Why an F8X BMW? This chassis–sold as the 2014-2019 BMW M3 and 2014-2020 BMW M4 in the U.S.–is the ultimate platform for going fast, says BimmerWorld’s Phil Wurz. Autocross? No problem? Tracking? No problem. Drag racing? Yes, it can even do that, too.
It’s why BimmerWorld ba…
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Okay, so maybe I'm not of totally sound mind, but this doesn't sound totally unreasonable:
Obviously, even cheaper models can be had for less if you are comfortable with more miles on the clock.
In reply to Colin Wood :
I also might not be of sound mind but wow that is a lot of car for the money.
The F8X cars are super rad. Basically our 435i, but with every compromise not only solved, but solved with a fairly massive upgrade. The N55 is reliable and torquey, but the turbo is basically a spinning restrictor plate and getting more power out of it has proven difficult. But the S55 has TONS of headspace and it's already underrated as are more BMW turbo engines. And at under $40k they're a steal (although we all know that the buy-in on the BMW is only the first part of the adventure with the wallet).
I loved my f82. Pads, fluids and camber plates and you have a very track capable car. The base is the right place to start if you plan on changing suspension. The EDC suspension is the major upgrade and you'll be tossing it. Most of the CS difference is easy obtained too. Same EDC, different tune. Easy to flash. IIRC they use a different front bar (from the base) that is easy to swap out. If you have a DCT and track it, consider a 1L overfill on the transmission. You won't notice it as a novice, but as you get faster you'll have the shifts slow down and eventually get a trans overtemp warning. 1L overfill solves that for the most part.
The Achellies heel is the seats. They are great seats, but the moment you consider harnesses you find out that they are incompatible. No harness holes. No posts that are compatible with something like a quickfit. Only the f80 has a harness bar. That means getting into harnesses is a very expensive proposition on this car.
If you're worried you're buying someone's track car, look at the brake color. They turn greenish with heat.
I picked up an f80 recently, 6mt, bone stock, but am wondering if I should sell it. The achilles heel, to me, is how it feels in the switchbacks going through the appalachians. Dead steering, little to no feedback. Motor is great, pulls great, super quiet (also a downside to me), brakes solid. But the steering feel might be the pitfall.
$35k if anyone is interested lol, 94k miles and decent carfax history.