The F80 BMW M3 has officially hit its ten-year mark, a milestone that solidifies its place in BMW’s M lineage. When it debuted in 2014, it was met with both excitement and controversy. The switch from a high-revving naturally aspirated V8 to a turbocharged inline-six felt like a seismic shift for purists, and its sharper, more aggressive nature sparked debates about whether it had lost the soul of its predecessors. But now, ten years later, the conversation has changed. The F80 is no longer the new kid on the block—it’s becoming a modern classic, and its reputation is starting to settle into place. I got my hands on a 2018 BMW M3 Competition. While its not literally 10 years old, this chassis is. Let’s see how it holds up considering it was one of the most hyped BMW M models releases when the F80 launched back in 2014.

The F80 in 2024: A True Performance Bargain?

A decade after its launch, the F80 has found itself in an interesting position within the used performance car market. Used prices have begun to stabilize, making it one of the most accessible M3s on the market relative to its performance capabilities. With depreciation hitting the lowest point in its history, the F80 is now positioned as one of the best values in the used sports sedan world, full stop. With good examples falling into the high $30k mark and averages in the high $40k range, this may be the lowest these cars ever get.

For the money, few cars offer what the F80 does: a turbocharged inline-six producing over 425 hp, a well-balanced chassis, and a level of tuning potential that makes it an aftermarket dream. The once-controversial S55 engine has proven itself to be an incredibly tunable platform, with simple modifications pushing it well past 500 horsepower. While some feared turbocharging would remove the rawness of the M3, it instead created an M car with explosive power delivery and massive tuning potential, something that has aged with enthusiasts better than expected. While there are other options on the mark, none of them have the pedigree of the BMW M badge while it still meant something. Modern M moderns feel more like a marketing stunt than a showcase of engineering prowess. Looking at you BMW XM, whatever the hell that is.

Has the F80 Aged Well?

From a design standpoint, the F80 M3 still holds its own in 2024. It remains aggressive, well-proportioned, and unmistakably BMW. Many argue that it has aged better than the F82 M4, thanks to its flared fenders and four-door practicality. In the wake of the massive kidney grilles introduced on the G80 M3, the F80’s styling now feels almost restrained—a well-balanced blend of aggression and refinement. I’d argue the current BMW design language has cemented this as the last truly handsome car. The G80 and newer body styles aim for pure aggression and the understated M lines are now falling off. To me, an M car rolls by it shouldn’t turn the head of the average person, but break the neck on an enthusiast. While the F80 was labeled as too aggressive when it was new, its seem much more subtle now than when new. Keep in mind, I of course mean on its own, compared to the F30 chassis its based on, its extremely aggressive.

Inside, things are a bit more mixed. The F80 came at a time when BMW was transitioning from a more driver-focused cockpit to a tech-driven interior, meaning it still has physical buttons, analog gauges, and a layout that feels simple yet functional. However, compared to modern luxury sedans, the cabin is beginning to show its age. The iDrive system is useful but outdated, the materials, while solid, aren’t as premium as newer BMWs, and compared to the digital-heavy interiors of today’s M cars, the F80 is starting to feel a bit dated. A well-equipped model still has plenty to offer, but unfortunately for the die-hard BMW fans, it has more in common with my new Kia Telluride inside than a new M5. And rightfully so, it’s a 10-year old design.

The problem is that if you aren’t at the cutting edge of the future, you are in the past. There is new and there is the rest. M3 pricing is reflecting that and as long as you don’t need to be in the pinnacle of M car, settling for the remaining 99% results in a huge price drop. That said, for enthusiasts, this might be a good thing. The lack of over-complicated screens and touch-sensitive controls means the F80 is still a driver’s car. It feels connected in a way that new M cars struggle to replicate, maintaining a level of rawness that newer models have softened, while still providing modern comforts like Apple Carplay and HUD displays.

Reliability and Ownership in 2024

Ten years in, the F80 has developed a reputation for being both durable and finicky, depending on how well it’s been maintained. The infamous crank hub issue remains the most well-documented weak point, with some owners opting for preventative upgrades to avoid potential engine failure, but what M3 doesn’t have a looming major engine issue. The DCT transmission, while incredibly fast, can be expensive to service, and manual transmission models are becoming increasingly rare, which is disappointing. The only real issue all drivers seem to have its that the F80 eats tires like its its job. Coming from the factory with an aggressive alignment and an engine tune that seems to ask to be driven like its stolen is a bad combo for owners. While its a problem worth mentioning, being mad at BMW for making a car exciting to driving is like eating at McDonald’s every day and being mad when you put on weight. It’s just what it does.

Aside from these key issues, the F80 has proven to be a generally reliable performance car, provided it’s maintained properly. Unlike earlier M3s, it doesn’t suffer from excessive rod bearing failures, torn subframes, and self-destructing VANOS solenoids. At least so far. The S55 engine, while complex, has held up well over time. If it had a jersey, it would almost certainly be hung up in the rafters at BMW headquarters along with the other hall-of-fame engines. The real question now is whether the F80 will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors and become a future classic.

The Future of the F80: Collectible or Just Another Used M Car?

For years, the E46 and E9X M3s were considered the ultimate enthusiast M cars, while the F80 was the “new turbocharged” model that didn’t quite fit in. But as time passes, perspective shifts. The F80 is now seen as the last M3 with a fully dedicated chassis, before BMW moved to the G80’s shared CLAR platform. It’s also the last M3 with no massive kidney grilles and one of the most aggressively tuned four-door M cars ever made.

As a result, Competition Package models and well-maintained low-mileage examples are already starting to creep up in value. The CS version, which was released in limited numbers, is already being viewed as a future collector’s item. That doesn’t mean every F80 will skyrocket in price overnight, but history suggests that clean, well-kept models will become more desirable in the coming years. The key for buyers today is finding one that hasn’t been over-modified or abused—a task that is becoming more difficult as these cars pass through multiple owners.

Is it Worth the Price of Admission?

A decade after its release, the F80 M3 is finally settling into its identity. No longer the controversial new M3, it’s now a well-respected, turbocharged powerhouse with an aggressive personality, serious tuning potential, and an aging process that has only made it more desirable. While it doesn’t have the heritage feeling of older BMW M models, it certainly has the performance to wear the badge proudly. Some even wear The Late Brake badging…

The F80 chassis remains one of the most exciting performance sedans you can buy, and as newer models continue to get bigger, heavier, and more tech-focused, the F80 starts to feel like the last of the “pure” M3s before the modern era took over. For those considering an F80 in 2024, it represents one of the best performance bargains on the used market. A modern “classic” that still has a lot to offer, whether as a daily driver, a track build, or a future collector’s piece. With pricing dropping and other M models starting to go haywire, the F80 may be the best bang for your buck M model in the market, at least at the moment. If you have any interest at all, now may be the last chance you have to score a deal before they balloon into the unaffordable realm. Or, maybe I’m wrong and just want to see everyone in an BMW M, you’ll have to find out.