Some M3 Worries.

[anodyne88]

So I have a 2010 M3 in bought used in 2011 with 2,700 miles. Now have 50,000 miles on it with 18 track days or so.

No problems with the car at all until this winter. Started to get check engine lights and then the car started misfiring. Took the car in to my mechanic who I met at the track.

Changed the spark plugs which seemed to fix the misfiring. Mechanic was concerned fuel injectors may need to be replaced but they seem to be working ok.

Car also needed the exhaust manifold gasket replaced due to leak, needed new rotors (was on originals), temperature sensor went bad. Spent 7,500 to fix all this.

Now the oxygen sensors are going bad and will cost 1,600 to replace.

Finally, I dumbly didn't change the oil for 13k miles this year. Started commuting for the first time and just got busy with family and lost track of miles. Mechanic is concerned I did damage to vanos actuators? Not sure I have that right.

No fault codes or anything just speculation. He says car runs fine and is ok to keep tracking.
Bottom line, I'm terrified of spending 7,500 every year plus tires and pads for tracking

Should i give up on it or did I just encounter life after 50k miles? Should I expect a lot more problems? I know it's hard to say but just don't know if this is an aberration or is going to start becoming the norm. Obviously I'll pay much better attention to oil changes!

I love the car and love that I can track and commute with it and want to keep it until it dies but not if I have to spend this kind of money every year or every other year. Opinions?

[mazing M3]

First why are you paying $1,600 for O2 sensors. At the most should cost you no more than $950.00 for all four. Try getbmwparts.com. No way you should pay that much for O2 sensors.

[mazing M3]

Tracking the car will put more stress on the engine and car overall but if you keep up on maintance you should be good. If you are tracking the car i would change all fluids every 15K. And stay up on oil changes life blood of the engine. I always say you pay to play.

[anodyne88]

Originally Posted by mazing M3

Tracking the car will put more stress on the engine and car overall but if you keep up on maintance you should be good. If you are tracking the car i would change all fluids every 15K. And stay up on oil changes life blood of the engine. I always say you pay to play.

Thanks for the input. The o2 sensors may be less than that but also labor. I don't know how to do much other than change my pads.

[spiderspider]

Did you change the spark plugs at the 36K mile mark?

[anodyne88]

Originally Posted by spiderspider

Did you change the spark plugs at the 36K mile mark?

I don't think so. I may have been out of warranty by then because I didn't drive it a lot and so was past the four year mark and didn't realize I needed to do it then

[dbworld4k]

Find a new mechanic.

[loveskiing]

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

Find a new mechanic.

+100

[Yvette]

So what cost you 7500?
Spark plug, exhaust gasket and rotors? Really?

[pbonsalb]

Looks like about $2000 in parts and about $7500 for a day of labor to install them.

I am in the wrong line of work.

[jester17]

...maybe take better initial care of the car?

[djDori_C]

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

Find a new mechanic.

This!
This guy is taking your money

[kb9uwu]

agree with everyone else, you're getting ripped off big time. also, your mechanic should know that the oil change interval is 15k miles.

[anodyne88]

Originally Posted by e90sexion

So what cost you 7500?
Spark plug, exhaust gasket and rotors? Really?

Sorry I'll list out in more detail in a little bit. There was some steering stuff and others

[CognitiveDistortion]

OP, there are several great, honest shops in Atlanta and North GA area. As others have suggested you should take it to reputable shop who will treat you right. PM me, and I can recommend a few I have used locally.

[anodyne88]

H

[dragonsi]

Learn to DIY

[Edward]

Haha next he is going to say that because you upsized your tires to 275, your entire diff has to be swapped out and a new driveshaft installed in case the excess grip caused premature wear on the drivetrain. but it's ok to keep tracking he will say.

[cenix]

Can I be your next mechanic? Next change due is xenon bulb high pressure gas replacement. Bill will be around $1800. Keep tracking bro, it's all good otherwise.

Seriously, get a new mechanic.

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by CognitiveDistortion

OP, there are several great, honest shops in Atlanta and North GA area. As others have suggested you should take it to reputable shop who will treat you right. PM me, and I can recommend a few I have used locally.

This. Find out what shops other forum members here are using. The regional sub thread on this forum is your friend.

[dmppdx]

Originally Posted by anodyne88

o it breaks out like this:

Oil change $200
stabilizer bar links replace $250
spark plugs and coils $1,170 parts plus $286 labor
Thermostat / water pipe o ring $650 labor parts $90
Coolant change $175
Level sensor / arm/ bracket $209
Cryotreated rotors $1400 + $400 labor
Exhaust seal rings/clamps/gasket $255 parts $1400 labor
Taxes $400

Why did the coils need to get replaced? Those aren't a wear item and even if by random chance one of them went bad, you shouldn't have to replace all of them.

[anodyne88]

Originally Posted by dmppdx

Why did the coils need to get replaced? Those aren't a wear item and even if by random chance one of them went bad, you shouldn't have to replace all of them.

Not sure. I'm not very knowledgeable about this stuff. I don't know if they contributed to the misfiring or not