Buying a high mileage E9x M3

[Yugo]

Any common issue with these cars around 90k miles? How do people generally feel about buying a higher mileage E9x car that they don't plan on keeping for longer than 1-2 years?

Sorry, if this has been discussed before, couldn't find anything. And also have been going crazy lately thinking of whether to pull the trigger on an E90 M3 or something else.

Have two that came up and have been talking to the dealers. One is a 2011 E90 jerez black w 90k asking $34 and the other is a 2008 SSII with 95k asking $26k. Both cars are too far away from me to test drive, so it would have to be a deal done over the phone. Both seem to be able to reduce the price some more. 2008 was involved in a crash, but looks very clean in pics, can't tell any damage was there ever.

Any suggestions and help are appreciated!

[phrozen06]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...t=high+mileage

[thai357sig]

The E9x is a very reliable car. Mine is still exceptionally tight being an 09' with 78K. I let a friend drive it recently and he was amazed at the pristine condition of the drivetrain and chassis. He chirped the new Michelin PSS in 3rd gear and was smiling from ear to ear.

Nothing wrong wrong with higher mileage M3s. Just check it carefully.

[DanoneBMW]

Off course high mileage isn't preferable ! Don't buy high mileage buy a low mileage M3.
OR you can buy a car that you can afford at a low mileage or an M3 that was gang banged for years. Up to you.

[s85e90]

e9x m3 are VERY reliable. Should have no prob running to 250k easily.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by s85e90

e9x m3 are VERY reliable. Should have no prob running to 250k easily.

Man I hope you're right.

I'm not yet to 70k with my '08, and I'd love to take it all the way to 250 or even 300k. And I'm going to choose not to calculate what my fuel costs would be do do so - ha!

[phrozen06]

I'm at 149k. OP you'll be fine.

[BrewRifle]

149k and still going strong? Any major repairs?

[W///]

Originally Posted by s85e90

e9x m3 are VERY reliable. Should have no prob running to 250k easily.

Second part is a pretty bold statement there

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by W///

Second part is a pretty bold statement there

how so? there's nothing concrete stated.. "should have no problem running to 250k" look at all the e36 cars with over 250k. I also personally know a bunch of e46 with 150k - 200k and some e9x with now 120k+.... It's easy to deduce what I wrote/said. An car (well maintained of course) should last for hundreds of thousands of miles. Where do people think they go after we sell them? To the scrapyard? lol

[phrozen06]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

149k and still going strong? Any major repairs?

No. Just change my valve cover gaskets, 3rd set of spark plugs, and a diagnostic pump failure that caused an increased emissions error. The diagnostic pump has 0 effect on drivability, you just have to change the pump which is around 120 and an easy DIY. Just youtube it.

[W///]

Originally Posted by s85e90

how so? there's nothing concrete stated.. "should have no problem running to 250k" look at all the e36 cars with over 250k. I also personally know a bunch of e46 with 150k - 200k and some e9x with now 120k+.... It's easy to deduce what I wrote/said. An car (well maintained of course) should last for hundreds of thousands of miles. Where do people think they go after we sell them? To the scrapyard? lol

Hey man, you were the one that said the E36 M3 was a fake M and nothing but a glorified 3 series. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of high mileage cars. My E46 had 160k when I sold it, E30 was over 200k and my 4Runner has a whopping 280k+ miles on it.

Not saying it's not possible to get over 250k out of the S65, just think it'll prob be more work than the examples you've provided. With things like EDC add complexity to the car.

Btw, I'm not one of those guys that think the E9x M3 is frail. I monitor the oil and I'm religious about keeping up with the fluids/maintenance

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by W///

Hey man, you were the one that said the E36 M3 was a fake M and nothing but a glorified 3 series. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of high mileage cars. My E46 had 160k when I sold it, E30 was over 200k and my 4Runner has a whopping 280k+ miles on it.

Not saying it's not possible to get over 250k out of the S65, just think it'll prob be more work than the examples you've provided. With things like EDC add complexity to the car.

Btw, I'm not one of those guys that think the E9x M3 is frail. I monitor the oil and I'm religious about keeping up with the fluids/maintenance

Ha! I guess that'll never get old. You look like a smart M guru, it's known the USA was to never get an e36 m3. It was supposed to be EU only, and until letters were written they built a new car, but that car was really, really watered down. Worse than the e46, but at least the 46 had the good motor, and not the m50 variant which is what I was getting at. It's really kind of a dif car.

And yes, while not a Honda, these cars are very, reliable. I have no options which also makes it nicer, but my old e90 nevery gave me issues and my e46 was driven hard, cross country 2x and sold w/ alot of miles and ran like new w/ no issues

[W///]

Originally Posted by s85e90

Ha! I guess that'll never get old. You look like a smart M guru, it's known the USA was to never get an e36 m3. It was supposed to be EU only, and until letters were written they built a new car, but that car was really, really watered down. Worse than the e46, but at least the 46 had the good motor, and not the m50 variant which is what I was getting at. It's really kind of a dif car.

And yes, while not a Honda, these cars are very, reliable. I have no options which also makes it nicer, but my old e90 nevery gave me issues and my e46 was driven hard, cross country 2x and sold w/ alot of miles and ran like new w/ no issues

Oh I know. That's actually what draws me to the US E36 M3. It's cheap, is bulletproof, and when things go bad, you can fix it for cheap. I bought the car because it'll most likely see some track time. I also considered a higher mileage E46 M3, but went away from that idea because the E36 suits my needs better.

I absolutely agree that the E9x is THE most reliable "true" M car BMW has made in the past 2 decades. I'm not too familiar with the E28 and E34 M5's, but those were probably bulletproof too. If the E9x is anywhere as reliable as a non M E36 and E46 when they get to higher miles, that would be amazing

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by W///

Oh I know. That's actually what draws me to the US E36 M3. It's cheap, is bulletproof, and when things go bad, you can fix it for cheap. I bought the car because it'll most likely see some track time. I also considered a higher mileage E46 M3, but went away from that idea because the E36 suits my needs better.

I absolutely agree that the E9x is THE most reliable "true" M car BMW has made in the past 2 decades. I'm not too familiar with the E28 and E34 M5's, but those were probably bulletproof too. If the E9x is anywhere as reliable as a non M E36 and E46 when they get to higher miles, that would be amazing

100% .. the e9x has really almost surprised me so far with not only mine, but reading that there are relatively no issues.. the car has been dead reliable (othan than a few rod bearings lol). e36 is a good pickup and should be a good visceral driving feel and cheap to beat on.

[s85e90]

One thing for sure is that the 36, 46 look timeless and will always be a nice (not dated) looking car. Other cars come to mind are the 90s 300z. Still looks good today.. Simple lines.

[Yugo]

Thanks for all the replies! It will certainly make my decision making easier now

[kwike92]

Originally Posted by phrozen06

I'm at 149k. OP you'll be fine.

149k? nice, makes me feel good about the longevity of this car.

my last e92 m3 i traded it in with 84k miles now my current one has 43k miles.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Yugo

Thanks for all the replies! It will certainly make my decision making easier now

It'd be a bonus if you know how to wrench on basic things on your car BTW.

[IzzyGray]

Modern engines are meant to last over 150k miles easily. I'm not sure where this mentality of 70-90k miles as "high mileage" came from. Heck I would argue that you're just breaking the car in at 70k miles.

[checkmate]

Originally Posted by W///

Hey man, you were the one that said the E36 M3 was a fake M and nothing but a glorified 3 series. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of high mileage cars. My E46 had 160k when I sold it, E30 was over 200k and my 4Runner has a whopping 280k+ miles on it.

Not saying it's not possible to get over 250k out of the S65, just think it'll prob be more work than the examples you've provided. With things like EDC add complexity to the car.

Btw, I'm not one of those guys that think the E9x M3 is frail. I monitor the oil and I'm religious about keeping up with the fluids/maintenance

Exactly why I ordered mine without EDC, Sunroof or Power Seats

[W///]

Originally Posted by checkmate

Exactly why I ordered mine without EDC, Sunroof or Power Seats

You also added DCT, so that's kind of makes up for it

I myself also despise sunroofs. Every time I get in my E36, I'm waiting for water to pour through like waterfall haha. I wish I could have ordered manual seats, that would have been awesome. If EDC kicks the buckets, I'm going coilovers with this car with EDC delete (I never use it anyway)