Things to look for when purchasing used f80

[cussm3]

Have just recently sold my e90 m3 and looking to take a step into the f80 world, just curious if there is anything i should look out for generally when inspecting one?

[Uksa007]

Originally Posted by cussm3

Have just recently sold my e90 m3 and looking to take a step into the f80 world, just curious if there is anything i should look out for generally when inspecting one?

I think the major things that fail are:

1) Crank hub spins (usually if tuned with more power)
2) Charge pipes cracks (usually when tuned with more boost)
3) Intercooler coolant leaks internally check little reservoir to see if it is low.

If it's been tuned or flashed for higher HP I would be asking if the above have been changed or avoiding.
The LCI MKII have the newer headlights, and LED tail lights.
I would be looking for a Competition model as they are generally more sorted as they have updated springs/anti roll bars, and better software for the Diff and transmission etc.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1491335

Hope this helps.

[GregM4]

Spot on Uksa007

[mfurse]

The cars are pretty reliable TBH. The issues mentioned are things to check for, especially if the car has been tuned.

You can also have any early M3/M4 updated with the the latest iStep software and it sorts those early cars damping, steering, diff, gearbox and particular TC and Throttle to make the car far less spikey.

I actually feel like the software update I had did more to resolve my 2016 none-competition model than the competition pack hardware does. I'd aim to buy a comp pack if you can though as they're a good buy with their various upgrades.

[Curare86]

Has anyone in Aus actually spun a crank hub? Havent heard of any

[5218201a]

Originally Posted by Curare86

Has anyone in Aus actually spun a crank hub? Havent heard of any

Yes a few

[waterbottle1]

Originally Posted by mfurse

The cars are pretty reliable TBH. The issues mentioned are things to check for, especially if the car has been tuned.

agreed, pretty reliable overall.. (touchwood!)
just the crank gamble i guess.

Originally Posted by Curare86

Has anyone in Aus actually spun a crank hub? Havent heard of any

neither,
but in the US iv read a lot of newer F8X have failed rather the older F8X's

[clutchdj]

Originally Posted by cussm3

Have just recently sold my e90 m3 and looking to take a step into the f80 world, just curious if there is anything i should look out for generally when inspecting one?

M school pen in the glove
box or door card

[Uwish]

I am sick of hearing about the fu(king crank hub.

Don't drive like a fu(kwit and do money downshifts. Simple.

My cay has been tuned for 3yrs now and no issues.

[mynameisplayer]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

M school pen in the glove
box or door card

"Executive driven"

[waterbottle1]

Originally Posted by mynameisplayer

"Executive driven"

last few turns were mint

[SE7EN335]

I think the most important thing is to look out for whether there has been oil changes done in between dealer services every 25k kms. AFAIK dealer services oil changes are done every 25K kms regardless of vehicle age? Someone correct me if i am wrong!

[Uksa007]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

I think the most important thing is to look out for whether there has been oil changes done in between dealer services every 25k kms. AFAIK dealer services oil changes are done every 25K kms regardless of vehicle age? Someone correct me if i am wrong!

My view is it depends on how it was driven, if it was tracked/tuned/driven really hard and not changed that's not so good, but if it was just daily driven, 25k km or 2 years is probably ok. The new fully synthetic oils are pretty good and are designed to do it.

"The superior characteristics of Shell Helix Ultra mean it is suitable for even the longest OEM recommended drain interval"
Shell is the oil supplier for BMW, I use Shell Helix Ultra 5w-40.

[///Msports180]

Philip Island is such a fun flowing track, watched a few Supercars thrashing around there a few years ago, would love to take my M3 there one day. Was some real nice driving.

[robbo mcs]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

I think the most important thing is to look out for whether there has been oil changes done in between dealer services every 25k kms. AFAIK dealer services oil changes are done every 25K kms regardless of vehicle age? Someone correct me if i am wrong!

The oil changes are time based as well. My wife has had hers since new in 2014, and has only done 25k in the car in 7 years. She gets a reminder for oil service, even if she has only done 2k since the last one. I think it comes up every 2 years, if you haven't done the kms by then? So as long as all the oil services have been done as per schedule, should be ok I think.

She will never sell it by the way

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by robbo mcs

The oil changes are time based as well. My wife has had hers since new in 2014, and has only done 25k in the car in 7 years. She gets a reminder for oil service, even if she has only done 2k since the last one. I think it comes up every 2 years, if you haven't done the kms by then? So as long as all the oil services have been done as per schedule, should be ok I think.

She will never sell it by the way

Yeah the oil changes are quite infrequent - I do mine yearly as it's not expensive. Probably overkill but fresh oil never killed an engine.

It's the brakes that blow me away - 150,000KMs for changing pads??? I could never get my head around the condition based servicing and how it seems to suggest the brakes last forever.

[Uksa007]

Originally Posted by mfurse

It's the brakes that blow me away - 150,000KMs for changing pads??? I could never get my head around the condition based servicing and how it seems to suggest the brakes last forever.

Do you have carbon ceramics?

Think my said 75k km for steel brakes, which is probably very optimistic.
CBS seems to be more of a guess for brakes.
When the wear sensor goes off you know you need to change them.

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by Uksa007

Do you have carbon ceramics?

Think my said 75k km for steel brakes, which is probably very optimistic.
CBS seems to be more of a guess for brakes.
When the wear sensor goes off you know you need to change them.

Steel brakes which is why I laugh when I check the CBS ... either I never brake when driving or it's very optimistic! As you say a manual check of pad depth is the most accurate.

[cussm3]

Originally Posted by mfurse

The cars are pretty reliable TBH. The issues mentioned are things to check for, especially if the car has been tuned.

You can also have any early M3/M4 updated with the the latest iStep software and it sorts those early cars damping, steering, diff, gearbox and particular TC and Throttle to make the car far less spikey.

I actually feel like the software update I had did more to resolve my 2016 none-competition model than the competition pack hardware does. I'd aim to buy a comp pack if you can though as they're a good buy with their various upgrades.

Does the dealers offer the Istep software upgrade? Do you know how much it costs you roughly?

[mfurse]

Originally Posted by cussm3

Does the dealers offer the Istep software upgrade? Do you know how much it costs you roughly?

Yes they do, $90 whilst getting serviced. I think it's more if you do it separately.

[SE7EN335]

Originally Posted by Uksa007

My view is it depends on how it was driven, if it was tracked/tuned/driven really hard and not changed that's not so good, but if it was just daily driven, 25k km or 2 years is probably ok. The new fully synthetic oils are pretty good and are designed to do it.

"The superior characteristics of Shell Helix Ultra mean it is suitable for even the longest OEM recommended drain interval"
Shell is the oil supplier for BMW, I use Shell Helix Ultra 5w-40.

NO way is 25K kms on the same oil even on a stock tune F80 M3 is going to be healthy or even ok for the car. 15K kms on a stock tune F80 M3 is okay. 20K is stretching it definitely.

[Uksa007]

Originally Posted by SE7EN335

NO way is 25K kms on the same oil even on a stock tune F80 M3 is going to be healthy or even ok for the car. 15K kms on a stock tune F80 M3 is okay. 20K is stretching it definitely.

Why do you think that, do you have any facts to back it up?

There is plenty of evidence that contradicts your claims(oil analysis), including BMW Australia setting the CBS at that starting point.
You do realise that CBS starts at 25k km and reduces depending on the driving type and the oil condition, using the cars owns oil condition sensor!
In any case it's unlikely anyone is going to be able to reach 25k km as the car will request the oil to be changed sooner, unless maybe you did 100% highway driving.

Edit: Here is some good info on how they test oil to ensure it stands up to long drain intervals, while they were not M engines they are modern turbo charged engines.