The G80 BMW 3 series is one of the most anticipated vehicles for enthusiasts to drool over when it comes to performance modifications. It has distinct aggressive frames and a bold powerhouse S58 engine, making it an excellent track-performance car that demands a closer look. As usual, there is nothing wrong with the specs of a BMW, but with stock, you can always make it better, faster, stronger, and fit for your style when it comes to tuning for better driver experience. This blog will tell you the best modifications you can make to give your BMW M3 series an advantage on the road through tuning.
BMW M3 Tuning Under Warranty
As with most BMW makes, your OEM parts are under warranty, and tuning can void that warranty, so it is essential to check and see what modifications fall under that, as any changes made could cause this to happen. The OEM will void your warranty if any aftermarket product could affect your car’s durability. This will be voided even by a simple Remap tune to a more extensive modification. CarBahn has a factory-matching warranty so you can tune your car and rest assured that you will be covered if your car needs warranty work.
The Risks Of Tuning Your BMW M3
Modifying the vehicle or installing any performance accessories or components attached to the vehicle that alters the original engineering and operating specifications or damages other original components, electrical interference, electrical short, radio static, water leaks, or wind noise could have your warranty voided.
In addition, the warranty coverage may be null and void in the following situations:
- If the vehicle identification number has been altered or cannot be read,
- if the odometer has been replaced or altered and the actual mileage cannot be determined, the vehicle has been declared a total loss or sold for salvage
- if the car has been used in any competitive event.
In general terms, the BMW Warranty on a component is void due to modification where the modification, alteration, or installation of an aftermarket part was directly responsible for the failure. Installation of an aftermarket part or accessory does not necessarily void the vehicle warranties. Still, it is best to know the situation and bottom line if it comes to that while tuning your BMW M3.
Making Your BMW M3 Unique
Regarding the BMW M3, there are many different opinions on which modifications are the best to have your vehicle work well. The only thing is the experience of others is excellent, but until you drive and know what you need personally, it could be completely different from the guy racing his M3 on the track or the other guy who commutes to work for 45 minutes. The following tunes are some of the best modifications for increasing the performance of your BMW M3:
Suspension
There is little to be desired regarding the stock suspension of the BMW M3. The front end of the BMW grips well, and there is no need to worry about rolling your car unless you’re taking corners on sport+ mode, but for someone who wants an upgrade, you can always make something great better. Regarding an aftermarket perspective, two things can be improved upon the already reliable suspension: the aesthetics and the responsiveness.
If you’re aiming to upgrade your suspension, you should keep in mind that your new suspension should:
- Lower the center of gravity
- Increase turn response
- Look pleasing to the passing eye
- Maintain EDC (electronic dampening control)
You can take three options for a better suspension for your BMW M3. Each different option requires a full-wheel alignment after installation. The height of your car will take some getting used to:
Coilovers
There are two types of coilover kits. Ones that keep the stock dampers and add a threaded collar to lower the car with an increased spring rate. This type of suspension when used with OEM electric dampers is the best combination for the street. This is because you have a switch that changes the shock stiffness between soft medium or stiff. You can drive the car around town on the softer settings and then go stiff when you get to your favorite road or track. The threaded collars allow you to adjust ride height.
Hydraulic coilovers are a suspension system that includes shocks and springs. They allow you to adjust the ride height and damping to your liking. Coilovers can significantly improve handling by reducing body roll and improving cornering grip. The problem with this type of suspension is the adjustments are external and therefore cannot be done on the fly. So whatever stiffness you have you are stuck with all the time.
Sway Bars
Sway bars, also known as anti-roll bars, are designed to reduce body roll during cornering. They connect the left and right sides of the suspension to reduce roll. This is especially important if you have larger wheels and tires as the extra grip generates more roll. Some bars are solid and some are tubular. In addition some are adjustable and some are not. The tubular bars are lighter and the adjustable bars allow you to tune the understeer oversteer balance of your car.
Strut Braces
Strut braces are designed to reduce chassis flex by connecting the shock towers. This improves steering response and overall stability, especially during hard cornering. In addition, aftermarket strut braces are a beautiful enhancement to your engine bay.
Springs
Upgrading your springs can improve handling and reduce body roll. Lowering springs can also improve the appearance of your BMW M5 by giving it a more aggressive stance.
Bushings And Bearings
Replacing your suspension bushings or bearings with high-performance ones can improve handling and reduce flex, providing more precise steering and better control. The bearing, while more expensive rides better and has better control.
Benefits Of Upgrading Your Air Intake System
Aftermarket air intake systems can significantly improve the performance of your BMW M5. By increasing flow into the intake. This is especially true if you have tuned your car’s software. More boost will require more airflow so a high-performance cold air intake will further enhance your tune.
Beware Of Cold Air Intakes That Are Actually Hot Air Intakes
Your underhood temperature is around 250 degrees F! Average outside air temperature is 77 degrees F. BMW is careful to seal the intake so cold air from the outside of your engine bay reaches your engine’s intake and not not the hot air from under the hood. Many aftermarket intake systems are not sealed and actually reduce performance!
Exhaust
Although the BMW M3 is a performance car, the newer exhausts on the vehicle right off the factory line make you think anything but that. They’re silent, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but if you’re looking for noise or some satisfaction that your exhaust is working through audible noise, an aftermarket upgrade might be for you.
The luxury aspect of the BMW M3 means that it handles as such, and the exhaust is no different, filtering out just about everything and allowing for only the noises that are necessary to come through. Noise and exhaust, that is. And the stock exhaust does that well. But for a performance standing, you could do better. CarBahn exhaust comes in both Stainless steel and titanium. They retain the electronic valve so you can make your car quiet or with a mellow sporty sound. The titanium exhaust reduces weight between 20-35 pounds depending upon the application.
Performance Fit Your Standards
The BMW M3 is an excellent vehicle for modification, but it’s nice, and the potential is easily seen. Tuning this vehicle to have its parts working for optimization depends on the route you want to take with your car. Different tuning kits, parts, and even suggestions affect additional drivers. Regarding the BMW M3, the performance can be improved to help make handling better for everyday driving. Whether using different aftermarket parts or performance parts straight from the BMW source, making these changes is solely up to you.