F80 · M3

What the BMW F80 Is

The BMW F80 is the fifth-generation M3, built exclusively as a four-door sedan from 2015 to 2018. It shares its underpinnings with the F30 3 Series but wears heavily reworked M-specific components: a carbon-fiber roof, aluminum front fenders and hood, a carbon-fiber strut brace, and a dedicated suspension geometry. The F80 is significant because it was the first M3 to drop natural aspiration in favor of forced induction, a shift that fundamentally changed how the car delivered its performance. It's a true M-division product, engineered from the same performance philosophy detailed in the BMW DNA story.

The Models & Body Styles

In the US market, the F80 was offered in two forms, both four-door sedans:

• M3 Sedan — the core model, available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed M-DCT dual-clutch transmission.
• M3 CS Sedan — the limited, send-off variant introduced late in the run with increased power, lightweight components, and a sharper Competition-derived setup.

Note that the coupe and convertible body styles split off into the separate F82/F83 M4 lineup, leaving the F80 badge dedicated purely to the M3 sedan. You can confirm exact build details for any car using our BMW VIN decoder.

Engines & Drivetrains

Every F80 is powered by the S55, a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six making roughly 425 hp in standard trim, with the Competition and CS packages pushing output higher. Power routes to the rear wheels through either a slick six-speed manual or the seven-speed M-DCT, and an Active M Differential manages traction at the rear axle. The S55 delivers a broad, muscular torque curve that makes the F80 dramatically quicker in real-world driving than its high-revving E90 M3 predecessor.

Owning & Buying an F80

The F80 is a genuinely usable daily driver with supercar-adjacent acceleration, making it one of the strongest values in the used M market. Notable strengths include its lightweight construction, tunable turbo engine, and everyday practicality as a sedan.

Prospective buyers should have any candidate inspected by an M-experienced shop, verify complete service records, and prioritize cars with documented maintenance. As always with a high-performance BMW, condition and history matter more than mileage alone. Shoppers cross-shopping older performance BMWs may also look at the earlier M5 platforms like the E60 for a different flavor of the brand's sport-sedan heritage.