Help and advice please on first time F80

[Gbcarmona]

Hi everyone! I’m about to go and collect a 2018 F80 M3 Competition in Tanzanite Blue with SS interior (I’m coming from an E60 530 and F21 m135i, which I loved both. Childhood dream to have an M3…can’t wait. The car has 32k miles, full service at BMW. Wondering what things, besides standard oil services, should I make sure to check before leaving the dealership on a car:
- should the brake discs have been changed
- spark plugs
- air conditioning service
What extra special/less common things should have been done on a car of the mileage?

Also thinking about adding some spacers (12f/10r) to make it look a bit better but keeping it standard suspension. Assume even if I later change the tyres to MPS4S/Eagle F1 Assym (better for U.K. weather) I should be ok without rubbing? Could I possibly go 12/15 even?

Thanks in advance!

[NSX2M4]

With milage like that, the following should have already been done recently at around 25k miles.
New spark plugs
New air filters
New cabin air filter
Oil change
Full car inspection with brake inspection
Brake fluid flush

[Gbcarmona]

Originally Posted by NSX2M4

With milage like that, the following should have already been done recently at around 25k miles.
New spark plugs
New air filters
New cabin air filter
Oil change
Full car inspection with brake inspection
Brake fluid flush

Thank you so much for the reply! I’ll make sure I’ll ask the dealership and check idrive! I wonder on average when does the car need to replace discs? These are pricey right!?

[EricP3]

you can go to 15f/15r spacers without rubbing on stock suspension.

[Gbcarmona]

Originally Posted by EricP3

you can go to 15f/15r spacers without rubbing on stock suspension.

Even if you change to MPS4S, I’m guessing? Thanks

[EricP3]

Originally Posted by Gbcarmona

Even if you change to MPS4S, I’m guessing? Thanks

The only issue you could have is with a 15 front spacer and going to a 265 tire in the front but even then its probably fine.

[swagon]

Lol @ wide-ass spacers on stock suspension, that's one way to make it look like it suffers from Mexiflush.

Install PS4S or GY F1 Supersport (NOT Assymmetrics!) and M Performance HAS. Then fiddle with spacers if need be.

[EricP3]

Originally Posted by swagon

Lol @ wide-ass spacers on stock suspension, that's one way to make it look like it suffers from Mexiflush.

Install PS4S or GY F1 Supercar (NOT Assymmetrics!) and M Performance HAS. Then fiddle with spacers if need be.

This guy disagrees with everyone in this thread: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1000804

[swagon]

Originally Posted by EricP3

This guy disagrees with everyone in this thread: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1000804

The wheels with 15mm spacers are literally poking out the fenders with 1ft of wheel gap.

[Gbcarmona]

Originally Posted by swagon

Lol @ wide-ass spacers on stock suspension, that's one way to make it look like it suffers from Mexiflush.

Install PS4S or GY F1 Supersport (NOT Assymmetrics!) and M Performance HAS. Then fiddle with spacers if need be.

Unfortunately, even if I wanted I couldn’t lower the suspension since my driveway is very steep and clearance is very tight, it would catch and rub every time. On all my cars I always like to just add a bit of spacers to widen the stance and push them out, mainly just for looks really!

Regarding the assymmetrics, they have great reviews (many times above PS4S even) and having had both, I would say they are both great…much better than PSS for UK weather… also Birds (very reputable company in UK) recommend those for UK weather!

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by swagon

Lol @ wide-ass spacers on stock suspension, that's one way to make it look like it suffers from Mexiflush.

Install PS4S or GY F1 Supersport (NOT Assymmetrics!) and M Performance HAS. Then fiddle with spacers if need be.

learned a new term

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Gbcarmona

Unfortunately, even if I wanted I couldn’t lower the suspension since my driveway is very steep and clearance is very tight, it would catch and rub every time. On all my cars I always like to just add a bit of spacers to widen the stance and push them out, mainly just for looks really!

Regarding the assymmetrics, they have great reviews (many times above PS4S even) and having had both, I would say they are both great…much better than PSS for UK weather… also Birds (very reputable company in UK) recommend those for UK weather!

Depends what metrics are most important to you. The Assymmetrics will be better in the rain, but in the dry on track or on B-roads at some pace, both the F1 Supersports and generic/non-BMW PS4S will be a better steer. I've got the Goodyear Supersports on mine and really like their behaviour on the track and the street in the dry, whilst also being better in the rain than the OE Pilot Super Sports. I don't have direct experience with PS4S; in the test from John at Tyre Reviews, the F1s were worse in wet conditions than the PS4S. But BMW-spec Michelins are quite different from generic-spec rubber as they prefer dry handling over performance in the wet.

At the end of the day, this is an M3, not a runabout for going to Tescos to get a pint of milk.

[bsmf8x]

3 year 36k should have new spark plugs

Dealer can check if items been done at a. Me dealership.

If they say they can't they're either lying to hide the fact that it hasn't been done or just stupid.

Plugs are $500 at Indy or $1k+ at dealer, including labor

Brakes (pads & rotors) last over 60-70k miles on these cars if not tracked or abused

Rotors + pads can be anywhere from 1600-3000, depending on who does it and how cheap you get them

IDrive will tell u when u need new brake pads - don't trust the estimate they give u tho in terms of how much mileage u have left

Rotors can't be resurfaced so people usually do pads and rotors together

[L82WRK_F80]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

learned a new term

Not at all offensive to Mexicans.

[Gbcarmona]

Originally Posted by swagon

Depends what metrics are most important to you. The Assymmetrics will be better in the rain, but in the dry on track or on B-roads at some pace, both the F1 Supersports and generic/non-BMW PS4S will be a better steer. I've got the Goodyear Supersports on mine and really like their behaviour on the track and the street in the dry, whilst also being better in the rain than the OE Pilot Super Sports. I don't have direct experience with PS4S; in the test from John at Tyre Reviews, the F1s were worse in wet conditions than the PS4S. But BMW-spec Michelins are quite different from generic-spec rubber as they prefer dry handling over performance in the wet.

At the end of the day, this is an M3, not a runabout for going to Tescos to get a pint of milk.

In the north of England it rains most of the time or at least you have moist, damp, greasy roads…I suppose that is why Birds test all tyres and recommend the Eagle F1’s. I’ve had both the Ass 3 and the Michelin PS4S on the five series and the level of grip (in comparison to the Conti’s back then) was much superior.
I only really rate the SS when the roads are bone dry and the tyre is nice and hot…which as I said, doesn’t happen often in this part of the world!

[M3Rocket11]

Yes make sure the dealer changed the spark plugs. Here in SoCal spark plug change is $1850. Damn pricey

2018 M3

[VCO]

Service timing varies by country. In the UK the spark plugs are 4 years from build date, build date is on a sticker in the drivers door shut.

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threa.../#post-3292456

Spark plugs are not listed in the idrive so will need to see invoice.

[TopJimmy]

If buying from a dealer tell them you want a printed copy of the service history. They should do that no problems. Google up BMW F80 Service Schedule for your country and make sure the items have been taken care of.

My F80 has the original pads and rotors for last 65K miles and there's at least half life remaining. Any extra pay-for warranty/service is a waste…like wheel/tire protection or maintenance plans (rotors). If you have to go in-pocket you'll spend less, and these cars are EASY to work on.

Enjoy the roads!

[Gbcarmona]

Originally Posted by VCO

Service timing varies by country. In the UK the spark plugs are 4 years from build date, build date is on a sticker in the drivers door shut.

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threa.../#post-3292456

Spark plugs are not listed in the idrive so will need to see invoice.

Great to know! Thank you for this

[FuRoRR]

Depending on the quality of fuel you use and driving style spark plugs are generaly good for a change every 30000km/18000mi.
I currently support about 10 f8x and have experience with about 20 more (daily drivers and GT4 race cars). Generaly the faster you drive the faster they start going bad. For race use i rarely allow them to go over 15000km of use.

[Gbcarmona]

Originally Posted by FuRoRR

Depending on the quality of fuel you use and driving style spark plugs are generaly good for a change every 30000km/18000mi.
I currently support about 10 f8x and have experience with about 20 more (daily drivers and GT4 race cars). Generaly the faster you drive the faster they start going bad. For race use i rarely allow them to go over 15000km of use.

Every 18K miles? Damn, that not a lot really…can get pricey that!
On my cars I only put Shell or BP fuels and once a month fill her with V power!

[FJ_OPA80]

I'm in the UK also. Bought my F80 December, 4yo with 28k on it. Just had a major service, new spark plugs, new tyres at the rear, new discs and pads at the front if I remember right.

Mine is at dealer again now for creaking during adverse camber, ticking from cold start and a dodgy door arm at the back

My advice is to check it over as thoroughly as you can!

You will adore the car I'm sure