BMW ends F80 M3 production early due to WLTP rules
Production of the F80-generation BMW M3 will finish in May 2018 for Europe and in October for Australia, as stricter emissions standards prompt the model’s early exit.
BMW will halt production of the F80-generation M3 saloon in May 2018 for Europe, citing the introduction of the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) emissions standard. Australian production will continue until October 2018, according to BMW Group Australia.
The move comes as BMW’s M Division decided not to re-engineer the M3 for compliance with the new WLTP standard, which requires a petrol particulate filter (PPF) on all petrol engines from June 2018 in Europe. Retrofitting the PPF would have required substantial changes to the exhaust and powertrain packaging. Instead, BMW chose to bring forward the end of the F80 M3’s run, which had originally been expected to continue into the second half of 2018.
The F80 M3’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine would have needed the PPF to meet the stricter nitrogen oxide limits under WLTP. While the M4 coupe and convertible, which share the same engine, will continue in production for several months longer, those cars are being updated with the required emissions equipment. The M3’s four-door body style will not receive the same update, so its European production ends first.
Australia gets extra months of M3 supply
The Australian market will see M3 production continue until October 2018, as local emissions regulations do not yet require the PPF. BMW Group Australia confirmed that cars built for Australia will maintain the existing exhaust system and will not receive the particulate filter before the end of production. Local showrooms will have stock into the end of 2018 and early 2019.
From November 2017, all M3s and M4s switched from a carbon fibre driveshaft to a steel unit in preparation for the eventual fitment of the PPF. Australian cars will use the steel driveshaft but will not receive the filter. The limited-run M3 CS, due in Australia from the third quarter of 2018, retains the carbon driveshaft and will not be fitted with the PPF either.
M4 production continues with emissions update
The mechanically related M4 coupe and convertible will remain in production beyond the M3 saloon’s end, with the necessary emissions updates to meet WLTP. These models will receive the PPF and continue to be available in Europe and Australia until the arrival of the next-generation models, which are expected from 2020. The M3’s early exit leaves the M4 as the sole M Division offering in this segment until the new G80-generation M3 arrives.
What it means for buyers and the used market
With the F80 M3 leaving production ahead of schedule, buyers in Europe face a shorter window to secure new cars. Australian buyers have a few more months before the final cars reach showrooms. The gap until the next M3, expected on the G20 3 Series platform from 2020, could increase demand for late F80 models on the used market. The special-edition M3 CS will be even rarer, with only 1,200 units produced globally.
The F80 M3’s early retirement is the latest in a run of high-performance models forced to adapt or exit as emissions rules tighten. For more on how manufacturers are handling these changes, seeBMW confirms production 5 Series Hybrid, 3 Series to follow.
