E92 M3 - what am I missing?

[chungasarnies]

Apologies in advance for another 'E92 reliability' thread

Recent history - 130i, M140i, currently an old E46 325i. Various itches thoroughly scratched now, and I have convinced myself one of these will be next

I read a lot of 'I would never own without a warranty', 'maintenance nightmare' horror story stuff but almost everything seems to come down to rod bearings and actuators, both of which could be sorted <£2k ish should I so desire. While not in the same league, I can't help compare this to the E46 ownership experience where mine is a complete triggers broom nowadays with the number of parts I've replaced

Is a £15-£20k 'sorted' M3 out of warranty going to give me a big fright?

You also seem to be spoiled for choice for cars with 50-70k on them, any opinions as to whether I should be giving the leggier cars a wide berth?

[TheAngryDog]

Yes.

And.

No.

Like most cars it can throw a big bill, but once you have the big ticket things done then you should have little to worry about.

[laingy]

I’ve had one for three years and an actuator has gone (Cost by bmw was 1k) - but I kept the warranty on and was replaced with no fuss . Apart from that it’s been completely reliable . Only issue is a small tank (I actually think mpg is ok for a 420 Bhp v8) so range about 280. It doesn’t feel like a car that will go wrong - in comparison others I’ve owned (x5 especially) have been very flakey . Just been into garage for visual inspection (whatever that is) and they said the car showed no problems. When you hear horror stories of 911 and others - the e92 is solid

[chungasarnies]

Thanks, good to hear. One thing I have noticed is that newer (2010+) manual cars are thin on the ground - is there a reason for that or is it simply that most opted for the DCT once it was available?

[fido]

A bit biased as I have a DCT (and would prefer a DCT with this engine every time) but I don't think there was a preference for the manual with hard-core drivers. The limited edition 500 are also rarer and command an even bigger premium.

[acme]

chungasarnies said:

Thanks, good to hear. One thing I have noticed is that newer (2010+) manual cars are thin on the ground - is there a reason for that or is it simply that most opted for the DCT once it was available?

I'd estimate one in ten LCI/facelift cars came with a manual. One comment I saw suggested there were only 300 2010+ manuals.

I searched for several years to find a good one, but I'm glad I did as we won't see its kind again (high revving, naturally aspirated and manual).

However I'd recommend testing a DCT it really does suit the engine very well, plus the manual is classic 'knuckly' BMW, which some might find a pain.

[chungasarnies]

fido said:

A bit biased as I have a DCT (and would prefer a DCT with this engine every time) but I don't think there was a preference for the manual with hard-core drivers. The limited edition 500 are also rarer and command an even bigger premium.

Just my personal preference, but I just enjoy rowing my own gears more. I only do about 2k a year so have no commuting or traffic to worry about.

Maybe you're right though, and I should at least try the DCT for completeness' sake, and there is certainly more to pick from...

[M3consta]

I’ve had mine over 4 years now, 2011 Competition Pack with DCT and only issue I’ve had is bloody paddles stopped working earlier this year, apparently quite a rare problem mostly likely due to a faulty connection behind the steering wheel, had it SORN’d over the lockdown but back on the road now and need to get that sorted.

I looked at a warranty but thought they were pretty pricey, must be a healthy profit margin in there. In my view best bet is take the warranty money and invest it instead, you’ve got a fund to fix if anything goes wrong and most likely you will end up quids in. Depends on your risk appetite I suppose.

I initially wanted a manual too (coming off an E92 335i manual) but in the end decided I was going competition pack and found no manuals at all - I actually thought there were none, until I read a thread on here from RSGrant who had one, very nice too - so I ended up DCT and tbh very happy with it and buying again wouldn’t consider the manual. Although long term I expect the competition pack manuals will be the ones that appreciate the most...

In summary, you should go for it. Hope that helps.

[nickfrog]

My friend ran one for a few years without many issues. He had a oil test done though but I am not sure what that was for. It didn't reveal anything untowards.

[cerb4.5lee]

chungasarnies said:

fido said:

A bit biased as I have a DCT (and would prefer a DCT with this engine every time) but I don't think there was a preference for the manual with hard-core drivers. The limited edition 500 are also rarer and command an even bigger premium.

Just my personal preference, but I just enjoy rowing my own gears more. I only do about 2k a year so have no commuting or traffic to worry about.

Maybe you're right though, and I should at least try the DCT for completeness' sake, and there is certainly more to pick from...

At that mileage I'd definitely go with the manual. Although I'm another one that thinks that the DCT does suit the engine better(even though I went for the manual).

[Mr Tidy]

nickfrog said:

My friend ran one for a few years without many issues. He had a oil test done though but I am not sure what that was for. It didn't reveal anything untowards.

It was probably an oil sample sent to be analysed to see if it contained anything that suggested the crank rod bearing shells were getting worn, as BMW "S" engines of this era seem to be prone to that. (I've just had new ones fitted to my almost 78K mile Z4M Coupe, and the originals looked very tired).

But an N/A V8 manual 3 Series - what's not to like?

[Arranguez]

I’ve had my E92 for 9 years now (manual, 29k miles) and had the battery replaced and the rear brake callipers replaced too. That has been it. Oh, and the boot struts. I’ve got it under the BMW warranty at about £70 a month so I’m hugely down.

I’ve SORN’d it but will put it back on the road in Sept. It lives in the garage on a CTek but following taking it out for a wash and wax a month ago I turned it on last weekend and dashboard lit up like an Xmas tree, complaining about ABS and various other failures. Warranty means that isn’t too scary. Turned it on yesterday to do some forum-based investigation of the faults and to my delight none are reported!

I do love it but 500 miles a year is a bit if an insult to the car really.

[nickfrog]

Mr Tidy said:

But an N/A V8 manual 3 Series - what's not to like?

True although he has replaced it by a M2C which is at least as good a car... and comes with brakes as standard.

[ant man]

chungasarnies said:

Just my personal preference, but I just enjoy rowing my own gears more. I only do about 2k a year so have no commuting or traffic to worry about.

Maybe you're right though, and I should at least try the DCT for completeness' sake, and there is certainly more to pick from...

I've owned both and while the DCT is great with the latest software or the GTS esque software, anyone can drive a DCT. There is so much more skill and engaging and therefore fun with manually changing gears and heel 'n toe downshifts. My latest car is one of the 25 limited edition KA401 builds in Santorini Blue. They only came with the DCT, else I would have had a manual again for sure. You can buy a proper short shift kit and a fit a long stick too.

Using Fuchs Titan tranny fluid eliminates the notchiness from 1st to 2nd when the oil is cold. There shouldn't be any notchiness otherwise and the 6sp manual works best at high revs which is perfect for the engine.

As your car will be your toy, I definately opt for a manual. The E90X M3 is the last M car available with the 3 key ingredients, high-revving NA bespoke engine, hydraulic steering and a manual gearbox.

Edited by ant man on Tuesday 1st September 13:54

[Rob_R]

I've owned mine for 4 1/2 years now and I absolutely love it. The thing is, if you want a manual gearbox, characterful engine and decent chassis then there isn't a whole lot out there to be honest.

Mine is a manual saloon just for reference.

I think out of the box they are a little bit soft and a bit too jack-of-all-trades. But with some mods you can really sharpen their fangs and the drive train on these cars is brilliant.

If you are planning on doing the rod bearings and/or actuators then a warranty is a complete waste of time. BMW wanted £110 a month to warranty my car. I'll let you do the maths on how much that amount is over 4 1/2 years...

Other than getting the rod bearings and actuators done, I think I've only spent about £500 tops over the years on unscheduled maintenance. There really isn't a whole lot that goes wrong with them.

[Wills2]

Mr Tidy said:

But an N/A V8 manual 3 Series - what's not to like?

The gearbox it's awful unfortunately, you'd hope it was some precise flick flack ala the current type R but no it's rubbery, notchy and long in throw (well a bit)

The MDCT just suits the engine better.

[JEA1K]

The gearbox will always divide opinion. For 99% of drivers, DCT fits the bill ... enables you to drive in a relaxed or spirited fashion when required and really suits the engines character. The auto can be clunky around town but still beats a manual when sat in traffic.

The 1% that want a manual so that they can heal and toe would also probably love a hand crank start

[survivalist]

Wills2 said:

Mr Tidy said:

But an N/A V8 manual 3 Series - what's not to like?

The gearbox it's awful unfortunately, you'd hope it was some precise flick flack ala the current type R but no it's rubbery, notchy and long in throw (well a bit)

The MDCT just suits the engine better.

By all accounts this can be improved with the gear leaver from the F10 M5 and a clutch stop. Part of me regrets not going for a manual as I do miss changing gears. That said, it's not just the change, it's also the ratios. Gears 1-3 in a manual cover the same as 1-4 on the DCT, roughly. So for our roads you get to use the gears more on the DCT.

[acme]

I don't think it's that bad, just typical BMW i.e. a bit notchy. Granted it's no FK8 and adds to the sense of occasion, we certainly won't see its like again.

[cerb4.5lee]

acme said:

I don't think it's that bad, just typical BMW i.e. a bit notchy. Granted it's no FK8 and adds to the sense of occasion, we certainly won't see its like again.

It is also nowhere near as bad as the manual gearbox in a Z4M. It will let you change gear quickly from first to second in a E9x M3. You haven't got a hope in hells chance of doing that in a Z4M...without it feeling like you're smashing the gearbox to pieces.