My automotive journey before purchasing my F80 M3 CS began like many before me. I’m a lifelong car enthusiast since the 1990’s and have owned everything from Hondas, Acuras, Volkswagens, Mercedes, Toyotas, and, of course, BMWs. My roots are the “1990’s Honda tuner scene” and like life in general I’ve grown and evolved into other brands and, as well, explored other types of vehicles. My lifelong car goal was to be able to purchase the most current and advanced sports car brand new, off the lot, and experience it as a new platform in it’s current contemporary moment. Needless to say the F80 M3 CS filled that need and still does today.
How I Ended Up Purchasing the F80 M3 CS
With the introduction of the F80 M3 chassis in 2015 I knew looks and performance wise the then new BMW M3 was something I instantly fell in love with and slowly gravitated towards to eventually purchasing. Fast forward to a few years later to 2018, BMW announced it’s first CS trim of the modern era and I knew with it’s limited production, special unique CS touches, and heavily tuned performance upgrades it was that new “latest and greatest sports car” that fit my ultimate lifelong car ownership goal that I desired. On April 19, 2019 I made it a reality in purchasing one of the last brand new San Marino Blue F80 M3 CS’s available in the USA from Murray BMW in Salt Lake, UT.
Future Plans With My F80 M3 CS
I absolutely think the F80 M3 CS is perfect out the box and needs nothing. The only thing I added was an extensive amount of Xpel paint protection film on the entire front end, the a-pillars, the shadowline b-pillar, door cups, door edges, trunk area, and replaced the OEM rear arch film protection with a custom extended piece to properly protect the rear arches.
Future Track Events
When I initially purchased the car my intentions were to track the car a few times a year which is why I opted for steel brakes over carbon ceramics due to cost of consumables associated with carbon ceramic brakes. I still would like to track the car now that the newness of the car has worn off and probably will in 2024. In order to prepare for this I’d like to upgrade to Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, camber plates, some track worthy brake pads and fluid. That’s it. That’s all it needs, in my opinion. Just drive and enjoy.
Suspension & Wheel Modifications
I’d love to get aftermarket wheels and a set of EDC compatible dampers but I still think looks wise the car is perfect and against the idea based on “pro versus con”. The car bone-stock is problematic getting in and out of driveways due to the lower carbon front lip that cost in excess of ~$3,000. If I lowered the car it would only be an inevitability that I’d replace front lips left to right which is highly cost prohibitive which is why I’m against the idea to begin with. For those reasons it’s hard for me to imagine lowering the car and swapping wheels outside of say purchasing another set of OEM 763M wheels in a different color offering.
BMW M-Performance Exhaust
One modification I’d consider, but not overtly motivated in pursuing, is an OEM M-Performance (MPE) exhaust. I’m currently happy with the OEM CS exhaust, but hearing the MPE exhaust I know it would just add to the visceral experience intended for a sports car like this. There is nothing wrong with the OEM CS exhaust as it sounds great and discernible especially at high RPM’s, but the MPE exhaust would elevate and enhance that experience to another level that I feel is justifiable in price. I think at very least, I likely buy the exhaust before they are eventually discontinued and install at a later date if and when I so choose do so.
Future F80 M3 CS Content
This blog is my journey that I’ve chronicled since owning new that I’d like to share with the world and, as well, help be a resource to fans of the chassis and owners alike.
If there is anything you’d like to point out or add to this site please reach out and contact me. I hope you enjoy.