BMW 3 F30 in G20 M-Tech or M3 F80 style: facelift & body kit—what’s included and is it worth it?

The BMW 3 Series F30 (2012–2019) can be updated on the outside in two ways: convert it to the look of the 2023 facelifted G20 in the M-Tech package, or fit a body kit in the style of the BMW M3 F80. The first option means replacing the “face” and rear end to match the new generation with headlights, hood, and fenders; the second is M-style bumpers and side skirts of the same generation, without changing the lights. All kits in the catalog are GBT, bumpers made of composite polypropylene (PP), ready for painting, and designed to mount to factory body points.

Contents

• What options are available for the F30
• How the F30, G20 and M3 F80 differ
• What’s included in converting an F30 to a 2023 G20 M-Tech facelift
• M3 F80-style body kit: three options
• What to check before ordering
• What to choose and whether it’s worth it

What options are available for the F30

All options are collected in the sections F30 facelift conversion kits and F30 body kit sets.

How the F30, G20 and M3 F80 differ

The F30 is the sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series: the sedan was produced from October 2011 to 2019, and the F31 Touring until June 2019. In 2015 the model was updated (LCI): xenon was replaced with LED headlights, the rear lights and engines were changed. The next generation — the G20 — was unveiled in Paris on October 2, 2018, with sales starting in March 2019. The G20 facelift was announced in May 2022 and has been produced since July 2022: new bumpers, headlights with “L-shaped” daytime running lights, a slightly revised grille, and the M Sport bumper received a larger central air intake.

The M3 F80 is the high-performance version of the F30, produced from 2014 to October 2018. It is distinguished by the 3.0-liter inline turbo S55 engine rated at 317 kW, a carbon-fiber roof, and an aluminum hood and front fenders.

It is important to understand the limits of any kit: the platform, roof, doors, glass, and interior remain from the F30. That is why a G20-styled car is still recognizable in profile as an F30, and an F30 with an F80 body kit is not a real M3: the original F80 is wider, and its parts are not interchangeable with F30 kits.

What’s included in converting an F30 to a 2023 G20 M-Tech facelift

On the product page for the G20 2023 M-Tech conversion kit, the contents are not itemized. In the configuration photos you can see an M-Tech front bumper with grilles, G20-style front headlights and kidney grilles, the hood and front fenders, side skirts, a rear bumper with diffuser and exhaust trim pieces, rear lights, brackets, and mounting hardware. Please confirm the exact list of parts with the manager before ordering.

This is a full body conversion: the old hood, fenders, bumpers, and lighting are removed; the new parts are test-fitted, panel gaps are set, painted to match the body, and only then assembled. The “before/after” photos show an F30 sedan; there is no trunk lid in the configuration photos, meaning it most likely remains the factory one — this is also worth confirming with the manager.

M3 F80-style body kit: three options

If you are happy with the headlights and hood but want a more aggressive “M” look, it is easier to choose an M3 F80-style body kit. It does not change the generation, but it makes the front and rear resemble the M3 of the same body. The options differ by contents:

• Basic — front and rear bumpers and side skirts.
• With fenders — the same plus two F80 M3-style front fenders: the front end looks more cohesive, but there is more work involved.
• For fog lights — a front bumper with provisions for fog lights, a rear bumper, and side skirts.

The bumpers for all three are made of composite polypropylene (PP), ready for painting.

What to check before ordering

• Body. The kits are designed for the F30/F31 2012–2019. The Gran Turismo F34 is a different body with a longer wheelbase, and most F30 bumpers will not fit it. For the F31 Touring, also verify the rear end separately: the F30 sedan tail lights do not fit the wagon.
• Lighting. Headlight connectors before and after the 2015 facelift, as well as for halogen, xenon, and LED, may differ. Send the manager a photo of the factory connector; after replacing the headlights, coding may be required — that is work for an auto electrician.
• Sensors and camera. Check parking sensors and cameras: the holes in the new bumpers are verified before painting.
• Car photos. If the car has already been modified, the front and rear bumpers may be from different trims — take photos of both.
• Painting. All parts arrive ready for painting, so budget for prep, paint, and adjusting panel gaps.

You can have the kit installed at the network of certified DD Tuning service centers — the manager will point you to the nearest one.

What to choose and whether it’s worth it

Conversion to G20 is worth considering if your F30 is in good mechanical condition, you are satisfied with the engine and interior, and what bothers you is the dated look — or if, after an accident, you need a new bumper, headlights, or hood anyway. This is the largest amount of work, and the result reads best from the front and rear angles.

An F80 M3-style body kit is the more sensible choice if you want a sporty look without touching the lights and hood: there is less work, and the car remains cohesive within its own generation. The option with fenders is closer to the original M3 from the front.

It is not worth it to modify an F30 if your goal is the drivetrain and interior of the new generation: then it is more honest to look at a real G20 (our review of the BMW 3 G20/G21) or the new BMW 3 Series G50. We covered the same “across generations” approach for the 5 Series as well — in the article about converting the BMW 5 F10 to the style of the G30 or G60. The rest of the parts for this body are on the BMW 3 F30 tuning page.

Illustrations for the article are generated and are not photos of a specific vehicle.

We ship via Nova Poshta throughout Ukraine.