2016 BMW M3

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

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What changed

No changes recorded for this year.

What it came with

3.0L twin-turbo inline-six (S55)^1,2,3

425 hp, 406 lb-ft; 444 hp with the Competition package

Transmissions: 6-speed manual^1,2, 7-speed M DCT dual-clutch^1,2
Drivetrains: Rear-wheel drive²
Trims: Sedan^1,2
Packages: Competition package^2,3, Executive Package (2016–2018)^4,5, Lighting Package (2016)⁴, Driver Assistance Plus (2016)⁴

Colors

Alpine White 2016–2018 ^4,5
Mineral White Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Black Sapphire Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Azurite Black Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Mineral Grey Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Silverstone Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Champagne Quartz Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Smoked Topaz Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Austin Yellow Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Tanzanite Blue Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Yas Marina Blue Metallic 2016–2018 ^4,5
Sakhir Orange Metallic 2016 ⁴

Interiors

Black Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Black Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Silverstone Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Silverstone Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Sonoma Beige Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Sonoma Beige Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Sakhir Orange and Black Leather (Full Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Sakhir Orange and Black Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Black with Silverstone stitching Leather (Full Merino), 2016 ⁴
Opal White (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Amaro Brown (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Nutmeg (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Golden Brown (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Cohiba Brown and Black (BMW Individual) Leather (Extended Merino), 2016–2018 ^4,5
Anthracite and Black Carbonstructure Leather and cloth, 2016–2018 ^4,5

Compare with another year

Buy

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Crank hub slipping All years One source so far

What to check: Ask whether an upgraded, pinned or keyed crank hub has been fitted, and how the car was driven and tuned.

On CarComplaints, two owners of 2016 M3s raise it. One reports the crank hub spinning and the engine dying while coasting toward an intersection, at about 20,000 miles; the other calls the hub a ticking time bomb likely to fail just outside the warranty.

Sources ⁶
Rod bearing wear All years One source so far

What to check: Listen for knocking from the bottom of the engine, and ask for proof the bearings were replaced.

Euro Premium Parts calls this critical, at about 40,000 to 80,000 miles and above all on tracked or hard-driven cars, and suggests replacing them at about 50,000 to 60,000.

Sources ⁷
Oil leaks All years One source so far

What to check: Look for oil on the engine block below the oil filter housing, and for oil in the spark plug tubes.

Euro Premium Parts reports the oil filter housing gasket leaking from about 30,000 miles, and the valve cover gasket and plug tube seals from about 40,000.

Sources ⁷
Cracked charge pipes and boost hoses All years One source so far

What to check: Feel for a sudden loss of boost, and look over the plastic pipes and hoses.

Euro Premium Parts dates this from about 20,000 miles, most often on tuned or tracked cars.

Sources ⁷
High-pressure fuel pump All years One source so far

What to check: Feel for rough running, misfires or stalling under load.

Euro Premium Parts says most failures come at about 30,000 to 60,000 miles.

Sources ⁷
Electric water pump and thermostat All years One source so far

What to check: Watch the temperature, and ask for records of their replacement.

Euro Premium Parts dates failures to about 50,000 to 80,000 miles.

Sources ⁷
Driveline vibration All years

What to check: Feel for vibration at highway speed and listen for noise from the differential.

Euro Premium Parts says it usually comes after 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists two driveshaft recalls; see 15V782000 and 18V713000.

Sources ^7,8,9
DCT clutch wear All years One source so far

What to check: Feel for jerking or slow engagement at low speed.

Euro Premium Parts says it comes most often after 60,000 miles.

Sources ⁷

Recalls

15V782000 2015–2016
The driveshaft's slip joint may lack grease and fail, cutting drive to the rear wheels. Dealers inspect the driveshaft and replace it if needed.^8,9
16V653000 2015–2016
Rear subframe bolts reused during differential work can loosen, affecting the handling. Dealers fit new bolts.^8,9
18V713000 2016–2017
The joint between the driveshaft and its flange can fail, so the car loses drive. Dealers replace the driveshaft.⁹

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: The Competition package All years One source so far

Euro Premium Parts calls the Competition the first choice of the F80, with firmer adaptive suspension and revised engine mounts.⁷
Avoid: An early car without service records All years Less sought after One source so far

Euro Premium Parts advises avoiding early cars without a documented service history, and advises against BMW's long oil change intervals.⁷

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.