E92 M3 - Rod Bearings

[bigtime]

Agree completely Ferret. My 2012 that I've had from new has just ticked over 40k miles and touch wood, all it's cost me is servicing, consumables and the £85 per month warranty that I've never had to use since it turned 3 years old. I've had it over 7 years and prior to this the longest I'd owned a car was 2 years. I haven't a clue what I'll replace it with.

[mat205125]

The Ferret said:

I know its on old cliche, but the E92 V8 really is the last of its kind from BMW, give it 10 years and people will be moaning that they should have picked one up when you could buy a decent one for £15k-£20k

Exactly why I stopped beating around the bush, and got myself a great condition, standard(ish), manual one this year.

Having had and enjoyed both my E36 and E46, and then sold them and watched the prices rise, my E92 is a keeper for life!!

[g3org3y]

RS Grant said:

Phooey said:

re rod bearings - does this affect all m3 v8s or are the later (2011-13) cars ok?

It's an issue on all model years I'm afraid.

There was a change on the later LCI cars from c2010 onwards, which does seem to reduce the failure rate slightly but still doesn't remove it as a potential failure. Therefore owners/potential owners should think carefully about either paying for preventative replacements or an airtight warranty which will cover the big rebuild/replacement engine bill should they fail.

If one was to buy an E90/2/3 M3 from BMW as an AUC with warranty, does it actually cover this failure?

[acme]

I’d hope so, in fact I’m assuming a non AUC car with a BMW warranty then put on it would cover it. But the question is would they pay out, be good to know if anyone’s tested this?

At 1500, at least in the first year it’s an expensive test if they don’t!

Incidentally as has been mentioned that’s the same cost as rod bearing replacement.

[The Ferret]

acme said:

I’d hope so, in fact I’m assuming a non AUC car with a BMW warranty then put on it would cover it. But the question is would they pay out, be good to know if anyone’s tested this?

At 1500, at least in the first year it’s an expensive test if they don’t!

Incidentally as has been mentioned that’s the same cost as rod bearing replacement.

Mine is under extended BMW warranty. I decided it was a good idea for the 1st year just to make sure the car had no mechanical horror stories waiting to reveal themselves shortly after purchasing it. The plan is to ditch the warranty at renewal, and have the bearings changed shortly before.

Cover was £1400 on a 40k mile car. I questioned the bearings and actuators before purchasing, and was told yes they would both be covered in the event of failure. To be fair, the warranty looks very comprehensive and I'd be amazed if there were any issues getting paid out, PROVIDING THE CAR IS STANDARD AND HAS BEEN SERVICED APPROPRIATELY WITH CORRECT PARTS. That's where you could run into problems. Any claim for failed bearings is likely to be a 5 figure sum, so while they'll likely be honourable they will undoubtedly be asking questions of the technician to determine whether theres an easy way out.

[survivalist]

I’ve just put a deposit down on an BMW Approved Used one as I wanted to make sure everything is covered for the first year. As the previous poster said I wanted to make sure everything is covered while I get a feel for the car. Also, if for any reason I don’t like it I recon it’ll be easier to sell on with some warranty left on it.

Assuming I keep it, after that I’ll probably just have the bearings changed and take my chances.

I’m normally happy to run without a warranty, but the issue with the bearings is that it can potentially write off the engine and depending on the amount paid maybe even the car.

Other cars I’ve had have had issues, but none of them catastrophic. My N54 335i is known for turbo/watergate failures but while it’s not a cheap job it’s not going to wreck the engine. Same with fuel and water pumps and even throttle actuators on the M3.

I’ve largely had good experiences of the BMW warranty. They even replaced a set of springs on a 9 year old car as one of them snapped, which really surprised me. They won’t cover a failed dimming mirror , strangely.

[Terzo123]

Can you still negotiate a two year warranty on an approved used car? It used to be a regular thing, and would be well worth it for the peice of mind.

[d.sloan]

Bought my E92 Monte Carlo Edition new in 2010 and it has just turned 42K. It has been treated with mechanical sympathy from new and apart from consumables I have replaced three wheel speed sensors and that is it.
Irrespective, I keep it on a BMW warranty which costs £92 per month with a £250 excess.
I have thought many times of selling this car, and have test driven loads of alternatives, but each time I have decided to keep it. I have had a number of M cars, AMG’s, RS’s and Porsches but there is just something about the E92 that stops me parting with it.
It is not my daily driver, but every time I drive it, it puts a huge grin on my face and I suspect we will not see its like again in the future.
Dave

[bigtime]

Sams as me D.Sloan but a 2012 41k from new. However, I only pay £86 per month with £100 excess.

[d.sloan]

Thanks Bigtime, that’s interesting, I wonder if the different terms are because my car is older.

[acme]

bigtime said:

Sams as me D.Sloan but a 2012 41k from new. However, I only pay £86 per month with £100 excess.

I’m assumimg 41k was a bl**dy good price?

[survivalist]

d.sloan said:

Bought my E92 Monte Carlo Edition new in 2010 and it has just turned 42K. It has been treated with mechanical sympathy from new and apart from consumables I have replaced three wheel speed sensors and that is it.
Irrespective, I keep it on a BMW warranty which costs £92 per month with a £250 excess.
I have thought many times of selling this car, and have test driven loads of alternatives, but each time I have decided to keep it. I have had a number of M cars, AMG’s, RS’s and Porsches but there is just something about the E92 that stops me parting with it.
It is not my daily driver, but every time I drive it, it puts a huge grin on my face and I suspect we will not see its like again in the future.
Dave

I'm just in the process of buying what sounds like a similar car. 1 Owner from new, always serviced at the same BMW dealer and done less than 5k a year. Will come with a 12 month warranty which is reassuring since someone else has owned it from new. I've test driven loads. When they were released, at 3/4 Years old and over the last 6 months. Never been overwhelmed on a test drive, but always felt that it might be the kind of car you need to drive for a while to gel with.

Hopefully now is the perfect time. 2 young kids, which rules out a 2 seater. Not driving loads so don't care about MPG/Servicing.

Once it's on my drive I'll do a readers car thread.

[d.sloan]

Does sound very similar to my car - there won’t be too many 1 owner cars left.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and continue to do so. I can’t really put my finger on why I like it so much, but usually I get bored with cars after a couple of years and move on to something else, I have bought and sold other cars during the period I have owned the M3 but something has stopped me parting with this one!

Good luck.

[Arranguez]

It seems to depend (the price of BMW warranty) on when you took it out. I’m on the £250 excess and pay £72 a month. Took mine out in 2012 mind you and have claimed once for a rear calliper. Quite an expensive calliper if you do the maths too closely!

Love the car though. A 2008 manual with a mere 28k on the clock owing to me doing about 500 miles a year in it. Sacrilege I know ...

[bigtime]

acme said:

I’m assumimg 41k was a bl**dy good price?

I wish I paid 41k when new. Sorry I meant it’s on 41k miles.

Just checked my warranty and I haven’t taken out breakdown cover. Maybe that’s why mines cheaper.

Good to know the calipers are covered as well.

[acme]

bigtime said:

I wish I paid 41k when new. Sorry I meant it’s on 41k miles.

Just checked my warranty and I haven’t taken out breakdown cover. Maybe that’s why mines cheaper.

Good to know the calipers are covered as well.

Thanks for reply. My quote for an under 60k miles, irrespective of age was 1450, 1595 with breakdown, 250 excess. One lump sum, obviously not sure what it’d reduce to in year two.

[RS Grant]

acme said:

bigtime said:

I wish I paid 41k when new. Sorry I meant it’s on 41k miles.

Just checked my warranty and I haven’t taken out breakdown cover. Maybe that’s why mines cheaper.

Good to know the calipers are covered as well.

Thanks for reply. My quote for an under 60k miles, irrespective of age was 1450, 1595 with breakdown, 250 excess. One lump sum, obviously not sure what it’d reduce to in year two.

I’m under the impression that it will reduce by between 15-20% in the second year, going by the difference in premium between my car which has been out of BMW/AUC warranty for a period of time and a car which has maintained cover through BMW.

Of course given that premiums increased on me before; they could turn round and maintain the higher price or even increase it in the second year, so please don’t buy into a policy on the strength of my predictions!!