BMW M3 F80 and BMW M4 F82

At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in 2014, the moment had arrived: after the fifth generation of the BMW M3 had been presented shortly before Christmas 2013 on the Internet, the new high-performance vehicle from BMW M was officially premiered at the NAIAS. At the same time, the first BMW M4 hit the spotlight: M GmbH decided to separate the Coupé and Convertible in name from the Sedan which continued to be called the BMW M3. Technically, there was a further innovation in the BMW M3 F80, M4 F82 and F83: for the first time in the series’ history, there was a turbocharger under the muscular bonnet.

5 POWERFUL FACTS:

Fifth generation of the BMW M3
Production period: 2014 to 2020
Inline 6-cylinder engine with turbocharger
Max. output: 317kW (431hp) to 368kW (500hp)
First BMW M3 with M TwinPower Turbo technology

THE ENGINE: UNDER PRESSURE.

F80 engine S55B30 — The S55B30 engine of the BMW M3 F80.

With the F80 series’ newly developed inline 6-cylinder engine, M GmbH was treading both traditional and new territory: on the one hand, the number of cylinders and their arrangement is closely linked to the history of BMW M. On the other, the motor with the reference number S55B30 contained for the first time a power unit with turbocharger in a BMW M3. The aim was to combine the advantages of a high-performance, naturally aspirated motor with the strengths of modern turbo technology.

The effects on the response characteristics of the M3 and M4 models are correspondingly clear: 431hp and a maximum of 7,600rpm indicate the potential of the 3.0 litre motor. With a maximum torque of 550Nm – from 1,850rpm upwards – the motor catapults the new M automobiles into new dimensions of performance. Quick sprints are performed much faster than ever before and the acceleration from 0 to 100kmh now takes just 4.1 seconds, if the 7-speed M double-clutch transmission takes over the gear-shifting. That the motor is much more efficient than all its predecessors is almost reduced to a footnote.

TWO TURBOCHARGERS FOR EVERY SITUATION.

In M3 and M4, the boost process known as M TwinPower turbo technology consists of two turbo chargers that spontaneously respond according to the mono-scroll principle, high precision gasoline direct injection, Valvetronic variable valve control, and the Double VANOS stepless camshaft adjustment. A crankcase especially designed for high cylinder pressure and a forged crankshaft make for especially spontaneous response. Both journalists and many fans of the series soon realized: this straight 6-cylinder engine piles on the compression.

As a racing driver, I am very impressed that both turbo turbochargers respond as soon as you press the accelerator pedal.

DTM driver Bruno Spengler

in 2014 on the S55 motor in the BMW M3 and M4

The low DIN dead weight of 1.497 kg of the BMW M4 F82 Coupé in 2014 is made possible by the rigorous use of intelligent lightweight construction. The vehicle was thus around 80 kg lighter than its predecessor.

THE DESIGN: HIGH-POWERED.

With a low-slung silhouette, long bonnet and the distinct three-dimensionality of all the body parts, the design of the F80 series is particularly emotional and striking. The then Head of Design at BMW Automobiles, Karim Habib, had made it his goal to express the high performance and the impressive handling of the new models. The M overtaking mirrors, the contrasting dark carbon roof and the prominent wheel housings – especially visible on the rear wheels of the M3 Sedan – are indicators of the models’ status as performance athletes. With the LED headlights and the newly introduced Air Curtains – special air ducts on the front of the vehicles for reducing air turbulence – the overall picture is of a dynamic sports car with the unambiguous DNA of an M high-performance vehicle.

MORE INDIVIDUALISATION THEN EVER BEFORE.

BMW M4 F82 in standard trim and with M Performance Parts.

SKY’S THE LIMIT.

Like its predecessor, the BMW M4 Convertible has a three-part metal folding roof. The construction combines the advantages of better sound insulation and winter durability with better aerodynamics compared with the fabric roof. The highlight of the convertible is the elegant silhouette, which does without a B-pillar.

As regards engine and interior, there are no changes from the closed M4 Coupé – the M bucket-style Sports seats, M Sports leather-clad steering wheel and driver-oriented cockpit are an invitation to drive dynamically.

COMPETITION FIRST PRODUCED IN SERIES.

From 2016, BMW M3 and M4 were available for the first time as a Competition version. The new option resulted in several changes to engine and suspension: the engine of the Competition model was given a performance hike of 14kW (19hp) to 331kW (450hp), the Adaptive M Suspension was fitted as standard and the exhaust system had a more emotional sound thanks to new mapping. The Competition Package had more extensive series features along with black exterior accessories.

FACELIFT IN 2017.

In 2017, the series had a facelift. New LED rear lights and a sharper light signature for the headlights make the M3 and M4 stand out from their predecessors. The range was further extended with new colours and wheel rim designs.

STRONG. LIMITED. The special editions of the BMW M3 F80 and M4 F82.

BMW M4 GTS.

With the BMW M4 GTS of 2016, BMW M GmbH presented a performance-driven technology carrier which further increased the potential of the BMW M4 Coupé in impressive fashion. Besides extensive lightweight construction measures, M carbon ceramics brakes as standard and optimized aerodynamics, one very special feature was to be found in the motor: for the first time, a series production vehicle from BMW has a water injection system. The technology raises the peak performance of the inline 6-cylinder to an impressive 368kW (500hp) and the torque to 600Nm. Thus equipped, the special edition sprints to 100kmh in just 3.8 seconds and the electronic limiter is not deployed until the car reaches 305kmh.

7:28 min

is the lap time of the BMW M4 GTS on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

BMW M3 AND M4 CS.

Launched in early 2017, the BMW M4 CS was another special edition of the F82. The limited edition is characterized by an engine tweaked to 460hp and a suspension designed for use on racetracks. Lightweight sports seats, carbon bonnet and roof, along with other weight-saving measures meant that the car weighed in 35kg lighter than before. As with the M4 GTS, the rear lights of the CS use OLED technology. At the end of 2017, M GmbH presented the BMW M3 CS, counterpart of the limited edition in sedan form.

BMW M3 „30 JAHRE M3“.

BMW M3 F80 30 Jahre Edition — BMW M3 „30 Jahre M3“.

In 2016, as a special homage to the 30-year success story of the BMW M3, BMW M presented an exclusive special edition limited to 500 cars. The BMW M3 “30 Jahre M3” in BMW Individual Macao Blue metallic is inspired by the M3 E30 in which this shade of paint was once offered. Only available with the Competition Package, the tradition-rich edition achieved 450hp.

BMW M4 DTM CHAMPION EDITION #1.

A real collector’s piece: in 2014, BMW celebrated Marco Wittmann winning the driver’s title of the DTM with the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition. The special edition was limited to 23 cars, inspired by Wittman’s race number. The homage to Wittman’s car was only available in Alpine White.

BMW M4 DTM CHAMPION EDITION #2.

In 2016, the second BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition was launched: Marco Wittmann won Europe’s premier touring car championship for the second time. The special edition was limited to 200 units and produced in the traditional M livery, which quoted the look of the 2016 DTM cars. Indeed, driving the car on racetracks was highly desired: under the bonnet lurked the 500hp-strong motor of the M4 GTS.

BMW M4 EDITION M HERITAGE.

Towards the end of the production period of the BMW M4 F82, the high-performance coupé was again released as a special edition. The BMW M4 Edition M Heritage was available in three colours: Laguna Seca Blue, Velvet Blue metallic and Imola Red – the three traditional BMW M colours. The choice of exterior colour was matched by the two-tone leather interior. The Competition Package and the 450hp-strong engine were also standard.

BUILT TO RACE. BMW M3 and M4 in motor sport.

BMW M4 GT4.

The close links of BMW M series vehicles to motor sport can be seen especially clearly in the BMW M4 GT4: at its launch in 2017, the customer-sport racing car had already done 20,000 test kilometres, many hours in the wind tunnel and tests under race conditions. The aim of the engineers was to develop a racing car with maximum reliability in which the entire know-how of BMW Motorsport would be brought to bear, coupled with the strong basis of the BMW M4 Coupé. With doors of carbon fibre, motor sport-specific front splitter and rear wing, and a racing exhaust system, since its appearance the car has raced in many motor sport events in different classes.

BMW M4 MOTOGP SAFETY CAR.

In the 2015 season, the BMW M4 was employed as the official safety car for motor cycling’s MotoGP. With a unique, dynamic design, LED light bars on the roof and flashers on the front, the model could be identified as the lead car, and not just at first glance. Numerous M Performance Parts and coilovers made the M4 very fast on the track – pretty important, when two dozen of the fastest motorcyclists in the world are breathing down your neck.

With the new BMW M4, BMW M and BMW Motorsport stayed faithful to the DTM – and with great success: in its very first season the BMW M4 DTM won the 2014 championship with Marco Wittmann at the wheel. In 2015 the car won the manufacturers’ competition and in 2016 Wittmann won his second title.

The race-winning sportscar replaced its predecessor the BMW M3 DTM in 2014. With its 480hp-strong V8 engine, the DTM prototype reached 100kmh in around three seconds. Since the 2019 season, the car has been powered by a newly developed 4-cylinder motor with two litres of cubic capacity and a turbocharger which can achieve up to 620hp.