353,000 mile M3 now a Forum car

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by FrznM3

It’s my birthday today, and my morning birthday wish is for there to be an update on this over the weekend!

Happy birthday - wishes do come true!

Malek completed the rod bearing service this past weekend. Astonishingly, the original engine is still alive and kicking. There is no record of the rod bearings having ever been replaced, either. It appears that we caught them just in time, as cylinder 4 has worn down to copper.

The car appears to be in great condition for its mileage. We were going to track rat this but we're now leaning towards trying to see how far we can get that odometer to climb. Where do you guys want this car to go? What kind of service and jobs would you like to see?

[FrznM3]

Wow! Awesome, thank you for the quick update. This gives me a lot of confidence knowing that if you maintain and take care of these cars they can go for this long. Especially since I now have BE bearings and ARP rod bolts.

I’m also curious about the condition of the DCT. I am at 150k now and still on the stock “lifetime” fluid. That’s next on my list to replace.

I’m interested at how the fluid and clutches look within.

[timothy2001]

Wow, and the forum comes alive for me again. What a great story!!!!

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by FrznM3

Wow! Awesome, thank you for the quick update. This gives me a lot of confidence knowing that if you maintain and take care of these cars they can go for this long. Especially since I now have BE bearings and ARP rod bolts.

I’m also curious about the condition of the DCT. I am at 150k now and still on the stock “lifetime” fluid. That’s next on my list to replace.

I’m interested at how the fluid and clutches look within.

My dealer felt it necessary to replace my flywheel when my issue was the driveshaft. I strongly urged them not to even look here but they persisted. I got a chance to compare a new flywheel with mine at 245-259,XXX miles. Mine looked great as well did the clutch packs. Again I said you are not diagnosing properly. So with as many miles as mine had it was fine. After the work I still had my hard pull vibration because it was indeed the constant velocity joint. My flywheel was free as a result. I don’t think the DCT is weak at all unless you’re out there using launch control a bunch. Just my 2 cents.

[charliev68]

Mad respect ✊ for oem (Glyco) bearings!
To keep this awesome specimen alive, you should do the Main Bearings. It would be such a shame to come this far and have a MB let go.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by charliev68

Mad respect ✊ for oem (Glyco) bearings!
To keep this awesome specimen alive, you should do the Main Bearings. It would be such a shame to come this far and have a MB let go.

Those rod bearings look in superb condition for 350k mile car! It looks like the car has been well looked after - warmed up, frequent oil changes etc.

With RB that look that pristine, I would not even worry about the mains at all.

[e92dud]

Originally Posted by Redd

Those rod bearings look in superb condition for 350k mile car! It looks like the car has been well looked after - warmed up, frequent oil changes etc.

With RB that look that pristine, I would not even worry about the mains at all.

Maybe superb for one of these cars, if these were from an LS motor I would be concerned there was an issue. The copper is showing. The S65 has its own scale for rod bearing wear.

[DanMpower]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

So far, it seems that the car was donated by the original owner, a surgeon from the Inland Empire who commuted just under 100 miles per day roundtrip. It was maintained at BMW of Ontario for most of its life. There are no indications that the rod bearings were ever replaced, but the throttle actuators were replaced in 2021 at 313k miles. We will share an update when we know more!

That's insane. Let's just say he was getting 15MPG average, which means he used up 23,533 gallons of fuel throughout his ownership commuting. I wonder if he ended up getting another low-mileage E92 M3 to replace it with. I'm in the auto business and people who usually put that much mileage on the same car really love them and tend to try and find a similar one when it's time to replace it.

[W///]

Finally. Some positivity and a story worth reading! This is incredible.

I can't imagine putting 350k miles on a luxury comfort car, yet alone an M3. Well played to the original and current owner!

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Happy birthday - wishes do come true! Malek completed the rod bearing service this past weekend. Astonishingly, the original engine is still alive and kicking. There is no record of the rod bearings having ever been replaced, either. It appears that we caught them just in time, as cylinder 4 has worn down to copper.

The car appears to be in great condition for its mileage. We were going to track rat this but we're now leaning towards trying to see how far we can get that odometer to climb. Where do you guys want this car to go? What kind of service and jobs would you like to see?

Thanks very much for posting this update, as well as all of the recent photos. Personally speaking, and since you asked, I'd like to see how far this car can go i.e. how far you can get the odometer to climb with some forum progress updates along the way. I think it'd be a pity to risk wrecking it on track or gutting it for a cage after all this time of faithful service to its original owner. Collating and posting some or most of the service history would be nice and fascinating for some. Perhaps post its maintenance history in chunks. Imagine IF you get the car up to half a million miles (500,000) or more? Heck, BMW boffins might even want to take a gander at it? I'd also like to see a full DCT service refresh done, like the kind deansbimmer does.

Questions I have:
1) How long did the water pump, thermostat and alternator last?
2) What about the starter motor and DCT clutch pack, as well as the DCT fluid and mechatronix gaskets? Are those still original?
3) What brand of rod bearings and bolts did you use to replace the original ones?
4) Can you post a photo of the back side of one of the old bearing shells so we can see the OEM type used?
5) Is the DCT pan leaking?

I spotted something in one of the photos you posted. The engine mounts look pristine? Are they new?
.

[Tragiclil]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Thanks very much for posting this update, as well as all of the recent photos. Personally speaking, and since you asked, I'd like to see how far this car can go i.e. how far you can get the odometer to climb with some forum progress updates along the way. I think it'd be a pity to risk wrecking it on track or gutting it for a cage after all this time of faithful service to its original owner. Collating and posting some or most of the service history would be nice and fascinating for some. Perhaps post its maintenance history in chunks. Imagine IF you get the car up to half a million miles (500,000) or more? Heck, BMW boffins might even want to take a gander at it? I'd also like to see a full DCT service refresh done, like the kind deansbimmer does.

Questions I have:
1) How long did the water pump, thermostat and alternator last?
2) What about the starter motor and DCT clutch pack, as well as the DCT fluid and mechatronix gaskets? Are those still original?
3) What brand of rod bearings and bolts did you use to replace the original ones?
4) Can you post a photo of the back side of one of the old bearing shells so we can see the OEM type used?
5) Is the DCT pan leaking?

I spotted something in one of the photos you posted. The engine mounts look pristine? Are they new?
.

That’s a good point, adding additional miles on this M3 may have BMW literally reaching out to you to take a look at it.

[BimmerMan33]

This is really really interesting!!!

[iamtrashman]

I would love to see this thing just continue to keep getting driven! Replace wear items, fix the bit of cosmetic damage it looks like the passenger quarter panel has and take it on some really long road trips.

Drive Route 66 to Chicago and take a bunch of pictures along the way!

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

Questions I have:
1) How long did the water pump, thermostat and alternator last?
2) What about the starter motor and DCT clutch pack, as well as the DCT fluid and mechatronix gaskets? Are those still original?
3) What brand of rod bearings and bolts did you use to replace the original ones?
4) Can you post a photo of the back side of one of the old bearing shells so we can see the OEM type used?
5) Is the DCT pan leaking?

I spotted something in one of the photos you posted. The engine mounts look pristine? Are they new?

Hello DrFerry! Thanks for these detailed questions.
1. Based on the full BMW service history, the thermostat was replaced in 2021 at 504,431 km and the alternator was replaced in 2018 at 383,067 km. The water pump is original and will be changed when we replace the valve covers next week.
2. The DCT gearbox appears to have never been opened, and the starter motor was replaced in 2019 at 419,173 km.
3. MRF used their proprietary rod bearings which are described as “Clevite/Mahle MRF Specification Calico CT-1 Coated Extra Clearance.” The engine mounts were replaced by MRF as is standard procure when replacing connecting rod bearings.
4. We unfortunately don’t have a picture of the back side of the old bearing shells, but we might be able to get a photo when we visit MRF next for the DCT service.
5. The DCT is leaking from a few places, and we plan to get it serviced ASAP!

Originally Posted by FrznM3

I’m also curious about the condition of the DCT. I am at 150k now and still on the stock “lifetime” fluid. That’s next on my list to replace.

I’m interested at how the fluid and clutches look within.

We’re also super curious about the condition of the DCT! It seems to still be operating precisely and consistently, but it is on its original fluid according to the service records and we’re experiencing a shudder around 20-25 mph. We suspect that this is related to a failing CV joint, but it would be good to rule out the DCT. We could do an oil analysis and relay findings on the clutches when we service the transmission next month!

Originally Posted by iamtrashman

I would love to see this thing just continue to keep getting driven! Replace wear items, fix the bit of cosmetic damage it looks like the passenger quarter panel has and take it on some really long road trips.

Drive Route 66 to Chicago and take a bunch of pictures along the way!

Thank you, these are great ideas! We’d love to drive it to Chicago. Regarding the dent, we’ve consulted Sal Contreras, a top PDR professional in the Bay Area. He thinks he can get the right angle to push out the dent with the interior out. We’ll drive it up from SoCal for him to work on as soon as we address the misfire and the oil leaks.

[smmmurf]

Originally Posted by GRUESOM3

We should do a go fund me and get this m3 and have someone tear down the engine to inspect the bearings and crank

Dear M3post,
Thanks for all the the support, suggestions, and DIY guides thus far! As requested, please find the following PDF’s attached:
1. CarFax report (1 owner vehicle)
2. Complete BMW service history (sale in 12/2009 to donation in 12/2023)

It seems like the consensus is that we want to see this M3 continue being driven as long as possible. We'd love to bring these ideas to reality!

Therefore, if you gain any insights from our work, please consider contributing to our GoFundMe in the amount commensurate with the value that you receive. Thank you!

[DRLane]

Is this a joke? A Gofundme?

[FrznM3]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

That's insane. Let's just say he was getting 15MPG average, which means he used up 23,533 gallons of fuel throughout his ownership commuting. I wonder if he ended up getting another low-mileage E92 M3 to replace it with. I'm in the auto business and people who usually put that much mileage on the same car really love them and tend to try and find a similar one when it's time to replace it.

What’s truly insane is that the (((people))) that want to put us in remote controlled electric vehicles for the “benefit” of the environment burn that ~25k gallons of fuel in their private jets in less than 5 flights on the way to their “climate summits”.

But I digress. I bought my E92 M3 3 years ago at 80k miles and now it has 155k. Runs like a dream, looks better than when I bought it, and I could care less about mileage. The Germans engineered this car to be driven.

[mjn77]

Wow, i've only 132k miles on my E90 M3. Got some serious catching up to do!!

[ufgtrs2007]

amazing thread....subscribed. I never thought our cars can make it past 300K miles, I'm currently a second owner of a 2013 coupe with 22K miles (bought at 19K miles 2 years ago), need to get out and drive.

[DrFerry]

Originally Posted by smmmurf

Dear M3post,
Thanks for all the the support, suggestions, and DIY guides thus far! As requested, please find the following PDF’s attached:
1. CarFax report (1 owner vehicle)
2. Complete BMW service history (sale in 12/2009 to donation in 12/2023)

It seems like the consensus is that we want to see this M3 continue being driven as long as possible. We'd love to bring these ideas to reality!

Therefore, if you gain any insights from our work, please consider contributing to our GoFundMe in the amount commensurate with the value that you receive. Thank you!

Holy cow! 129 pages in the .pdf service history report…. Thanks.

[DrFerry]

smmmurf Can you confirm the vanos covers are the original OEM parts?

[LKN624]

Originally Posted by DrFerry

smmmurf Can you confirm the vanos covers are the original OEM parts?

I am also wondering this same thing...I swear if they are