To M3 or not to M3.. that is the question

[qube 3570]

11 hours ago, NakiTouring said:

I've had the 335i for 3 years and, me being me, I'm itching to move on to something else. The idea of an M car with that lovely atmo v8 holds a lot of appeal.

Re fuel economy, it's not a major issue as the Polo does most of the miles, and I can't imagine the M3 would be vastly different to the 335i, which i struggle to get better than circa 10 litres per 100k on a big trip, much worse when on it.

if you've had it for 3 years then sure, a good time to change it up.

also, if you think fuel economy isnt going to be too different, then think again, the V8 M3 is going to be MUCH worse, but will be addicting to rev it also so be warned!

[NakiTouring 54]

On 4/25/2019 at 9:33 PM, Matth5 said:

Oh the V8 is much worse, I think you'd be looking at something like 15l/km, so for daily that's not great. But if you aren't using it for your daily commute then that probably isn't a big deal. 

Well, 15l/100km is about on par with what I currently get... But that would be a mix of around town and the odd blast out in the country.  As above, I only get circa 10 on a big, more restrained trip. But maybe 15l/100km is what you're suggesting the v8 ingests on such a cruise, in which case, ouch!

Edited May 22, 2019 by NakiTouring

[NakiTouring 54]

Anyway, my 335i is now on Trademe, so we'll see what happens. If anyone is interested in trading it towards their unwanted and horribly thirsty E9x M3, sing out!

https://www.trademe.co.nz/2039326019

 

[str8_6 275]

Sorry if I’ve missed this in earlier threads. Why does the car have a new engine and gearbox?

[NakiTouring 54]

28 minutes ago, str8_6 said:

Sorry if I’ve missed this in earlier threads. Why does the car have a new engine and gearbox?

The crank bolt came loose, which resulted in valve hitting piston ? Pretty rare for that to happen, but not unheard of.

The gearbox was slipping on the change from 4th to 5th. Probably could have been repaired, but given the mileage, it made sense to swap while the engine was out. I found a box with about 65k on it for a "reasonable" price. The genuine BMW gearbox oil is bloody expensive, but in my research I didn't find an alternative that I could trust, especially as I wanted to up the boost a little - its not worth the risk for the sake of saving 2 or 3 hundred bucks. Replaced the oil pan / filter and associated bolts as well.

Likewise with all the engine seals, gaskets, one tIme use bolts etc - I did it all properly with OEM quality and correct torque specs throughout.

Edited April 25, 2019 by NakiTouring

[shuey 61]

On 4/25/2019 at 9:33 PM, Matth5 said:

Oh the V8 is much worse, I think you'd be looking at something like 15l/km, so for daily that's not great. But if you aren't using it for your daily commute then that probably isn't a big deal. 

My M3 is sitting on 12.4 and that’s after some “spirited” driving and it hasn’t been on a decent long trip for awhile.  All the research I did pre purchase pointed towards 14 but haven’t got anywhere near that yet.

 

[NakiTouring 54]

2 minutes ago, shuey said:

My M3 is sitting on 12.4 and that’s after some “spirited” driving and it hasn’t been on a decent long trip for awhile.  All the research I did pre purchase pointed towards 14 but haven’t got anywhere near that yet.

 

That's pretty respectable, my 335i was definitely worse than that.  Well, I've taken the plunge and just bought an E90 M3, see I'll find out for myself soon enough ?  Not a big issue for me as I'll be averaging down with the Polo daily.

[shuey 61]

5 minutes ago, NakiTouring said:

That's pretty respectable, my 335i was definitely worse than that.  Well, I've taken the plunge and just bought an E90 M3, see I'll find out for myself soon enough ?  Not a big issue for me as I'll be averaging down with the Polo daily.

Well done.  Love mine.  Don’t daily drive it though.  Have a 530d which is quick and cheap (well it used to be before the pump prices went ballistic) to run.

[NakiTouring 54]

So picked the M3 up from welly in the weekend, love it. Got a bit to learn in terms getting a feel for it and setting it up the way I like, with various adjustments available around the dct, throttle response and edc etc. One thing for sure, it doesn't give the thump in the back the way a tuned 335i does. No doubt she goes hard when the revs are up, but you can understand why BMW may have deliberately kept the boost pretty low on the n54, so as not to sabotage the s65.

Re gas mileage, here is what it looked like about 260kms into my trip from BP Mana, near Porirua, to New Plymouth. I haven't been able to verify this with a refill, but even if it's 20 or 30% optimistic, I'm more than happy with it. It crept up to 10.1 litres per 100kms by the time I got home, as the roads got more entertaining and I took a wee detour through some twisty bits ?

 

[GorGasm 563]

Wait til you are stuck in traffic or always do short trips heh.  Although if you are in the Taranaki it shouldn't be a problem.

Edited June 18, 2019 by GorGasm

[shuey 61]

To all those who don’t believe in the E92 M3 and those contemplating buying one, just do it, after you find the right one of course.  Searched for almost three years for my NZ new Competition Pack, found it, bought it, love it.  I have just completed a 2200 kms road trip in 96 hours around the North Island.  Loved every second of it; main roads, back roads, cruising, hooning.  The car is capable, quick and an absolute pleasure to drive.  The last sector of my road trip was Mercer to Whangarei - 215 kms at cruising and ‘slightly’ over legal speeds.  18 litres of 98.  Unless I’m mistaken that’s 8.4 l/100kms.  That is hard to believe from a car with grunt to burn, a noise to die for, and an M3 badge on its tail.  Don’t know anything about the 335i but this I do know, as my BMW mechanic tried to push me that way as well, a 335i is not and never will be an M3.

 

Edited January 2, 2020 by shuey

[qube 3570]

On 4/23/2019 at 12:32 PM, qube said:

so for now I am sticking with what I have and putting aside the M3 dream for another day.

it might be that "another day" soon.. starting to dream again for an M3.. 

someone talk me out of it

[Gaz 1060]

No, just buy one already

[Michael. 2313]

Should definitely do it. 

Of course extra funds need to be set aside for when you need to fix something that isn't just routine maintenance... but that is all part of the fun. 

[NakiTouring 54]

Righto, so just about a year since I posted above, and I'm sorry to say it, but sold the M3 a couple of months ago ? 

I loved the car but for the following reasons I sold it:

• I wasn't using it enough.  Bought it mainly as a weekend car/one for the longer trips, but unfortunately the ladies in the house didn't like doing the big trips in it...they preferred going in the Odyssey ? 
• Even when I had the odd big trip by myself, I often took my stage 2 Polo GTI instead as it would use 60% of the gas, was just as much fun in its own right, and I didn't have to worry about clocking up miles and wear and tear on the special Bavarian.
• I ran out of garage space, so the M3 was parked outside, which I was none too comfortable with.  Didn't want to build another garage at that stage.
• I like to work on my own cars, but as this one was NZ new with only 70 something thousand on the clock with full service history, I felt compelled to have to stick with dealer services (I sold it before it was due a service).
• For the above reason, I never took it to the track.
• Constant unease about the rod bearings and too tight to drop the coin into replacing them...read above re preferring to do my own mechanical work.
• Apparently my front disks were getting down and a BMW dealer told me it would be thousands to replace them...WTF??  I struggle with that.
• It was some freaky blue/black and just never looked clean (read lack of garage space not helping).

They really are an awesome car on the right roads, like through the twisty stuff heading north from here on number 3, through the gorge and up Mt Messenger...I have never driven anything that makes you turn so evil, but of course we are talking some pretty antisocial driving and you're only going to get away with that for so long.

Would I own one again?  Probably, but only once the arse has dropped out of them (during the recession?) and I find one I like that I'm happy to tinker with and take to that track, which is really where it needs to be to get the most out of it.

So qube, just buy one already ? Bucket list and all...

[Michael. 2313]

7 hours ago, NakiTouring said:

 

• Constant unease about the rod bearings and too tight to drop the coin into replacing them...read above re preferring to do my own mechanical work.
• Apparently my front disks were getting down and a BMW dealer told me it would be thousands to replace them...WTF??  I struggle with that.

 

Those are a couple of points that can't be taken lightly. OEM M3 parts are expensive, especially on the newer generation models. A brake overhaul could quite easily buy another nice car!

Especially the engine bearing service, which is as far as I am concerned should be treated as a regular service item with these, could be done significantly cheaper as a DIY but working on the core of an S65 isn't exactly everyone's forte, so forking out the thousands to get the work done at a shop is the only option for many. Or waiting and hope they wont fail, gritting your teeth every time you take it up to 8000rpm... the cost if they do fail is considerable as one member has found out here. There is always a price to pay for having a race car like engine in a road car, unless its been warmed up for 20+ minutes with perfect oil servicing, you're never really going to know how healthy things are - some previous owners have little mechanical sympathy. 

If I was in the market for such an M car I'd request the seller allow a 100ml oil sample drained and send away for wear metal analysis, doesn't cost a lot and provides significant insight. 

 

[NakiTouring 54]

9 hours ago, Michael. said:

 

Those are a couple of points that can't be taken lightly. OEM M3 parts are expensive, especially on the newer generation models. A brake overhaul could quite easily buy another nice car!

Especially the engine bearing service, which is as far as I am concerned should be treated as a regular service item with these, could be done significantly cheaper as a DIY but working on the core of an S65 isn't exactly everyone's forte, so forking out the thousands to get the work done at a shop is the only option for many. Or waiting and hope they wont fail, gritting your teeth every time you take it up to 8000rpm... the cost if they do fail is considerable as one member has found out here. There is always a price to pay for having a race car like engine in a road car, unless its been warmed up for 20+ minutes with perfect oil servicing, you're never really going to know how healthy things are - some previous owners have little mechanical sympathy. 

If I was in the market for such an M car I'd request the seller allow a 100ml oil sample drained and send away for wear metal analysis, doesn't cost a lot and provides significant insight. 

 

Yeah, if it was going to be a long term love affair, I would have closed my eyes and shelled out for new bearing shells.  I don't know what sort of money you'd pay for that job in NZ...no doubt double what it would be in the US or UK as that is how the Euro Garages seem to operate here unfortunately.

I used to warm it up for a good while before heading down the road.  They have an 8 litre sump which doesn't help.  This is one of the reasons why it wouldn't be much use to me as a daily (work is 5kms away).  You're right about not knowing how previous owners have treated them.  My boss has a lovely new RS4 which he jumps in and thrashes straight from the get go, no warm up.  He's not mechanically minded at all and at the end of the day, he'll be in the next new car before the factory warranty runs out.  I just shudder and cringe every time he does it and just pray that the M3 didn't have an owner like that.

[Matth5 471]

19 hours ago, NakiTouring said:

 

• Apparently my front disks were getting down and a BMW dealer told me it would be thousands to replace them...WTF??  I struggle with that.
•  

Your mistake was going to the dealer.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3/Brake-Discs/

$200 USD each. There will be extra costs to ship them in but you'll still be well under $1k NZ.

Then go to a decent Euro/BMW specialist. 

BMW dealers in NZ are terrible. Every single time I've quoted prices from them I just ended up shaking my head and going elsewhere. 

Too late to help with your M3 I know... but still it might help in future

 

As for new bearings.. well I'm having that done for my replacement 335i engine. It aint cheap, but it's also not too out of line with US costs I've read online. Of course, it's not a BMW dealer doing it. 

Edited May 14, 2020 by Matth5

[Gaz 1060]

8 minutes ago, Matth5 said:

Your mistake was going to the dealer.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3/Brake-Discs/

$200 USD each. There will be extra costs to ship them in but you'll still be well under $1k NZ.

Then go to a decent Euro/BMW specialist. 

BMW dealers in NZ are terrible. Every single time I've quoted prices from them I just ended up shaking my head and going elsewhere. 

Too late to help with your M3 I know... but still it might help in future

Add pads and brakes sensor it's $1000nzd before shipping and fitment, it'll be getting up there

[qube 3570]

I have decided against it this time round again for many reasons pointed out above. My pockets arent deep enough yet to cover the potential bills and the amount of joy it will bring on a soon to be jammed traffic commute isnt looking promising either. So theres that idea out the window till next time.

 

[NakiTouring 54]

2 hours ago, Matth5 said:

Your mistake was going to the dealer.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/BMW-parts/M3/Brake-Discs/

$200 USD each. There will be extra costs to ship them in but you'll still be well under $1k NZ.

Then go to a decent Euro/BMW specialist. 

BMW dealers in NZ are terrible. Every single time I've quoted prices from them I just ended up shaking my head and going elsewhere. 

Too late to help with your M3 I know... but still it might help in future  

Well not quite, this was the line the BMW dealer gave me when he came to buy my car...you know, the usual tactics to beat the price down.  That's the first I heard my brakes were apparently getting down, and I was about to let it go, so didn't bother to investigate.  Trust me, I've spent plenty with FCP and ECS in the past (f'ing 335i) and would definitely have done the research before going down that road.  Good heads up for others though that there are cheaper alternatives.

[NakiTouring 54]

1 hour ago, qube said:

I have decided against it this time round again for many reasons pointed out above. My pockets arent deep enough yet to cover the potential bills and the amount of joy it will bring on a soon to be jammed traffic commute isnt looking promising either. So theres that idea out the window till next time.

 

Pussy.  Haha, just kidding!  I do hope I haven't put you off though.  Sounds like my father...he gave me the BMW bug and has been watching 335s and M3s for many years on TM etc but always manages to talk himself out of it.  I can't understand it personally...if there are cars on my watch list and I'm asking sellers questions, then there is definite intent, for better or worse!

[m325i 709]

What model M3 are we talking?

[qube 3570]

2 hours ago, m325i said:

What model M3 are we talking?

the only model that is readily available in the current NZ market these days. E92.

[Matth5 471]

 

6 hours ago, NakiTouring said:

Well not quite, this was the line the BMW dealer gave me when he came to buy my car...you know, the usual tactics to beat the price down.  That's the first I heard my brakes were apparently getting down, and I was about to let it go, so didn't bother to investigate.  Trust me, I've spent plenty with FCP and ECS in the past (f'ing 335i) and would definitely have done the research before going down that road.  Good heads up for others though that there are cheaper alternatives.

"f'ing 335" describes my feelings these days lol.