The G80 M3 CS is the sharpest version of a car that spent its first two years being argued about because of its grille. Underneath the styling debate is arguably the most capable M3 ever built, and the CS strips it back to essentials.

The 3.0-litre twin-turbo S58 straight-six is uprated to 543 hp — 40 more than the Competition — via increased boost pressure and a revised engine mount and cooling package. It's paired exclusively with the eight-speed automatic and M xDrive all-wheel drive, which purists resent and lap times vindicate.

Weight reduction is real rather than cosmetic: a carbon-fibre bonnet, roof, boot lid, front splitter and diffuser, carbon bucket seats, and lightweight forged wheels combine to save around 75 lb over a Competition xDrive. The CS also gets the M4 CSL's engine mounts, a lowered and stiffened suspension with bespoke damper tuning, and — a notable detail — the option of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, which transform it.

Special versions of BMW M cars often just add stripes. The CS earns its badge with a suspension and mass package developed alongside the CSL programme, which is why it laps the Nürburgring several seconds faster than a standard car.

Built in limited numbers, it's the enthusiast's choice within the G80 range, and increasingly the one holding its value.

03 / How to use

Owner's walkthrough

Practical guide for everything a new owner asks on day one — starting the car, finding the gear selector, drive modes, infotainment, driver aids, and easy-to-miss features.

How to start it

Step on the brake and press the START/STOP button on the right of the steering column (not the center console). On models with Digital Key Plus, your phone in your pocket counts as the key.

Where the gear selector is (and how to use it)

Classic BMW joystick on the console — press the side unlock, push forward for R, pull back for D, press the top P button to park.

Drive modes

Drive modes are accessed via the 'M Mode' / Setup button on the center console. Available modes typically include Personal, Sport, Sport+, Efficient, Adaptive, Track. Each mode reshuffles throttle mapping, steering weight, adaptive dampers (if equipped), exhaust valves, and stability-control thresholds. On performance trims, an 'Individual' or 'Custom' slot lets you save your favorite combination so you can recall it with one click instead of nesting through menus.

Cluster & head-up display

The driver display is a 12.3-inch digital cluster. Use the steering-wheel left thumb-pad to cycle layouts (Classic, Sport, Navigation, Minimal). When in Sport / Track mode the cluster automatically swaps to a wide tach with gear indicator and tire-temperature readout. The head-up display brightness, height, and content are configured from Settings → Displays → HUD.

Infotainment & voice control

Infotainment runs on BMW iDrive 8.5 / 9 with curved display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard; pair from Settings → Connections the first time, then it auto-connects whenever your phone is in range. "Hey BMW" wakes the in-car assistant for nav, climate, calls, and messaging without touching the screen. The main display also hosts vehicle-specific apps: tire pressures, performance data recorder (where fitted), drive-mode customizer, and the camera views.

Driver assistance

Standard driver aids include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Toggle each system individually from the driver-assist menu (steering-wheel left-pad → Assistance). Highway-driving assist (hands-off in marked lanes on supported roads), automatic lane-change on indicator tap, traffic-jam assist for stop-and-go, and a 360° surround camera with transparent-hood mode are all available and worth enabling for the first time before driving in heavy traffic.

Fueling

Premium unleaded (91 or 93 octane) is required on BMW performance models — the engine timing is set for it and lower octane causes audible knock and reduced power. Fuel-cap release is a button on the driver door panel; the cap is capless (just push the nozzle in).

Keys & phone-as-key

Beyond the physical key, this car supports BMW Digital Key Plus (iPhone / Apple Watch). Set up phone-as-key from the My BMW app app: it provisions a secure credential to your phone's wallet so a tap on the door handle unlocks the car and placing the phone on the wireless charging pad authorizes ignition. You can also share temporary keys to family members (with optional speed and area limits on performance trims) directly from the app.

First-week tips & easy-to-miss features

A few things every new owner tells us they wish they'd known on day one:

Set up the head-up display brightness and content (speed + nav arrows + assist status) the first day — once it's tuned to you it's the most useful screen in the car.
Download the brand app (My BMW app) and pair it with your VIN before your first long trip — remote climate, charging/fuel-level checks, and remote lock-status save you walking back to the garage in winter.

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