MCARMARKET

BMW G80 M3

Divisive grille, undeniable capability: the S58 is the strongest M engine ever offered in an M3, and xDrive made it genuinely all-weather.

BMW G80 M3 — 2021–present

Whatever you think of the front end, the G80 is the most complete M3 BMW has built. The S58 uses a closed-deck block, a forged crank and improved cooling — the crank hub weakness of the S55 is gone, and the engine has proven capable of very large power on stock internals.

The chassis carries more mass than the F80 but hides it well, and the optional xDrive system transformed the M3's usable-year calendar. Rear-wheel-drive purists still have the standard car and the manual gearbox, which remains available on the base model.

It is also the most configurable M3 ever, with separate settings for engine, steering, damping, brakes and traction. Getting the setup right is part of ownership.

Year by year

  • 2021

    Launch: base 473 hp with a 6-speed manual, Competition 503 hp with 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive only.

  • 2022

    Competition xDrive arrives with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system and a 2WD mode. The M3 Touring launches in Europe.

  • 2023–present

    CS arrives with 543 hp, carbon bucket seats, titanium exhaust and a 75 lb weight reduction. LCI updates bring revised lighting and interior software.

The good and the bad

Positives

  • +S58 is exceptionally strong and tunes to enormous power reliably
  • +xDrive makes it genuinely usable year-round
  • +Manual gearbox still offered on the base car
  • +Adjustable brake feel, damping and traction with 10-stage M Traction Control
  • +Touring body (Europe) is the practical enthusiast's dream

Negatives

  • −Polarising front-end styling
  • −Heavy — nearly 3,900 lb before options
  • −Interior tech-forward at the expense of tactile controls
  • −Carbon bucket seats are uncomfortable for some and expensive
  • −Depreciation on heavily optioned cars can be steep

Known faults and what they cost

  • Early-build cooling and charge air issuesWarranty on most cars

    Some early cars had cooling and sensor recalls; verify service campaigns were completed.

  • Carbon bucket seat cracking$2,000+ per seat

    Reported on early cars; inspect the carbon shells closely.

  • iDrive software glitchesUsually a software update

    Early infotainment builds had bugs; ensure the latest version is installed.

  • Brake squeal and disc wear on M Compound brakes$1,500–$3,000 per axle

    Normal wear item; carbon ceramics cost far more.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist

  • 01Verify all service campaigns and software updates were performed
  • 02Ask about tune history — the S58 is heavily tuned and easy to flash
  • 03Check carbon bucket seat shells for cracking if fitted
  • 04Confirm whether xDrive, carbon ceramics and Track Package are actually present via option codes
  • 05Inspect wheels for kerb damage — the 19/20 staggered setup is vulnerable
  • 06Look for track use: brake disc condition, tire wear pattern, harness bar residue

Modifications for longevity

  • Oil intervals

    Ignore the long service indicator; change oil every 7,500 miles or annually.

  • Cooling checks

    Inspect the cooling stack and radiators annually, especially on tracked cars.

  • Differential and transmission fluid

    Every 30–40k miles on hard-used cars, regardless of 'lifetime' claims.

  • Carbon cleaning

    Walnut blast the intake valves around 60–80k miles.

  • Software currency

    Keep iDrive and control module software updated at service visits.

Modifications for performance

  1. 01Tires and setup

    Dial in damping, traction and steering settings; fit a modern 200-treadwear tire for track work.

  2. 02Stage 1 tune

    560–600 hp on pump gas with no hardware changes.

  3. 03Downpipes, intake, intercooler

    620–680 hp with far better heat management.

  4. 04Upgraded turbos and fueling

    700–900+ hp is achievable on stock internals with e85 and supporting mods.

What they are worth

Competition xDrive dominates the used market; manual rear-wheel-drive cars are scarcer and increasingly sought after by enthusiasts who want the last manual M3.

The CS and Touring occupy the collector end. Heavily optioned Competition cars depreciate hardest, which makes a two-to-three-year-old example the value play.

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