BMW M3 CS (G80) Handschalter walkaround: S58 and xDrive

BMW M3: mechanical breakdown

A 144-second CS walkaround

A 144-second walkaround of the M3 CS, titled as the Handschalter. The sheet lists the CS as a lightweight limited model with M xDrive, rated at 543 hp and 650 Nm from the S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six.

Sedan chassis, drivetrain by variant

Touring bodywork belongs to the G81 generation, which brought the first factory M3 wagon. The G80 is the sedan, and its drivetrain depends on the variant. The base car is RWD with the 6-speed manual, rated at 473 hp and 550 Nm from the S58. The Competition steps up to 503 hp and 650 Nm and takes the 8-speed M Steptronic automatic, with a choice of RWD or M xDrive. The CS sits above both at 543 hp, is built as a lightweight limited model, and comes with M xDrive. So a CS is the only G80 here whose power goes through all four wheels as standard, and the 650 Nm it shares with the Competition is delivered through that system.

ECU tunes and exhausts on the S58

Owners of the S58 start with an ECU tune. The sheet credits it with large power and torque gains from the twin-turbo six. The cost is warranty risk and more stress on the driveline, which has to carry the extra output. An aftermarket exhaust is the other common change. It makes the car louder and gives the note more character, and in return it can drone and may run into noise regulations. Neither item is tied to the CS in particular; both apply to any G80 with the 2993 cc engine.