M3 lifespan..?

[souroull]

ok.. the question is.. how many miles do you think a 95-99 M3 can take before it becomes a money pit? i'm talking about the whole car, not just engine
thanks in advance

[ubersnax]

120k

[ponq]

ubersnax
by your estimation I bought a money pit:)

I think 200k is easy, as long as you're doing the maintainence yourself in a timely fashion.

[anthony95m3]

100K to 120K is a money pit. After that, things should be easy.

anthony,
148K

[souroull]

anthony pls explain:)

[ubersnax]

i was just basing it off of prior german car experience. after you fix the stuff that breaks at 120k.. then you have another 100k no problem!

it wont be anything major.. plastic crap.. motor mount.. its all typical maintenance really. bmw m3 is a very very very good car even with high high hig0h miels!!

[Jwright]

It all depends on how well you take care of the car.

[BubbaM3]

I'm currently at 95k and in the process of pouring significant $$$ into my 97 M3/4. Purchased the car in fall 2001, then for 2 years only did oil, tires, inspections 1 & 2, and brakes. Now I'm actively working to bring her up to spec with upgrades along the way.

Since fall 2003:
RTABs w/ GC shims (RTABs shot)
JC Chip & Intake (ok, not really maintenance)
UUC SSK & TMEs (tranny maintenance)

To do...
Next week: GC coilovers w/ RSMs & new control arms (stock suspension is shot)
March: Replace entire cooling system (pressing my luck at 95k)
Summer: LTW flywheel & clutch (clutch starting to slip)

This is not an insignificant tab, but the car will be better than new by 100k. There are plenty more mods to do, but most of that will be purely optional performance, not maintenance->upgrade events. I'm planning on hitting 200k.

[SaphyreKry]

Originally posted by ubersnax
i was just basing it off of prior german car experience. after you fix the stuff that breaks at 120k.. then you have another 100k no problem!

it wont be anything major.. plastic crap.. motor mount.. its all typical maintenance really. bmw m3 is a very very very good car even with high high hig0h miels!!

I second that. I've owned nothing but german, and usually as long as you maintain everything properly you should be Ok. But there are parts that will just tend to wear out every 100k or so. So you'll probably get a wave of maintenance around 100-120k, fix it, and you should be set for a while.

[souroull]

very nice thanks everyone
exactly what parts need to be replaced around the 100k mark? can you be a bit more specific with names and prices?
sorry, newb q's but everyone starts from there
hehe

[MrBlah]

I had 250,000 miles on my last bmw (87 325is) and it was all original, except for bushings.

I hope to get that many out of my 95 M3 too

[QWKBMW]

I have 176k on my 97 M3....
Just do the usual stuff
Oil, brakes, filters, all fliuds, tires, etc......

Runs like new

alan

[JamesM3M5]

I agree with the 100-120k money-pit statement. Lots of stuff starts to go bad around 100-120k miles. Things like rubber bushings, suspension arms, wheel bearings, plastic bits and pieces, radiator, water pump, hoses, O2 sensor, knock sensors, etc. If you're a DIY kind of person, you can get by with a few weekend projects, a couple $$grand, and have a LOT of nice, new parts on your car for the next 100-120k miles.

[JSN]

Originally posted by JamesM3M5
I agree with the 100-120k money-pit statement. Lots of stuff starts to go bad around 100-120k miles. Things like rubber bushings, suspension arms, wheel bearings, plastic bits and pieces, radiator, water pump, hoses, O2 sensor, knock sensors, etc. If you're a DIY kind of person, you can get by with a few weekend projects, a couple $$grand, and have a LOT of nice, new parts on your car for the next 100-120k miles.

you kidding me? at 78k I've done bushings, shock mounts, radiator/water pump, O2 sensor and a few other things. if you wait till 120k to get those things done you're asking for it

[slcook54]

^
I think they are talking about the 2nd time around. :dunno

[JSN]

you mean I gotta do all that sh*t again!?> I mean, I know O2 sensors need to be replaced habitually

[anthony95m3]

At 100K, the usually stuff that wears out.

shock, RSM, RTAB, cracked radiator neck, brake disk & pads, clutch, spark plugs, all fluids, etc.

---
anthony

[Mtrack]

Don't forget the tie rods, both inner and outer. You'll start to get minor steering wheel shake when they are getting loose. Could happen from 70,000 miles on. It's a safety issue, especially if you track the car. I Know of an instance where a e36 m3s tie rod went at the track (90,000 mi.) , wrecked the car. Get under the car, push the rubber sleve out of the way and feel for play. Both where the two parts come together (by trying to pull them apart) and rotating the out board ends. Control arms and control arm bushings wear out in this mileage range to. The control arms have little ball joints in them that get play. M3's are generally "driven" by thier owners which helps to wear things out.