The last BMW M3 sedan before electrification. A true enthusiast's car with 425 hp (444 hp Competition), available with rare 6-speed manual or fast DCT. The S55 twin-turbo engine is more reliable than its reputation suggests - most issues are well-documented and preventable. Main concerns: crank hub failure risk (rare but catastrophic), valve cover gasket leaks after 60,000 km, plastic charge pipe cracking under boost, and differential mount bushing wear causing clunking. Rod bearings are far less problematic than on the E90 M3 V8. Carbon buildup is inevitable with direct injection. DCT is generally bulletproof; manual clutch replacement costs €2,500-3,200. Track use accelerates suspension wear.
Gasket cracks from heat cycles, oil drips onto exhaust causing smoke · more· less
The S55's valve cover gasket is prone to cracking and leaking oil as the rubber hardens with endless heat cycles. It's not uncommon for the valve cover to begin leaking before 60,000 km. Oil drips onto hot exhaust pipes below, creating visible smoke. The repair requires removing intake components for access. Expect around €800-900 at an independent BMW specialist, €1,100+ at a dealer. Some owners report multiple valve cover replacements within 100,000 km. The plastic valve cover itself can also crack with higher mileage - aftermarket billet aluminum options are available as permanent solutions.
Crank hub slip/failure€1,500 - €25,000
Rare but catastrophic - hub spins on crankshaft causing timing failure · more· less
The crank hub connects the crankshaft to the timing chain using only a light taper fit and single bolt - no Woodruff key. Under high stress (hard acceleration, aggressive downshifts, tuning), the hub can slip or spin, throwing off engine timing. This causes bent valves and piston damage. Fewer than 0.5% of owners experience this, but when it happens, repair costs exceed €20,000. BMW issued extended warranty coverage for 2014-2015 cars up to 80,000 km. Preventive replacement with upgraded keyed/pinned hub costs €1,500-2,500 and is highly recommended before tuning. No warning signs - failure is sudden. Most common on tuned cars or aggressive track use.
Differential mount bushing wear€350 - €900
Clunking noise on throttle changes, especially in Sport+ mode · more· less
Pre-2018 M3/M4 models used soft rubber differential mount bushings prone to tearing. When the bushing weakens, the diff torques excessively during hard acceleration or lift-off, causing audible clunking at low speeds. BMW updated the part in 2018 to a poly-reinforced design. The weak bushing also stresses the right-hand output seal, leading to oil misting. BMW Technical Service Bulletin SI B33 03 18 (January 2019) addresses this. Replacement involves dropping the differential. Independent specialists charge €350-500, dealers €700-900. Upgraded aftermarket bushings (solid aluminum) eliminate the issue permanently but increase NVH.
Charge pipe cracking/splitting€400 - €800
Factory plastic pipes develop hairline cracks under boost pressure · more· less
The S55's factory plastic charge pipes become brittle from constant heat cycling. Hairline fractures develop at plastic seams, invisible to the naked eye but opening under boost. This causes boost leaks, reduced power, and forces turbos to work harder (accelerating turbo wear). On dyno, WGDC (wastegate duty cycle) hits 100% when it should be ~90%. The plastic welds can split near the turbo or pipes slip from intercooler couplers. Most common on tuned cars. Solution: replace with aluminum aftermarket charge pipes (€400-600 for quality kit). OEM plastic replacements will fail again. Consider this preventive maintenance if planning any performance modifications.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€500 - €1,000
All direct injection engines - inevitable buildup reduces airflow and power · more· less
Direct injection sprays fuel into the combustion chamber, not the intake manifold, so intake valves never get cleaned by fuel. Carbon deposits accumulate over time, causing rough idle, reduced power, and poor throttle response. Walnut blasting every 50,000-80,000 km is required maintenance. Independent specialists charge €500-725, dealers €1,000+. Short trips and frequent cold starts accelerate buildup. This affects ALL direct injection engines (S55, N55, N54, B58) - it's not a defect, just a characteristic. Factor this into ownership costs. Some owners report noticeable improvement in throttle response after cleaning.
Water pump/thermostat failure€700 - €1,400
Electric water pump fails between 70,000-100,000 km typically · more· less
The S55 uses an electric water pump integrated with the thermostat housing. Common failure between 70,000-100,000 km. Symptoms include coolant warning light, engine overheating, or poor cabin heating. The integrated electric design costs €400-500 for the part alone (vs €150 for mechanical pumps on older BMWs). Labor is significant - approximately 6 hours due to poor accessibility in the F80's engine bay. Total cost: €700-900 independent, €1,200-1,400 dealer. Always replace thermostat at same time to avoid repeating the job. Inspect entire cooling system during this service - hoses, reservoir, radiator.
Turbo wastegate rattle€500 - €2,500
Wastegate actuator sticks or rattles during deceleration · more· less
Wastegate rattle occurs during deceleration or when turning engine off. Caused by wastegate arm/actuator wear. More common on cars driven gently or only short trips (carbon buildup). Software can mask the rattle by adjusting wastegate position, but this is a band-aid sacrificing boost response. Actuator-only repair costs €500-600 at specialists (BMW won't sell actuator separately). If turbo internals are damaged, full turbo replacement runs €1,200-2,500 per turbo. OEM S55 turbos from Mitsubishi cost €2,000/pair. BMW may cover under warranty up to 130,000 km/8 years. Prevention: use premium fuel, regular spirited driving to prevent carbon accumulation.
Rod bearing wear€1,500 - €4,000
Much less common than E90 M3, but extended high-RPM use increases risk · more· less
The S55's bottom end is generally reliable, but rod bearing wear can occur with extended high-RPM use, poor oil change intervals, or inadequate warm-up before hard driving. Symptoms include knocking sound from engine, especially when cold. Far less common than on the S65 V8 (E90 M3). Caused by factory assembly tolerances or insufficient lubrication when cold. Oil analysis every 10,000 km can detect bearing material early. Preventive bearing replacement during crank hub upgrade is smart (everything is already disassembled). Use 5,000 km oil change intervals, not BMW's 18,000 km recommendation. High-quality oil (10W-60) essential. Track cars should inspect bearings every 30,000-40,000 km.
Lithium-ion battery drain€300 - €600
F80 uses lithium battery prone to deep discharge and parasitic drain · more· less
BMW equipped the F80 M3 with lithium-ion battery (vs AGM/lead-acid) to save weight. Li-ion batteries are maintenance-free but sensitive to deep discharge. Common causes: Bluetooth/BMW Assist modules not entering sleep mode, faulty Comfort Access module, short trips not fully charging battery. Car requires trickle charger if sitting >5-7 days. Use ONLY lithium-compatible chargers - regular lead-acid chargers damage lithium cells. Battery must be coded/registered to vehicle when replaced (dealer/specialist required). Replacement lithium battery costs €300-400, must be lithium (not AGM). Parasitic drain diagnosis costs €100-200. Keep on CTEK lithium-compatible trickle charger if driven infrequently.
Control arm bushings/suspension wear€800 - €2,000
Large rubber bushings flex under load causing vague steering and clunking · more· less
OEM control arm bushings are large rubber units that flex during high-speed driving, causing dynamic toe changes. This results in vague steering, instability under braking, and clunking noises over bumps. Track use accelerates wear significantly. As bushings age, they harden, shrink, and allow movement at mounting points. Worn bushings cause uneven tire wear (inner edge). Replacement: €800-1,200 for OEM rubber bushings, €1,500-2,000 for upgraded solid/polyurethane bushings. Upgraded bushings (solid aluminum or poly) eliminate flex, sharpen steering, improve braking stability, but increase NVH slightly. Recommended for track cars. Inspect every 50,000 km or if steering feels vague.
Reliable for a high-performance sedan with proper maintenance
The F80 M3 is widely considered more reliable than its E90 V8 predecessor. The S55 twin-turbo engine is robust when maintained correctly - most issues are well-documented and preventable. Critical: use 5,000 km oil change intervals (not BMW's 18,000 km recommendation), walnut blast intake valves every 50,000-80,000 km, and consider preventive crank hub upgrade if tracking or tuning. The DCT transmission is generally bulletproof. Track use accelerates wear on suspension, differential mounts, and brakes. Budget €3,000+ annually for maintenance outside warranty.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete BMW dealer or BMW specialist records essential. Verify oil changes at 5,000-10,000 km intervals, not 18,000 km. Ask for proof of walnut blasting (carbon cleaning).
Tires
Check for uneven inner-edge wear (indicates worn suspension bushings). Staggered setup: 265/35R19 front, 275/35R19 rear typical. Michelin PS4S or similar required.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for unusual noises - rod bearing knock, turbo rattle, wastegate noise during deceleration.
Body condition
Check for accident damage, paint mismatch. Inspect wheel arches and front splitter for track damage.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including varied speeds. DCT must be warm to reveal issues. Drive in all modes (Comfort, Sport, Sport+).
Specific for this vehicle
Check for oil leaks around valve covers
Look for oil residue on sides of engine and smell for burning oil near exhaust. Valve cover gasket leaks are very common before 60,000 km.
Test differential for clunking noises
In Comfort mode at low speed, apply throttle then lift off repeatedly. Clunk indicates worn differential mount bushings. Check right-hand diff seal for oil misting.
Inspect charge pipes for cracks
Difficult to see, but ask if upgraded aluminum pipes installed. Test drive - loss of power or wastegate working hard (100% duty cycle) indicates boost leak.
Verify crank hub preventive work
Ask if upgraded keyed/pinned crank hub installed. Critical for tuned cars. Check for BMW extended warranty coverage if 2014-2015 model.
Check cooling system for leaks
Inspect water pump, thermostat housing, hoses, and coolant reservoir. Coolant should be pink/red, not brown. Check for error codes related to cooling.
Assess track use history
Ask directly if tracked. Check for: worn brake pads/rotors, inner tire wear, chassis play, modified parts, aftermarket diff, suspension upgrades.
Scan for fault codes
Use BMW-specific scanner (not generic OBD2). Check for stored codes related to turbos, coolant, oil pressure, transmission. Shadow codes indicate hidden issues.
Verify all recalls completed
Enter VIN at BMW website. Critical: driveshaft recalls (15V782000, 18V713000), rear subframe bolts (16V653000), airbag recalls.
Listen for turbo wastegate rattle
During deceleration or when turning engine off. Indicates wastegate actuator wear. Can be expensive if turbo internals damaged.
Check steering feel and suspension
Steering should be precise, not vague. Listen for clunking over bumps. Check control arm bushings for cracks or movement. Jack up car and check for play.
Head airbag inflator weld (2014-2015)Verify completed
TSB SI B33 03 18 - Differential mount clunkAsk dealer to check
Contact BMW dealer with VIN to verify all safety recalls and TSBs completed. The driveshaft recalls are critical - failure causes sudden loss of propulsion. Crank hub extended warranty (2014-2015 cars, 80,000 km/8 years) has expired on most cars but ask BMW to verify coverage.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years unlimited km)Expired on all F80s
Crank hub extended (2014-2015, 80k km/8 yr)Check with BMW using VIN
Turbo wastegate extended (130k km/8 yr)May still apply - verify
BMW extended warranty€800-8,000 depending on coverage
All F80 M3s (2014-2018) are outside original factory warranty. BMW offers extended warranty up to 4-5 years total, with European roadside assistance coverage. Cost varies by vehicle age, mileage, and condition. UK pricing: ~£800 for 3-year approved used warranty. Contact BMW Netherlands dealer for current pricing. Extended warranty recommended given potential repair costs (turbos, crank hub, DCT).
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.