Models · BMW
BMW M3 G80/G81 buying guide
The sixth-generation M3 went on sale in the UK in 2021 as a saloon (G80) and was later joined by the first M3 Touring (G81). Every UK car is a Competition with the S58 3.0 twin-turbo straight six and an automatic gearbox.
The versions
- M3 Competition: 3.0 twin-turbo straight six (S58), 510PS
- Rear-wheel drive, or M xDrive four-wheel drive from summer 2021; xDrive cars are the majority in the UK
- Touring (G81): M xDrive, without the saloon's carbon roof
- 8-speed M Steptronic torque converter automatic; the manual and the lower-powered non-Competition car weren't sold in the UK
What to check on a G80 M3
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The early engine bearing campaign
What to look for: Check the build date on the paperwork, and ask a BMW dealer to confirm by VIN that any technical campaigns are complete.
Why it matters: In 2021 BMW stopped deliveries of some early S58 engines while the main bearing shells were checked, after a defect in their surface coating. Affected cars were dealt with by BMW, so this is about confirming the paperwork rather than a reason to avoid early cars.
Brake recall on 2021 cars
What to look for: Ask the seller or a BMW dealer to confirm by VIN that the brake recall has been done on a 2021 car.
Why it matters: Some early cars were recalled because a weld inside the integrated brake unit might not have been made properly, which could reduce braking assistance and the anti-lock function. It's a dealer job, and most cars will have been seen to.
A buzz from the middle of the dashboard
What to look for: On the test drive, listen over rough surfaces for a buzz or rattle from the centre of the dash, and from the rear seats and boot.
Why it matters: A loose Harman Kardon centre speaker is a known source of dash rattles on these cars, and boot seal problems have caused rattles at the back. Both are minor, but it helps to know before you buy.
Also in the full guide
- Steering wheel alignment and wind noise
- Camera recall
- Oil level in the iDrive
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the G80 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 F80
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.