New here. 08 e93

[gsxrliterbikz]

Hi

I've been around BMW's for quite sometime. Always had older model cars though. Typically stayed with the Ibus generation cars.
I've had my 01 740 il for the longest, about 6 years. Currently have 2 e38's and an e53 4.4 v8.
Always wanted an m3 and finally had the circumstances to go pick one up. Plan was to find a clean low mile example e46 6 speed vert.
After a couple months looking for the right car I came to the conclusion that it was gonna cost me between 20-24k for an 04-06. Seemed a bit steep to me for a 3 gen old body style.
So I started looking at e93's. Pricing on them really isn't that much more and there seems to be fewer major issues to look out for.
So last week I pulled the trigger on this one.







It's a 1 owner car from Warwick RI. Bought it from the dealer. Never thought I'd actually buy a newer gen. BMW. But these don't look that intimadating to DIY.
And since its a fairly low mile car (53k), I shouldn't have to worry about much.
Just going to start with fluid changes. Might switch over to Evans coolant, having the oil tested and putting 10-60 back in it. I'm sure the dealer just tossed 5-30 in it.
Not much for options. Just idrive (ccc) and comfort access. I would assume everything else is pretty standared.
First up on the mod list is the exhaust mod and then a possible cic retrofit.

Hope to stick around for quite a while. Thanks for the great site too. Already found a bunch of helpful info.

[mercedesc63]

What price did u pay?

[Z K]

I'm pretty sure the dealer would use 10w60 on the car, especially if it is a BMW dealer.

Given it has 50k mile free servicing, I wouldn't worry about it being anything else as all the services are done by the dealer.

[ArthurL]

Congrats on the car, I just picked up an E93 M3 as well. Enjoy!

[burtonsbs5114]

Congrats on the new car!!! You're going to love it!!!

[Mvy]

Congrats and welcome to the E93 club. Id start by replacing your rod bearings (you can see how bad mine were in the rod bearing threads at 47k miles). Id do that before any exhaust mods and then you will be good to go. Have fun with your new toy!

[BimmerRookie]

Originally Posted by Mvy

Congrats and welcome to the E93 club. Id start by replacing your rod bearings (you can see how bad mine were in the rod bearing threads at 47k miles). Id do that before any exhaust mods and then you will be good to go. Have fun with your new toy!

Oil analysis first?

[gsxrliterbikz]

Originally Posted by Z K

I'm pretty sure the dealer would use 10w60 on the car, especially if it is a BMW dealer.

Given it has 50k mile free servicing, I wouldn't worry about it being anything else as all the services are done by the dealer.

Well, when I asked the dealer what it required, their reply.....5-30. They said only the older M's required the 10-60. So I'm gonna say it's safe to assume it doesn't have 10-60 in it.
Anyway, it'll be a good bonding time and give me the opportunity to get some oil for a sample.

[gsxrliterbikz]

Originally Posted by ArthurL

Congrats on the car, I just picked up an E93 M3 as well. Enjoy!

Thanks. Saw your thread earlier. Nice looking car. Can't wait to drop the top and go for a cruise.

Originally Posted by burtonsbs5114

Congrats on the new car!!! You're going to love it!!!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Mvy

Congrats and welcome to the E93 club. Id start by replacing your rod bearings (you can see how bad mine were in the rod bearing threads at 47k miles). Id do that before any exhaust mods and then you will be good to go. Have fun with your new toy!

Yea, rod bearings won't be my first DIY
I'm going to send the oil out for testing and go from there. From what I've read the 08's use a lead bearing that doesn't have the sudden failure like the later ones do. Supposedly when they go, it's more gradual.
But ya never know. Hopefully I can get an extra garage bay added and lift installed before I need to worry about that.

[Mvy]

I have an 08e93. Trust me that you are probably in need of new rod bearings and that sounds/ oil analysis is not a good way to tell for sure. Many rod bearing failures are sudden. You should read up on the topic and take to a good Indy shop to do the work. what's another 2 grand to save your motor now that you just got it and don't know how it was treated by the previous owners?. Just my 2 cents.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by Mvy

Congrats and welcome to the E93 club. Id start by replacing your rod bearings (you can see how bad mine were in the rod bearing threads at 47k miles). Id do that before any exhaust mods and then you will be good to go. Have fun with your new toy!

Sorry man, this is ridiculous advice.

[gsxrliterbikz]

Well, don't really need this to become a replace/not replace bearing thread. Plenty of those.
Sufficed to say, when the time comes, I'll do it myself.
I will continue to research the topic as well as monitor the car itself. I do know the history of the car and I can say, without a doubt, she was babied most of her life.
But regardless, she's in good hands now.

[mxa121]

Very nice car, congratulations and welcome!
Let me apologize for my fellow members for polluting your thread with rod bearing hysteria. It sounds like you know what you are doing. Enjoy the ride!

[Z K]

Originally Posted by gsxrliterbikz

Well, when I asked the dealer what it required, their reply.....5-30. They said only the older M's required the 10-60. So I'm gonna say it's safe to assume it doesn't have 10-60 in it.
Anyway, it'll be a good bonding time and give me the opportunity to get some oil for a sample.

You should check the service records, not what the salesman says. Most of them don't know anything.

Once you pop the hood, it says Castrol TWS required right under the hood. I don't think the BMW service department is authorized to put in anything else.

That said, 10w60 is not necessarily the best oil for the car in terms of bearing wear. 0w40 is a good alternative.

[Mvy]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Sorry man, this is ridiculous advice.

Like I said, just my 2 cents to the new guy. We know how you feel about the bearing issue Kurgan, but I have had this issue along with a lot of other folks on the forum. Its fully understandable why I would advise this and why its far from ridiculous to suggest such a proactive thing on a car the guy wants to keep for a while.

I don't know how many of those commenting bought an M3 after 50k miles used and don't know the history of usage vs folks who bought newer. For those of us who bought used multi owner m3 and took the plunge to do proactive bearing changes as a maintenance item, its piece of mind. And his dealer isnt even using the right oil so who knows. So as to not highjack this congrats on your new car what should I do thread into a black hole, lets leave it at that.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachm...7&d=1416440612

[SilentAttack]

Every thread is about bearings now. Am I the only owner that doesn't worry about them?

[VMRWheels]

Welcome and congrats! Car looks good

[gsxrliterbikz]

Originally Posted by Z K

You should check the service records, not what the salesman says. Most of them don't know anything.

Once you pop the hood, it says Castrol TWS required right under the hood. I don't think the BMW service department is authorized to put in anything else.

That said, 10w60 is not necessarily the best oil for the car in terms of bearing wear. 0w40 is a good alternative.

That's how I feel. I had the sales guy pul the records from the service dept before I even got there to look at it.
Only things I saw were an issue with the convertable tops headliner that was fixed back at 20k. There was a dme update in 2010 at 40k along with new brakes, front and rear. Other than that the records were pretty scarce. Just oil changes and the recommended SI 1 and 2.

Still have some reading up on oils, but for now, I'll stick with the tws. Although it would be nice to use the same oil as my other cars. Everything else gets Castrol 0-30 (or 40 if it's all I can find) euro spec.

[STooK]

Congrats on your purchase! Changing the fluids should be good enough for now and you won't regret getting the exhaust mod! I got mine done a few weeks ago and it was the best money spent on any mod so far.

You will find that people are fairly split on the bearing issue. Some believe it's a non issue that's blown up on the forums, some believe it's going to go sooner or later. I think you should definitely keep it in the back of your mind and do your own research and decide whether you should change them in the future or not especially if you don't have any warranty. Anyway, enjoy the car in good health!

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by Mvy

Like I said, just my 2 cents to the new guy. We know how you feel about the bearing issue Kurgan, but I have had this issue along with a lot of other folks on the forum. Its fully understandable why I would advise this and why its far from ridiculous to suggest such a proactive thing on a car the guy wants to keep for a while.

I don't know how many of those commenting bought an M3 after 50k miles used and don't know the history of usage vs folks who bought newer. For those of us who bought used multi owner m3 and took the plunge to do proactive bearing changes as a maintenance item, its piece of mind. And his dealer isnt even using the right oil so who knows. So as to not highjack this congrats on your new car what should I do thread into a black hole, lets leave it at that.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachm...7&d=1416440612" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.m3post.co...1416440612</a>

So I guess you recommend a rod bearing replacement to everyone no matter mileage, oil analysis, etc. ? Buy an M3 and post on this forum - better get those bearings done ASAP huh?

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

Every thread is about bearings now. Am I the only owner that doesn't worry about them?

Nope. And it's getting pretty tiring.

[WWM3]

Congrats on the new whip OP. Sounds like you have a good game plan. Enjoy in good health!