F80 M3 - A Look At BMW's Performance Sedan
The f80 m3, a car that really grabs the attention of anyone who enjoys a good drive, certainly made its mark on the automotive scene. This particular model, a member of the well-known M series, sort of arrived with quite a bit of buzz, building on a long line of cars that car fans have loved for a very long time. It’s the kind of vehicle that, for many, represents a certain idea of what a high-performing sedan can be, offering a blend of daily usability with a strong sense of what it means to be a true driver's machine.
You see, this generation of the M3, the f80 m3, had a somewhat shorter run than folks might have thought, and that was mainly because of some new rules about how cars are tested for what they put into the air. These new ways of checking, called the worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure, meant that some cars, including this one, just couldn't keep going in the same way. It's a bit of a shame for those who really liked what this car brought to the table, but that's just how things went, you know?
Even with its relatively brief time on the new car market, the f80 m3 still holds a special spot for a lot of people. It’s a car that, quite frankly, offers a lot to talk about, from how it was put together to how it feels when you're behind the wheel. We'll take a closer look at what made this particular M3 stand out, what it offers now for those looking to pick one up, and some of the things you might want to keep in mind if you're thinking about having one in your own garage.
Table of Contents
- A Closer Look at the f80 m3's Beginning
- Why Did the f80 m3 Stop Being Made So Soon?
- What Powers the f80 m3?
- How Does the f80 m3 Feel on the Road?
- Finding Your Own f80 m3 - What's Available?
- What Makes the f80 m3 Different from its Siblings?
- Getting to Know the f80 m3's Special Features
- Is the f80 m3 a Good Fit for Your Driveway?
A Closer Look at the f80 m3's Beginning
The f80 m3, along with its two-door and convertible counterparts, the f82 m4 and f83 m4 convertible, first showed up for everyone to see in 2014. This was the group of cars that came after the e90 and e92 m3 models, so it had some big shoes to fill, you know? The folks at BMW put a lot of thought into making this new generation of cars. They wanted to make sure these vehicles could put out more oomph, perform better, and use fuel in a smarter way.
It was, quite frankly, a pretty big job to create a new M car for the 3 Series and 4 Series lineup. Considering how well the previous models had done, there was a lot of expectation on these new ones. The f80 m3, being the four-door version, had to live up to a long history of cars that really captured the hearts of people who just love to drive. That story, by the way, goes all the way back to when the first generation e30 m3 came out in 1986. So, there's a lot of tradition tied to this particular car, which is pretty cool.
Why Did the f80 m3 Stop Being Made So Soon?
As it turns out, the f80 m3 ended its production run earlier than many had thought it would. This happened largely because of some fresh rules about how much pollution cars could put out. Specifically, there was a new testing method called the worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure, or WLTP for short. This new test is, in some respects, a bit more strict about measuring a car's emissions and how much fuel it uses in real-world driving conditions.
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Because of these new rules, some cars, like the f80 m3, had to change or stop being made if they couldn't meet the stricter requirements without a lot of re-engineering. It's a situation that, you know, affects many car makers and models as environmental standards keep getting updated. So, while the f80 m3 was a hit with drivers, these new regulations basically meant its time as a brand-new car was cut a little short, which is a bit of a bummer for fans.
What Powers the f80 m3?
When we talk about what makes the f80 m3 really go, the engine setup is a very important part of how it performs. This particular f80 m3 comes with what's called an S55 straight-six twin-turbo engine. It's a powerplant that, honestly, many people already know quite a bit about. This car is also a rear-wheel drive vehicle, meaning the power goes to the back wheels, and its engine sits right up front, which is pretty typical for a car like this.
The f80 m3 is part of BMW's f80 model line, and it has a four-door sedan body. There was some pretty cool engineering that went into this generation of M cars. For example, the engineers at BMW came up with a rather uncommon one-piece driveshaft for this M3. This driveshaft, you know, is made mostly from carbon fiber, which is a very popular material these days for things that need to be strong but also light. This choice of material gives it plenty of strength to handle the engine's considerable twisting force.
What's more, this carbon fiber driveshaft is about 5 kilograms lighter than the older types. That weight saving helps to lose less power as it travels from the engine to the wheels, and it also means the power gets there more efficiently. So, you can see that compared to the e9x m3, the f80 m3 uses more modern car technology, which is pretty neat when you think about it.
How Does the f80 m3 Feel on the Road?
The BMW f80 m3 is often called a performance sedan that really gets your heart racing. It's a car that, actually, can be quite dependable if you make sure to keep up with its regular check-ups and service needs. Knowing about the common things that might pop up with the car and being ready to take care of them can really help you enjoy this vehicle for a good many miles to come. It's a car that, like many high-performing machines, has its quirks, but nothing too out of the ordinary if you're prepared.
This car is, in a way, a true icon in the world of performance cars, though it does come with its own set of things to watch out for. From what we hear, the ride comfort in the f80 m3 is something many people talk about. The straight-six engine, you know, gives it a feeling that's often described as light and fresh when you're driving. It's the kind of car that has really captured the imagination of people who love driving, ever since that first e30 m3 showed up on the scene back in 1986. So, it's got a long history of making people smile when they're behind the wheel.
Finding Your Own f80 m3 - What's Available?
If you're thinking about getting your hands on an f80 m3 sedan, you'll find there are many options out there. You can look for and make offers on f80 m3 sedans that come with different features, various colors, and a range of prices. It's pretty common to see these cars listed for sale from the years 2015 to 2018, as that was the main period this generation was produced. So, there's a good selection from those years to browse through.
For example, if you're in a place like Phoenix, Arizona, you might find some very good deals on BMW m3 vehicles for sale in June 2025. Websites like CarGurus, for instance, might show you ways to save a fair bit of money, perhaps even something like $21,541 right now on a BMW m3. Some places even let you test drive a used BMW m3 from the comfort of your own home in Phoenix, AZ, which is pretty convenient, you know?
When you start searching, you might come across a good number of used BMW m3s for sale. We're talking about a selection that could include cars from different years, like a 1991 BMW m3 coupe, a 1997 BMW m3 sedan, or even a 2003 BMW m3 coupe. The prices for these can vary quite a bit, from around $16,995 up to something like $149,997, depending on the year and condition. Over in Japan, you can also find listings for m3 sedans on sites like Car Sensor, where they have about 99 used m3 sedans listed, making it easy to search for what you want.
What Makes the f80 m3 Different from its Siblings?
The f80 m3 is known by its chassis code, f80, and it has the s55 straight-six twin-turbo engine, which, you know, was a pretty big deal in the previous generation of engines. The main thing that sets it apart from the f82 m4 is pretty straightforward: the f80 m3 has two extra rear doors. This means it's a four-door saloon, or sedan, while the f82 m4 is a coupe, and the f83 m4 is the convertible version.
So, basically, the f80 m3 offers more everyday usefulness because of those extra doors. It's a car that you can, in a way, use more easily if you often have people riding in the back or if you just need that bit of extra access. While they share a lot under the hood, that difference in the number of doors is a very practical distinction between the f80 m3 and its two-door relatives.
Getting to Know the f80 m3's Special Features
When you start to really look at the f80 and f82 series, you can learn a lot about their overall look, how they perform, the ways you can make them your own, and any special versions that were released. These cars are, you know, part of a long tradition of M cars that have always been about putting a lot of thought into how they look and how they drive. The f80 m3, for instance, has a design that really stands out, blending a sporty feel with the practicality of a sedan.
There's a lot to consider when you think about the experience of owning an f80 m3. People who have picked up their f80 m3 and lived with it for a few months often share their thoughts on how it feels to drive it every day. This includes things like how the car performs in different situations and how it handles the daily grind. It's pretty interesting to hear about the real-world aspects of living with a car that's built for such a high level of driving excitement.
Is the f80 m3 a Good Fit for Your Driveway?
So, when you think about the f80 m3, it's a car that really pulls in people who love to drive, and it has done so for a long time. It's a performance car that can be a good companion if you keep up with its needs for care. You'll want to be ready for the usual things that come up with cars like this, and if you are, you can really get a lot of happy miles out of it. It's a car that, in some respects, gives you a great mix of exciting driving and the usefulness of having four doors.
It's a vehicle that brings a lot to the table in terms of how it drives and how it looks. If you're looking for a car that has a history of making drivers happy, and you're prepared to give it the attention it needs, then the f80 m3 might just be something worth considering. It offers that blend of a strong engine, good handling, and the ability to carry a few more people than its two-door counterparts, which is pretty handy, actually.
This article has gone over the f80 m3, touching on why its production ended sooner than some might have thought, mainly due to new emissions rules. We looked at what powers this car, including its special carbon fiber driveshaft and the S55 engine. We also talked about how the f80 m3 feels to drive, noting its performance and ride comfort, and the importance of staying on top of its maintenance. We also covered where you might find one for sale, including different years and price ranges, and what makes the f80 m3 different from its f82 m4 sibling, mainly those extra doors for more practicality. Finally, we touched on the car's overall design and the experience of owning one.
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