BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > M3 (E90 / E92 / E93) > General M3 Forum (E90 + E92 + E93)
 
EXXEL Distributions
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-01-2015, 06:28 PM   #1
RussianPete
Captain
RussianPete's Avatar
Russia
250
Rep
986
Posts

Drives: AY M4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Coral Gables - Miami

iTrader: (0)

E92 M3 engine life

Hello everyone,

I am going to be a buying a 2011-2013 m3 within the next couple months. As i live in south Florida my option are kind of limited because there arent to many cars for sale in all of florida.

Im looking to buy a m3 with the performance package (carbon fiber roof etc) but it seems like theres only one for sale in a 500 mile radius from me. this car has 66k miles and this what my post is about. how many miles will a well maintained oiled m3 engine last?

also, should i go with a car with lower miles in the 20-30k range and forget about the performance package and go with the safer buy.

thank you in advance
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2015, 09:18 PM   #2
BloomRunsDubs
Second Lieutenant
127
Rep
247
Posts

Drives: F82 M4
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Id say it depends on how many miles you are putting on it in a year. If you would be hurting after paying $2500 for a rod bearing job don't get a higher mileage M3, unless they have been done already.

I had the same problem trying to get my M3. There was like 5 cars for sale in a 300 mile radius, none that I wanted. I ended up getting one from about 500 miles away and having it brought to me for 500 bucks.

I would suggest expand your search radius a bit if you are dead set on a competition package. A little extra shipping charge isnt that much to make sure you get the right car. Anyways I dont think the comp package is worth it. You can always just wrap the roof and get the wheels
Appreciate 0
      09-01-2015, 11:54 PM   #3
Helmsman
Major General
Helmsman's Avatar
Sweden
4377
Rep
7,053
Posts

Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

iTrader: (0)

Woah, lets not make it sound like rod bearings are a must to change on this engine. There are piles far over 100k miles running happy out there mate...
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2015, 12:04 AM   #4
redpriest
Colonel
redpriest's Avatar
2146
Rep
2,527
Posts

Drives: 2011 M3/Porsche 992 GT3RS
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Bay Area, CA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Bought my M3 at 41k miles. I have 101k on her right now, 4 track days and an autocross on her. All my blackstone reports are fine and the engine runs like a charm so far.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2015, 12:27 AM   #5
BPMSport
BimmerPost Supporting Vendor
BPMSport's Avatar
United_States
3381
Rep
7,539
Posts


Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (9)

Garage List
2000 BMW M5  [0.00]
1990 BMW 735i Turbo  [0.00]
2008 BMW M3  [7.50]
2015 BMW M3  [0.00]
2015 BMW M5  [0.00]
A customer from earlier today with a tuned 08...
Attached Images
 
__________________

-----| Like us on Facebook | Instagram || Tuning Information | Remote Coding |-----
----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. | Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
Appreciate 3
      09-02-2015, 08:23 AM   #6
jphughan
Brigadier General
jphughan's Avatar
United_States
594
Rep
4,488
Posts

Drives: '16 Cayman GT4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

There was never a "Performance Package" for the M3, at least in the US. The packages depending on the production window were Premium, Premium 2, Premium 3 (just called Premium but had a different option code), Technology, Convenience, Cold Weather, and Competition -- but none of them included a carbon fiber roof. That was standard on the E92 (but could be replaced by a no-cost moonroof) and not available at all on the E90 or E93.

As for the engine, the E9x M3 has proven to be arguably the most reliable model in BMW's entire recent lineup. The bearing scare is completely overblown IMHO. Yes some people have worn through bearings quickly and even suffered major engine damage in a few unfortunate cases, but plenty of others have been just fine even with a healthy dose of hard track time. Maintain your car well (i.e. above Ultimate Service standards), and maybe get an occasional Blackstone report and/or buy an extended warranty for some added peace of mind, but otherwise all you can do is hope for the best. There's no crystal ball for a given example, but the odds are overwhelmingly in favor of the car serving you well for years and many miles to come.
__________________
'16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up)

Gone but not forgotten:
'11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans | Black Nov w/ Alum | 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)
Appreciate 1
      09-02-2015, 09:04 AM   #7
GVIFlyer
Large Member
GVIFlyer's Avatar
295
Rep
979
Posts

Drives: '19 Porsche C2S Cab_M3 DCT ZCP
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Somewhere in the air.

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Helmsman View Post
Woah, lets not make it sound like rod bearings are a must to change on this engine. There are piles far over 100k miles running happy out there mate...
The secret is oil analysis.When high levels of copper start showing up it's time to do a prophylactic rod end bearing job (ca. $5,500). While I presently have <9,000 miles on my M3, I will start oil analysis at 45,000 miles.

In practice, cars that have been tracked are generally the ones that need premature rod end bearing replacement. This is because we do not have dry sumps - under sustained centrifugal loads in corners the oil in our engines slosh up against the side of the pan - away from the rod ends.

FWIW in OP's car search, 2011.75 - 2013 are the same car.
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2015, 09:28 AM   #8
to///m
Lieutenant
to///m's Avatar
260
Rep
590
Posts

Drives: 2023 M3 CX
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Jacksonville, FL

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2023 BMW M3 CX  [9.50]
2018 BMW X5  [0.00]
2018 Ford Raptor  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Benvo View Post
A customer from earlier today with a tuned 08...
Saw this on your Instagram, that's awesome. Original rod bearings?
__________________

2023 BG G80 ///M3 COMP XDRIVE
Dinan CF Intake | Valvetronic SS Full Exhaust | AST Adjustable Springs | UNIT 17 Front Splitter | UNIT 17 Sideskirts | BC Forged HSC21 Wheels 20x10 et12 / 20x11 et12
Appreciate 0
      09-02-2015, 01:36 PM   #9
davesaddiction
is fast cars
davesaddiction's Avatar
United_States
391
Rep
2,137
Posts

Drives: '08 E90 M3 6MT SSII BPM Stg II
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Oklahoma

iTrader: (0)

My recent Blackstone report at 77k looked great.

It is an issue, but is by no means as widespread as reading this forum would have you think.

For peace of mind, try this: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601



Good luck on your hunt!
__________________
Daddy's Rocket Sled!
Clarkson: "It is... pretty much perfect... Why don't I have one of these cars?"
Harris: "The saloon is definitely the M3 of choice."
Appreciate 2
      09-02-2015, 01:42 PM   #10
davesaddiction
is fast cars
davesaddiction's Avatar
United_States
391
Rep
2,137
Posts

Drives: '08 E90 M3 6MT SSII BPM Stg II
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Oklahoma

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by GVFlyer View Post
In practice, cars that have been tracked are generally the ones that need premature rod end bearing replacement. This is because we do not have dry sumps - under sustained centrifugal loads in corners the oil in our engines slosh up against the side of the pan - away from the rod ends.
While this is a decent theory, I don't believe any correlation has been made between tracking these cars and rod bearing failure.

A number of low mile garage queens have had the issue as well.
Appreciate 1
      09-03-2015, 11:43 AM   #11
Rbembas_M3
Lieutenant
Rbembas_M3's Avatar
United_States
39
Rep
494
Posts

Drives: BMW 2011 M3
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BUFORD GA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by ptrubetskoy View Post
Hello everyone,

I am going to be a buying a 2011-2013 m3 within the next couple months. As i live in south Florida my option are kind of limited because there arent to many cars for sale in all of florida.

Im looking to buy a m3 with the performance package (carbon fiber roof etc) but it seems like theres only one for sale in a 500 mile radius from me. this car has 66k miles and this what my post is about. how many miles will a well maintained oiled m3 engine last?

also, should i go with a car with lower miles in the 20-30k range and forget about the performance package and go with the safer buy.

thank you in advance
There are several for sale here in the Atlanta area
United Gwinnett BMW
__________________


2011 M3 Coupe,Jerez Black,DCT,EDC,DSC
2010 X5 30i Black
Appreciate 0
      09-03-2015, 12:31 PM   #12
RussianPete
Captain
RussianPete's Avatar
Russia
250
Rep
986
Posts

Drives: AY M4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Coral Gables - Miami

iTrader: (0)

i would like to buy a car and ship it over, but how can you buy a car without even driving it before hand or taking a closer look. i cant grasp the concept of signing a check for $45,000 to someone i dont know across the country.

also is there a big difference in the 2011 and 2013 model?

one last thing... 2011 e92 zcp 66k miles for 38.999?? what do you guys think
Appreciate 0
      09-03-2015, 12:47 PM   #13
jphughan
Brigadier General
jphughan's Avatar
United_States
594
Rep
4,488
Posts

Drives: '16 Cayman GT4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ptrubetskoy View Post
i would like to buy a car and ship it over, but how can you buy a car without even driving it before hand or taking a closer look. i cant grasp the concept of signing a check for $45,000 to someone i dont know across the country.

also is there a big difference in the 2011 and 2013 model?

one last thing... 2011 e92 zcp 66k miles for 38.999?? what do you guys think
Usually the prospective buyer will ask the current owner to take it to a shop of the buyer's choosing for a pre-purchase inspection and occasionally ask a forum member local to the seller to check it out visually, otherwise it's just about detailed photos. If you're already familiar with the E9x M3 in general, then seeing and driving the car in-person won't tell you much more than a thorough inspection and a good set of photos would. But I agree, it is a bit strange to think about.

For 2011 vs 2013, it depends on the production month of the 2011. 2011 was a very long model year that had changes throughout it. Cars produced from 9/2010 onward are referred to as 2011.5 since Combox was added and the option packages were rejiggered. Cars produced from 3/2011 onward are referred to as 2011.75 because that's when BMW Apps became available as an option. I think that's also when the "DSC Off" button switched from an all-text to a part graphics, part text button, incidentally. But if you're comparing a 2013 to a 2011.75 (or even a 2011.5 if you don't care about BMW Apps) then there's no difference. The option packages were reshuffled for 2012 (yes, even though they had just been reshuffled for 2011.5), but no new options became available.

As for the specific car, I won't comment on value since I'm also selling my car, a 2011.75 E92 with 38K miles for $42K; link in my sig. No ZCP, but I have EDC and coded Euro MDM, so the only things you're missing out on are adaptive Sport mode (too harsh for road use IMHO), wheels (easy to obtain), and the 10mm drop.
__________________
'16 Cayman GT4 (delivery pics, comparison to E92 M3 write-up)

Gone but not forgotten:
'11.75 M3 E92 Le Mans | Black Nov w/ Alum | 6MT (owned 5/2011 - 11/2015)

Last edited by jphughan; 09-03-2015 at 12:54 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-03-2015, 01:35 PM   #14
gatorfast
Major General
gatorfast's Avatar
United_States
4969
Rep
6,854
Posts

Drives: 718 Cayman
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SoFla

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ptrubetskoy View Post
Hello everyone,

I am going to be a buying a 2011-2013 m3 within the next couple months. As i live in south Florida my option are kind of limited because there arent to many cars for sale in all of florida.
Huh? South Florida is one of the top car markets in the country

On autotrader there are 41 2011-2013 M3's for sale within 100 miles.
Appreciate 1
      09-03-2015, 03:10 PM   #15
Igs
Second Lieutenant
137
Rep
275
Posts

Drives: G80 / 992 GT3
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Chicagoland NW subs

iTrader: (7)

Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorfast View Post
Huh? South Florida is one of the top car markets in the country

On autotrader there are 41 2011-2013 M3's for sale within 100 miles.
I was just going to say the same thing.... OP are you looking for a unicorn color /options combination?
__________________
Give a Shift
Appreciate 0
      09-04-2015, 03:26 PM   #16
RussianPete
Captain
RussianPete's Avatar
Russia
250
Rep
986
Posts

Drives: AY M4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Coral Gables - Miami

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jphughan View Post
Usually the prospective buyer will ask the current owner to take it to a shop of the buyer's choosing for a pre-purchase inspection and occasionally ask a forum member local to the seller to check it out visually, otherwise it's just about detailed photos. If you're already familiar with the E9x M3 in general, then seeing and driving the car in-person won't tell you much more than a thorough inspection and a good set of photos would. But I agree, it is a bit strange to think about.

For 2011 vs 2013, it depends on the production month of the 2011. 2011 was a very long model year that had changes throughout it. Cars produced from 9/2010 onward are referred to as 2011.5 since Combox was added and the option packages were rejiggered. Cars produced from 3/2011 onward are referred to as 2011.75 because that's when BMW Apps became available as an option. I think that's also when the "DSC Off" button switched from an all-text to a part graphics, part text button, incidentally. But if you're comparing a 2013 to a 2011.75 (or even a 2011.5 if you don't care about BMW Apps) then there's no difference. The option packages were reshuffled for 2012 (yes, even though they had just been reshuffled for 2011.5), but no new options became available.

As for the specific car, I won't comment on value since I'm also selling my car, a 2011.75 E92 with 38K miles for $42K; link in my sig. No ZCP, but I have EDC and coded Euro MDM, so the only things you're missing out on are adaptive Sport mode (too harsh for road use IMHO), wheels (easy to obtain), and the 10mm drop.
thanks for the help!!
Appreciate 0
      09-04-2015, 04:43 PM   #17
buffstocover
Second Lieutenant
buffstocover's Avatar
United_States
78
Rep
298
Posts

Drives: 2008 E90 6MT
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: WA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Igs View Post
I was just going to say the same thing.... OP are you looking for a unicorn color /options combination?
Your sig made me chuckle. good stuff
__________________
2008 ///M3 - Dinan Intake & Exhaust
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2015, 11:02 AM   #18
jbl16
Private First Class
jbl16's Avatar
19
Rep
199
Posts

Drives: '13 E92 M3 ZCP DCT
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Miami, FL

iTrader: (0)

Plenty of M3s around south florida. I picked up mine CPO 18k miles 2-3 months ago.
__________________
'13 E92 M3 ZCP DCT
Prev:'06 E90 330i ZSP, '12 Mustang 5.0, '15 VW GTI
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2015, 11:07 AM   #19
Ezio
Brigadier General
Ezio's Avatar
United_States
380
Rep
3,934
Posts

Drives: 2023 Alfa Romeo, 2023 m240i
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: MI

iTrader: (0)

Always go with a car with lower miles. Unless you are poor. Then you shouldn't be buying a newer model m3.
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2015, 11:18 AM   #20
RussianPete
Captain
RussianPete's Avatar
Russia
250
Rep
986
Posts

Drives: AY M4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Coral Gables - Miami

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rbembas_M3 View Post
There are several for sale here in the Atlanta area
United Gwinnett BMW
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbl16 View Post
Plenty of M3s around south florida. I picked up mine CPO 18k miles 2-3 months ago.
can i ask where you bought your car and how much did you pay for it?

im looking for a 2011-2013 m3 zcp with 40k miles or less for around $50,000 or less

ive only found 1 2011 m3 zcp on auto trader but it has 67k miles
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2015, 11:23 AM   #21
MachinesWithSouls
Colonel
MachinesWithSouls's Avatar
United_States
4833
Rep
2,442
Posts

Drives: 2022 M3 6MT
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: New Jersey

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2022 BMW M3  [10.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by GVFlyer View Post
The secret is oil analysis.When high levels of copper start showing up it's time to do a prophylactic rod end bearing job (ca. $5,500). While I presently have <9,000 miles on my M3, I will start oil analysis at 45,000 miles.

In practice, cars that have been tracked are generally the ones that need premature rod end bearing replacement. This is because we do not have dry sumps - under sustained centrifugal loads in corners the oil in our engines slosh up against the side of the pan - away from the rod ends.

FWIW in OP's car search, 2011.75 - 2013 are the same car.
Is that really true? The S65 has 2 pumps to to help combat this, and I've never heard a correlation between bearing failure and high speed cornering. Just the tight tolerance and lack of oil flow.
__________________
2022 M3 6MT - Portimao Blue Metallic
2022 X3 M40i - Tanzanite Blue Metallic
Appreciate 0
      09-06-2015, 08:19 PM   #22
RussianPete
Captain
RussianPete's Avatar
Russia
250
Rep
986
Posts

Drives: AY M4
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Coral Gables - Miami

iTrader: (0)

so i test drove a 2015 m3 dct today.... such a nice ride.

the bmw select financing makes the payments very reasonable.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
engine, life, m3 e92, power

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:53 AM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST