M3--My experiences after two years of ownership

[WAKman]

This past weekend marked my two-year anniversary with my M3. It's a 2008 DCT with practically every option there was. Interlagos Blue with a silver leather interior. I bought it at 73,000 miles for $26,500, which included splitting the cost or replacing the rod bearings and the dealer picking up the cost of swapping out the new Nankang tires he was so proud of with the proper Michelins. About a month after I bought it, it developed a leak around the front crank seal, which I had replaced. I also opened up the TBAs and installed better gears, noting that the TBAs in there were date coded 2014, which means someone had previously replaced them.

Since then, nothing else has gone wrong other than a light bulb or two. The car has 103,000 miles, and has performed perfectly. If I drive reasonably, it gets 18-22 mpg. The car is beautiful, fast, and comfortable even at triple digit cruising speeds. And the S65 is an absolute gem of an engine, which seems to be almost a living breathing animal. Even if it weren't wrapped in such a beautiful, competent car, I'd love it.

I've owned over 70 cars over the years, because I tend to grow tired of cars after a year or two. But this car is different--two years in, I have no thoughts of selling. Though the new cars are even quicker, I dislike turbo cars in general, preferring the right-there power of a high-winding NA engine.

I see people on this forum worrying about reliability and maintenance of these cars. While they can be expensive even if you do the work yourself, I would not shy away. If you can find a decent, unhit car with good service records, I'd snap it up while they are still relatively undiscovered by the chattering class of folks who drive the prices of cool cars up beyond affordability. In fact, I'd snap up a nice lower mileage non-sunroof mineral white car right now if I could afford it, just to have a spare.

[Scrippy]

They are great cars. Mine has over 180,000 miles and I still love it like I did the day I bought it. I have found this car to be very reliable as an owner. I have had an alternator and bank 2 TA die but no other issues. I love V8's and out of all the V8's I've owned the S65 is my favorite. I plan on keeping this car forever. I will add another car or truck but I will always keep my E92 ///M.

[WAKman]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

They are great cars. Mine has over 180,000 miles and I still love it like I did the day I bought it. I have found this car to be very reliable as an owner. I have had an alternator and bank 2 TA die but no other issues. I love V8's and out of all the V8's I've owned the S65 is my favorite. I plan on keeping this car forever. I will add another car or truck but I will always keep my E92 ///M.

I plan to han g onto mine as well. Can't think of anything better. My daughter has a dual motor Tesla Model 3, and, while a truly great transportation appliance, is nonetheless an appliance. I find it soulless. I'll keep the wild animal that is the S65, which happens to have a damn fine car wrapped around it.

At 180,000, have you replaced the seat bolsters yet? Mine are in sad shape.

Terry

[PACarGuy]

2 years in and I'm loving mine as well, though I have only put 10K on the car so far. Best car I've ever owned. I bought one with some miles on it (52K at time of purchase) but it had a good service history, clean PPI and clean carfax.

I have had a few issues since purchase, though only one I would consider significant/urgent (TA failure, which was replaced for free under the 7 year emissions warranty). The other issues could have waited (slightly seeping mechatronics cover and valve cover gaskets and a noisy diff) but since I had bought an aftermarket warranty I went ahead and got them taken care of. Had the RB's replaced w/BE bearings for additional peace of mind, though mine didn't look too bad when they came out, and have done some other maintenance and proactive replacement as well. Car runs like new. What an awesome daily and occasional track monster.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by WAKman

I plan to han g onto mine as well. Can't think of anything better. My daughter has a dual motor Tesla Model 3, and, while a truly great transportation appliance, is nonetheless an appliance. I find it soulless. I'll keep the wild animal that is the S65, which happens to have a damn fine car wrapped around it.

At 180,000, have you replaced the seat bolsters yet? Mine are in sad shape.

Terry

No I haven't but the stitching is wearing. Go to realOEM.com and check pricing for new leather.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

No I haven't but the stitching is wearing. Go to realOEM.com and check pricing for new leather.

I have seen some magic done to leather seats by good repair shops. Perhaps give one of them a try before replacing the leather?

[New2Roundel]

I really like that color! Wonderful choice. I echo sentiment of the general durability of the vehicle. I've had very little go wrong with my car. They aren't nearly the money pit people make them out to be, though they do seem to have areas of concern that are definitely a lot more expensive to address than the problems most other cars seem to have.

[Drifter2090]

I hope mine will be as reliable as yours. It's been great so far, I've had 0 issues.

[deaz4m]

starting my journey with this 09 e93 coming from a z4m MT. Loving the extra room and hoping that i get lucky as well.

[Grip Addict]

What tires did the dealer put on? lol