E90 M3 running costs / risks nowadays?
Discussion
Looking for a V8 family hack while I still can, and the E90 M3 is one of the few with a (admittedly rare) manual 'box...and THAT engine!
I know it's not going to be hot-hatch money to run, and a 15+ y.o. M-car isn't exactly risk-free, but I also understand that the engine's rod-bearing issues are now well-known and sadly should be treated as a service item, so there's little excuse for one on the market not to have been done already.
...so, what can I realistically expect in terms of servicing costs, what is recommended preventative maintenance, and above all what (other than rod bearings) are the big risks / big bills...and how likely actually are they to come home to roost (on the aforementioned 15+y.o. 70-100k mile car)?
Thanks,
Martin.
PS - any ownership experiences, good or bad, gratefully received.
I know it's not going to be hot-hatch money to run, and a 15+ y.o. M-car isn't exactly risk-free, but I also understand that the engine's rod-bearing issues are now well-known and sadly should be treated as a service item, so there's little excuse for one on the market not to have been done already.
...so, what can I realistically expect in terms of servicing costs, what is recommended preventative maintenance, and above all what (other than rod bearings) are the big risks / big bills...and how likely actually are they to come home to roost (on the aforementioned 15+y.o. 70-100k mile car)?
Thanks,
Martin.
PS - any ownership experiences, good or bad, gratefully received.
I don't own an M3, but I do own a V10 M5, and the V8 is based on the V10, just with 2 cylinders chopped off.
If the rod bearings have been done and ACL / Mahle ones have been used, then you'll be good for a while. The other issue with the V8 is that it can eat through main bearings. These tend not to get changed as it's a significant job. Engine mounts can go on the M3 as well, and these would normally be changed at the same time as the rod bearings. Throttle actuators are an issue, but they can be rebuilt. I know that the V10 can suffer with idle actuator issues and I think the V8 may be the same, but someone else can add about that.
Coils are quite expensive, and I'd advise changing the fuel injectors if there is no history, as they can get damaged and leak fuel into the bore, causing engine failure.
The cam covers can also suffer corrosion. Some owners replace with after market aluminium ones. The V10 uses aluminium whereas theV8 has magnesium alloy and is susceptible to becoming microporous.
The V8 has a different VANOS set up than the V10 and has been known to suffer with VANOS cover failure. There are aftermarket kits available to prevent this, but it's cam and VANOS cover off job.
These are some of the issues I am aware of, and I am sure someone will be along to give more information and provide more context from an owner's POV.
If the rod bearings have been done and ACL / Mahle ones have been used, then you'll be good for a while. The other issue with the V8 is that it can eat through main bearings. These tend not to get changed as it's a significant job. Engine mounts can go on the M3 as well, and these would normally be changed at the same time as the rod bearings. Throttle actuators are an issue, but they can be rebuilt. I know that the V10 can suffer with idle actuator issues and I think the V8 may be the same, but someone else can add about that.
Coils are quite expensive, and I'd advise changing the fuel injectors if there is no history, as they can get damaged and leak fuel into the bore, causing engine failure.
The cam covers can also suffer corrosion. Some owners replace with after market aluminium ones. The V10 uses aluminium whereas theV8 has magnesium alloy and is susceptible to becoming microporous.
The V8 has a different VANOS set up than the V10 and has been known to suffer with VANOS cover failure. There are aftermarket kits available to prevent this, but it's cam and VANOS cover off job.
These are some of the issues I am aware of, and I am sure someone will be along to give more information and provide more context from an owner's POV.
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