08-09 M3 Engine and DCT Reliability

[Maloney]

For a friend:

"I am currently trying to choose between a 335i, 08-09 M3 with DCT (probably just outside of warranty), and a 2008 Audi S5.

I really want the 08 M3 with DCT but I can't seem to shake this fear that I'm going to but one and then 3 months later the engine is going to blow or the transmission is going to need replaced.

I've determined that I can afford the monthly payment and projected yearly maintenance, but a 25k engine or 15k transmission breaking would be catastrophic outside of a warranty.

So my question boils down to this:

What are the odds of an engine / transmission / > $5k part going bad on an M3?

What has everyone's maintenance experience been like on an E9x M3 with over 35k miles?"

[davesaddiction]

Tell him to get on the forum, search around and read some of the many threads about this. It's a big decision he's making, and it'd be worth his effort.

My advice for him would be to find either a CPO or an '09 with remaining warranty that he could extend. These cars have proven to be quite reliable in general, but they are very expensive to fix if something does go wrong.

[duk]

engine will blow up? how many engines have blown up with proper care vs other makes/models?

[Ezio]

Well depending on the miles. The odds should be on his side for problems not to happen.


But i would never buy a car that i couldn't afford to fix. although most of the country is not smart with there money and do not believe anything bad can happen to them. so maybe that advise is not valid

[Maloney]

Originally Posted by duk

engine will blow up? how many engines have blown up with proper care vs other makes/models?

It may be a dumb question but I'm just looking for reassurance from M3 owners who have had good experiences / warnings from those with bad.

I read a post by one guy with a MT who claims to have no mods and was just driving up the highway when his engine died. He had relatively low miles.

[Maloney]

Originally Posted by Ezio

Well depending on the miles. The odds should be on his side for problems not to happen.


But i would never buy a car that i couldn't afford to fix. although most of the country is not smart with there money and do not believe anything bad can happen to them. sos maybe that advise is not valid

I imagine their are some M3 owners out there who wouldn't be able to shell out 25k on command for an engine replacement, but I agree its not wise to buy a car you can't fix.

Are 335 parts really a third of the cost of M3 parts like I've been reading?

[M3amigos]

Any car will have the potential for failure. The M3 does seems to be pretty reliable, but if you search the forum you will find isolated cases of engine/transmission failures. If you can't afford to make the potential repairs, you better be sure to have warranty coverage throughout the time you plan to own the car. This doesn't mean you have to buy new, there are plenty of CPO cars out there as well as aftermarket warranties that can be purchased. Maintanence costs can be costly as well, so be sure to do your research and know what to expect down the road.

[Maloney]

Originally Posted by M3amigos

Any car will have the potential for failure. The M3 does seems to be pretty reliable, but if you search the forum you will find isolated cases of engine/transmission failures. If you can't afford to make the potential repairs, you better be sure to have warranty coverage throughout the time you plan to own the car. This doesn't mean you have to buy new, there are plenty of CPO cars out there as well as aftermarket warranties that can be purchased. Maintanence costs can be costly as well, so be sure to do your research and know what to expect down the road.

I'm regretting not pulling the trigger on the 2009 CPO I found in VA. It was in great shape at a fair price and under warranty for another year and a half. I'll have to look out for a similar deal if I decide on the M3.

The maintenance costs are definetly way more expensive than the average car, but they are still in my price range and because they are somewhat predictable they don't really intimidate me. Its the possibility of total engine failure that does.

[mjposner]

If you can afford the car get an extended warranty. 4k for peace of mind.

[Jaron Bell]

I thought the DCT came out in 2010?

[nusevad]

Originally Posted by Jaron Bell

I thought the DCT came out in 2010?

came out 08

[fastmike]

So there's no way to cure that worry with an expensive car like this. you can't avoid mechanical breakdown 100%.

Show him the Consumer Reports Used car ratings where the M3 was rated more reliable than the 335.

If he wants used, do the prudent things before buying. Carfax, Autocheck, and pre purchase inspection. throw an extended warranty on top of it for extra insurance.

You can buy new then you're protected with lemon laws and new car warranty.

[goofyboots81]

thanks - all good advice.

I actually had the chance to talk to a guy who has worked in the parts division of BMW for 35 years, and he pretty much backed up what a lot of people have been saying on the forums.

His advice boiled down to:
-Don't own a 335 out of warranty because of all of the problems with HPFP, turbos etc.
-If you can afford the M3 over the 335, go for it, its a hell of a lot more car and its built more solid - "I wouldn't expect that to break down more than the 335" .
-He has only seen engines blow up in cars driven by people who are "self proclaimed race car drivers" and miss a gear downshifting and blow a rod
-He hasn't seen a lot of problems with DCT, so if all the owners of the car have taken reasonable care of it, it should be fine
-Blizzaks on snowy roads are adequate at best, but will work well enough in western pa


He also said he sees a lot of guys bringing 335's in and spending a hell of a lot of money trying to add horsepower to them, like they should have just bought the M3 to begin with (He also said to avoid the stage two computer upgrade) .

[xcharlesy]

it turns to mush if you drive it hard

true life I track my car

6mt or gamble

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

I have an '08 DCT (65k miles)..... the past 6 months I have had about $5k worth of dealership repairs done on throttle actuators and fuel pump control module (I think). Luckily I have an extended warranty. I would not own this car without one.

[SenorFunkyPants]

If you have a warranty it doesn't matter whether you buy a DCT or MT.

[tjsabec]

Originally Posted by goofyboots81

thanks - all good advice.


-Blizzaks on snowy roads are adequate at best, but will work well enough in western pa

If he is driving it close to the city, then yea winter tires will be fine, but I wouldn't count on driving around Greene County in the winter, the roads around me just get way too rough.

[goofyboots81]

Originally Posted by JAM3S

I have an '08 DCT (65k miles)..... the past 6 months I have had about $5k worth of dealership repairs done on throttle actuators and fuel pump control module (I think). Luckily I have an extended warranty. I would not own this car without one.

Very good to know.

[goofyboots81]

Originally Posted by tjsabec

If he is driving it close to the city, then yea winter tires will be fine, but I wouldn't count on driving around Greene County in the winter, the roads around me just get way too rough.

It would be around butler county + I79. Unless we have a harsh winter I can only foresee a handful of days where I might really be in trouble on a commute to work (10 minutes away).

[tjsabec]

Originally Posted by goofyboots81

It would be around butler county + I79. Unless we have a harsh winter I can only foresee a handful of days where I might really be in trouble on a commute to work (10 minutes away).

I agree, no problems.

[Nordstat]

From my reading, the engine and DCT are pretty much bullet proof. You should be fine so long as the previous owner didn't beat the crap out of it and the BMW CPO techs missed the extra wear.

[spool twice]

The s5 is a carbon build up and timing chain tensioner failure nightmare