NEW TO THE M3 world...

[H E R A]

hello recently sold my STI.. and finally im ready to move on ... Im really interested in buying an M3 .. what should i be aware of ? is the transmission strong? what are the common problems with the M3.. ? please help me out any tip would be helpful... thank you. Im looking to buy M3 year 08+.

[mike33176]

I know why you are asking, I blew 2-2nd gears in my WRX. The second one was a cryo gear and it still didn't help. I had a custom tune, larger turbo, etc... That is the weakest part of that car. The Tranny in the M3, 6 speed or DCT, will handle anything you can throw at it. There are supercharged cars from ESS, Active, Gintani, etc that have over 600HP with no need for clutch upgrades. My biggest complaint is that a $70k car shouldn't have as many rattles as it does. Besides that, this is the best car I've ever owned, get one!

[GIdriver]

Originally Posted by H E R A

hello recently sold my STI.. and finally im ready to move on ... Im really interested in buying an M3 .. what should i be aware of ? is the transmission strong? what are the common problems with the M3.. ? please help me out any tip would be helpful... thank you. Im looking to buy M3 year 08+.

The E9x M3 is a solid car, IMHO. Other than the DCT lag issue on earlier models, no major problems that I can recall at this moment, and that is easily solved with programming the car at the dealer. You should do your research. I'm sure you will love it.

[Giggs]

Originally Posted by H E R A

hello recently sold my STI.. and finally im ready to move on ... Im really interested in buying an M3 .. what should i be aware of ? is the transmission strong? what are the common problems with the M3.. ? please help me out any tip would be helpful... thank you. Im looking to buy M3 year 08+.

Its a solid car and welcome to our world! Not everyone here is a jerk, just ignore snide comments.

Regarding your question, there are a couple of great threads on here regarding high mileage M3s. So far these cars are solid with no major issues. It seems that even the high mileage cars are holding strong with very few issues. The biggest issue with this car is the mod bug versus your bank account

[positiveions]

common problem: I don't drive it as much...But when I do, I make sure it is driven hard.

[mpower4life]

Very solid Chassis. Another reason its in a different class than the STI

[Nine]

Ownership is a lot more expensive, I'm an ex-sti owner. You are def moving up two tiers by purchasing an M3.

[adc]

Some people, like me, have had tranny problems (stuck in gear). But these are very infrequent faults, just a couple recorded here perhaps, and each time BMW has owned up no questions.

Other than that, knock on wood...

[AbuArije5]

I thought I commented on this thread before

[H E R A]

Thanks !

[eksigned]

Originally Posted by mike33176

I know why you are asking, I blew 2-2nd gears in my WRX. The second one was a cryo gear and it still didn't help. I had a custom tune, larger turbo, etc... That is the weakest part of that car. The Tranny in the M3, 6 speed or DCT, will handle anything you can throw at it. There are supercharged cars from ESS, Active, Gintani, etc that have over 600HP with no need for clutch upgrades. My biggest complaint is that a $70k car shouldn't have as many rattles as it does. Besides that, this is the best car I've ever owned, get one!

That's very good to know! One of the biggest headaches for my current G37 (which I'm in the process of lemon lawing) was the clutch/flywheel/hydraulic assembly. Was honestly planning on getting a 6MT M3, but was turned off by the idea of clutch problems. There's LOTS of information on M3POST, OP. Best of luck! I'm hunting too!!!

[H E R A]

ahhhhhhh

[Mozgov]

Originally Posted by H E R A

Search complete thats my new toy...
43k miles.
AW
FOX RED INT.
- Rear Spoiler - Leather Seats - 8 -Way Power Driver Seat - Passenger seat with Power Adjustable Lumbar Support - Power Locks/Mirrors/Windows - Heated Front Seats -Carbon Leather Trim - Dual Climate Control - Rear Power Shade - Audio Controls on Steering Wheel - AM/FM in-dash single CD player,CD-controller with CD MP3 Playback stereo - On Board Navigation System - Aux Audio Input - Cold Weather Package - Premium Package - Homelink - Technology Package - Privacy Glass - Electronic Damping Control - Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror - Park Distance Control - 19 Wheels - Xenon - Variable intermittent rain sensing wipers.

Not a fan of the hood. Is that vinyl?

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by Mozgov

Not a fan of the hood. Is that vinyl?

+1

[X2Board]

Congrats! Enjoy it in good health!

[Ibracadabra]

Originally Posted by H E R A

Search complete thats my new toy...
43k miles.
AW
FOX RED INT.
- Rear Spoiler - Leather Seats - 8 -Way Power Driver Seat - Passenger seat with Power Adjustable Lumbar Support - Power Locks/Mirrors/Windows - Heated Front Seats -Carbon Leather Trim - Dual Climate Control - Rear Power Shade - Audio Controls on Steering Wheel - AM/FM in-dash single CD player,CD-controller with CD MP3 Playback stereo - On Board Navigation System - Aux Audio Input - Cold Weather Package - Premium Package - Homelink - Technology Package - Privacy Glass - Electronic Damping Control - Electrochromatic Inside Rearview Mirror - Park Distance Control - 19 Wheels - Xenon - Variable intermittent rain sensing wipers.

You may want to take a look at how it was driven by the prior owner:

[Mike van D]

+2 on the hood...not feeling that at all.

Too funny on the posted vid.

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by mike33176

I know why you are asking, I blew 2-2nd gears in my WRX. The second one was a cryo gear and it still didn't help. I had a custom tune, larger turbo, etc... That is the weakest part of that car. The Tranny in the M3, 6 speed or DCT, will handle anything you can throw at it. There are supercharged cars from ESS, Active, Gintani, etc that have over 600HP with no need for clutch upgrades. My biggest complaint is that a $70k car shouldn't have as many rattles as it does. Besides that, this is the best car I've ever owned, get one!

What are these rattles you speak of? My 70k m3 has not one single rattle. My 100k Porsche on the other hand is a whole another story. Rattles, creaks, shimmies throught the entire car. the m3 has one of the most solid quietest interiors of almost any car.

[DivideBYZero]

Originally Posted by KKM3

What are these rattles you speak of? My 70k m3 has not one single rattle. My 100k Porsche on the other hand is a whole another story. Rattles, creaks, shimmies throught the entire car. the m3 has one of the most solid quietest interiors of almost any car.

Nope. They often rattle like a babies toy. Mind did until I had it back in three times to have them all rectified. The E46 M3 interior was solid as stone, the e9x, not so much AT ALL.

[KKM3]

Originally Posted by DivideBYZero

Nope. They often rattle like a babies toy. Mind did until I had it back in three times to have them all rectified. The E46 M3 interior was solid as stone, the e9x, not so much AT ALL.

Well maybe yours has a sunroof? I had an 08 with a sunroof and it rattled a little. My 11 with cf roof is solid as stone. Very quiet and not a single rattle.

[Lorde]

I wouldn't own anything previously owned by someone calling themselves "Prince" nor associated with anyone who goes by "Ronnie" and "Tay-Tay Machine."

That car is a ticking time bomb at best.

[zenderm3]

Originally Posted by positiveions

common problem: I don't drive it as much...But when I do, I make sure it is driven hard.

+1