M3 F80 long term reliability (coming from a GLC63s)

[jase01]

Hi Everyone!

I’m in the process of looking to purchase an 2018 F80 M3. I’m currently in my 3rd year of owning a Mercedes GLC63s, and whilst it’s a beast to drive, it has been a MASSIVE disappointment in quality and reliability, there’s no way I’ll be owning it outside of warranty.

I’ve always wanted the F80 M3, so I am interested in purchasing in the very near future but I’m curious to hear your thoughts on reliability. Given the age, it’s likely I’ll be buying one close to warranty finishing but hopefully with low mileage. I do want to buy the car to hold long term so reliability is most important.

Are there any known major issues with these cars? Anyone had any troubling problems?

I go through a set of tyres per year with the merc. Similar with the M3?

Thanks in advance!

[RoundelM3]

My F80 M3 is a 2015 non-competition model, although I've only owned it for 3 of its 6 years. At my first oil change, the tech discovered a leaking diff seal and torn ball-joint boot. Since the car was still under warranty, I had it fixed at no cost. I've not had any other issues with the car and am at 38000 miles.

Tire-wise, I replaced the full set almost 3 years ago and wear is normal - although I don't drive a lot of miles per year. Tire wear will depend a lot on both mileage and driving style. I intend to keep the car for a good while longer.

[Ropes]

Only real issue I have had in the past 4 years and 60k+ miles is my top mount intercooler developed a leak requiring a replacement. Short of that, my car has been a dream to drive. I plan to keep it for another four years at least because there is nothing out that does what this on does and looks good.

[Gertsee]

Beat the sh*t out of my F82 M4 and drive it daily in a rough city like NYC even through snow and besides oil changes, brakes, and tires only have had 1 issue with the car, top mount intercooler started leaking internally at 67000 miles had it upgraded to a VRSF intercooler and no more problems. Very reliable engine that runs nice and cool due to the great cooling system in the S55

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by Gertsee

Beat the sh*t out of my F82 M4 and drive it daily in a rough city like NYC even through snow and besides oil changes, brakes, and tires only have had 1 issue with the car, top mount intercooler started leaking internally at 67000 miles had it upgraded to a VRSF intercooler and no more problems. Very reliable engine that runs nice and cool due to the great cooling system in the S55

Same story with me at 43k just very small/minor issues, leaks/weeping that are barely noticeable that just required new seals.

Just follow the recommended maintenance (except I do oil every 6k instead of 10/12k because I drive it hard) and you'll be fine. If you're not tuning the crank hub that everyone cries about won't be a issue, unless you get reallllly unlucky.

[NickyC]

Bullet proof as a car like this can be.

[ironviet]

The F8x has been near bullet proof for me. I had tons of issues on my E46 M3 and my 335i was a money pit after warranty. 3 years in and I have to replace seat emblems as they cracked. My rear power adapter won't go back into the carpet but other than that I have had issues. This is a solid engine and nicely build car. This is my experience though

[HarryTee]

My M4 is at 43k miles now and the only problem I've had with it is the elusive internal rattling. I spent several months to trace it and I successfully eliminated it.

I'm embarrassed to say: the rattle was caused by me hard-wiring a dash-cam!
The camera wire I hid behind the trim panels rattled on all but the smoothest of road surfaces. Another credit to BMW is the car is still not yet broken in spite of my obsessive, punishing hunt for the rattle.

[BloomRunsDubs]

I came from a few AMGs as well (CL63 and G63)

In my experience the M cars I’ve owned (E92 M3 and current 2016 M4) have been much more reliable and hold their value better. They do make a few noises (M clunk) from time to time.

If you do buy the M3 make sure you purchase a lithium ion battery charger if you ever plan on having the car sit for over a month. F80s use a lithium ion battery and a oem one will run you $1800+

[jase01]

Originally Posted by BloomRunsDubs

If you do buy the M3 make sure you purchase a lithium ion battery charger if you ever plan on having the car sit for over a month. F80s use a lithium ion battery and a oem one will run you $1800+

Mate, this is very helpful info. Thank you!

[zamboni]

The 18 F80 had all the bugs fixed and very reliable car.

[silverstar335]

Sold my 2017 F80 with 61k miles on it, it was very reliable, had 0 problems. I did upgrade the crank-hub and top mounted cooler, known potential problems, other than that these cars should make it to 100k+ miles without any major issues.

[Reprosal]

Originally Posted by BloomRunsDubs

I came from a few AMGs as well (CL63 and G63)

In my experience the M cars I’ve owned (E92 M3 and current 2016 M4) have been much more reliable and hold their value better. They do make a few noises (M clunk) from time to time.

If you do buy the M3 make sure you purchase a lithium ion battery charger if you ever plan on having the car sit for over a month. F80s use a lithium ion battery and a oem one will run you $1800+

What about starting the car once or twice a week to let it run with exhaust porting outside the garage?

[W///]

Originally Posted by Reprosal

What about starting the car once or twice a week to let it run with exhaust porting outside the garage?

Really not ideal to do that IMO. Never a fan of letting a car idle as you're not warming up many fluids. Just invest in a trickle charger, they're not overly expensive and just good practice.

[Rabidwooz]

My 2015 F80 just hit 50K miles and I've only had one issue - P147E CEL that turned out to be a faulty DMTL pump. The pump was covered under an extended 10 year 120k mile warranty due to it being a known failure.
Other than that, I've always done 5K mile oil changes, annual engine/cabin filters, 50k diff fluid, brake fluid flushes, etc. Just about 7 years old and running like new.

[BloomRunsDubs]

Originally Posted by jase01

Mate, this is very helpful info. Thank you!

Happy to help! I learned about the lithium battery the hard way after leaving my M4 on a regular trickle charger all winter lol

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by W///

Really not ideal to do that IMO. Never a fan of letting a car idle as you're not warming up many fluids. Just invest in a trickle charger, they're not overly expensive and just good practice.

+1, the most wear on the car is during cold start, and then you let all that condensation as a byproduct of combustion accumulate in the oil just to shut it down without getting the car up to temp long enough to burn off the accumulated moisture (moisture causes engine oil to oxidize much faster) No thanks. Get a trickle charger and call it a day.

[desiboii]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

+1, the most wear on the car is during cold start, and then you let all that condensation as a byproduct of combustion accumulate in the oil just to shut it down without getting the car up to temp long enough to burn off the accumulated moisture (moisture causes engine oil to oxidize much faster) No thanks. Get a trickle charger and call it a day.

Any recommendations for a good trickle charger ?

[jasonjo]

BMW do their own for a reasonable price, but it is basically a re-branded CTEK...

[ilovemym4]

I have a 2015 F82. Acquired her with 5000 miles. Now has 44,xxx miles. Very very well taken care of. Haven't even replaced the brakes or rotors and don't need to in the immediate future - still bites very hard. Serviced regularly.

I have changed a cracked windshield, and a side bolster (worn), changed under BMW Appearance Protection program at no extra cost.

I do weekend spirited driving, but don't beat on it too hard. Every mile driven has me in an ear to ear smile.

Car now has BM3 Stage1, SSR everything, BMW HAS, 20 inch BC Forged, AA Mid and Remus for about 8000 miles. Absolutely ZERO issues.

Treat'r right, she'll treat you right.

[bbellz]

Originally Posted by desiboii

Any recommendations for a good trickle charger ?

CTEK lithium battery tender.

CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM US 12 Volt Fully Automatic LiFePO4 Battery Charger,Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EUF6UM8...CY3DC3CRC0H5BP

[Reprosal]

Fuel stabilizer or anything needed? I live in Canada, it will be kept in a heated garage but I worry about plugs or gas going bad.