E92 M3

theone8181

theone8181

theone8181

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So looking at these cars (2012 age with less than 40,000 on the clock). Is there anything to look out for, from what i've read its mainly throttle actuators and big end bearings, although i'm not sure if either of them give advanced warning and whether the bearings are that common at failing (i'd guess more likely on a high milage car).
 
You got it spot on really, to be safe change those bearings at 60,000, they might be fine, they may not but is it really worth risking the engine over them, some come out looking fine, some come out not far off their last legs.
Yes throttle actuators, but thats more something to worry about when it fails as they don't take the engine with them.

If your not fussed over manual or DCT, then get DCT its superb and it also makes it a much quicker car, 0-100mph in 10.5s VS around 12s for the manual.

Prices are on the up so it should be a relatively depreciation free purchase, just get a good one in desirable specification.
 
Gibbo said:
If your not fussed over manual or DCT, then get DCT its superb and it also makes it a much quicker car, 0-100mph in 10.5s VS around 12s for the manual.
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wow, i didn't realise the difference, and tbh, thought they would both be quicker. The M135i is apparently ~10.9 0-100 with the auto, so I'm amazed it's not that far behind the m3 (and quicker than the manual).
 
DereksDontRun said:
wow, i didn't realise the difference, and tbh, thought they would both be quicker. The M135i is apparently ~10.9 0-100 with the auto, so I'm amazed it's not that far behind the m3 (and quicker than the manual).
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My quick google-fu supports that. around 9.2-9.5s for the e92 is what's coming up although can't tell if that's a standard edition.
 
I bought a 2011 E92 M3 a couple of years ago and love it to bits. Unless you really want a manual, definitely go for the DCT. Gibbo is right, it's awesome.

Throttle actuators on mine went about 6 months ago and I had them both replaced with a lifetime warranty for £650 from rebuld. Otherwise it's all running smooth, currently at 62k miles. Biggest cost is petrol! :p
 
Bearing thing is over played in my opinion. The ones with problems have been ragged from cold.

Actuators the only issue that will happen and an easy fix via rebuild.

Fuel consumption is pretty horrific and so is road tax. I’ve stopped driving mine on my commute as I was getting bored of filling up. Take the evoque instead (which has also done a great job of aging the e92 ). Go in with eyes open and expect 19-20mpg.

I have a competition pack with all options other than full leather and front parking. I would try and get into one of these. More desirable and the EDC is retuned meaning it can be used in all 3 settings on the road.
 
I had an e92 from Sept 2012 to April 2017. Superb car! Problems as mentioned above...spec wise you definitely want a LCI, HK is a must as is extended leather! I had a stunning example, individual leather inside and individual paint outside. DCT and EDC are a must! I averaged 20.1 mpg over 31000 miles. The PS4S were superb on it.
 
I own one at the moment although I will be selling it soon. I replaced the rod bearing as preventative maintenance as I had an M5 where one of them failed and needed replacing. Not much to watch on them otherwise that can be catastrophic. Actuators are cheap to repair with a gear kit for a couple of hundred. The rest is just normal stuff. I would definitely recommend that you get the DCT though.
 
I'm looking towards dct (for performance, traffic and lack of a new clutch needed). The one I've seen has a fair amount of spec but doesn't have edc. Unfortunately I need to sell my car first so I'm a bit in limbo.
 
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chaparral said:
I looked at this 2013 one today but it manual :(...(12k miles)

http://www.jacksonsci.com/vehicles/used/518422/bmw

I noticed that the M4 are much better looking then that M3 but cost about 10k more
http://www.jacksonsci.com/vehicles/used/517446/bmw


Not happy to hear that the main bearings need to be done by 60,000miles :eek:
(Reminds me of my RX8 engine and was expecting a BMW engine to of been better :p )
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Wouldn't say they need to be done. Mine were serviceable at 100k
 
theone8181 said:
So looking at these cars (2012 age with less than 40,000 on the clock). Is there anything to look out for, from what i've read its mainly throttle actuators and big end bearings, although i'm not sure if either of them give advanced warning and whether the bearings are that common at failing (i'd guess more likely on a high milage car).
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You can get an idea of the bearings condition by doing regular oil analysis, usually with every oil change. The bearing issue is blown quite out of proportions and honestly I think a very small percentage of them get issues. BMW did re-design them after 2011 but only changed the material, clearance stayed the same. I have mates that own 2009 and 2010 models with well over 70k on the clock on the original bearings with no issues, and some online report over 100k on them.

Things to check for. Run-in service. Should be carried out between 600-1200 miles, try to coax the seller to tell if he's used launch control a lot or at all. It tends to put a lot of strain on the DCT and wears out the clutches like mad.

If car has over 20k miles, ask about DCT & diff oil change. Even though BMW claims it's lifetime, the gearbox and diff manufacturers recommend done with every 3rd engine oil change. So it's good to know if the seller has done it.

Running costs and maintenance is not that bad compared to your everyday german car. Shop around for your usual stuff in advance and get it on offer.

Discs - £1200 including fitment
Pads - £400-500 including fitment
Oil change including oil filter, air filter & microfilter - £320
Tyres - £800-1000 including fitment
Fuel consumption - 18.9 MPG City and 25-28MPG Motorway. Full tank range City 250 miles, Motorway 350 miles
 
MacRS4 said:
Brace yourself :)
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Thats not too bad, i reckon my 199 that i'm selling has cost me about 50p a mile. (spent £20,000 over 40,000 miles). I'm surprised the cost of discs and pads, my 911 was £1100 for disk and pads for all 4 corners. TBH some of that stuff is daft anyway, i'll be doing half that mileage, a battery is a one off and i'd have thought the air con service would have only needed doing once. I reckon i'd be down at 35p a mile. (Strong man maths here).
 
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theone8181 said:
I'm surprised the cost of discs and pads, my 911 was £1100 for disk and pads for all 4 corners.
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Will you be doing any of the work yourself? As it's a lot cheaper if you are.
I paid around 400 for front pads, discs and sensors, and 360ish for rear pads, discs, sensor and fluid.
theone8181 said:
I reckon i'd be down at 35p a mile. (Strong man maths here).
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That's what I get so your man maths is pretty good.:cool:
 
I’m at 30p a mile for fuel alone. Then you have tax and insurance which is 10p a mile (10k). Then there’s tyres, servicing and depreciation.

Not a cheap daily :D
 
MacRS4 said:
Brace yourself :)
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Pretty standard tbh. Don't buy these kind of cars if you aren't prepared to spend (and you will).

theone8181 said:
I'm surprised the cost of discs and pads, my 911 was £1100 for disk and pads for all 4 corners.
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Same here. Mine were around £1000 for my AMG and those things are huge Brembo brakes. Last time I spent £2000 was for my fully floating offerings that were very much overkill for road use.
 
Dis86 said:
My quick google-fu supports that. around 9.2-9.5s for the e92 is what's coming up although can't tell if that's a standard edition.
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9.5 is the 0-100 of the 2011+ DCT versions. 2011 versions were a bit quicker apparently. Still haven't got around to the GTS DTC remap or 2012 engine map yet :(
 
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