I've been interested in these cars for the past couple years, but I'm now in a position to seriously move on one. I'd be looking for a used one, 08/09, hopefully CPO'd. I know I've seen a few members here move into one. I'm just mainly curious about their reliability and ease of maintenance. It would be a car I'd plan on having a for a long time. I've read that newer BMWs are much better when it comes to reliability, but I'm still a little skeptical transitioning to a $40k+ used BMW.

Any input guys? I've been trying to do as much research as possible. Have seen that the 09s are the first year with LED taillights, the newer ones get iDrive(not sure which year). Any reason I should stay away from the 08s, and pay more for an 09 or 10?

 

I think the only big difference between an 08 and 09 is the newer iDrive with the higher resolution screen, built in hard-drive, and new interface. Admittedly the new iDrive is leaps and bounds above the old one, but only you can decide it that and an extra year of maintenance and warranty is worth the price of an 09 over an 08.

The only other thing I would caution you of is the cost of parts/maintenance for the m3's. This is one of the reasons along with other's that I decided to go with a 335i over an m3.

For reference:

A diy oil change is about $150
Brake Pads and Rotors are $1500
Cabin Air Filter $120

 

wow those are some pretty high numbers.

i have a 335i sedan and my oil change costs $95-not DIY, mind you.
I haven't done a brake job yet but a local service center has quoted me $250 for rear pads and $300 for fronts. If rotors need to be changed, add another $500-600 for all corners.
Cabin air filter is $50. 5min DIY install.


to the OP, i am not that familiar with M3s but you should check out e90post or m3post forums. if you can get pass the usual bimmer egos, the knowledge there is actually pretty useful. good luck man. the m3 is also a car I'd like to own one day. i'll be doing more research when that time is near.

 

Where did you get $150 for a DIY oil change? 9 quarts of oil plus a filter shouldn't be that much. I too went for a 335 coupe instead of a M3 since it's my daily not my fun car and makes about the same power with a tune. I think I changed the oil for about 50 bucks on it a few weeks ago. 2 gallons of Shell Rotella T6 5W40 from walmart and an OEM filter.

 

Trust me I was shocked too, but the e9x m3 requires 10 quarts of 10w-60 and the filter. Here are a few examples, and you might be able to get it a little cheaper, but not much.

Tischer kit $160 - http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=4462

Turner oil 13.50 per quart - http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-10...m5-e9x-m3.aspx

Turner filter 17.95 - http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-26...65-engine.aspx

For those considering an m3 I would highly suggest driving one back-to-back with a 335i. Like the other's have stated unless you are tracking the car, a 335i with a tune makes for a great daily driver. Although the turbo lag is annoying when coming from a car as responsive as the s2000. I'm hoping that catless downpipes will eventually help with that.

 

Coming from an '07 s2000 I bought an 2008 E90 manual sold it for a 2010 E92 DCT. I had my reasons for switching to the DCT and I regret them, wish I had stayed with the manual. The M3 is an amazing car, don't get me wrong, but I live in Washington DC and only drive it 11 miles to and from work in traffic. To much car for city driving. I am going to spec out and order a 2013 Boxster S within the next few weeks, I want another two seat convertible that gets better than 14 MPG like the M. If you do go with the E9X M3 I would suggest '09 or higher and CPO'd if at all possible. That way you get the updated iDrive .

 

Thanks for the replies guys. As for the iDrive, what exactly is all the hype about? I honestly don't care for anything fancy on this car. I want it for the engine and looks. If they offered it, I would take a cloth interior option.

Would it be a complete disaster if I couldn't get into a CPO'd car? They seem extremely hard to come by, for an 08 or 09. I've read on M3post that you can actually buy the extended power train warranty from BMW if the car has under 70k miles. True?

 

No real hype about the iDrive other than the one in 08's and below is really an awful user experience. I suggest watching some youtube videos of people using the 08 system and then the 09 and you'll see what we mean. Also they kind of do offer cloth, although it's pretty rare in these cars. I think it's called speed cloth...the seats are half leather have cloth.

Anyways, I wouldn't think a non-CPO car is that bad as long as you ask for the full service history and also get a pre-purchase inspection done by a knowledgeable BMW shop. Also, my understanding of the CPO warranty is that you can only buy it while under the factory warranty so < 4 yrs 50k miles (however I could be wrong). Also if you truly are thinking about buying a non-CPO car and getting it CPO'd it's going to be a tough call, or at least it would be for me. From what I've read you'd be looking at $3,500 to start plus any money spent fixing things on the car. So basically if nothing at all was wrong on the car then it would be about $3,500 for the cpo warranty. However, even things like too little tire tread and they will make you replace the tires before certifying....better in my mind to buy one already CPO'd by the dealer since they will usually eat most of the cost and use it only as a selling point.

Edit:
08 Nav Demo

09 Nav Demo

 

09 I-drive is night and day difference. I have had both. Also, make sure the diff is not noisy.

 

Curious as to why you don't like the DTC? I drove a manual E92 and I didn't like the soft feeling clutch / shifter. Is DCT ok for those who left foot brake?