Skip advert
Advertisement

F80 BMW M3 review (2014-2018) - design

The latest updates to this performance car icon have improved it greatly, it now has the composure to match its mighty performance

Evo rating
RRP
from £59,860
  • Tough looks and incredible performance
  • Snappy DCT 'box

The M3’s bumpers are almost as complicated looking as an F1 car’s wing, with multiple intersecting parts, vents and scoops. It means the F80 isn’t as clean or as elegant as previous versions of the M3, but it certainly looks mean and purposeful.

A lot of that aggression comes from the M3’s flared arches, which are more significant than those of its coupe alternative, the M4. Both the M3 and M4 share the same suspension and track width, however the standard 3-series is narrower than the basic 4-series and so the saloon’s arches have been stretched even further to cover the wider M-car track.

Coupled with a low, nose down stance and a set of aerodynamically shaped mirrors the F80 looks appropriately tough and sporty, just like an M-car should.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Differentiating the facelifted, 2018 model-year car from earlier versions of the F80 M3 is a task for dedicated BMW fans. The most obvious changes are limited to the front light clusters that includes LED headlights and light bars for the daytime running lights. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider review – 1035bhp drop-top takes on the Lamborghini Revuelto
Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider
Reviews

Ferrari 849 Testarossa Spider review – 1035bhp drop-top takes on the Lamborghini Revuelto

The 849 Testarossa is the pinnacle of Ferrari's series production cars, and a big step on from the SF90. Is it even better without a roof?
15 Jul 2026
My Audi S8 can’t make me hate it, even if its safety systems are often terrible
Audi S8 – interior
Long term tests

My Audi S8 can’t make me hate it, even if its safety systems are often terrible

ADAS systems can be the bane of one’s existence in modern cars, but they can’t take the decadent shine off our long-term limo
16 Jul 2026
This mystery Porsche 911 GT3 has something no GT product has had before
Porsche 911 GT3 Ducktail spies
News

This mystery Porsche 911 GT3 has something no GT product has had before

An unusually undisguised Porsche test mule has been spotted out on the Nürburgring, giving a 911 GT3 a fixed ducktail wing
13 Jul 2026