Another Porsche / M convert thread...
Discussion
Hi all, maiden post on the M forum.
Current have a Gen I Carrera and am contemplating making a switch to either a 09 or new M3 E90 Saloon (have a preference for the facelift model) due to the need for greater space (only car as well). Have gone through various other forums and looked through about 130 pages of this one. Read the posts of ppl who have/are in similar positions to mine but have a few additional questions that you lot may well know the answer to that I have missed/overlooked or hasn’t been answered.
To give a bit of background first
-Car will be held for a reasonable amount of time and at some point down the track shipped back to Oz when I move back there eventually (resale dependencies like colour or spec is not a concern per se given the holding period)
-As per the above when the car returns to Oz there will be no warranty available from BMW given the fact it will be a personal import.
-In the event I bought a 2nd hand example would be only interested in less than 10k miles
-Not after a DCT model
-No track days on the cards although a Euro Road trip through the Swiss alps will be a must
Questions:
1.Having come from a 997.1 and all the hype around engine reliability (be it perhaps over publicised) a warranty is essential which I abided by but never had to exercise to the extent of a new engine. From what I read of the S65 engine it’s great engine having won engine of the year 3 years in a row in the 3ltr to 4ltr range (can’t remember who dished out that award!) and yes like any engine is prone to something going wrong. Given the relatively young life of the S65 and non-comparable number of them around compared to the M97 in the 997 its difficult to gauge the robustness of them. From everything I’ve seen there are no ‘mass panic’ threads around, am I being naïve in thinking the prospect of a no warranty in say 5 years time has a reasonable probability of no major catastrophes (I can accept paying full cost for a fuel pump or idle valve for example just not a gear box or engine)?
2.Was hunting around on the BMW website through the accessories section and didn’t see any OEM sports exhausts, is it necessary in most ppl’s mind and if yes is there one available? With the 997s without a sports exhaust be it the PSE or aftermarket they tend to be relatively quiet, engine noise of course is usually present.
3.On a broader note I guess has anyone ventured into the BMW performance parts bin or is that considered a no no for M owners? Not suggesting replacing a M part for a non-M component per se.
4.E92 rims interchangeable with E90 rims and vice versa? Thinking the competition edition wheels (CSL look-a-likes) are not too bad.
Searching through PH / Autotrader / BMW AUC site there really is a lack of these cars around it seems, maybe the next incarnation of M3s will omit the saloon? Added to the lack of volume of these moving around on the second hand market it’s almost next to impossible to find one in the right spec (EDC, folding rear seats, 18” wheels etc) I’m after.
Current have a Gen I Carrera and am contemplating making a switch to either a 09 or new M3 E90 Saloon (have a preference for the facelift model) due to the need for greater space (only car as well). Have gone through various other forums and looked through about 130 pages of this one. Read the posts of ppl who have/are in similar positions to mine but have a few additional questions that you lot may well know the answer to that I have missed/overlooked or hasn’t been answered.
To give a bit of background first
-Car will be held for a reasonable amount of time and at some point down the track shipped back to Oz when I move back there eventually (resale dependencies like colour or spec is not a concern per se given the holding period)
-As per the above when the car returns to Oz there will be no warranty available from BMW given the fact it will be a personal import.
-In the event I bought a 2nd hand example would be only interested in less than 10k miles
-Not after a DCT model
-No track days on the cards although a Euro Road trip through the Swiss alps will be a must
Questions:
1.Having come from a 997.1 and all the hype around engine reliability (be it perhaps over publicised) a warranty is essential which I abided by but never had to exercise to the extent of a new engine. From what I read of the S65 engine it’s great engine having won engine of the year 3 years in a row in the 3ltr to 4ltr range (can’t remember who dished out that award!) and yes like any engine is prone to something going wrong. Given the relatively young life of the S65 and non-comparable number of them around compared to the M97 in the 997 its difficult to gauge the robustness of them. From everything I’ve seen there are no ‘mass panic’ threads around, am I being naïve in thinking the prospect of a no warranty in say 5 years time has a reasonable probability of no major catastrophes (I can accept paying full cost for a fuel pump or idle valve for example just not a gear box or engine)?
2.Was hunting around on the BMW website through the accessories section and didn’t see any OEM sports exhausts, is it necessary in most ppl’s mind and if yes is there one available? With the 997s without a sports exhaust be it the PSE or aftermarket they tend to be relatively quiet, engine noise of course is usually present.
3.On a broader note I guess has anyone ventured into the BMW performance parts bin or is that considered a no no for M owners? Not suggesting replacing a M part for a non-M component per se.
4.E92 rims interchangeable with E90 rims and vice versa? Thinking the competition edition wheels (CSL look-a-likes) are not too bad.
Searching through PH / Autotrader / BMW AUC site there really is a lack of these cars around it seems, maybe the next incarnation of M3s will omit the saloon? Added to the lack of volume of these moving around on the second hand market it’s almost next to impossible to find one in the right spec (EDC, folding rear seats, 18” wheels etc) I’m after.
Edited by jonasaurus on Tuesday 12th October 15:07
I have a 997.1 S cabriolet I have had since new, now five and a half years and 30,000 miles into ownership. Also have an M3 saloon now 18 months old and 20,000 miles.
On your first question - I took the opposite view on the 997 and did not take the warranty after the manufacturer's expired. The only thing that has come out of my pocket that I maybe could have claimed on is a set of coil packs. You can read lots of differing views on the warranty question but it is the stories of when things go wrong that get the higher profile. For every single bad experience it would be good to know if there are 10, 20, 50 or 100 fundamentally reliable cars. On my M3 (mine is manual), I think I will take the same view when the manufacturers warranty expires. If I had an M5 or M6 with the added complication of SMG, perhaps I would take a different view.
On the question of an OEM sports exhaust - there was mention of a new piece of kit with a sound clip in the thread entitled 'Does anything go wrong with e92 M3's?' - there is also a part number mentioned but I haven't seen anyone post up an official price yet.
I can't comment on your last two questions but I am certain that you won't be disappointed with the M3.
On your first question - I took the opposite view on the 997 and did not take the warranty after the manufacturer's expired. The only thing that has come out of my pocket that I maybe could have claimed on is a set of coil packs. You can read lots of differing views on the warranty question but it is the stories of when things go wrong that get the higher profile. For every single bad experience it would be good to know if there are 10, 20, 50 or 100 fundamentally reliable cars. On my M3 (mine is manual), I think I will take the same view when the manufacturers warranty expires. If I had an M5 or M6 with the added complication of SMG, perhaps I would take a different view.
On the question of an OEM sports exhaust - there was mention of a new piece of kit with a sound clip in the thread entitled 'Does anything go wrong with e92 M3's?' - there is also a part number mentioned but I haven't seen anyone post up an official price yet.
I can't comment on your last two questions but I am certain that you won't be disappointed with the M3.
pjv997 said:
I have a 997.1 S cabriolet I have had since new, now five and a half years and 30,000 miles into ownership. Also have an M3 saloon now 18 months old and 20,000 miles.
On your first question - I took the opposite view on the 997 and did not take the warranty after the manufacturer's expired. The only thing that has come out of my pocket that I maybe could have claimed on is a set of coil packs. You can read lots of differing views on the warranty question but it is the stories of when things go wrong that get the higher profile. For every single bad experience it would be good to know if there are 10, 20, 50 or 100 fundamentally reliable cars. On my M3 (mine is manual), I think I will take the same view when the manufacturers warranty expires. If I had an M5 or M6 with the added complication of SMG, perhaps I would take a different view.
On the question of an OEM sports exhaust - there was mention of a new piece of kit with a sound clip in the thread entitled 'Does anything go wrong with e92 M3's?' - there is also a part number mentioned but I haven't seen anyone post up an official price yet.
I can't comment on your last two questions but I am certain that you won't be disappointed with the M3.
Cheers thanks for the reply, am going to test drive a M90 M3 this weekend so lets see how that goes!On your first question - I took the opposite view on the 997 and did not take the warranty after the manufacturer's expired. The only thing that has come out of my pocket that I maybe could have claimed on is a set of coil packs. You can read lots of differing views on the warranty question but it is the stories of when things go wrong that get the higher profile. For every single bad experience it would be good to know if there are 10, 20, 50 or 100 fundamentally reliable cars. On my M3 (mine is manual), I think I will take the same view when the manufacturers warranty expires. If I had an M5 or M6 with the added complication of SMG, perhaps I would take a different view.
On the question of an OEM sports exhaust - there was mention of a new piece of kit with a sound clip in the thread entitled 'Does anything go wrong with e92 M3's?' - there is also a part number mentioned but I haven't seen anyone post up an official price yet.
I can't comment on your last two questions but I am certain that you won't be disappointed with the M3.
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