F80 2018 BMW M3 CS FAQs

f80 2018 bmw m3cs smb san marino blue lrg lime rock grey

F80 2018 BMW M3 CS Specifications

Although there isn’t any official BMW documentation of EVERY change that was made to develop the F80 2018 M3 CS trim, here are the specifications I could find that differentiates the M3 CS versus M3 competition package and the M3 base model.  The original BMW USA press release from 2017 was helpful in gaining the majority of changes to the F80 M3 CS.  The rest of the information was gathered through various YouTube channels, forums, and the Facebook CS owner’s group page.

Key F80 BMW M3 CS highlights

  • 1,263 produced worldwide (607 imported into the USA)
  • Upgraded power to 453hp @ 6250 rpm & 444lb/tq at 4000 rpm
  • 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and an increased top speed of 174mph
  • Weight reduction to 3,494lbs
  • Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) hood, CS specific CFRP front lip, and CS specific CFRP gurney flap wing
  • Factory standard option carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) rear lower diffuser
  • Magnesium oil pan & increased engine oil capacity of an extra 1/2 liter of oil
  • Forged Orbit Grey “763m” 19×9 front and 20×10 rear wheels
  • Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires (Michelin Pilot Super Sports for USA)
  • “Base model” F80 M3 springs from BMWs “parts bin” to create the CS’s unique suspension setup
  • A “Base model” M3 front sway bar and a M3 Competition Package rear sway bar also from BMW’s “parts bin” to create the CS’s unique suspension setup
  • Lightweight double-joint spring strut axle and at the front and a five-link axle at the rear (links and wheel carriers are made of forged aluminum)
  • CS specific exhaust
  • CS specific ECU tune for engine, steering, differential, dampening, and transmission
  • CS specific two-tone Silverstone and Black Merino extended leather interior with deviated colored stitching
  • CS specific lightened Alcantara covered center console
  • CS specific Alcantara dash accents & Alcantara steering wheel
  • CS specific door sills that read “M3cs”
  • CS specific shadow line rear tail lights
  • Deactivated artificial active exhaust sound
  • Single-zone HVAC system paired with a smaller A/C compressor unit for weight savings
  • Carbon fiber driveshaft which was not available in any other trim that year
  • Comfort access delete
  • Red colored start/stop ignition switch button
  • A one day BMW Performance driving school voucher included
  • Exterior colors available in San Marino Blue, Alpine White, Black Sapphire Metallic and CS only Lime Rock Grey or Frozen Dark Blue II
  • Outside of M-Performance options, the only 2 factory options you could get on the CS was the Executive Package (power rear sunshades, manual rear window shades, park distance control, Adaptive full LED lights, automatic high beams and head-up display) and carbon ceramic brakes

 

 

Additional Breakdown of Key F80 M3 CS Differences

This is a great YouTube video from GGC BMW CCA that explains some of the key differences between M3 CS and the other M3 trims.

A notable key difference in the video is how the power band has changed in the M3 CS.  According to the video, the M3 CS produces less torque on the lower end of the power band to produce more of a linear power curve compared to the base model and the competition package.  At the same time, it saw an increase of 35 horsepower in the mid-range, despite only producing 9 additional hp at its peak over the competition package.

 

 

How many F80 M3 CS’s were made

 

m3cs color and production numbers

 

 

 

Some key production numbers from BMWregistry.com via Bimmerpost forum thread were that 1,263 M3cs’s were produced worldwide, with the bulk of the production in the amount of 607 units were brought to the United States.

F80 M3 CS Color Breakdown

m3cs color and production numbers

 

According to data above and the original bimmerpost thread, the F80 M3 CS exterior color breakdown for the USA is as follows:

  • 125 units in Alpine White
  • 118 units in Black Sapphire Metallic
  • 209 units in San Marino Blue
  • 92 units in Lime Rock Grey
  • 63 units in Frozen Dark Blue II

Clearly BMW favored San Marino Blue to be the most popular color out of the 5 different options with production numbers almost double of that of the 2nd most popular color which is Alpine White.

 

 

Sidenote

If you have any additional information regarding any proprietary CS differences that I haven’t mentioned here, please contact me.  I’d love to here your feedback.

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