The G80 M3: The Grille & the Looks
No part of the current M3 gets talked about more than its front end. The big vertical kidney grille split opinion the moment it landed — and it's the one thing every prospective G80 owner has a view on. Here's the design debate argued fairly, how owners live with it, the ways to change the look, and what it all means at resale.
Reader-supported. Some links in the "change the look" section are affiliate links we may earn from — at no extra cost to you. Styling is personal; we only point to popular, reversible options.
When BMW gave the G80 its tall twin-kidney grille, the reaction was instant and loud. Some saw it as bold and unmistakable; others wished it were subtler. Years on, the conversation has softened — but it's still the defining talking point of the car. The good news: it's purely a matter of taste, the looks have grown on a lot of people, and there are easy, reversible ways to make the car your own. None of it touches how brilliantly the G80 drives.
The Design Debate
Both sides, fairly put — then make up your own mind.
- Unmistakable presence — you'll never confuse it for anything else on the road.
- A nod to heritage — BMW points to large kidney grilles on classic models of the past.
- Function too — the bigger opening feeds air to a hot, high-output engine.
- It grows on you — many owners who hesitated say it looks right in person and over time.
- Divisive proportions — the vertical grille dominates the front for critics.
- A big change — a sharp departure from the restrained F80 face.
- Photos vs metal — some feel it photographs worse than it looks in person.
- Colour-sensitive — it reads very differently depending on paint and finish.
There's no right answer — it's entirely subjective. The most useful advice we can give: see one in person, in a colour you'd actually buy, before you decide. Many buyers who disliked it in photos came away won over, and plenty who loved it online felt the same in the metal. Either way, the rest of the car more than earns the look.
It doesn't change the drive
Whatever you think of the face, the G80 is one of the great modern M cars to drive — and the S58 underneath has no signature fault to worry about. The grille is a styling preference, not a reason to avoid a superb car. See the S58 reliability guide.
Living With It
What owners actually report.
The most common owner story is simple: the grille that gave them pause before buying stops registering within weeks. You sit behind it, not in front of it, and the way the car drives quickly takes over. Colour and finish make a real difference too — darker paint, gloss-black trim and the right wheels can dramatically calm the front end, while bright colours emphasise it. If you're on the fence, that's encouraging: the look is far easier to live with — and to tweak — than the online debate suggests.
Ways to Change the Look
Reversible tweaks that soften or sharpen the front end.
The Looks & Resale
Does the styling actually hurt values?
Despite the noise, the G80 has sold strongly and remains in healthy demand — the performance and reputation carry it well beyond the grille debate. A few sensible points for buyers and sellers: colour matters (popular, flattering finishes are easier to sell), reversible mods are safer than permanent ones for resale, and the rarer specs — the manual base car especially — enjoy loyal enthusiast demand. In short, the look hasn't stopped people buying; if anything, the car's ability has comfortably outweighed it. Check the specifics with our buyer's guide.
FAQ
Is the G80 grille really that controversial?
It was very divisive at launch and remains the car's biggest talking point, but the reaction has softened over time. It's purely a matter of taste — many buyers who disliked it in photos were won over seeing one in person.
Does the grille look better in person?
A lot of owners say yes — it photographs more dramatically than it appears in the metal, and colour and finish change it significantly. Seeing one in a colour you'd actually buy is the best way to judge.
How can I make the grille less prominent?
The easiest, reversible tweaks are blacking out the bright surround with gloss-black trim, a wrap or accent pieces, and choosing darker paint with the right wheels. All are undoable, so they don't hurt resale.
Does the styling hurt resale value?
Not meaningfully — the G80 has sold well and stays in demand thanks to its performance and reputation. Popular colours and reversible (rather than permanent) mods are the safest choices for resale, and rarer specs like the manual hold loyal demand.
Should the look put me off buying one?
Only you can decide on taste — but the grille is a styling preference, not a flaw. The car drives brilliantly and the S58 has no signature fault, so don't let the front end alone steer you away from a great M car.
The Bottom Line
The G80's face is the most talked-about thing about it — and it's entirely a matter of taste. See one in person before you judge, know that the look grows on most owners, and remember the easy, reversible tweaks (black trim, wrap, PPF, wheels) that make the car yours without hurting resale. None of it changes the fact that this is a superb M car with a bulletproof reputation. Check a specific car with the buyer's guide, and head back to the G80 hub.