High mileage 08s report in!

I bought mine at 44k miles. Now I’m up to 117k. Original rod bearings. I’ve replaced throttle actuators, drive shaft, idler pulley, radiator, water pump (preventative), thermostat (preventative) and various cooling hoses (preventative). Maintenance has included the usual oil, spark plugs, brakes, etc. It’ll be 7 years in October and I still love this car like it’s day one.

At 117.5k on my '08, just did bearings (#7 was almost entirely copper, looked pretty bad and was scored), dct pan is definitely leaking so that's on my to-do in the next month or so, along with a new driveshaft and valve covers as they're both not doing very good. All things considered, for ~120k, about 7k in "non consumable" items seems fair for a performance car. I'm still very happy and love driving it daily.

I just traded my 08 E90 @ 89k miles. I bought it @ 20k miles CPO 10 years ago. I replaced the serpentine belt and had to do a Time-CERT on the front oil plug. That was it, original rod bearings (did oil analysis every change) The pre-cat O2 sensors needed replaced, was throwing intermittent codes, but I traded it before I got around to changing them.

I had Akapovic full race exhaust and stage 2 BPM Sport Tune.


Traded on a new 2020 M2C. I love the M2, but miss the sound of my S65.

4corners wrote

Every machine has it's weak points. Everything will require maintenance or replacement.

I'm at 211000 miles. Rod bearings at 147k. My old bearings look just like 99 percent of those we see. Worn but not ready to fail.

I think 75% of the visible wear occurs during the first 6000 miles break in. I got my car with 54k on it. I did oil analysis always until after i did the bearings at 147k. All the metal or lead or whatever happened prior to 54k. Or Blackstone failed to detect metals 54-147k.

I’m very interested in S65 longevity, assuming RBs have been done. Do you notice higher oil consumption or loss of power/compression at such higher mileages? Any recent dyno tests?

gkgsvensson wrote

I’m very interested in S65 longevity, assuming RBs have been done. Do you notice higher oil consumption or loss of power/compression at such higher mileages? Any recent dyno tests?

I dyno'ed my car at 100K
she showed about the same power output as 20K miles car with similar mods, so I'm super happy with the performance

on oil consumption: I'm adding 0.5-0.75qt per 5000 miles, which I guess completely normal

4corners wrote

Every machine has it's weak points. Everything will require maintenance or replacement.

I'm at 211000 miles. Rod bearings at 147k. My old bearings look just like 99 percent of those we see. Worn but not ready to fail.

....

After looking through every single photo in the rod bearing condition thread and a few other sources (525 cases in all), I'd say it was just over 50% that were worn but not ready to fail, with most of the rest (which were largely the lead/copper type) of the nearly 50% being ready to fail. More details here if you're interested (btw, the text file I attached lists all my case sources).
Did you post any photos of your bearings?

Nice mileage from your M3 btw

Replaced the center belly pan at 213000 miles.

tjsabec wrote

I just traded my 08 E90 @ 89k miles. I bought it @ 20k miles CPO 10 years ago. I replaced the serpentine belt and had to do a Time-CERT on the front oil plug. That was it, original rod bearings (did oil analysis every change) The pre-cat O2 sensors needed replaced, was throwing intermittent codes, but I traded it before I got around to changing them.

I had Akapovic full race exhaust and stage 2 BPM Sport Tune.


Traded on a new 2020 M2C. I love the M2, but miss the sound of my S65.

Wow, a serious changing of the guard! You and I came in to M3post at same time in 2010. I sold in 2017 at 67k miles. Good luck

Gonna crosspost this maintenance breakdown here since I've got a relatively high mileage '08.



"Picked up my E92 M3 in June and have been catching up on some differed maintenance. I accounted for these costs when purchasing (for the most part) and I think it's in pretty good shape now."

M3 Costs

• List $19,950.00
• OTD 21,128.47 (NC) [Bought with pads, rotors, hood struts, coil pack done]
• Starting mileage 73924
• Current mileage 78xxx
• Mechatronics sealing sleeve leaking, reseal transmission = $2,516.19
• Rod bearings = $3,294.97 - old bearing images here: https://imgur.com/sZHPly3
• Throttle body actuators = $2,492.62 (didn't have this done at a BMW specialist, not the best price)
• Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires, staggered 19 full set = $1500 - ish
• Various trim repairs w/ OEM replacements = $600 - ish

Total = $10,400 - ish

Cmassey3 wrote

Gonna crosspost this maintenance breakdown here since I've got a relatively high mileage '08.



...

[*] Starting mileage 73924

[*] Current mileage 78xxx

Bought mine with 80k and probably have done about the same amount of work until now (almost 115k), though in different areas.

Rod bearing job was about the same price, though I picked a shop that I knew charged more than many.

Got a shop you like? Friend of mine (non-M3 owner) is looking for a trustworthy place in roughly that area.

Is that pic from the Tail of the Dragon? How did you like it?

IamFODI wrote

Bought mine with 80k and probably have done about the same amount of work until now (almost 115k), though in different areas.

Rod bearing job was about the same price, though I picked a shop that I knew charged more than many.

Got a shop you like? Friend of mine (non-M3 owner) is looking for a trustworthy place in roughly that area.

Is that pic from the Tail of the Dragon? How did you like it?

I use Bimmer Performance Center in Raleigh, the local CCA chapter recommended them to me and they've been great so far.

That is from TOTD, you really start to understand all the engineering M threw at the E92 once you get it on some proper mountain roads, it was a blast!

Cmassey3 wrote

IamFODI wrote

Bought mine with 80k and probably have done about the same amount of work until now (almost 115k), though in different areas.

Rod bearing job was about the same price, though I picked a shop that I knew charged more than many.

Got a shop you like? Friend of mine (non-M3 owner) is looking for a trustworthy place in roughly that area.

Is that pic from the Tail of the Dragon? How did you like it?

I use Bimmer Performance Center in Raleigh, the local CCA chapter recommended them to me and they've been great so far.

That is from TOTD, you really start to understand all the engineering M threw at the E92 once you get it on some proper mountain roads, it was a blast!

It will be my "Red Barchetta" when ICE cars are illegal.
Albeit Interlagos Blue

Bought mine at 79K, Currently have 96K

Previous owner had replaced Idler pulley, battery, rear axle seals, TAs. RBs were replaced@78K just before I bought it.

From 79K to 96K I have replaced valve covers, tstat, water pump, pulleys, belts, oil filter housing gasket, coolant temp sensor, and air intake temp sensor.

All in all, the car has been reliable. Most trouble I have had has been self inflicted(or previous mechanic inflicted!) as I learn to wrench on this platform. Hope to get as many miles as several of you.

Cheers!

215,000 miles replaced struts. I replaced all four. You might want to consider one at a time front and rear. Now my hood and trunk fly up and are a bitch to close.

Bought at 123K in 2019 and currently at 130K. Replaced RBs, motor mounts, spark plugs, valve cover gasket, alternator, battery, trunk struts, fuel filter. Needs rear brake pads and oil leveling sensor for the immediate future.

You posted pics of the bearings anywhere?

E92_Emma3

Just ticked over 79k this morning, recently had the rear diff and power steering flushed preemptively along with an alignment.

Car seems to be really happy and hopefully should be set for awhile. Trying to stave away mileage anxiety, this thread is definitely helpful in planning ahead for the next 50k.

4corners wrote

215,000 miles replaced struts. I replaced all four. You might want to consider one at a time front and rear. Now my hood and trunk fly up and are a bitch to close.

Are you sure you got the right struts for the hood, I swapped the pair on my hood and it should not pop up with a furry or be difficult to close.

Ink09 wrote

Are you sure you got the right struts for the hood, I swapped the pair on my hood and it should not pop up with a furry or be difficult to close.

There are two versions - a 200N pressure rating one for aluminum hoods (M3) and a stronger one for steel hoods. I think you got the stronger one. Common mistake.

At 167,000 on original 2008 bearings. I have owned it since 50,000 miles.
One throttle actuator, one low fuel pressure switch, csb, struts/shocks once, fuel tank breather valve, just did oil filter housing gasket and of course the obligatory brake pads. Rotors once. Still on original clutch as well. Car has been extremely reliable especially compared to many of the stories you read on these forums.

csb?

Recently purchased an M3 with 115,000 miles.
Work done before purchase:
Used Engine Swap (50,000 miles)
New OEM DCT Dual Clutches and Lightweight Flywheel
Both Throttle Actuators
Spark plugs
CV Joint

Pretty sure suspension was done at some point.

These repairs totalled about $17,000, not including the cost of the used engine. The prior owner took a major loss on this car, sadly.

Work done after purchase:
Rod Bearings (some wear, but could still had life in them)
Fuel Pressure Sensor (Upgraded Bosch)
One pre-cat O2 sensor, decided to change the second one pre-emptively
Replaced passenger convertible top rear deck flap
Exhaust gaskets (exhaust leak)
New cabin air filter, engine air filter
New windshield seal (dry-rotted)
New power steering reservoir (leaking)
Transmission flush, new pressure filter and pump filter, new pan
Bought front skid plate and side tips, all were missing when I purchased the car
Hood struts/trunk struts

Still needs to be done:
Differential Pinion Seal Leak
New rotors brake pads
New convertible top cables (one snapped)

On the backburner/won't address for a while:
weeping valve cover gaskets
oil filter housing gasket
cowbell driveshaft noise
AUC sensor LOL