E92 M3, commuting etc

[russy01]

Evening,

Wanting something half exciting to play about it in and keep coming back to the M3. I have a budget of 15-20k, must have an exciting engine, rear seats and half practical.

Test drove an old dog at the weekend and was sold on the drive despite it being ropey....

My questions:

- 6 mile commute. Is this going to piss the car off and absolutely chew fuel?
- nearly all cars in my budget are pre LCI. Is this an issue? Apart from lights and iDrive is there much else?
- what is labour cost to change throttle actuators
- how consumables reasonably priced? Discs etc
- assume £500 road tax?
- how are they in the winter, will be stored outside so thinking of defrosting etc?

Cheers...

[Catatafish]

Study this first then make up your mind. I would say they aren't suitable for short daily drive and regular winter starting IMO.

E92 warm up discussion

[russy01]

I see what they are saying? But without being a knob some of it sounds like a lot of old wives tales?

Is the UK climate really cold enough to worry too much? Being US in sure some of these owners are hitting -10 each night?

[laingy]

I use mine for a 5 minute commute, perfectly fine but get a battery charger for winter . Petrol 19mpg , tax 550 I think . Great all rounder and very practical . It has impressed me a lot .

[Smuler]

russy01 said:

Evening,

Wanting something half exciting to play about it in and keep coming back to the M3. I have a budget of 15-20k, must have an exciting engine, rear seats and half practical.

Test drove an old dog at the weekend and was sold on the drive despite it being ropey....

My questions:

- 6 mile commute. Is this going to piss the car off and absolutely chew fuel?
- nearly all cars in my budget are pre LCI. Is this an issue? Apart from lights and iDrive is there much else?
- what is labour cost to change throttle actuators
- how consumables reasonably priced? Discs etc
- assume £500 road tax?
- how are they in the winter, will be stored outside so thinking of defrosting etc?

Cheers...

This is the place for the T/A's as highly recommended on m3 forums. says £450 at destination.

http://www.rebuild.org.uk/buy-rebuild-service/

I have an older E46 M3, but no M is that cheap on fuel and consumables compared to non M's. But surely, if you want a performance car ,it's never going to be cheap.

The newer CIC iDrive came into production Sept 2008 so can appear on pre LCI cars as LCI was about March 2010. Both these can be upgraded, really don't see the issue myself. Competition Pack in 2010 would be the bigger change inmho.

Pretty sure you can use the same de-icer on M's as any other car

Last time I looked tax was £555 and that was also on the later LCI's

My E46 takes about 3-4 miles to warm up so I doubt these cars would like a short commute or be fuel friendly (are they ever) but it wouldn't put me off. Just go out and have a blast on lunch break or buy a 'beater' to take the grind.

[russy01]

Smuler said:

This is the place for the T/A's as highly recommended on m3 forums. says £450 at destination.

http://www.rebuild.org.uk/buy-rebuild-service/

I have an older E46 M3, but no M is that cheap on fuel and consumables compared to non M's. But surely, if you want a performance car ,it's never going to be cheap.

The newer CIC iDrive came into production Sept 2008 so can appear on pre LCI cars as LCI was about March 2010. Both these can be upgraded, really don't see the issue myself. Competition Pack in 2010 would be the bigger change inmho.

Pretty sure you can use the same de-icer on M's as any other car

Last time I looked tax was £555 and that was also on the later LCI's

My E46 takes about 3-4 miles to warm up so I doubt these cars would like a short commute or be fuel friendly (are they ever) but it wouldn't put me off. Just go out and have a blast on lunch break or buy a 'beater' to take the grind.

Cheers...

Only thing I really want from the LCI is the CIC iDrive - I ship the kids around in a 2018 X5, and the 2008 CIC isnt all that much different - so it would be nice to stay similar to keep the Mrs happy. I like the newer lights, but could do this at anytime...

Defrosting etc - the car will not be garaged and during the winter I leave for work at 5am. Ive had cars with heated front screens and are warm within a few minutes and cars that have taken 10mins to generate any warmth at all. So whilst it sounds like a silly one, a good screen and heating system can make quite a big difference when its -5 morning sat on my drive!

Tax - Once a year, so No issues.

Fuel - Again, no issues. Just want to have realistic expectations.

Consumables - I'd never compare to non M's, but just wondering if any specific part was a complete rip off. e.g. If front discs were £1000 - Id then take more notice when buying...

[Smuler]

russy01 said:

Cheers...

Only thing I really want from the LCI is the CIC iDrive - I ship the kids around in a 2018 X5, and the 2008 CIC isnt all that much different - so it would be nice to stay similar to keep the Mrs happy. I like the newer lights, but could do this at anytime...

Defrosting etc - the car will not be garaged and during the winter I leave for work at 5am. Ive had cars with heated front screens and are warm within a few minutes and cars that have taken 10mins to generate any warmth at all. So whilst it sounds like a silly one, a good screen and heating system can make quite a big difference when its -5 morning sat on my drive!

Tax - Once a year, so No issues.

Fuel - Again, no issues. Just want to have realistic expectations.

Consumables - I'd never compare to non M's, but just wondering if any specific part was a complete rip off. e.g. If front discs were £1000 - Id then take more notice when buying...

I had a 2009 pre LCI with CIC E92 335i and that heated up much better than the previous generation E46 BMWs if that's a positive steer. I was out from about 6am

Not aware of any rip off component, but even when buying the 335i definitely state of brake discs was one thing I checked for, plus where the car was at with it's servicing. I wanted and got a situation where I'd nothing to do for over a year.

If you have to get a pre LCI, without CIC iDrive, there's a well respected chap on M3 cutters who seems to do a lot of conversions. Quite a few cars I've seen for sale pre LCI with conversion done.

[russy01]

Thanks for your reply...

I want to get myself into the same position, i.e that I get a cheap years motoring. Ultimately I told my wife I was looking to buy a 10k run around and now its turning into a 20k proper car.... I can most likely get this past her, however I will get it in the neck if she sees £500 after £500 bills shortly after buying it!

[cerb4.5lee]

I had the later sat nav in mine(registered Sept 2009), yet my brother in law has the older system in his(registered June 2009). I'm guessing his was sat for a long period before it was actually registered.

[Phateuk]

I do a fairly short commute in mine, in the winter you'll find it's not long enough for the battery to charge so will eventually get "increased battery drain" warnings. On the weeks where I don't manage to get a longer drive in, I plug it into a CTEK charger to clear the warnings (and prevent me being stranded). In the summer it's fine due to less use of wipers, heater etc.

NB. when the battery is low, things like heated seats and screen are reduced (in the case of the seats disabled) to preserve the battery to allow you to restart - this may be an issue for you not liking the cold

[D4SH]

I bought an 08 pre LCI and at the time would've preferred the upgraded CIC. However, IMO my iphone does everything I want ie live traffic sat nav and music (via aux but sound fine for me). Just still trying to work out the best/non-obtrusive/smartest phone cradle so it looks like it's meant to be there.

I also have a 6 mile commute to work each day and there is enough time for the engine to warm fully and have a couple of blasts to 8500rpm (it's addictive!)

The only thing to bear in mind for winter is that the cold start can be quite loud. So for the first 90 seconds on start up, you could pee off your neighbours whilst de-icing etc.

Otherwise for me, after nearly a year of ownership it is the best all round car from commuting/driving the family to track days.

Edited by D4SH on Tuesday 18th September 12:08

[russy01]

cerb4.5lee said:

I had the later sat nav in mine(registered Sept 2009), yet my brother in law has the older system in his(registered June 2009). I'm guessing his was sat for a long period before it was actually registered.

Yea Ive read a bit about that, all to do with financial crisis and a lot of cars sitting around before being sold etc... have you looked at the build dates between your cars? Some I have seen are well over a years difference despite being registered at nearly the same time.

[Smuler]

russy01 said:

Yea Ive read a bit about that, all to do with financial crisis and a lot of cars sitting around before being sold etc... have you looked at the build dates between your cars? Some I have seen are well over a years difference despite being registered at nearly the same time.

I wondered (or am I too cynical) if they still stuck in some old CCC units, even though they had CIC available
I've not seen many 2008 reg'd cars with it, and one I did was a former press car.
09 plates tend to be the first, though not all.

You should be able to secure one for £20k
Biggest decisions are gearbox and most debated option is EDC.

[russy01]

D4SH said:

I bought an 08 pre LCI and at the time would've preferred the upgraded CIC. However, IMO my iphone does everything I want ie live traffic sat nav and music (via aux but sound fine for me). Just still trying to work out the best/non-obtrusive/smartest phone cradle so it looks like it's meant to be there.

I also have a 6 mile commute to work each day and there is enough time for the engine to warm fully and have a couple of blasts to 8500rpm (it's addictive!)

The only thing to bear in mind for winter is that the cold start can be quite loud. So for the first 90 seconds on start up, you could pee off your neighbours whilst de-icing etc.

Otherwise for me, after nearly a year of ownership it is the best all round car from commuting/driving the family to track days.

Edited by D4SH on Tuesday 18th September 12:08

Addictive - I bet. I think the reason I liked the car so much is because I used to own an S2000 and LOVED the engine! I have been used to turbo cars for the last couple years and it felt really naughty the first few times I took it round to 8k - that was me sold!

Cold start - not an issue. I dont like my direct neighbours, so its actually a pro and then beyond them its cows and apple trees!

I'll keep an eye out for CIC, but wont let it ruin an otherwise good deal. Personally I agree with what you say about phones etc, but I bloody hate stick on cradles etc...

[russy01]

Smuler said:

I wondered (or am I too cynical) if they still stuck in some old CCC units, even though they had CIC available
I've not seen many 2008 reg'd cars with it, and one I did was a former press car.
09 plates tend to be the first, though not all.

You should be able to secure one for £20k
Biggest decisions are gearbox and most debated option is EDC.

Gearbox. My current daily is a Mk7 Golf GTi in manual and I love it... my other daily (when taking the kids) is an X5 40d, which is Auto - which I also love.

So, push comes to shove I am happy to have both. However having had an S2000 before I am big advocate of revvy engines and manual, I was matching shifts straight away in the M3 test drive and think as the car is a bit older is deserves a proper gearbox. Finally, I imagine there is more risk of a 10yr old DCT throwing a big bill?

EDC. Personally again I think its more to go wrong and living in the sticks I generally opt for soft/Medium modes in my other cars anyway. I am told the Middle setting of EDC is similar to passive springs? If thats the case then I am happy with either as I doubt Ill be in the stiffest setting very often around home.

[Rchamps]

Really don’t think that the V8s are great for such a short commute. The engine takes an age to warm properly and the lack of low end shove gets frustrating. I’ve just sold an e92 after using it for the same as you propose and gone back into an M4.

You’ll get frustrated if this is the most you use the car for as the rod bearings issue means you’ll not want to take it over 3/4K rpm until properly warmed, which you won’t get anywhere near on that commute.

[russy01]

Rchamps said:

Really don’t think that the V8s are great for such a short commute. The engine takes an age to warm properly and the lack of low end shove gets frustrating. I’ve just sold an e92 after using it for the same as you propose and gone back into an M4.

You’ll get frustrated if this is the most you use the car for as the rod bearings issue means you’ll not want to take it over 3/4K rpm until properly warmed, which you won’t get anywhere near on that commute.

The M3/4 doesnt do much for me, granted its rapid and lovely, but its not what I am after for my weekend fix.

Admittedly the E92 will be used for 4/5 short commutes each week, but will get a run out at most weekends and take me to football on an evening each week.

Rod bearings issue - this is clearly an issue, but how bad is it? I assume 95% of owners (who probably use the car similar to how I would) dont even know this exists? I cannot help but think that these issues (similar to Porsche IMS etc), whilst serious, are exaggerated because we sit on forums like this?

[Smuler]

[quote=russy01]

The M3/4 doesnt do much for me, granted its rapid and lovely, but its not what I am after for my weekend fix.

Admittedly the E92 will be used for 4/5 short commutes each week, but will get a run out at most weekends and take me to football on an evening each week.

Rod bearings issue - this is clearly an issue, but how bad is it? I assume 95% of owners (who probably use the car similar to how I would) dont even know this exists? I cannot help but think that these issues (similar to Porsche IMS etc), whilst serious, are exaggerated because we sit on forums like this?
[/

In my reading of forums it seems more examples of concern about rod bearings than examples of engines being destroyed by them failing.

Oil analysis to risk assess is a common discussion.

I believe they are 1500£ to replace. Evolve Automotive I’ve seen mentioned.

Not really a reason to avoid the E92 , to the tune of buying a more expensive F80, surely ?

[russy01]

Smuler]ussy01 said:

The M3/4 doesnt do much for me, granted its rapid and lovely, but its not what I am after for my weekend fix.

Admittedly the E92 will be used for 4/5 short commutes each week, but will get a run out at most weekends and take me to football on an evening each week.

Rod bearings issue - this is clearly an issue, but how bad is it? I assume 95% of owners (who probably use the car similar to how I would) dont even know this exists? I cannot help but think that these issues (similar to Porsche IMS etc), whilst serious, are exaggerated because we sit on forums like this?
[/

In my reading of forums it seems more examples of concern about rod bearings than examples of engines being destroyed by them failing.

Oil analysis to risk assess is a common discussion.

I believe they are 1500£ to replace. Evolve Automotive I’ve seen mentioned.

Not really a reason to avoid the E92 , to the tune of buying a more expensive F80, surely ?

No interest in buying an F80. Could buy one tomorrow if I wanted, plus have seen some fantastic 0% deals. But I am interested in a less expensive coupe with a V8...

Cheers.

[mikeyscott]

russy01 said:

Smuler]ussy01 said:

The M3/4 doesnt do much for me, granted its rapid and lovely, but its not what I am after for my weekend fix.

Admittedly the E92 will be used for 4/5 short commutes each week, but will get a run out at most weekends and take me to football on an evening each week.

Rod bearings issue - this is clearly an issue, but how bad is it? I assume 95% of owners (who probably use the car similar to how I would) dont even know this exists? I cannot help but think that these issues (similar to Porsche IMS etc), whilst serious, are exaggerated because we sit on forums like this?
[/

In my reading of forums it seems more examples of concern about rod bearings than examples of engines being destroyed by them failing.

Oil analysis to risk assess is a common discussion.

I believe they are 1500£ to replace. Evolve Automotive I’ve seen mentioned.

Not really a reason to avoid the E92 , to the tune of buying a more expensive F80, surely ?

No interest in buying an F80. Could buy one tomorrow if I wanted, plus have seen some fantastic 0% deals. But I am interested in a less expensive coupe with a V8...

Cheers.

I keep coming back to this too. If I was buying a new gen M car it’d be an M2 for me.

Got a Quaife equipped 135i atm