My Experience Bringing an '08 E92 M3 Back to Full Health

[Cmassey3]

Cross-posting this from reddit, so some of the lingo is more meant for general car folks and not M forum members that know a lot more about M cars.


So during covid lockdowns of June last year, I decided to pick up an E92 M3 on a whim so I could have a fun car to drive and something to work on when I could. It's a near max optioned car save for the competition pack, so I've got nav, 19" forged fuchs, most tech/convenience options, EDC. I picked it up from a reputable indie shop that deals in used sports cars and I knew going into it that it would need rod bearings and throttle body actuators so I factored those into the total cost of ownership.

A few other things have popped up here and there and I wanted to give folks a rough cost breakdown on what it’s taken to bring a mid-range E92 M3 example back to full health.

M3 Costs

• List $19,950.00
• OTD 21,128.47 (w/NC vehicle tax) [Bought with pads, rotors, hood struts, coil pack done]
• Starting mileage 73924
• Current mileage 78xxx
• Mechatronics sealing sleeve leaking, reseal transmission = $2,516.19 (OEM parts)
• Rod bearings = $3,294.97 (Replaced with WPC treated OEM bearing shells w/ARP bolts)
• Throttle body actuators = $2,492.62 (This was a complete rip and caused me to change indie shops. This job should be about half what I paid for here)
• Replace 2 ignition coils with new spark plugs = $1,396.76 (OEM parts) [Check out the PPU of the OEM coil packs: https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-5...-priced-each/]
• Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires, staggered 19 full set = $1500 - ish
• Various trim repairs w/ OEM replacements = $1,558.88 (new grill set, front undertray, driver’s mirror, handles, worn trim, etc)

Total Repairs/Maintenance = $12,800 - ish

So now I have a nearly restored E92 M3 and even though that amount of maintenance would scare a lot of people off, I felt better having it done under my ownership since I’m in the BMW CCA and know the right people to do the job(usually). All that’s left is a front bumper respray and refinished wheels.

TCO isn’t far off from where this car should be in that E92 M3’s you want to own are usually $30k-$45k.

I'm still enjoying the car and I have a peace of mind knowing that all the major serviceables are complete and done under proper shops with folks that know what they're doing.

I'm hoping to get this car up to 150k miles, but I still keep my heads in the F82/G82 listings. I can definitely afford the punches the E92 will throw sometimes, but I do wonder if the newer cars might be more robust with component life.

[Cmassey3]

So this wasn't the cleanest example to start with and there's been some (expensive) learning experiences along the way, but I think I'm out of the woods with differed maintenance.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Good price out the door and the car looks great.

You have to be willing to get your hands dirty if you are financially conservative and want to own one of these cars (and want to be happy), just an opinion.

Also, I'll never be able to change the minds of most nor do I feel the need to but going OE (through FCP) or used would have saved you probably 50%. Again, just an opinion.

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by InnerBlueSkies

Good price out the door and the car looks great.

You have to be willing to get your hands dirty if you are financially conservative and want to own one of these cars (and want to be happy), just an opinion.

Also, I'll never be able to change the minds of most nor do I feel the need to but going OE (through FCP) or used would have saved you probably 50%. Again, just an opinion.

Yeah, I've since gotten a proper tool set and I plan on doing most of the work myself from here on out.

People have tipped me off on the OE parts and I really think that's gonna be the way to go for future repairs.

[tdott]

Good job getting it in working order.

I wouldn't call that a restored e92 m3 though, it's merely one with updated maintenance which is a good thing because at this age, they are mostly neglected.

Sadly like mentioned above, those items could have cost much less. Spark Plugs and Coils are an easy thing to learn how to change on these cars. TAs are also fairly easy to DIY, which could have saved you more than 50%.

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by tdott

Good job getting it in working order.

I wouldn't call that a restored e92 m3 though, it's merely one with updated maintenance which is a good thing because at this age, they are mostly neglected.

Sadly like mentioned above, those items could have cost much less. Spark Plugs and Coils are an easy thing to learn how to change on these cars. TAs are also fairly easy to DIY, which could have saved you more than 50%.

Yeah, I wish I had a better space to really tackle those jobs. At least now I have tools to do it, but not having access to a garage limits me sometimes.

[Cyberdemon]

You're getting your ass kicked on the stuff you're paying for.

Even tires, Conti's are ~$1000 from Tirerack.com, mounting and balancing should be $80-100. So $400 went into the tire shops pocket.

I had my DCT mechatronics and covers done for $1000 at a shop.

Coils, plugs and TA's all involve ripping the same stuff open and probably could've been done in a parking lot (plus a cheap easy up tent if you need some shade). The coils and plugs could've cost you $250.

If you don't want to take it all on yourself never underestimate trying to find someone who might be local and willing to help you turn a wrench for a 12 pack of beer.

The hundreds/thousands saved could easily go to paying for the tools and gear you'd need and most of that stuff can be stuck inside a small apartment closet. I kept my winter tires stacked up 2x in my living room in college with plywood on top to use as end tables. Get creative :-)

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

You're getting your ass kicked on the stuff you're paying for.

Even tires, Conti's are ~$1000 from Tirerack.com, mounting and balancing should be $80-100. So $400 went into the tire shops pocket.

I had my DCT mechatronics and covers done for $1000 at a shop.

Coils, plugs and TA's all involve ripping the same stuff open and probably could've been done in a parking lot (plus a cheap easy up tent if you need some shade). The coils and plugs could've cost you $250.

If you don't want to take it all on yourself never underestimate trying to find someone who might be local and willing to help you turn a wrench for a 12 pack of beer.

The hundreds/thousands saved could easily go to paying for the tools and gear you'd need and most of that stuff can be stuck inside a small apartment closet. I kept my winter tires stacked up 2x in my living room in college with plywood on top to use as end tables. Get creative :-)

Yeah, I think the shop that did my TBAs ripped the price and likely damaged my coils packs in the process. I'm trying to get better at doing work myself and learning from all this.

[MAE90M3]

I'll play (or cry) along too...

Purchased Dec. 2020. 2008 E90 with 120k miles.
Price - $20.5k
PPI with leak and compression - $547.15
Shipping from CA - $1349
Taxes and registration - $1413.75
Winter Tires - $841.16
Swap summer to winter tires - $170
New battery and new alternator - $1324.48
New oil filter housing gasket, oil change, new radiator (and all that comes with that), and new spark plugs - $2353.01
Summer tires - $1060

Total in two months of ownership - $29558.55

My reaction every time I go for a drive - God I love this car

[chief]

BMW Ms are expensive to maintain. I have been a regular customer of my local BMW dealer for 20+ years ringing up more than $50k in service fees on my '08 M3. Yes if you are inclined you can do a little or a lot of work on your car yourself, but that is the same for any car.

I am currently going through a freshening as well, inside, outside and under the hood. Recently I have repaired/repainted the door trim (damn peeling rubbery paint!), replaced the pop out cup holders and surrounding bezel, replaced the door weather striping, interior door floor sill plates that go over the carpet adjacent to the weather striping, replaced a scratched switch (the power and DSC buttons near the gear shift), replacing the steering wheel, and will soon have the driver's seat (worn left bluster and seat) repaired to look fresh and new by an upholstery shop.

Outside I'm replacing my front bumper, reconditioning the rear bumper and having them both repainted. I will install a new set of splitters up front for what feels like the 20th time. And get a good detailing of the car.

Under the hood within the last 15k miles or so I have replaced the TAs, alternator, battery, main power distribution box, and spark plugs. I have replace the AC compressor, cylinder head gasket, and new tires.

Previously I have replaced the motor with a new OEM crate motor, the motor and trans mounts, gaskets on the trans (the ones that slowly leak over time), hoses, belts, water & oil pumps, flex disk and dif service.

Now I am scheduled to do rod bearings (35k on the 'new' motor), replace the OEM radiator and oil cooler with CSF coolers, have the KW Clubsports rebuilt (high mileage preventative), replace the spark plugs, coils, and install an ESS G1 supercharger.

Like I said, these cars will eat as much money and time as you can throw at them. Whether you do it all yourself, part of it or none of it.

[Bartledoo]

This is a bad used car to own if you don't diy at all. But to hell with it. You're all fixed up and love the car I assume.

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

This is a bad used car to own if you don't diy at all. But to hell with it. You're all fixed up and love the car I assume.

Yeah, I do DIY when I can but usually my Land Cruiser restoration takes up all my wrenching time.

[cae93]

Purchased my 2103 for $30K
$1k for new tires
lot's of fun
Alpine tune
new wheels (359's) and more new tires (only rears) ($3k+)
MPE V2 (can't remember how much but not cheap)
even more fun
another set of tires

apart from a few self inflicted issues (steering wheel airbag faults) and a few oil changes, it's been 2 years and 15k miles of awesome.

As a side note, the only issues I've had with this car so far are either as a result of me playing with things i should probably have left alone, or due to the dumbf*ckery of the previous owner who made a few mods and did not do any of them well.

[dannyboy017]

ouch....those prices

[nrubenstein]

Man, your mechanics are taking you for a ride....

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by nrubenstein

Man, your mechanics are taking you for a ride....

Yeah, the TBA folks no longer work on my car.

[mym3adventures]

Originally Posted by AdM1nsarEas$

Nice.

Here's my cash lighting on fire since my purchase 2 months ago.

2010 with 54k miles.

I capture everything.

Mind specifying "Gov Bullshit Fuckers"?

[E90325M]

I am in the same boat.
2011 DCT MW. Got it only one week.

== DIY Done:
Battery change and registration.
Wiper change.
Remove damaged front lips.
Hand washing.
Quick Jack 5000 installed and running.
Take a lot of photos undercarriage.

==On The Way:
New PSS tires.
New carbon fiber mirror cap.
New IND painted reflectors.
Aluminum front undertray.
Stoptech Brake Sets.
.....

==Still thinking:
a lot of: like headlights, carbon rear bumper. steering wheel....

==Need to maintain:
Oil change
DCT transmission reseal.
.....

[atopa2002]

TA doesn’t need to be changed preemptively , it’s gives you a lots of heads up when it’s on its way out and it’s just put you in limp mode .
Original ones can last for > 150k miles

[GotV8?]

Originally Posted by chief

BMW Ms are expensive to maintain. I have been a regular customer of my local BMW dealer for 20+ years ringing up more than $50k in service fees on my '08 M3. Yes if you are inclined you can do a little or a lot of work on your car yourself, but that is the same for any car.

I am currently going through a freshening as well, inside, outside and under the hood. Recently I have repaired/repainted the door trim (damn peeling rubbery paint!), replaced the pop out cup holders and surrounding bezel, replaced the door weather striping, interior door floor sill plates that go over the carpet adjacent to the weather striping, replaced a scratched switch (the power and DSC buttons near the gear shift), replacing the steering wheel, and will soon have the driver's seat (worn left bluster and seat) repaired to look fresh and new by an upholstery shop.

Outside I'm replacing my front bumper, reconditioning the rear bumper and having them both repainted. I will install a new set of splitters up front for what feels like the 20th time. And get a good detailing of the car.

Under the hood within the last 15k miles or so I have replaced the TAs, alternator, battery, main power distribution box, and spark plugs. I have replace the AC compressor, cylinder head gasket, and new tires.

Previously I have replaced the motor with a new OEM crate motor, the motor and trans mounts, gaskets on the trans (the ones that slowly leak over time), hoses, belts, water & oil pumps, flex disk and dif service.

Now I am scheduled to do rod bearings (35k on the 'new' motor), replace the OEM radiator and oil cooler with CSF coolers, have the KW Clubsports rebuilt (high mileage preventative), replace the spark plugs, coils, and install an ESS G1 supercharger.

Like I said, these cars will eat as much money and time as you can through at them. Whether you do it all yourself, part of it or none of it.

Amen to M tax!!! I am also starting to get close to 100k which I enjoy putting all of it over the last 7 years....just ordered a new arm rest to replace and plan to do leather treatment soon for entire car...purchased some leatherique.

[Cmassey3]

Originally Posted by GotV8?

Amen to M tax!!! I am also starting to get close to 100k which I enjoy putting all of it over the last 7 years....just ordered a new arm rest to replace and plan to do leather treatment soon for entire car...purchased some leatherique.

Does leatherique redye the leather? I've got side bolster fading I'd like to fix with my bamboo beige seats.

[wootloops]

Originally Posted by Cmassey3

Does leatherique redye the leather? I've got side bolster fading I'd like to fix with my bamboo beige seats.

Leatherique does sell dye kits but generally when people mention it on the forums they are talking about the "rejuvinator" which is a cleaner/conditioner set. That won't fix the bolsters if they are worn through the color layer, you'd need a seperate dye kit.