Opinion required on E92 M3 service history

[AROSS]

Hi,

After owning a Z4MC for almost 5 years and now having a 6 week old daughter and needing rear seats and a decent boot, the time has come to change the MC. I have maintained the Z4MC to the highest standard ie FBMWSH. The natural replacement has after much deliberation ended up with a short list consisting of the E92 M3.

Cutting to the chase, I have located a car which fits the bill in respect to colour, millage and spec. Problem is that although the car has been maintained by BMW throughout its life (6 years)the last service was carried out by a merc garage.

Question is : Would this put you off buying the car?, does this devalue the car?

The car has only done 25K miles and is apparently in immaculate condition.

Thanks

[E30M3SE]

What 'service' did the merc garage do?

[AROSS]

Not sure at this stage. I did ask the question, ie - oil change?, but the guy was not in the office so was unable to check the records. I am not 100% conversant with the service schedule of the E9* M3 only that it is condition based. As I have owned an M car for some time I did ask whether it was a service which included tappet check etc.

I did ask why it had been serviced at a Merc garage (1 stamp), and the reason given was that the owner had a fall out with BMW?

Advice on the service differences and importance would help before I call again tomorrow.

Thanks.

[E30M3SE]

Is is no valve clearance adjustment on the S65 engine, they have hydraulic valve lifters, so no concerns on that front.

With 25k miles on it is should be something like, 1200 miles oil/running in service, Oil micro filter and air filter at around 15k depending on how it's been driven, 25k-ish Vehicle Check, there should also be 2 brake fluid changes , one at 3 years and another 2 years later and then every 2 years thereafter.

I would ask to have the service book details emailed to me and then speak to the dealers who did the work to see what they actually did before I travelled any distance to view a M3. If it all checked out and the Merc garage used the correct filters and fluids I would be put off by this.

Edited by E30M3SE on Friday 9th August 21:02

[E30M3SE]

Is is no valve clearance adjustment on the S65 engine, they have hydraulic valve lifters, so no concerns on that front.

With 25k miles on it is should be something like, 1200 miles oil/running in service, Oil micro filter and air filter at around 15k depending on how it's been driven, 25k-ish Vehicle Check, there should also be 2 brake fluid changes , one at 3 years and another 2 years later and then every 2 years thereafter.

I would ask to have the service book details emailed to me and then speak to the dealers who did the work to see what they actually did before I travelled any distance to view a M3. If it all checked out and the Merc garage used the correct filters and fluids I would be put off by this.

Edited by E30M3SE on Friday 9th August 21:02

[whp1983]

It wouldn't put me off if it was authorised merc garage..... They deal with enough high end cars to handle an m3. There are some shocking bm dealers I wouldn't trust my m3 with. If in doubt get it inspected if still unhappy walk away.

[E30M3SE]

Not sure whats going on with the double post........

[daz05]

Not the end of the world but it does lessen the value of the car IMHO. If you want the BMW warranty you need to have proof by receipt that original BMW parts were fitted in line with the schedule. At this age it should have had its gearbox, dff oil and plugs changed.

If this isn't available or the car isn't well discounted I'd find another.

[AROSS]

E30 - just to clarify, you wouldn't be put off if the Merc garage used the correct parts? It was a main Merc dealer garage by all accounts, so I would expect they would use all the correct parts/fluids.

I did get a text with a print out of a BMW mini service (124 point check) which was carried out recently by the garage which is selling the car. It states the following,

Service task - Service counter

Brake fluid - 3
Engine Oil - 5
Vehicle Check - 2
Front brake - 1
Rear brake - 1

Just need to know if the Merc service will affect re-sale, as i'm pretty sure the car has been properly maintained.

Cheers..

[E30M3SE]

To clarify if the work has been done using BMW parts and the correct oils/fluids then I wouldn't be too concerned. If you went for a BMW Insured warranty this would not cause an issue. as for resale, it's 6 years old now depends how long your going to keep it, but again if the work has been done correctly and can be evidenced then why should it affect the resale?

That service count looks quite comprehensive. Ensure the car has healthy premium brand tyres on it as a new set will set you back in excess of £1000.

[AROSS]

Thanks for the replies,

E30 - I did ask about brake and tyre condition and was told the tyres had been replaced recently and there would be nothing to spend apart from the next MOT cost.

Not sure what the tyre brand is, but that will be something I can check if I go and look (200 miles round trip) but if tyres have lots of tread brand won't be a show stopper (unless ACME brand)

Does seem like it has been maintained to a very high standard and the millage is v low, just can't figure out why the previous owner would go to Merc (fall with BMW out or not).

Cheers....

[161BMW]

There are plenty of M3s about go and find one with FBMWSH.

[jon-]

6 years old, I'd expect some indi stamps to start creeping in there.

If you keep it for 3 years that will be 9 years come resale time. I'd be surprised to find one with a full BMW history.

As long as they're good indis and BMW parts were used, I wouldn't care.

[cammy71]

Mine is 6 years old and 75k miles so way out of warranty, had since new. Was in getting new tyres recently and service schedule came up. BMW garage gave me full service schedule including part nos. - £860 all in. Took it to my Indy and was £200 cheaper. Done with same parts etc.and got detailed bill with all OEM part nos. listed. If you want to pay overheads for swanky showrooms and free coffee, then on you go. Labour is £105 v £55-£60 per hour. No brainier if out of warranty and have a reputable Indy.

[AROSS]

Requested more details of the service which was carried out at the merc garage, but got a text back saying the car had sold. Never mind, the search continues!

Thanks for all the replies, opinions and advice.

Cheers.