08 E90 M3 w/100k miles questions

bmdblyou · 11-18-2012, 02:22 PM

Hello all, I am interested in an e90 m3...potentially a project car in the near future. What should I be worried about with a car like this with 100k miles? It was a Carfax certified with 1 owner for the full 100k.

I have full access to my own shop with lift so working on the car is not an issue. My thinking is if it's going to be a future project car I shouldn't have much to worry about with a tried and true V8 platform. There can't be that much to mess up. Any insight would be fantastic! Thanks guys

Kyle

4corners · 11-18-2012, 02:36 PM

I've heard and read in several places, BMW engineers saying the engines and transmissions are good for over 200,000 easily. Like any car things need to be replaced. Alternators, batteries, belts, pumps, etc.

rjd598 · 11-18-2012, 03:15 PM

just like 4corners said, the s65 seems to be a very reliable engine and the e9x has produced minimal problems for its owners over the years. obviously there will be routine maintenance items as mentioned above. what transmission is the car manual or dct? that might be the biggest factor for this car but dct has held up under extreme conditions just not long periods of time yet

edwinm3 · 11-18-2012, 04:06 PM

She still has 200k more left in her. These motors are strong

MKE_M3 · 11-18-2012, 04:54 PM

Not a big sample for high mileage, but the evidence points to these engines being bullet proof. Look at all of the heavily modded, regularly tracked, boosted engines. I can't point to a single "common" issue (or any issue for that matter). That is pretty phenomenal.

Compare this to the 335i, which have a gazillion common issues; bad fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pumps, spark plugs, carbon build up, over heating, rare turbo failures, over heating due to inadequate oil cooling, etc. The N54 motor seems pretty bullet proof, but the peripherals, Turbos withstanding, aren't anywhere near the M3's caliber.

The common quality complaints on the M3 are mostly limited to "superficial" issues, like body panel gaps not being perfect, squeaks and rattles, and the notorious "cow bell." I experience the cowbell when my car had 70 miles on it and started freaking out until I realized I just needed to get a rock or whatever from behind my brake rotor heat shield.

bmdblyou · 11-18-2012, 09:30 PM

Thanks for all the replies everyone. To answer the trans question it is in fact a 6spd manual. I'm really excited about the car for potentially a built engine/twin turbo application so this really gets me excited about it. Any more input would be great as far as potential issues i should look for. Thanks guys.

Kyle

jjw2331 · 11-18-2012, 11:48 PM

Interestingly a potential issue will be getting turbos to fit in the engine bay. A right hand drive car managed to fit one. But that's because the steering column was on the other side. If u get a project started let us know!

good luck with ur purchase.

bmdblyou · 11-19-2012, 02:07 AM

^yeah we know about the sizing issue. I'm production manager at ProEFI so that would be a potential project for myself and our company. We would love to get this platform off the ground.

kerrit · 11-21-2012, 12:26 AM

how much is the car selling for with 100k miles?

0_to_60 · 11-23-2012, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerrit

how much is the car selling for with 100k miles?

ive seen this car in some classified, its worth $25k

bigjae1976 · 11-23-2012, 08:18 AM

My only concern would be if owner stuck to the BMW maintenance schedule. Don't think its a HUGE deal but a concern. I would change all of the driveline fluids.

phrozen06 · 11-23-2012, 08:42 AM

when I bought my ///M at 70k miles. I changed the Diff, Oil, and Coolant fluid. I'm at 83k miles now.

M3PWR · 11-23-2012, 03:05 PM

I personally wouldn't touch any car with 100k, unless it's a Toyota.

L4ces · 11-23-2012, 03:31 PM

Bought a 2003 530i at 79k and its now at 139k and it is running smooth and solid. I can't believe the oem suspension components haven't shown any audible signs or stress. I hope the M3 is the same. At 63k, mine is running strong! 6MT too.
Knock on wood.

bmdblyou · 11-25-2012, 04:04 PM

thanks for the reply guys. they are just wanting too much for me right now. they have it listed at 26,9...and won't budge so im definitely not interested.

0_to_60 · 11-28-2012, 10:44 PM

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

0_to_60 · 11-28-2012, 10:46 PM

http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...&partner=COO_0

bmdblyou · 11-29-2012, 05:11 PM

^that would be the one. they won't really budge from the price though. There's enough scuffs and cosmetic blemishes on the car already. not interested at their pricing.

m3an · 11-29-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3PWR

I personally wouldn't touch any car with 100k, unless it's a Toyota.

, sound like typical BMW owner

11-18-2012, 02:22 PM	#1
bmdblyou Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: Black e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	08 E90 M3 w/100k miles questions Hello all, I am interested in an e90 m3...potentially a project car in the near future. What should I be worried about with a car like this with 100k miles? It was a Carfax certified with 1 owner for the full 100k. I have full access to my own shop with lift so working on the car is not an issue. My thinking is if it's going to be a future project car I shouldn't have much to worry about with a tried and true V8 platform. There can't be that much to mess up. Any insight would be fantastic! Thanks guys Kyle
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11-18-2012, 02:36 PM	#2
4corners Major 391 Rep 1,133 Posts Drives: 2008 Jet Black M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Yucca Valley, CA - Kelowna, BC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 Blue Bird TC2000 [0.00] 2005 BMW 325Ci [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	I've heard and read in several places, BMW engineers saying the engines and transmissions are good for over 200,000 easily. Like any car things need to be replaced. Alternators, batteries, belts, pumps, etc.
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11-18-2012, 03:15 PM	#3
rjd598 Banned 1770 Rep 6,696 Posts Drives: F30 340i Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Diego,CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00]	just like 4corners said, the s65 seems to be a very reliable engine and the e9x has produced minimal problems for its owners over the years. obviously there will be routine maintenance items as mentioned above. what transmission is the car manual or dct? that might be the biggest factor for this car but dct has held up under extreme conditions just not long periods of time yet
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11-18-2012, 04:06 PM	#4
edwinm3 Brigadier General 974 Rep 3,998 Posts Drives: F82 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Broward iTrader: (32)	She still has 200k more left in her. These motors are strong __________________ Grigio Telesto M4, 6MT. Coyote 5.0 F-150 991 GT3
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11-18-2012, 04:54 PM	#5
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	Not a big sample for high mileage, but the evidence points to these engines being bullet proof. Look at all of the heavily modded, regularly tracked, boosted engines. I can't point to a single "common" issue (or any issue for that matter). That is pretty phenomenal. Compare this to the 335i, which have a gazillion common issues; bad fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pumps, spark plugs, carbon build up, over heating, rare turbo failures, over heating due to inadequate oil cooling, etc. The N54 motor seems pretty bullet proof, but the peripherals, Turbos withstanding, aren't anywhere near the M3's caliber. The common quality complaints on the M3 are mostly limited to "superficial" issues, like body panel gaps not being perfect, squeaks and rattles, and the notorious "cow bell." I experience the cowbell when my car had 70 miles on it and started freaking out until I realized I just needed to get a rock or whatever from behind my brake rotor heat shield. __________________
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11-18-2012, 09:30 PM	#6
bmdblyou Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: Black e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the replies everyone. To answer the trans question it is in fact a 6spd manual. I'm really excited about the car for potentially a built engine/twin turbo application so this really gets me excited about it. Any more input would be great as far as potential issues i should look for. Thanks guys. Kyle
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11-18-2012, 11:48 PM	#7
jjw2331 First Lieutenant 52 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 2011 JtBlk e92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan iTrader: (6)	Interestingly a potential issue will be getting turbos to fit in the engine bay. A right hand drive car managed to fit one. But that's because the steering column was on the other side. If u get a project started let us know! good luck with ur purchase. __________________ ZCP /// M5 F10 Shift Knob /// BMW Performance Electronic Steering Wheel V2 /// Apex Arc-8 Anthracite 18x10 et 25 - Nitto NT-01 275/35 /// Stoptech BBK ST-60/40
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11-19-2012, 02:07 AM	#8
bmdblyou Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: Black e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	^yeah we know about the sizing issue. I'm production manager at ProEFI so that would be a potential project for myself and our company. We would love to get this platform off the ground.
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11-21-2012, 12:26 AM	#9
kerrit Major 347 Rep 1,096 Posts Drives: Melbourne Red e90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 E90 M3 [0.00] 2014 M5 CP [0.00]	how much is the car selling for with 100k miles?
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11-23-2012, 08:18 AM	#11
bigjae1976 Major General 1570 Rep 8,075 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 Individual Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (22) Garage List 2004 BMW M3 [4.50] 2011 BMW E90 M3 [5.25] 2013 BMW 328i [5.00]	My only concern would be if owner stuck to the BMW maintenance schedule. Don't think its a HUGE deal but a concern. I would change all of the driveline fluids. __________________ 2018 F30 320iX Melbourne Red 2011 E90 M3 Monte Carlo Blue 2004 E46 M3 Imola Red 2000 E36/7 Z3 Steel Blue
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11-23-2012, 08:42 AM	#12
phrozen06 Lieutenant Colonel 229 Rep 1,773 Posts Drives: 328it, RIP M3, E46 Sold Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: 39°27'33"N 77°58'04"W W. Virgina, Kansas iTrader: (2)	when I bought my ///M at 70k miles. I changed the Diff, Oil, and Coolant fluid. I'm at 83k miles now. __________________
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11-23-2012, 03:05 PM	#13
M3PWR Banned 2 Rep 29 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL iTrader: (0)	I personally wouldn't touch any car with 100k, unless it's a Toyota.
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11-23-2012, 03:31 PM	#14
L4ces Major 337 Rep 1,489 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Alpine White Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NJ - NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 M3 [0.00]	Bought a 2003 530i at 79k and its now at 139k and it is running smooth and solid. I can't believe the oem suspension components haven't shown any audible signs or stress. I hope the M3 is the same. At 63k, mine is running strong! 6MT too. Knock on wood.
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11-25-2012, 04:04 PM	#15
bmdblyou Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: Black e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	thanks for the reply guys. they are just wanting too much for me right now. they have it listed at 26,9...and won't budge so im definitely not interested.
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11-28-2012, 10:44 PM	#16
0_to_60 Captain 81 Rep 649 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (0)	http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1
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11-28-2012, 10:46 PM	#17
0_to_60 Captain 81 Rep 649 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: LA, CA iTrader: (0)	http://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory...&partner=COO_0
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11-29-2012, 05:11 PM	#18
bmdblyou Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: Black e90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	^that would be the one. they won't really budge from the price though. There's enough scuffs and cosmetic blemishes on the car already. not interested at their pricing.
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