Price check: 2008 M3 110k, 1 meticulous owner

[wheresthetrail]

Hey Guy, just got the M bug after visiting the BMW museum in Munich. New to BMW, not new to cars.

Found this high mileage 2008 M3 just around the corner from my house for $17k. Frankly I'm still digesting all the acronyms and codes, so sure what all the abc's mean!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...searchRadius=0

Good:
Full service records from day one (as recent as last week brake flush).
6spd with new clutch/flywheel.
Totally 100% bone stock
Stopped into the BMW shop and confirmed how meticulous the owner has been. Check.

Bad:
Needs rod bearings (owner thinks forums and his shop are overhyping the issue. $2500 quote from his shop).
Needs rear tires.

We agreed on $16,500 based on the tires. Picking it up this week.

Thoughts?

.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by wheresthetrail

1 meticulous owner

and

Originally Posted by wheresthetrail

(owner thinks forums and his shop are overhyping (the rod bearing) issue....

seem like *very* oxymoronic statements to me....*smh*

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

and

seem like *very* oxymoronic statements to me....*smh*

Agreed.

However, he made it to 110k miles so there's also that anecdotal evidence.

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by wheresthetrail

Hey Guy, just got the M bug after visiting the BMW museum in Munich. New to BMW, not new to cars.

Found this high mileage 2008 M3 just around the corner from my house for $17k. Frankly I'm still digesting all the acronyms and codes, so sure what all the abc's mean!

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...searchRadius=0

Good:
Full service records from day one (as recent as last week brake flush).
6spd with new clutch/flywheel.
Totally 100% bone stock
Stopped into the BMW shop and confirmed how meticulous the owner has been. Check.

Bad:
Needs rod bearings (owner thinks forums and his shop are overhyping the issue. $2500 quote from his shop).
Needs rear tires.

We agreed on $16,500 based on the tires. Picking it up this week.

Thoughts?

.

Btw, since you're new to BMW AND specifically the E90 M3...

Consider going with a newer, non-2008, LCI model. There are threads to search the year to year differences. The major differences being navi & exterior tail lights.

The 2008 "CCC" navi screen/system is just painful to look at and it's a $1,000+ option to do after market as a retrofit.

I was new to M, and to own an M3 was a dream, so I bought the first well treated M I came across (even with relatively higher mileage) but the navi is something that's definitely been nagging me for a while.

Even after all the upgrades I've made to make the car exponentially better so far.

Also, when doing the rod bearings, consensus is BE bearing with ARP bolts.

Tires are pricy for these, but worth getting the right kind.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SDPLV

Btw, since you're new to BMW AND specifically the E90 M3...

Consider going with a newer, non-2008, LCI model. There are threads to search the year to year differences. The major differences being navi & exterior tail lights.

The 2008 "CCC" navi screen/system is just painful to look at and it's a $1,000+ option to do after market as a retrofit.

I was new to M, and to own an M3 was a dream, so I bought the first well treated M I came across (even with relatively higher mileage) but the navi is something that's definitely been nagging me for a while.

Even after all the upgrades I've made to make the car exponentially better so far.

Also, when doing the rod bearings, consensus is BE bearing with ARP bolts.

Tires are pricy for these, but worth getting the right kind.

$2,000 on the Idrive. Looks clean from here. Welcome to the club.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

$2,000 on the Idrive. Looks clean from here. Welcome to the club.

android unit is $700, and more capable than the OEM unit...

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

android unit is $700, and more capable than the OEM unit...

Yea I'm speaking about OEM. I'm not well versed in this conversation other than a buddy going the OEM route and paying $2k for the unit, install and coding. I have been looking into an 08 and was not happy about the price. I'll look into your suggestion, much appreciated.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Yea I'm speaking about OEM. I'm not well versed in this conversation other than a buddy going the OEM route and paying $2k for the unit, install and coding. I have been looking into an 08 and was not happy about the price. I'll look into your suggestion, much appreciated.

AVIN USA is the most popular name brand.... i have run an off name brand unit in my e53 X5 and love it, brand name is XTRONS. not sure if they make the e9x chassis unit, but the e53 unit was plug n play after some slight trimming of the frame in the dash.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

AVIN USA is the most popular name brand.... i have run an off name brand unit in my e53 X5 and love it, brand name is XTRONS. not sure if they make the e9x chassis unit, but the e53 unit was plug n play after some slight trimming of the frame in the dash.

They do have one for the E9X, derbo and ItsGary mentioned it but I wasn't paying attention.

Sorry OP, let us know how the sale goes.

[BayE30]

https://avinusa.com/8-8-bmw-3-series...on-system.html

[derbo]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

https://avinusa.com/8-8-bmw-3-series...on-system.html

Yea, shame Xtrons doesn't make a CIC display version.

[SDPLV]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

https://avinusa.com/8-8-bmw-3-series...on-system.html

Damn. Thank you! This is amazing. Had no idea this existed. Looks like I'll be upgrading. Need to make sure my shop can do this install. (I don't have the luxury of screwing it up and the car sitting in my garage.)

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by BOOF-M3

Yea I'm speaking about OEM. I'm not well versed in this conversation other than a buddy going the OEM route and paying $2k for the unit, install and coding. I have been looking into an 08 and was not happy about the price. I'll look into your suggestion, much appreciated.

I think I paid around $1k, did the install myself (which is really not that bad) and paid Alex@Alpine $40 to do the coding for it.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

I think I paid around $1k, did the install myself (which is really not that bad) and paid Alex@Alpine $40 to do the coding for it.

Not looking to take my dash apart. I need to speak to my buddy again. He keeps saying it's $2k. $1k sounds so sweet in comparison.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

android unit is $700, and more capable than the OEM unit...

I have the Dynavin on my euro 330Ci and my God, that thing is designed for Klingons. Seriously, if you are human the interface is incredibly backwards.

[tdott]

Sounds like a great price for an 08.

Get the bearings done and you should be set.
Couldn't care less about CCC/CIC they are both outdated as easily addressed if you care to.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

I have the Dynavin on my euro 330Ci and my God, that thing is designed for Klingons. Seriously, if you are human the interface is incredibly backwards.

The new updated Android OS runs just like a smart phone, very easy and intuitive.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

The new updated Android OS runs just like a smart phone, very easy and intuitive.

it's too late for me now

[wheresthetrail]

Thanks for the input guys!

Agree his disbelief about the bearings was bit of a head scratcher. But interviewing the shop owner sold me.

So, when spending the $2500 to replace the bearings, what else do I replace "because I'm there"? Shop guy said he'd inspect the motor and trans mounts for wear, but is it generally just best practice to replace? Including the subframe bushings?

My only irk so far when driving these M3s was the shifter feel. So looking for any way to improve that.

Thanks again for any guidance.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

https://avinusa.com/8-8-bmw-3-series...on-system.html

The problem is the audio comes through the AUX-In port. That means the sound quality is worse than the built in radio because it is doing a DAC conversion in the Android unit and sending the audio through analog cables into the car. If you care about audio quality, it's a no go.

All these android systems just sit on top of the factory system - offering a new interface with the OEM system running in the background. I want to see one that completely replaces the factory system and offers OEM integration. All these Android things do is put lipstick on a pig.

[Honda]

wow...16.5K for 1 owner M3

Price of these cars are still depreciating

[PKL]

Did you buy it? Don't do it. The miles are too high, and it's an 08, pre LCI.

Even if you have to buy a 100k+ mile car, find an LCI car. I would never consider a pre LCI car