F8x M3/M4 evolution over their production run

[BMWCAT]

Think of the LCI to the Ms like a progression over the years.

2015 M3 announced

2016
- Competition model added
- M3 got the LCI taillight ONLY for the cosmetics (since F80 doesn't share the fascia of 3 series, but the 4. Same as the G8x in this case)
- New NBT EVO Nav unit without touch screen. And Nav 5.0
- some options become standard

2017
- apple carplay added
- no change to exterior nor interior
- some options becomes standard

2018
- Front fascia updated with new LED headlights, but only produced for 1 year only!
- Nav now updated to 6.0 with touchscreen

As you can see the updates are all pretty small/ minor. Performance wise besides some light tweaking to software that make some differences on later model years (not as spiky). Generally not a huge difference. (Do note that BMW decided to changed the CF driveshaft that they were proud to announced at the beginning of F8x production to Aluminum mid cycle. To me that's a big one, but it's not something announced no)

I'd say if you get the first year lease it!(First model year will not hold values in comparison to later ones. Plus BMW will slowly make a lot of options standard.)
and by the time lease is up, the M3 is close to its last major changes and model year. By then you can decide whether you want to get another one to keep! ( if you really like the car)

The last model year of the M cars are always the best. All the kinks worked out, all the stuff up to date, and the most sought after.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by BMWCAT

Think of the LCI to the Ms like a progression over the years.

While there are on-going changes done to a model throughout its lifecycle, the "official LCI" usually happens only once in a model lifespan.

The M3 is sort of a hybrid though because it shares the snout of the two door. This is why we saw two "LCI" on the F80, where the the M3 got the new taillights of the 3-series when it got its LCI and then the new headlights of the 4-series when it got its LCI. For the E46 and E9X generations, the front-end was unaltered at LCI. When the G20 gets its LCI, I highly doubt it will alter the front-end of the G80, but the rear will likely follow the LCI G20 rear-end.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by BMWCAT

As you can see the updates are all pretty small/ minor. Performance wise besides some light tweaking to software that make some differences on later model years (not as spiky). Generally not a huge difference. (Do note that BMW decided to changed the CF driveshaft that they were proud to announced at the beginning of F8x production to Aluminum mid cycle. To me that's a big one, but it's not something announced no)

Really disagree here. I got the first year F80. Lovely car. Compared to later releases though it had a much spikier power delivery and less sorted suspension setup - let alone the cosmetic difs in LEDs etc which I upgraded later. Most reviews talk about the progression of the F80 and some even suggest the pre-LCI model years should be avoided.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by BMWCAT

Think of the LCI to the Ms like a progression over the years.

This is an excellent write up, I remember each year and how it unfolded (and the corresponding complaints).

Those poor F82 owners with the old school "Christmas lightbulb" tail lights for the first 3+ years of production.

[frankiebones]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

Really disagree here. I got the first year F80. Lovely car. Compared to later releases though it had a much spikier power delivery and less sorted suspension setup - let alone the cosmetic difs in LEDs etc which I upgraded later. Most reviews talk about the progression of the F80 and some even suggest the pre-LCI model years should be avoided.

They definitely changed the damping on the F80, even the non-comp as the lifecycle went on. But by updating to the latest istep you could make any 2015MY equal to a 2018MY. No need to "avoid" them. They didn't make hardware changes.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by frankiebones

They definitely changed the damping on the F80, even the non-comp as the lifecycle went on. But by updating to the latest istep you could make any 2015MY equal to a 2018MY. No need to "avoid" them. They didn't make hardware changes.

I'd heard there were oil pan changes and the did remove the carbon fiber drive shaft altogether.

[Floridagator]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

I'd heard there were oil pan changes and the did remove the carbon fiber drive shaft altogether.

Correct, oil pan was changed from magnesium to aluminum.

And yes, CF driveshaft was changed to aluminum.

Both presumably for cost savings.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

I'd heard there were oil pan changes and the did remove the carbon fiber drive shaft altogether.

The oil pan change happened almost immediately, like 2-3 months after production first started and it was during the 2015 model year.

[naywa01]

Originally Posted by Floridagator

Correct, oil pan was changed from magnesium to aluminum.

And yes, CF driveshaft was changed to aluminum.

Both presumably for cost savings.

The CF driveshaft was apparently changed due to the requirement to fit particulate filters in the exhaust, which supposedly wouldn't fit with the existing tube diameter and they couldn't make it thinner. So the solution was the aluminium/aluminum version.

Its actually covered in one of the official M3/M4 Explained videos covering the G8x driveshaft:

https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1815346

[M4DNS55]

I have a late 2014 M4, so I'll have the CFRP drive shaft right?

What is considered "better"?

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by M4DNS55

I have a late 2014 M4, so I'll have the CFRP drive shaft right?

What is considered "better"?

I've seen the crp driveshaft snap on launch before on a stock turbo car but it's not common

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

Really disagree here. I got the first year F80. Lovely car. Compared to later releases though it had a much spikier power delivery and less sorted suspension setup - let alone the cosmetic difs in LEDs etc which I upgraded later. Most reviews talk about the progression of the F80 and some even suggest the pre-LCI model years should be avoided.

It's important to note the power delivery and "suspension" improvements (more DSC/diff behaviour tweaks I think) was all software, which could be easily updated on the 2015 models.

So it's rather silly to treat the 2015 models as "bad" for an issue that the owners could easily rectify if they wish.

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

It's important to note the power delivery and "suspension" improvements (more DSC/diff behaviour tweaks I think) was all software, which could be easily updated on the 2015 models.

So it's rather silly to treat the 2015 models as "bad" for an issue that the owners could easily rectify if they wish.

Originally Posted by maddmatth

It's important to note the power delivery and "suspension" improvements (more DSC/diff behaviour tweaks I think) was all software, which could be easily updated on the 2015 models.

So it's rather silly to treat the 2015 models as "bad" for an issue that the owners could easily rectify if they wish.

I did get the software upgrades and the rear light retrofits. Doesn't help when you're selling as buyers don't reward those mods. However, it does help with the driving experience and IMO that's more important.

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by Jimjamz

I did get the software upgrades and the rear light retrofits. Doesn't help when you're selling as buyers don't reward those mods. However, it does help with the driving experience and IMO that's more important.

Well, we don't buy BMWs for their resale value

[Jimjamz]

Originally Posted by maddmatth

Well, we don't buy BMWs for their resale value

Agreed. I won't buy a first year M car again though. It's not just about the resale.

[Humdizzle]

I agree from base 2015 to 2019 CS there was not a huge update in any department. its mostly about the headlights (tail lights can be retrofitted for $1000 or less, pretty cheap). the comp is the heaviest of the bunch with the 666m wheels. i'm not sure if the CS even has any significant weight savings over a stripper manual 2015 car.... it doesn't have the mag oil pan or CF driveshaft, but does have the CF hood and some light wheels.

The CS does have a nice track ready suspension though. and paired with cup tires like it should have had from the US factory it does well. But if you aren't tracking it i don't see the point.

my opinion its mostly just for ///marketing. there are bigger differences between a carrera and carrera S than a base m3 and 2019 CS.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

I agree from base 2015 to 2019 CS there was not a huge update in any department. its mostly about the headlights (tail lights can be retrofitted for $1000 or less, pretty cheap). the comp is the heaviest of the bunch with the 666m wheels. i'm not sure if the CS even has any significant weight savings over a stripper manual 2015 car.... it doesn't have the mag oil pan or CF driveshaft, but does have the CF hood and some light wheels.

The CS does have a nice track ready suspension though. and paired with cup tires like it should have had from the US factory it does well. But if you aren't tracking it i don't see the point.

my opinion its mostly just for ///marketing. there are bigger differences between a carrera and carrera S than a base m3 and 2019 CS.

The CS still has the CF hood and a different interior, and also has the CF driveshaft. I'm not sure about the mag oil pan, CanAutM3 would know

It also has an oiling system capable of 1.4g vs 1.3g for the regular cars

[swagon]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

The CS still has the CF hood and a different interior, and also has the CF driveshaft. I'm not sure about the mag oil pan, CanAutM3 would know

It also has an oiling system capable of 1.4g vs 1.3g for the regular cars

It retained the Mg oil pain.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

I agree from base 2015 to 2019 CS there was not a huge update in any department. its mostly about the headlights (tail lights can be retrofitted for $1000 or less, pretty cheap). the comp is the heaviest of the bunch with the 666m wheels. i'm not sure if the CS even has any significant weight savings over a stripper manual 2015 car.... it doesn't have the mag oil pan or CF driveshaft, but does have the CF hood and some light wheels.

The CS does have a nice track ready suspension though. and paired with cup tires like it should have had from the US factory it does well. But if you aren't tracking it i don't see the point.

my opinion its mostly just for ///marketing. there are bigger differences between a carrera and carrera S than a base m3 and 2019 CS.

Having owned both, I beg to disagree.

You seem misinformed about the M4cs content, as it retained the CF driveshaft as well as the Mg oil pan (as per the press releases). The weight reduction is not massive, my M4cs weighs ~35lb less than my 2015 M4 with DCT and you are probably right that a stripper M4 with 6MT might weigh less. However, what makes the CS is how the small improvements in all areas work in unison to improve the overall performance of the car: The reduced weight, improved power and torque, improved aero, ABS/EDC/EPS/E-Diff optimized for R-comp tires, rebalanced front-to-rear roll stiffness, etc. The fact that I am 2.5 seconds faster with the M4cs than I was with my 2015 M4 at my local track (~1:50min lap) on the same tires is quite telling to me. As a reference, going from my E92 DCT to my F82 DCT got me ~2.0 seconds per lap improvement, also on the same tires. My M4cs is by far the best M I have owned thus far in terms of tactility and driving enjoyment (I've owned E46/E92/F82).

The CS isn't meant for everyone, but for those that it appeals to, it is a very compelling package.