What to be aware of when buying a used E9X M3?

[lmoretti]

Im coming from 2 x 335i low mileage fully tuned cars in automatic. Im now in the market for a e92/e90 m3 in manual only.

The ones I'm finding have roughly 60-75k miles from what I am trying to spend.

What are the telltale signs of trouble? What should I be aware of?

Also, different question, outside of the obvious what are the other differences between e90 and e92? Im aware of the coupe having plastic fenders.

Thanks!

[OneSickM]

Be aware of rod bearings issue.. Higher mileage => Higher risk. If you can do Blackstone report, it would be great for the potential car.

Coupe vs Sedan both are the same with different looks. Coupe comes with carbon fibre roof standard as well as back seat fold. Sedan doesn't have CF roof at all not even an option and back seat fold is an extra option ($$)

Hope that helps

[TomHudson]

Sedan has four doors, no carbon fiber roof and weighs only 20 lbs more....

Sedan is or coupe is your personal choice. I have kids and friends, so the sedan was
no brainer for me...

Otherwise, the cars internal stuff that you worry about are the same.

[lmoretti]

Originally Posted by OneSickM

Be aware of rod bearings issue.. Higher mileage => Higher risk. If you can do Blackstone report, it would be great for the potential car.

Coupe vs Sedan both are the same with different looks. Coupe comes with carbon fibre roof standard as well as back seat fold. Sedan doesn't have CF roof at all not even an option and back seat fold is an extra option ($$)

Hope that helps

Thanks! Forgot about CF roof, If Im not mistaken this gives greater headroom space or Moon roof, correct?

[OneSickM]

Originally Posted by lmoretti

Thanks! Forgot about CF roof, If Im not mistaken this gives greater headroom space or Moon roof, correct?

Yup .. Plus it gives the car better look IMO. I wish sedan came with CF roof as well

[Law]

Sedan and Coupe share the same mechanicals underneath.
The interior differences are pretty much analogous to the interior differences between an E90 and E92 3er.

For the purposes of the M3, lets focus on external differences.

Roof:
Coupe gets standard CF roof or optional moonroof.
Sedan gets standard steel roof or optional moonroof.
Net weight difference between CF roof and steel roof ≈ 11 lbs
Net weight difference between CF roof and steel roof + moonroof ≈ 44 lbs


Front end design is pretty much shared across the board though the side gills of both vehicles are of slightly different designs. Unlike the 3er where the E92 had plastic fenders and E90 had alum. fenders, the E9X M3 has plastic fenders across the board.

Wheelbase is shared at 2761mm

Sedan has slightly wider front track (by 2mm) 1540mm vs the coupe's 1538mm
Rear track is identical at 1539mm

Dimensions:
The coupe has a lower roof line and is longer in length.
The sedan is taller but also wider and shorter in length.
L/W/H E92 4615/1804/1424mm
L/W/H E90 4580/1817/1447mm

[lmoretti]

Originally Posted by Law

Sedan and Coupe share the same mechanicals underneath.
The interior differences are pretty much analogous to the interior differences between an E90 and E92 3er.

For the purposes of the M3, lets focus on external differences.

Roof:
Coupe gets standard CF roof or optional moonroof.
Sedan gets standard steel roof or optional moonroof.
Net weight difference between CF roof and steel roof ≈ 11 lbs
Net weight difference between CF roof and steel roof + moonroof ≈ 44 lbs


Front end design is pretty much shared across the board though the side gills of both vehicles are of slightly different designs. Unlike the 3er where the E92 had plastic fenders and E90 had alum. fenders, the E9X M3 has plastic fenders across the board.

Wheelbase is shared at 2761mm

Sedan has slightly wider front track (by 2mm) 1540mm vs the coupe's 1538mm
Rear track is identical at 1539mm

Dimensions:
The coupe has a lower roof line and is longer in length.
The sedan is taller but also wider and shorter in length.
L/W/H E92 4615/1804/1424mm
L/W/H E90 4580/1817/1447mm

Thank you for outlining. With the e90 being taller does that equate to more headroom? Or is that a dead point when comparing to e92 CF roof? Thanks!

[///M Power-Belgium]

All in only one word ...."Bearings" !

[TomHudson]

You will be hard pressed to find a sedan without the moonroof, so the coupe will have better headroom inside.

The coupe looks fantastic with the carbon fiber roof, but the sedan with the moonroof is a nice option as well.

Track days with the extra headroom would be a plus,depending on how tall you are..

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by TomHudson

You will be hard pressed to find a sedan without the moonroof, so the coupe will have better headroom inside.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1121524

[TomHudson]

Good one! It's just that they're rarer!

That sounds like a great car btw...
🍺

[manari06]

Bearings is the main concern here with either models, but I recommend changing your engine oil every 7500 miles instead of the recommended 15K BMW says. Here's pictures of mine at 34K miles a 2013 E92. Replaced with Vac Motorsport coated and treated ones. Mind I'm also Supercharged. ESS 625

[jaco]

E90's are much harder to find due to how many less they made.

[lmoretti]

Thanks everyone! Still on the hunt!

[lmoretti]

Also, I was only considering a 6 Speed but have found some nice cars in DCT. Is that an issue with the higher mileage cars as well? I was thinking if I save enough on a car I could purchase a 3rd party warranty to cover Engine/Tranny. Not sure if they offer on the M but when I bought both my 335i they pushed them on me like crazy even got tons of letters in the mail! lol

[SteveInfante]

Sub'd

I'm currently also searching for my first E9x M and this is helpful. How does one go about getting a more detailed history on the car. I have found lots that have no maintenance history in the CarFax records. What about the cars that weren't serviced at BMW dealerships? I am guessing that it's a toss up for those ones.

[Blindside_137]

So whats the general consensus on tackling the rod bearing issue?

Everyone is mentioning it as a potential problem, but what do you recommend?

I looked at the EAS thread and it looks like a minimum 3 day overhaul that costs upwards of 2k. If the M3 you are looking at is low mileage and or CPO I guess its wise to wait it out? Or if your car is not CPO and higher mileage, would it be best to just do the bearing replacement ASAP?

[SteveInfante]

I have talked to a couple of the BMW Master mechanics I know here in Germany and they don't seem to see much of an issue with just changing them out as extra piece of mind. They can't seem to explain it either. The ones that I know and talk to regularly don't work at BMW anymore so I don't see why they would have any reason to be dishonest about it. They have told me a bunch of times that if it bothers me that much to just have it done or do it myself. They did tell me that if you have it done to get the ARP bolts because it takes half the time to use those for the install as you don't have to tighten and loosen them to torque correctly as is the procedure for the stock stretch bolts. Might save you some labor costs. They also told me to use either the updated stock bearings or the coated ones. Your choice. I plan on tackling it myself once I have the parts and information gathered and of course after I find a car to do it to. Doesn't bother me. Hope this helps.