High Mileage E9X M3's, you out there?

[anthonybp]

Hello Everyone.

Im a brand new member, been reading for years, but finally decided to chyme in after attending MFest Canada

Im the original owner of an e92 M3 Interlagos Blue (graphite interior), DCT.

I've been through a lot with this car, and am looking forward to sharing my upgrades, mods and repair history with the community.

I currently just passed 205,000 Km (127,000 miles).

This car was born in (at least first purchased) Toronto, Canada, and gets quite a bit of winter driving.

Still look forward to driving it every chance I get. An absolute thrill.
Car is still strong running, almost like new.

I replaced the rod bearings at 195,000 Km (they were in great shape when I removed them btw). Repaired a throttle body actuator. Recently installed the Turner test pipes (cat removal), Turner engine flash/tune. Turner skid plate. White Angel Eyes. aFe stage 2 cold air intake. Opened up the factory muffler box 50k ago. Transmission (DCT) oil is original, but switched to LiquiMoly engine oil about 100,000 Km ago. Diff oil has been changed just recently.

I have driven this car extremely hard since purchase (up to 8000rpm almost daily), and she is still tight. It consumes almost the same amount of oil as it always has (no increase, or so it seems).

Im looking forward to hearing the experiences of other high mileage M3 owners in this thread, and continue a sharing dialogue that will extend our M3 enjoyment.

Thanks,

[anthonybp]

Im riding on the original suspension (no leaks yet), and original battery (11 years now).

The car was serviced through BMW warranty for the first 5 years 80,000 km (extended warranty). After that, I changed the plugs twice (most recently 5k ago, and they would have looked new if I wire brushed them).

The dealer had to deal with all of the recall campaigns, and prescribed maintenance (including oil change) other than brakes, which I have changed the rotors 4 times (and pads of course).

As I recall more minor repairs, and idiosyncrasies, Ill add to the thread.

Changing the rod bearings I guess was the biggest maintenance Ive done, that really didn't seem necessary. Ive read here that plug changes after 20K can contribute to early degradation to the rod bearings, but I have done the opposite, and still pulled out almost pristine bearings.

I did take pictures during this process (rod bearing replacement), and will post them with other pics soon enough.

I've owned modified Mustang GT's, Supercharged Jaguars, 2 Lotus esprit turbos (one im currently rebuilding, the other purchased new in 1987), 2 Corvettes (still own one, bought new on the day of my daughter's birth, 1992, can never sell it, lol) and more. I have mostly driven manual, but this DCT is pure fluid fantasy.

Again, I can't emphasize how spirited I've driven this car, and what an absolute pleasure it is to drive over the years till today. I can't seemingly notice a difference in drive-ability, but most of all, fun-ability. So impressed.....

[anthonybp]

Just attended MFest (Inaugural event in Canada) here in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada (1 hour from Toronto).

Had a VIP Invitation from a dealer here, since I bought a 440i from them recently for my daughter, and told them Im interested in purchasing the M5 Competition (Hahahaha...)

It was an INCREDIBLE event and experience. Spoke to so many M3 lovers that im inspired to contribute and share my love for this amazing machine.....

[Drifter2090]

That's great to hear! I thought I was high mileage with 150k KM on my E90 DCT. I've only had it since winter but I have been driving it hard every time I do bring it out.

I did a blackstone test and it came out great and have had no issues so far.

I'm hoping my car will be as reliable as yours has been for the next few years!

I wish I had made it out to MFest though!

[decimation1]

I've got 233K miles on my '08 e90 M3, almost exclusively used on the track, which is why I purchased it. I suspect the motor has been replaced at some point. Still runs as strong as the e92 I had with 70k miles.

[Richbot]

I’m about to click over 120 kilomiles and will probably finally put together a comprehensive “hi guys here’s my car” post. Original owner too. Congrats and keep going.

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by decimation1

I've got 233K miles on my '08 e90 M3, almost exclusively used on the track, which is why I purchased it. I suspect the motor has been replaced at some point. Still runs as strong as the e92 I had with 70k miles.

Wow that's amazign!

[drrust]

I have 155 k miles on my 2009 E90. Changed bearings around 109 k.

[anthonybp]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

That's great to hear! I thought I was high mileage with 150k KM on my E90 DCT. I've only had it since winter but I have been driving it hard every time I do bring it out.

I did a blackstone test and it came out great and have had no issues so far.

I'm hoping my car will be as reliable as yours has been for the next few years!

I wish I had made it out to MFest though!

Yeah, MFest was amazing.
A professional driver took me around the track in the new M5 Competition. Just unbelievable. I never thought somebody could scare ME in a car. Hahaha. Plus I got to lap my car a few times around the Mosport Track.
Amazing event.

[GFerrara]

100k plus club checking in. Purchased my car last year in New Jersey with 103k miles, did about 6 track days on the east coast before setting out on a cross country adventure, been living in LA since and driving the car hard in the canyons and frequent track days. I've spent about 4500 on maintenance but car still feels tight and rips on the road course. About 120k miles now

[anthonybp]

Originally Posted by GFerrara

100k plus club checking in. Purchased my car last year in New Jersey with 103k miles, did about 6 track days on the east coast before setting out on a cross country adventure, been living in LA since and driving the car hard in the canyons and frequent track days. I've spent about 4500 on maintenance but car still feels tight and rips on the road course. About 120k miles now

Glad to hear that other high mile cars are holding up so well too. That means that I haven't been lucky, but that these cars are very well built.

Also happy to hear others driving their cars with passion. The way they were meant to be.

Cheers

[anthonybp]

I Know that there are other threads on the subject of DCT fluid change.

I see people changing theirs as soon as 30,000 KM.

I spoke with my mechanic (BMW specialist) as well as Turner Motorsport. Both of them told me to leave it. I explained that I have over 200,000 KM on the car, and they still both agreed not to change it.

My mechanic is one of my best friends, and would not gouge me. Im sure if I asked a dealership, they would recommend changing.

BMW lists this fluid as 'Lifetime'. Logic seems to dictate that this isn't possible, although at $30 US/Litre, is this some sort of special million mile magic liquid?

This question has been bothering me forever. Looking forward to hearing what the rest of you are doing with your high mile M3's

[brettcp]

Bought my '12 E93 M3 with 94k miles, had rod bearings done, did the DCT service and diff fluid change, has 102k miles now.. no issues so far.. I've had several E9x M3's over the years and this one drives just as strong as any.

[anthonybp]

Originally Posted by brettcp

Bought my '12 E93 M3 with 94k miles, had rod bearings done, did the DCT service and diff fluid change, has 102k miles now.. no issues so far.. I've had several E9x M3's over the years and this one drives just as strong as any.

Thanks for that.

Did BMW recommend the DCT fluid change, or did you do it on your own as preventative?

[chocstraw]

I have a 2011 E92 ZCP bought at 73k miles and now sitting at ~81k. Purchased from Carmax with a warranty up until 125k, original rod bearings. While I wouldn't call this high mileage (more like 100-120k for these E9Xs, depends who you ask), the only component that I can tell is fatigued is the differential. I would love to have this replaced on warranty or rebuilt at some point. I can tell it still works on track, but drive on a new diff and you'll notice how much more the rear end wants to come out.

I might have the RBs done around 120k. Service advisor at my local BMW dealership said that he had an E90 come in with spun bearings and Carmax paid in full for a remanufactured S65 straight from Germany, for a total of $25,000. Despite the hassle, a new engine sounds pretty sweet.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by anthonybp

Thanks for that.

Did BMW recommend the DCT fluid change, or did you do it on your own as preventative?

No reason to do it at mentioned 30k km but at 200k km I'd def get it done. Fluid is expensive (around 9 liter capacity) but the box even more so. Good opportunity to check for leaks/fill up at the same time.

[shimmy23]

High mileage 08s report in! https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=682601

[WAKman]

Anthony, my car is a twin to yours: An Interlagos Blue DCT with Silver Novillo leather. Purchased mine two years ago at 77K miles, and it has 105K now. I did the rod bearings as a preventative when I bought it, as well as engine mounts, and changed the DCT fluid. Replaced the TBA gears with upgraded ones. Other than that, virtually nothing except for a change out of original brake pads and rotors after a track day.

I've owned, raced, and tracked many many cars over the years (13 Porsches alone), and this is virtually my favorite car (though in a tie with my 1985 Porsche 911 hot rod). The M3 is an incredible machine, with an epic engine wrapped in such a graceful package.

[Gurv ///M3]

Hey Guys,

I am from Toronto had my car since last year Sept picked it up with 171 km on it i am at 185 km now with it being my daily family car. Alpine white with Fox red in no nav 6spd. summer car is a 02 e46 m3 6 spd.

[BobbyAxelrod]

'08 with 70k lurrrrrrv

Also, see below.

Thanks Coulter at MPORIUM!

[duk]

damn nice to see everyone with high miles!

[anthonybp]

Originally Posted by decimation1

I've got 233K miles on my '08 e90 M3, almost exclusively used on the track, which is why I purchased it. I suspect the motor has been replaced at some point. Still runs as strong as the e92 I had with 70k miles.

Decimation1 you've got the record here so far, although I'd love to know if there is any way for you to verify that your motor is original? Why do you suspect that the motor was replaced?

Im curious to know how many miles our M3 motors can endure with proper maintenance, and what you're doing to maintain them. We all read the forum to learn what others are doing that may be helpful for ourselves

I stoked to read that everyone who is posting drives their car with spirit. I guess if you've got an M, you bought it for a reason. I know lots of people with supercars that rarely drive them, and when they do, they're afraid to push them. Sad actually.

Lets see if there are 400k M3's out there, or maybe more k's!