M3 Failed MOT

[nottyash]

A friend has just MOTd my beloved M3 (Hes a tester) and he failed it!!
A ball joint, on the lower arm, which BMW wanted £300 for.
I got one from a good Motor factor, OEM numbers on and the BMW emblem rubbed off for £250. Still bloody expensive mind, the same thing is about £40 on an Alfa 156.
While I was at it I had new front discs and pads, and rear pads fitted. I think I need to take out a mortgage to pay for it all.

[Neil.D]

M = Money

But thanks for letting us know.

[MitchT]

The last time I had my 318is MOTed at a BMW main dealer it needed a new ball joint, but they only charged me £16 for it! Okay, I know it's not an M3, but I was baffled that it was such a pitiful amount of money!

[< FORZA WEST]

MitchT said:

The last time I had my 318is MOTed at a BMW main dealer it needed a new ball joint, but they only charged me £16 for it! Okay, I know it's not an M3, but I was baffled that it was such a pitiful amount of money!

On an E36 the outer ball joint is replacable, but on the E46 the entire arm is replaced.

[M3CD]

Why people assume that a german performance car, that cost around £50k when brand new, should be cheap to maintain is beyond me.

Its like all these £15k 90k mile 911s doing the rounds - these "bargains" are going to offer some serious shocks to new owners.

[AdamD]

M3CD said:

Why people assume that a german performance car, that cost around £50k when brand new, should be cheap to maintain is beyond me.

Its like all these £15k 90k mile 911s doing the rounds - these "bargains" are going to offer some serious shocks to new owners.

On the other hand why should this have failed on a 5 year old car that cost 50k when new, are corners being cut to minimise production costs. Maybe they are only built to last the 3 years warantee period before falling apart.

A quick googling shows the ball joint issue is quite common

[Vixpy1]

I'm sorry,a mate? and he failed it?

Not a very good mate

[M3CD]

AdamD said:

On the other hand why should this have failed on a 5 year old car that cost 50k when new, are corners being cut to minimise production costs. Maybe they are only built to last the 3 years warantee period before falling apart.

A quick googling shows the ball joint issue is quite common

Car model has a re-occuring issue shocker

M3 - RTABs
996 - IMS
etc.
etc.

Edited by M3CD on Sunday 8th March 18:17

[nottyash]

AdamD said:

M3CD said:

Why people assume that a german performance car, that cost around £50k when brand new, should be cheap to maintain is beyond me.

Its like all these £15k 90k mile 911s doing the rounds - these "bargains" are going to offer some serious shocks to new owners.

On the other hand why should this have failed on a 5 year old car that cost 50k when new, are corners being cut to minimise production costs. Maybe they are only built to last the 3 years warantee period before falling apart.

A quick googling shows the ball joint issue is quite common

I have a reciept for the other side under BMW warranty too so thats probably correct,
I knew it wasnt cheap nor did I expect it to be.
Its actually a lot cheaper than bits for my mates Audi RS4.

[nottyash]

Vixpy1 said:

I'm sorry,a mate? and he failed it?

Not a very good mate

Yes, but I want it to be right. I wouldnt cut corners on it.
The mechanics were all joking before the MOT. A BMW Mechanic looked at it and said "you may as well write out the certificate now, as that isnt going to fail"

[David111]

I am going to be renewing my BMW warrenty on the assumption it is expensive to replace things. But Look on the bright side, I seriously considered a 911 (996) and compared to the things that can go 'pop' there, the BMs are models of reliability! As previous poster said 996 issues with Rear Main Seal, add to that Cylinder liners (going oval, cracking and destroying engines without warning - not such a problem on Boxters as liners thicker!) regular faiures of coil packs, both radiators corroding, etc and it soon looked as if it could be very expensive. I worried that the new water cooled engine had not been developed thoroughly enough given the weaks-spots with the design. After long and hard thinking I didn't pursure. Bought BMW Z4MC on the basis of the quality of the engineering and the fact that the engine is at its final state of development and has had most issues sorted or mitigated. Ok VANOS but replacing the filter and replacing the bolts at each service may help....