, Pure)
- 7-speed Sports Automatic Dual Clutch (M3, Competition, 30 Jahre M3, Pure, CS)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.7 – 11.1 / 100km (M3, Competition, CS)
Length
- 4671mm (All Models)
Width
- 1877mm (All Models)
Height
- 1424mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2812mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1520kg – 1585kg (All Models)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (All Models)
Body Styles
- 4 door Sedan
Engine Specs
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 317kW / 550Nm (M3 2014 – 2018)
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 331kW / 550Nm (Competition 2016 – 2018, 30 Jahre M3 2016, Pure 2017 – 2018)
- 3.0 litre, 6-cylinder twin turbo petrol, 338kW / 600Nm (CS 2018)
Transmission
- 6-speed Manual (M3, Competition, 30 Jahre M3, Pure)
- 7-speed Sports Automatic Dual Clutch (M3, Competition, 30 Jahre M3, Pure, CS)
Fuel Consumption
- 6.7 – 11.1 / 100km (M3, Competition, CS)
Length
- 4671mm (All Models)
Width
- 1877mm (All Models)
Height
- 1424mm (All Models)
Wheelbase
- 2812mm (All Models)
Kerb Weight
- 1520kg – 1585kg (All Models)
Towing
- Not listed (All Models)
Ancap Ratings
- Not tested (All Models)
Warranty & servicing
Warranty
- 3 years / unlimited km (All Models)
Servicing
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of Feb 23, 2024.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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