Models · BMW
BMW M3 F80 buying guide
The F80 M3 saloon, built from 2014 to 2018, was the first turbocharged M3, with the S55 3.0 twin-turbo straight six in every version. It shares its engine and most of its hardware with the F82 M4.
The versions
- M3: 3.0 twin-turbo straight six (S55), 431PS
- M3 Competition (from 2016): 450PS, with revised suspension and exhaust
- M3 CS (2018): 460PS, a limited run
- Four-door saloon only, rear-wheel drive with an Active M Differential
- 6-speed manual or 7-speed M DCT dual-clutch; most UK cars are DCT
What to check on a F80 M3
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Signs of tuning, and the crank hub
What to look for: Ask whether the car has ever been remapped or modified, and look under the bonnet for non-standard intake parts, metal charge pipes or an aftermarket exhaust. Ask for any paperwork for a crank hub upgrade.
Why it matters: The S55's crankshaft hub relies on a friction fit, and on a small minority of engines it can slip, which throws the valve timing out. Failures are rare and are mostly reported on cars running extra boost. Some owners fit a one-piece or pinned hub as a precaution. A standard car with a clear history is the lower-risk buy.
Oil leaks from the gaskets
What to look for: With a torch, look around the top edge of the engine for wet oil at the rocker cover, at the oil filter housing on the front of the engine, and from underneath along the sump. Note any burning oil smell after the test drive.
Why it matters: The rocker cover, oil filter housing and sump gaskets harden with heat and are the usual S55 leaks, most often from around 50,000 miles. The first two are routine jobs. The sump gasket needs the front subframe lowered, so it's a bigger job worth knowing about.
A hiss or loss of pull under boost
What to look for: On the test drive, accelerate firmly through second and third gear. Listen for a sudden hiss or whoosh, and note any flat spot or a drivetrain warning on the dash.
Why it matters: The standard plastic charge pipe between the turbos and the intake can crack under boost, which lets pressure escape. Aluminium replacements are common and fix it for good, though their presence is also a reason to ask whether the car has been tuned.
Also in the full guide
- A rattle from the turbos
- A clunk from the back as drive is taken up
- Propshaft recall work
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the F80 M3
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
BMW M3 E30 · BMW M3 E36 · BMW M3 E46 · BMW M3 E90/E92/E93 · BMW M3 G80/G81
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with BMW.