Review: BMW F80 M3 Sedan (2014-19)

Review: BMW F80 M3 Sedan (2014-15)

Overview

Released in Australia in June 2014, the BMW F80 M3 was a high-performance sedan. Manufactured in Regensburg, Germany, the rear-wheel drive BMW F80 M3 was powered by BMW’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre S55B30 six cylinder engine which was mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT).

S55B30 Engine

The S55B30 engine had a die-cast aluminium alloy block, a closed-deck crankcase, an aluminium cylinder head, a forged steel alloy crankshaft, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, two parallel Mitsubishi TF035 turbochargers which provided maximum boost pressure of 1.3 bar (18.85 psi), variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing (BMW’s ‘double VANOS’), variable intake valve timing (‘Valvetronic III’) and a compression ratio of 10.2:1. Maximum engine speed for the S55B30 engine was 7600 rpm.

To minimise fuel consumption, the S55B30 engine had a ‘Start Stop’ function which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary and BMW’s ‘Brake Energy Regeneration’ which varied alternator output when the vehicle was coasting or braking to recharge the battery. With the DCT, fuel consumption for the M3 was 8.3 litres per 100 km over the combined ECE 93/116/EU driving cycle.

Manual and M double clutch transmissions

The six-speed manual transmission had a double-plate clutch and carbon friction linings in its synchronizer rings. Previously reserved for BMW’s double clutch transmission, the manual transmission would blip the throttle on downshifts for smoother shifts and greater stability. Furthermore, the manual transmission was 12 kg lighter than its predecessor in the E90 M3. Gear ratios for the manual transmission were 4.110 (1st), 2.315 (2nd), 1.542 (3rd), 1.179 (4th), 1.000 (5th) and 0.846; the final drive ratio for the manual transmission was 3.462.

The double clutch transmission (DCT) combined two gearbox components in a common housing and featured two oil-cooled wet clutches. One of the clutches operated the even gears (i.e. 2, 4 and 6), while the other clutch operated the uneven gears (i.e. 1, 3, 5, 7 and reverse). When driving, one of the clutches was always closed and the other open. When up- or down-shifting, the transmission control unit would pre-select the next gear and the clutches would be activated in an alternating process such that one clutch would open just as the other was closing.

The DCT had automated and manual gearshift modes with selectable shift settings; in manual mode, gear selection could be performed via the gear lever or steering wheel gearshift paddles. Gear ratios for the DCT were 4.806 (1st), 2.583 (2nd), 1.701 (3rd), 1.277 (4th), 1.000 (5th), 0.844 (6th) and 0.671 (7th); the final drive ratio for the DCT was 3.462.

When fitted with the seven-speed DCT and using the Launch Control function, the F80 M3 could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The DCT also featured:

• A ‘Smokey Burnout’ function permitted a degree of rear wheel spin while the car was moving at low speeds; and,
• A Stability Clutch Control function that would ‘open the clutch when the car was understeering to bring it back into line’.

Dimensions and body

Compared to its E90 M3 predecessor, the F80 M3 was 91 mm longer (at 4671 mm), 60 mm wider (1877 mm), 23 mm lower (1424 mm) and had a 51 mm longer wheelbase (2812 mm). Furthermore, boot space was 480 litres and the F80 M3 had a drag coefficient of 0.34 Cd.

The F80 M3 was around 60 kg lighter than its E90 predecessor, and mass reduction measures included:

• Aluminium suspension components (see ‘Suspension’, below);
  An aluminium bonnet;
• A carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof which saved 5 kg (previously limited to the M3 Coupe); and,
• A CFRP driveshaft that was constructed as a single piece – without a centre bearing – and was 40 per cent lighter than its predecessor.

The F80 M3 had an unladen weight (EU) of 1560 kg for models with the manual transmission and 1635 kg with the DCT.

Suspension

The F80 M3 had double-joint spring strut front suspension and five-link rear suspension. The suspension also included electronically-controlled dampers (BMW’s ‘Adaptive M suspension’) continually adjusted to driving conditions and behavior, and enabled the driver to select from ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport+’ settings via BMW’s ‘Driver Experience Control’.

For the front axle, aluminium was used for the control arms, wheel carriers and axle subframes for a 5 kg mass reduction relative to a conventional steel design. The suspension also included play-free ball joints and elastomer bearings (developed specifically for the F80 M3, F82 M4 Coupe and F83 M4 Convertible ), an aluminium stiffening plate, CFRP precision strut and additional bolted joints between the axle subframe and the body structure for greater front end rigidity.

For the rear axle, the control arms and wheel carriers were manufactured using forged aluminium, while there was a rigid connection (i.e. without elastic rubber elements) between the rear axle subframe and the body to improve wheel location and directional stability.

Steering

The F80 M3 had electric, power-assisted rack and pinion steering in which the degree of assistance varied according to vehicle speed. The driver could also select from ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’ and ‘Sport+’ modes.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the M3 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control (BMW’s ‘Dynamic Stability Control’ or DSC), traction control, cornering brake control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The M3 was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Active Protection’ system which operated automatically at speeds above 18 km/h. If the front-mounted camera or radar detected an emergency braking manoeuvre or the onset of heavy understeer or oversteer, Active Protection prepared for a collision by retracting the front seatbelts and closing the side windows and sunroof. Following the initial impact, the system would apply the brakes for a further 1.5 seconds to reduce the likelihood of a second collision.

The Dynamic Stability Control system had an ‘M Dynamic Mode’ which permitted a higher degree of yaw and wheelspin before intervening.

Brakes

The M3 had 380 mm front brake discs with four-piston calipers and 370 mm rear brake discs with two-piston calipers; both front and rear discs were inner-vented and perforated.

Features: M3 Sedan

Standard features for the M3 included 19-inch forged alloy rims (9.0J front and 10.0J rear) with 255/35 ZR19 92Y front and 275/35 ZR19 100Y rear tyres, a 500 watt harman/kardon surround sound system with twelve speakers, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB) and Bluetooth connectivity, BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system with an 8.8-inch colour screen, 20Gb hard-drive and iDrive touch controller, extended ‘Merino’ leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, BMW’s ‘Air Collar’ (neck heating), power adjustable and heated front ‘M’ sports seats (with driver’s seat memory settings), bi-xenon headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, bird’s eye surround view function, through-loading rear seats with a 60:40 split, ‘M’ leather steering wheel, remote central locking, proximity key for keyless entry (BMW’s ‘Comfort Access’), power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electrochromatic rear-view and door mirrors, carbon fibre interior trim, illuminated vanity mirrors, ambient lighting, ‘M’ door sills, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

Active M Differential

The F80 M3 was fitted with an electronically controlled, multi-plate limited-slip differential (BMW’s ‘Active M Differential’) that operated in conjunction with the electronic stability control system. As such, the degree of differential locking could range from 0 to 100 per cent to prevent wheelspin and improve traction. By way of example,

• When lifting off the throttle, the differential would open such that the lock-up effect was zero for precise turn-in; and,
• When accelerating out of a corner, lock-up would occur progressively – up to 100 per cent – for maximum traction.

Specifications

• Specifications: BMW F80 M3 and F82 M4 (May 2014)

Review: BMW F80 LCI M3 (2015-19)

Overview

Commencing production in July 2015, the BMW LCI M3 Sedan introduced additional safety equipment, features and cosmetic updates. Visually, the F80 LCI M3 could be identified by its newly designed LED tail-lights and chrome interior highlights.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the F80 LCI M3 was extended to include:

• BMW’s ‘Driving Assistant’:
  • Approach Control Warning: if the driver was rapidly approaching an obstacle ahead, the driver would receive a visual warning in the instrument cluster, followed by a warning tone. If the driver failed to respond, the brakes would be applied automatically with deceleration of up to 3 m/s²;
  • Lane Departure Warning (LDW): operating at speeds above 70 km/h, a camera could scan the road up to 50 metres ahead and detect lane markings. If the driver unintentionally deviated from their lane, the driver would be alerted via steering wheel vibrations and a visual warning in the instrument cluster;
  • Pedestrian Warning with Light Braking Function: used a camera to scan the road ahead when the vehicle was travelling at speeds between 10 km/h and 60 km/h. if a potential collision with a pedestrian was identified, the driver would receive a visual warning in the instrument cluster and an alert tone; simultaneously, the braking system would be primed for maximum response. If the driver failed to respond, medium-force braking would be automatically initiated – this would reduce the risk of collision and prompt the driver to react. Once the driver applied the brake pedal, maximum braking force would be applied; and,
• Lane Change Warning: used two radar sensors in the rear of the vehicle to monitor traffic in adjacent lanes with a range of up to 60 metres behind the vehicle. The Lane Change Warning would warn the driver of potentially dangerous situations by conveying warnings through the instrument panel, an LED icon on the door mirror and steering wheel vibrations.

Features

Compared to its F80 predecessor, standard features for the BMW F80 LCI M3 Sedan were extended to include full Merino leather upholstery (including the instrument panel and glove compartment), adaptive LED headlights, Internet connectivity, BMW’s ConnectedDrive Freedom (which included internet-based services, remote services, real-time traffic information and concierge services), Internet connectivity, head-up display and tyre pressure monitoring.

As part of the July 2015 update, BMW’s ConnectedDrive Services and Apps were also introduced – these included BMW TeleServices which enabled service-related vehicle data to be automatically transmitted to the driver’s preferred service dealer and for vehicle diagnostics to be transmitted to the Roadside Assistance Centre for immediate assessment over the phone.

BMW M3 Competition Package

The BMW F80 LCI M3 with Competition Package was released in Australia in July 2016. Changes for the BMW M3 Competition Package included:

• A more powerful S55B30 engine which produced peak power of 331 kW;
• Forged, machine-polished 20-inch M alloy wheels with 666 M styling and mixed tyres (265/30 R20 front and 285/30 R20 rear);
• For the ‘Adaptive M’ suspension, new springs (15 per cent stiffer), dampers, anti-roll bars and bushings, and reconfigured driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport+);
• A revised ‘Active M’ differential; and,
• Revised electronic stability control settings.

The BMW M3 Competition Package could be identified by its ‘BMW Individual’ high-gloss Shadow Line exterior trim for the side window trim, window recess finishers, door mirror frames, kidney grille, side gills and model badge. Inside, the M3 Competition Package had M leather seats with cut-out elements to reduce mass, while the seatbelts featured woven BMW M stripes.

BMW M3 30 Years Special Edition (30 Jahre M3)

Production of the BMW M3 30 Years Special Edition commenced in August 2016. Of a worldwide production run of 500 vehicles, 30 were allocated to Australia. Based on the M3 Competition Package (see above), the M3 30 Years Special Edition could be identified by its front gills with ’30 Jahre M3′ badging and high-gloss black finishes for the kidney grille, side gills, window trims, rear model badge and exhaust pipe finishers.

Inside, the M3 30 Years Special Edition featured M sports seats trimmed in combination Black/Silverstone full Merino leather upholstery, integrated front headrests with ’30 Jahre M3′ embroidery, woven BMW M stripes in the seatbelts, a carbon-fibre interior strip panel with laser-etched ’30 Jahre M3′ finish, and M door sills in high-gloss black with ’30 Jahre M3′ badging.

March 2017: M3 Pure and update

The BMW F80 LCI M3 underwent an update from March 2017 production and these models were released in Australia in June 2017. As part of the update, the M3 Pure Coupe was released in Australia and it was fitted with the Competition Package as standard.

These updated F80 LCI M3 models could be identified by a new design for the adaptive LED headlights which included LED indicators that formed a thin ‘eyebrow’ above the headlights. Inside, there were new electroplated details, chrome interior trims and BMW’s iDrive6 infotainment system (which included BMW’s ‘Professional’ navigation system and an 8.8-inch colour touchscreen); the M4 and M4 Competition featured double stitching for the leather instrument panel. Furthermore, changes were made to interior controls:

• The indicator stalks would ‘snap into place when engaged’ and the stalk-mounted buttons to activate the rain sensor; and,
• High-beam assist would stay depressed (rather than springing back to their original position) when engaged.

November 2017 change: steel driveshaft

From November 2017 production, the carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CRFP) driveshaft for the BMW F80 LCI M3 was replaced by an ‘M-specific’ high-performance steel driveshaft. According to BMW, the steel driveshaft provided ‘the necessary technical basis for meeting future statutory emissions requirements.’

In announcing this production change, BMW also indicated that a petrol particulate filter (PPF) would be incorporated into the ‘existing installation space’ for the F80 LCI M3, F82 LCI M4 Coupe and F83 LCI M4 Convertible ‘at a later point in time’.

2018 BMW F80 M3 CS

Global production of the BMW F80 M3 CS commenced in March 2018 and was limited to 1200 units. Solely available with the seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M DCT), the S55B30 engine for the F80 M3 CS produced peak outputs of 338 kW at 6250 rpm and 600 Nm at 4000-4380 rpm; top speed was electronically limited to 280 km/h.

The BMW F80 M3 CS was fitted with 9.0J x 19-inch front and 10.0J x 20-inch rear forged ten-spoke alloy wheels in Orbit Grey, and 265/35 R19 front and 285/30 R20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. The suspension for the M3 CS had unique springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, and reconfigured driving modes. Furthermore, the control systems for the Adaptive M suspension, DSC and Active M Differential, however, were all modified to suit the ‘dynamic requirements’ of the M3 CS, as was the electromechanical steering.

The BMW F80 M3 CS could be identified by its front apron with three-section air intakes and re-designed Gurney bootlid spoiler. In addition to the roof, the bonnet, front splitter, rear diffuser and rear spoiler for the BMW F80 M3 CS were produced from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) to reduce mass.

Inside, the BMW F80 M3 CS featured ‘BMW Individual’ full leather interior trim in two-tone ‘Merino’ leather upholstery in Silverstone/Black. While international versions of the BMW M3 CS had a Harman Kardon surround sound system, Australian-delivered vehicles had a twelve-speaker ‘HiFi’ sound system that was ‘specially adapted’ for the M3 CS.

For Australia, the BMW M3 CS had a list price of $179,900 (excluded on-road costs).

Related links

• Specification Guide: BMW F80 M3, F82 M4 and F83 M4 (July 2016)
• Specification Guide: BMW F80 LCI M3, F82 LCI M4 and F83 LCI M4 (March 2017)
• Behind the Wheel: 2016 BMW M3 Review
• BMW Australia: BMW M3 Sedan
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F30 3-Series