E92 Ownership

[.Tranceparent.]

Hi All,

Visiting from the F80 thread (I have an F80 CS, used to use an F87). I recently went on a drive with a friend of mine in an E92 M3, and can’t get that engine out of my head.

My question to you is this - understanding these cars need rod bearings, and throttle actuators done. Outside of those, are these cars really that difficult / expensive to own? Trying to wrap my brain around what might it look like to add one of these bad boys to the stable.

[spammysammich]

So far that M car standard of keeping 2K in the bank at all times just in case has held in my experience. I've actually spent more than 2K during the year but that was for non-essential cosmetic mods like wheels/tires and a front lip. Maintenance has been pretty reasonable, not really any more so than my Subaru.

[Melbourn3]

Originally Posted by .Tranceparent.

Hi All,

Visiting from the F80 thread (I have an F80 CS, used to use an F87). I recently went on a drive with a friend of mine in an E92 M3, and can’t get that engine out of my head.

My question to you is this - understanding these cars need rod bearings, and throttle actuators done. Outside of those, are these cars really that difficult / expensive to own? Trying to wrap my brain around what might it look like to add one of these bad boys to the stable.

Buy one. it's really not that bad to own one. Buy a car with RB's done and do regular maintenance. I've owned 3 E9X M3s and they really don't cost too much. It's worth every penny.

[North.E92]

You would be surprised I’m in socal and many of the reputable bmw shops here say the s65 is the most reliable m3

[jamabdi]

These cars aren't too bad to own. Other than the well known big ticket items such as the rod bearings and throttle actuators there are other minor issues that can pop up.
I've had my current M3 for 2 years and done about 30k miles. Here are the issues I've addressed.

Rod Bearings+Engine mounts-$3,100

Fuel breather valve, replaced myself.-$100

Thermostat, had a local shop replace it-$700

Intermittent cylinder 7 misfire, purchased ignition coil and replaced myself.-$180

EDC Module, purchased new unit, and had local shop code it.-$880

Slightly leaking valve covers, will address in the spring along with vanos covers-expecting to pay about $1,400 give or take.

Throttle Actuators, whenever they fail I'll get rebuilt units and replace myself for about-$800

As you can see for 30k miles the list isn't that long, and the biggest expense is preventative. I daily my car in the coldest metro area in the country where temperatures can touch 100 in the summer, and -20 or more in the winter so it's not a garage queen in a mild climate.

[timothy2001]

Six years of ownership and and 25k miles.

Plenty of maintenance completed but as far as reliability goes, this car has been stellar.

Wheel speed sensor, belt pully, valve cover leak and thermostat replaced. That's it.

I elected to do rod bearngs recently, throttle actuators are original.

If you enjoy the engine note, get a plenum such as an Eventuri along with your E9X, you'll thank me later.

[.Tranceparent.]

Thanks for the responses all. Sounds like outside of the known issues these cars aren’t really a big nightmare to own. As with any M car, there is stuff that comes up but nothing that cripples the car or bank.

Off to the classifieds for me!

[dar2008]

Had mine 14years and beyond the Throttle Actuators, mine has been ultra reliable.

In my view, rod bearings are down to personal preference - if it’s something that plays on your mind and bothers you, then probably best to get them done.

Actuators will fail on these cars, but you can safely replace them at the point of failure.

[PaulsM3]

I have a 2011 DCT with 101K miles. Bought it used in 2012 with only 10K miles. I knew the previous owner as we frequented a lot of the same tracks in the SE.

Just did the rod bearings, valve cover gaskets, some hoses, and anything else the tech saw that was suspect, all just done at 100K miles. The Actuators were replaced at 60K miles, kind of early I was told but maybe it was early due to the weekend track miles. Car has been rock solid daily driver for the last 10 years. Only mods are Akropovic exhaust and Alcon BBK installed way back when I bought it. It has seen countless laps at Road Atlanta, Barber and VIR over the years of ownership.

Probably best car I have ever owned when I compare it to all the others i've owned. The motor is the best part of the car imo. The DCT has been a great transmission for me anyways, you either love it or hate it. I have found it to be quite reliable.

[neilum]

They are very solid and well built cars if you take care of the known issues.

I used to daily my E90 M3 as my only car up in North NJ including hauling my 1yr old daughter to daycare etc for 3 years. Snow, rain, sleet no surprises, dead reliable.

Now my E92 is a weekend toy and it sounds like it will be for you as well so its even easier to "put up" with the 15 mpg penalty.


On second thought, valve cover gaskets were leaking and had to be replaced. I am not doing that myself so it was $1200 sunk, but nothing else came up that wasn't normal maintenance.

[.Tranceparent.]

The newest ones are now 9-10 years old, so there’s likely some stuff to obviously come up - leaks, worn out hoses etc. Reading the above comments looks like it’s not a nightmare that people make it seem.

Prices seem high these days, looks like I’ll need to be patient to find exactly what I’m looking for. In the meantime will get deeper into the forum to build familiarity with the platform

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by .Tranceparent.

The newest ones are now 9-10 years old, so there’s likely some stuff to obviously come up - leaks, worn out hoses etc. Reading the above comments looks like it’s not a nightmare that people make it seem.

Prices seem high these days, looks like I’ll need to be patient to find exactly what I’m looking for. In the meantime will get deeper into the forum to build familiarity with the platform

i'm sure i'm biased having bought into the platform, but i don't see these going much lower than they are now. all the standard soundbites about only V8 M3, etc etc.

on the living with it side, I do have about $900 worth of parts in my FCP cart at the moment (everything to do VCG, VANOS solenoid gaskets and an oil chnage).

[amrazM]

throttle actuators
rod bearings
valve covers
engine mounts
radiator hoses
starter
tired suspension
idle control valve (maybe)
thrust arm bushings (monoballs $$$)
subframe bushings
diff bushings
driveshafts go bad eventually

remember even the newest ones are 10 years old already and things will be deteriorated.

just remember if youre gonna buy one, if you buy one with 50-60k miles chances are the previous owners probably were able to scrape by with minimal issues so dont be suprised when you have to spend money on it.

[DrFerry]

Take a quick read of this thread first:
For New Owners - What I wish I knew when I first bought my E9X M3:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418410

Sales Price Tracker
https://www.classic.com/m/bmw/3-seri...upe-automatic/

Reference Bring A Trailer recent 2008 E92 M3 Auction with 39K miles
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-bmw-m3-coupe-9/

[jra85]

Originally Posted by .Tranceparent.

Hi All,

Visiting from the F80 thread (I have an F80 CS, used to use an F87)

Out of curiosity, do you plan to swap it in place of the F80 CS, or in addition to?

[.Tranceparent.]

Originally Posted by jra85

Out of curiosity, do you plan to swap it in place of the F80 CS, or in addition to?

Love the F80 for very different reasons so it’s going to stay. The E92 would be in addition as it feels like very little overlap between the “feel” of the cars

[.Tranceparent.]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Take a quick read of this thread first:
For New Owners - What I wish I knew when I first bought my E9X M3:

Thanks a lot for this, I will spin through

[.Tranceparent.]

Originally Posted by amrazM

throttle actuators
rod bearings
valve covers
engine mounts
radiator hoses
starter
tired suspension
idle control valve (maybe)
thrust arm bushings (monoballs $$$)
subframe bushings
diff bushings
driveshafts go bad eventually

remember even the newest ones are 10 years old already and things will be deteriorated.

just remember if youre gonna buy one, if you buy one with 50-60k miles chances are the previous owners probably were able to scrape by with minimal issues so dont be suprised when you have to spend money on it.

Thanks for this. Do you have a sense for $$ to refresh all the above if done at an indy?

[brettcp]

I've owned several E9x M3's over the years and can't recall ever having a "major" issue with any of them, including my existing '12 E93 M3 which now has 120k miles on it. I DIY most stuff on my cars (with the exception of rod bearings - I had MRF do those) and find the E9x's are surprisingly easy to work on. Tons of how-to guides out there and the community is helpful when needed.