My M3 back from dealers - few faults!

[Liam79]

I had my car at the local bmw dealer for a air con re-gas and subframe check. No cracking and all is well.

However, they gave it the once over and they listed a few faults;

Suspension

OSF - slight play in lower ball joint
NSR - coil spring snapped

Check front exhaust - rear exhaust clamps snapped and will need center section and back box

Gearbox has large oil leak.

Rear diff large oil leak from input and output shft seal

Rear brake pipes starting to corrode

---

Thats all lol.

Anyway its booked in to my trusted indy tomorrow to get a better idea on whats essential or not.

Anyone have any idea if these could be easy fixes or major and any idea of cost etc..

Car is a 53 plate m3 manual coupe.

Thanks.

[Gruber]

Liam79 said:

I had my car at the local bmw dealer for a air con re-gas and subframe check. No cracking and all is well.

However, they gave it the once over and they listed a few faults;

Suspension

OSF - slight play in lower ball joint
NSR - coil spring snapped

Check front exhaust - rear exhaust clamps snapped and will need center section and back box

Gearbox has large oil leak.

Rear diff large oil leak from input and output shft seal

Rear brake pipes starting to corrode

---

Thats all lol.

Anyway its booked in to my trusted indy tomorrow to get a better idea on whats essential or not.

Anyone have any idea if these could be easy fixes or major and any idea of cost etc..

Car is a 53 plate m3 manual coupe.

Thanks.

I think I'd treat the broken spring as the priority and then I'd get a second opinion on everything else - especially those "large" oil leaks.

[Paddymcc]

Ballpoints are around £250 a side for lemfoder on eBay and bit awkward to fit rather than being difficult. Best to have a lift of some sort to make it a lot easier.

Rear springs are around £120 from BMW and easy to fit and prone to cracking so maybe upgrade to eibachs?

And I had a drive shaft seal replaced for just £80 by a local indie when mine needed doing however I supplied the diff oil but it was just one of the shafts going to the wheels rather than the input prop shaft seal.

None of those jobs are that major however I'd treat the gearbox leak as something I'd want done ASAP rather than later in case something major goes wrong there and your into a big bill.

Edited by Paddymcc on Wednesday 23 May 12:56

[Liam79]

I've never noticed any oil at all on the drive were I park it.
Going to get the spring sorted first then check the leaks.

[MMT]

They recommend springs should be changed in pairs. If you want OEM then get them from Eurocarparts, they are £206.00 less whatever discount code you can find at the time. I just bought a pair with MAYCP25 code for 25% off so paid just over £150.00 and they even have the BMW sticker and part number on. BMW wanted £208.00/pair.

[The Restorer]

NSR - coil spring snapped (Get both springs replaced at the same time - warranty company refused to pay the dealer for a single spring and I had to go back)

Check front exhaust - rear exhaust clamps snapped and will need center section and back box (Stainless steel exhaust and centre pipe will be perfect. It's only the flanges that connect the 2 sections that corrode. If your not planning on changing the exhaust soon get the two pieces welded together, no cost from your indy if done with all the other work)

Rear brake pipes starting to corrode (Pain as the pipes will need the exhaust lowering. I had an indy replace with copper pipes - Main cost was the 4-5 hours labour)

[Liam79]

Thanks for the advice, I am thinking about staying oem on the springs, but what is the cost difference with the eibach springs also in quality, ride etc?

[Nedzilla]

Untill the ball joint becomes an MOT failure I wouldn't worry about it.
OE springs should be good for around 50k miles.
My diff had a slight leak for around 5 yrs but untill you see it on the drive it will be fine.
Broken rear exhaust clamps are a common failure and can be fixed without replacing the exhaust sections bullst!

Find yourself a good indy.My experience of Bmw dealers is that that they will tell you a part needs replacing as soon as it gets dirty!!

[BlitzE34]

Wire brush the brakes pipes if its light corrosion and waxoyl them.