Decision point

[M3jason]

Hello everyone, I am at a point where I have to make a decision with my 2012 e92 M3. I am approaching 50k miles (currently have 48k) with my car and I can't decide wether it is worth it to put further mods on my car, don't mod it and get the warranty, or trade it in for the new M4. Here are the three options I am trying to decide on:

1. Buy the extended warranty and don't make any further modifications to my car. (cost ~$6,000)

Q: What mods will void the warranty? I currently have the full Akra Evo exhaust, and an ESS tune. Have I already voided the warranty with the tune or the exhaust? If something breaks, do I have to load the original software on my car before I take it in?

2. Do not buy the extended warranty and supercharge my car. (cost ~$16,000)

Q: If I went this route, would it be worth doing the preventative maintenance by replacing the rod bearings? I hear that is the biggest thing to worry about with these engines.

3. Sell my exhaust, trade it in / sell my car and get a new M4. (cost ~$20,000?)

Q: Does anyone know how much a 2012 M3 is trading in for these days?

I am also moving to San Diego soon and I hear that if you supercharge your car it is no longer street legal, what is the validity to this statement?

Any input would be appreciated!

[Wilsel]

I'm going to go with option 2, but instead of spending $16k on a supercharger put the money in a mutual fund. Then you'll be covered for any repair that may arise, and you might even make money in the meantime. Buying aftermarket warranties doesn't make sense. If it did they wouldn't be in business. Meaning if everyone that bought one used the warranty for more repairs than they paid for the warranty in the beginning the company would go bankrupt. Sure we've all read stories where someone was glad they bought a warranty, but that's 1 out of 100. I don't like those odds. Especially not for the most reliable M3 model ever.

[M3guy3]

I would own a blown E92 M3 over stock or modded F80 M3 anyday of the week.

I would do the supercharger and rod bearing swap.

[C|3R1C]

Originally Posted by M3jason

Hello everyone, I am at a point where I have to make a decision with my 2012 e92 M3. I am approaching 50k miles (currently have 48k) with my car and I can't decide wether it is worth it to put further mods on my car, don't mod it and get the warranty, or trade it in for the new M4. Here are the three options I am trying to decide on:

1. Buy the extended warranty and don't make any further modifications to my car. (cost ~$6,000)

Q: What mods will void the warranty? I currently have the full Akra Evo exhaust, and an ESS tune. Have I already voided the warranty with the tune or the exhaust? If something breaks, do I have to load the original software on my car before I take it in?

I bought the platinum warranty through bmw and I've already made up the cost of the warranty (mostly through the labor costs with valve spring replacement, DCt trans oring replace, and other things). You can see my mods in my sig. It depends on the dealer and with certain things that directly affect my engine (catless and tune), i put it to stock before I go in. But this time my coolant thermostat is going out so my car is just staying modded and my dealer will ignore them. Depends on your SA. BTW, they dont necessarily VOID your warranty. Mostly they just deny your claim and you need to put the OEM xpipe and tune back on.

2. Do not buy the extended warranty and supercharge my car. (cost ~$16,000)

Q: If I went this route, would it be worth doing the preventative maintenance by replacing the rod bearings? I hear that is the biggest thing to worry about with these engines.

I changed my bearings just because. I may or may not go SC, but that harrop kit looks sexy... Sorry OT, yes you should get new bearings with a SC, as well as the accelerated oil changes, etc etc.

3. Sell my exhaust, trade it in / sell my car and get a new M4. (cost ~$20,000?)

Q: Does anyone know how much a 2012 M3 is trading in for these days?

Personally I love the new M3...not so much the motor...

I am also moving to San Diego soon and I hear that if you supercharge your car it is no longer street legal, what is the validity to this statement?

You're catless car is already not street legal in Calif...Every time smog comes up with swap to your oem xpipe


Any input would be appreciated!

See in bold. Hope this helps!

[Sinful]

I go with option 4:

Sell your car and buy a Vette.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by SinfulM3

I go with option 4:

Sell your car and buy a Vette.

i really wish i could keep my E92 and get a vette though.

[pbonsalb]

Buy M4 and tune. CA legal and under warranty.

[Sinful]

Originally Posted by Ezio

i really wish i could keep my E92 and get a vette though.

You can only take care of one car, like it should be taken care of. Cant spread the love, after a week you wont care.

[Nola 32/65]

Either buy the extended warranty from BMW or sell the car and get a C7 Vette lol.

[Tracyis300]

I would keep it, and leave the car as it is? With out the ex/warranty!
But if i had the funds and cared about the warranty ending? Then i would sell it for the new M3 (because i like 4 doors), change out that lawnmower exhaust, and get a tune and be set.
But the new C7 Vett ain't so bad ether? Lol

[M3jason]

Originally Posted by SinfulM3

I go with option 4:

Sell your car and buy a Vette.

Vette? NEVER! I would never be caught in one of those!

[BzsBimmer]

1. Buy the extended warranty and don't make any further modifications to my car. (cost ~$6,000) - Ex. Warranty shouldn't have many issues with mods depending on what they are.

Q: What mods will void the warranty? I currently have the full Akra Evo exhaust, and an ESS tune. Have I already voided the warranty with the tune or the exhaust? If something breaks, do I have to load the original software on my car before I take it in? - It depends on what breaks that needs warranty coverage.
I have an extended warranty with tune and full Akro exhaust and had no issues when getting my leaking DCT repaired.

2. Do not buy the extended warranty and supercharge my car. (cost ~$16,000) - FI has its own set of things to watch for. If your bearings blow, you'll spend some time swapping things out before you take her in

Q: If I went this route, would it be worth doing the preventative maintenance by replacing the rod bearings? I hear that is the biggest thing to worry about with these engines. - More of a sense of security call. You can also have your bearings blow if your shop doesn't do it right, use the right bearing shells set etc.

3. Sell my exhaust, trade it in / sell my car and get a new M4. (cost ~$20,000?) - And take it in the arse when you drive off the lot due to depreciation

Q: Does anyone know how much a 2012 M3 is trading in for these days? - Consult NADA or get a dealer buy quote from Edmunds

I am also moving to San Diego soon and I hear that if you supercharge your car it is no longer street legal, what is the validity to this statement? - You will need to grease the palms of a smog shop or swap out back to stock since you're going to have to register and smog your vehicle when registering in state... welcome to California!

[redpriest]

I thought about the new stingray long and hard, but I have some concerns about GM reliability given the number of miles I drive.

[Disturbed]

I can get you a extended warranty for another 100,000mi for about for WAY less than $6k. This is a full coverage type extended warranty. So your car will be covered to about 150,000mi.

You can't mod, but you can drive the shit out of it worry free.


Then you can send me your exhaust for shipping only for the huge hook-up I gave you. ;-)


Edit: just email my broker. His name is Colin. colin@wantedautoprotect.com . So why trade in or give up your M3. There is no point. Its a zero deductible plan so you just bring it to the dealer as always and pay nothing for repairs. Trust me the price is drop your jaw and I can vouch for service as I use them and have nothing but good things to say.

[Disturbed]

Originally Posted by Nola 32/65

Either buy the extended warranty from BMW or sell the car and get a C7 Vette lol.

Vette. LOL. Those cars are for cheap old bastards, mid life crisis or those who like mullets and gold chains. Hated the vette community when I was in it.

[Beemdog]

Originally Posted by Disturbed

Vette. LOL. Those cars are for cheap old bastards, mid life crisis or those who like mullets and gold chains. Hated the vette community when I was in it.

The new C7 seems to be bringing in a pretty diverse customer base. Of course, there will be a lot of over-50s driving any expensive sports car, because that's mostly who has the disposable income for garage toys. There's a stereotype for BMW-owners, too!

[JD3]

I started a similar thread about a month ago as I was thinking the same thing. Sell or mod. I just knew I didn't want to stand pat. First world problems.
In the past two weeks I've bought a BBK and KW V3s. That should leave no doubt to my decision. There's something about having a modded car and this is just such an awesome platform to build on. I'll continue modding little by little and someday perhaps it will be a track car exclusively.

[Yvette]

part out car
sell the car and get m3/m4 and you get brand new car with 4 years warranty.

[Disturbed]

Originally Posted by e90sexion

part out car
sell the car and get m3/m4 and you get brand new car with 4 years warranty.

Why when you can have 5yr/100k on the car he already has for less than $4k

[mjposner]

Why when you can have 5yr/100k on the car he already has for less than $4k is really only a 1 year warranty, its 5 years from registration date.

The analysis of 1/100 extended warranty is completely wrong. On a 6k warranty, a warrantor is expecting an average of claims of 4-5k per car. Thet way they make a healthy 20-30% gross profit, and probably a 10% net depending on overhead. Some cars will have less work, some more. Cheap warranties are suspect. I tried a mercury warranty on my 2010 Cayenne for $4,800. They denied my initial claim saying it happened before the 1,000 mile exclusion, and on the second claim they alleged pre-existing condition. I cancelled and got my money back. As for an M3, the dealer quoted me 6,200 for a 6/75k platinum warranty, but for me, i would have eaten the mileage in 1.5 years, to much dough.

FI puts extra pressure on engine and tranny, will definitely shorten life of the car. Would not do this ti a daily driver, but for a weekend car, then yeah if you can afford.

[radiantm3]

Don't supercharge. It's just not worth it. And those that say a supercharged E9x is better than an F80 are just kidding themselves. If you want more power, get the F80 which is lighter, more structurally rigid, and more balanced than a supercharged M3. Not to mention You'll have a far better chance with any potential warranty issues (even with a tune).

Former supercharged M3 owner.

[808@702]

I don't know!!!