To keep or not to keep my M3 - operating cost?

[FC]

I'm planning on keeping my F80 (delivery later this year) for at least 6 years assuming there will be something then that I will want. If it proves reliable over those years and, as I suspect, manual transmissions go the way of the dinosaur, I may keep it even longer - maybe indefinitely.

It helps that I don't see me putting more than 6k miles per year, so even after a decade I'll be at 50k miles or so, but still.

Frankly, a $1k or even $2k bill every couple of of years doesn't scare me. Needing a new engine does. So far it appears to be pretty well built, however, so I am not terribly worried. I figure that my warranty will expire middle of 2022 and by that point we'll know for sure if this engine has a weak point big enough to make it blow up. Not having a DCT also is peace of mind for very long-term ownership.

Anything shy of that, I'd be willing to tolerate (i.e. we find out out that it's best to replace item X before 60-80k miles at a cost of $1500). I suspect the bigger expense will come from replacing electronic modules, suspension components, etc.

[SpaceCowboy]

Originally Posted by Lexor1704

I cannot agree with the n54 issues. I had an 2008 335 i drove hard all the time and i sold it at 120k with no issues. The current owner had it at 160k and it is running strong.

Not sure how my M3, at 23k and rock solid, will fair but I am very skeptical that is time to get rid of it at 60k.

My 08 E92 335xi was far and away the least reliable I have ever owned. And I was a meticulous owner. It truly lived up to the clunker status that Consumer Reports gave the entire E generation.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by SpaceCowboy

My 08 E92 335xi was far and away the least reliable I have ever owned. And I was a meticulous owner. It truly lived up to the clunker status that Consumer Reports gave the entire E generation.

My '12 z435 needed all of lpfp, hpfp, injectors replaced at very low miles, on top of other random issues.

Drivetrain was fine after those replacements but cooling was woefully inadequate. Needed the auxiliary radiator and higher wattage cooling fan from the 1m and 335is.

Seems like s55 is rock solid, but it's still too new to really tell

[Jhak]

OP,

I'm planning on keeping my car forever. Right now the car is a daily car, that's driven 5 days a week and 10 miles per day. I do my oil changes every 3k miles and keep up with all the recommended maintenance, spark plugs etc.. I also understand this car is pricey to keep out of warranty so I kept 15k on the side just in case anything happens. Do what feels right for you. If you love the car and you what your getting into keep her.

Thanks,

David Phan

[Wills2]

Why is everyone scared of doing miles in this car? It's solid, I don't understand why people are scared.

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by FC

I'm planning on keeping my F80 (delivery later this year) for at least 6 years assuming there will be something then that I will want. If it proves reliable over those years and, as I suspect, manual transmissions go the way of the dinosaur, I may keep it even longer - maybe indefinitely.

It helps that I don't see me putting more than 6k miles per year, so even after a decade I'll be at 50k miles or so, but still.

Frankly, a $1k or even $2k bill every couple of of years doesn't scare me. Needing a new engine does. So far it appears to be pretty well built, however, so I am not terribly worried. I figure that my warranty will expire middle of 2022 and by that point we'll know for sure if this engine has a weak point big enough to make it blow up. Not having a DCT also is peace of mind for very long-term ownership.

Anything shy of that, I'd be willing to tolerate (i.e. we find out out that it's best to replace item X before 60-80k miles at a cost of $1500). I suspect the bigger expense will come from replacing electronic modules, suspension components, etc.

I totally agree 100%. Plan to keep mine long term also.

One thing to note, production numbers are relatively high on this car so as time goes on the parts supply from junkyards will rise. It's another option for electronic modules and some of those expensive parts.

The engine is the highest cost/risk. Trans, suspension, brakes (steel) etc are all pretty conventional.

[bimmerfrk]

Had my e90 m3 for 6.5 years out of warranty. Maybe spent 500 buck a year on maintenance. If you girls are bitching about that kind of money you are all driving cars you can afford imho. Ditch it and buy yourselves a Camry

once in a while need to spend a 1k or so.......

[Matteo88]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Why is everyone scared of doing miles in this car? It's solid, I don't understand why people are scared.

mine is coming tomorrow! and i plan to put 25K (kms) on it per year minimum. on one hand i am going to depreciate it faster but my job has me in my car so much, and for long trips, part of my reasoning for going big on the next vehicle is that if i am going to be spending so much time in a car, it might as well be an awesome car, right?

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Matteo88

mine is coming tomorrow! and i plan to put 25K (kms) on it per year minimum. on one hand i am going to depreciate it faster but my job has me in my car so much, and for long trips, part of my reasoning for going big on the next vehicle is that if i am going to be spending so much time in a car, it might as well be an awesome car, right?

RIGHT!

[fabulousprofound]

does anyone know what are the major maintenance/overhaul points in the long term service schedule for this generation?

[boss2k]

Contrary to what some feels you should drive the care more during warranty period and take it easy after warranty is over if u plan on keeping the car

[hirev]

So after 27 cars, a few bmw's, I can say, every car I have owned has either been crap pretty soon on or lasted well....my opinion is that if you like the car, and it's not problematic with a reoccurring issue during warranty you might want to keep it.

so far my 2016 is great, so i am slated to be end of lease in a year. My plans are keeping it cause I really like it and it has been issue free!

[GERM4N]

This forum can bring up a lot of fears. But they needn’t be. I own the feared M e46 2005. Almost 100,00mi. It has SMG with no issues and no cracked subframe. Is that to say something won’t come up at 200,00mi? Time will tell. lol

[Darth One]

after a certain point, i find that i need to budget a couple of grand in repairs/maintenance in an out-of-warranty BMW every year.

still cheaper than a monthly payment, though.

[RowanBuds]

Buying mine out from my lease tomorrow

[jc05e46m3]

If it's paid for, then just sell privately and jump into a newer CPO or low mile off-lease. Might have to front a little cash, but perhaps save yourself more in the long run!

[climax_e92]

My M4 is my daily/only car. Drive it 5-6 times a week. Tuned since break in and have had no problems. 19k miles and running strong with E85. I plan on keeping it forever. Car seems very reliable. Although my E36, and 07 e92 335i never gave me problems either besides spark plugs and ignition coils.. coils didn't start acting up until 80k. i purchased extended warranty on the 335i and never had to use it.

[THEROK]

I wouldn't have bought my '18 if I didn't read up on the F8X's stellar reliability record. I'm in love with the looks of my M4 and bought it with an intent to keep it around a long time. If I run into crazy FU money, I'll upgrade to a 991.2 GT3. Else, I'm happy.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by climax_e92

My M4 is my daily/only car. Drive it 5-6 times a week. Tuned since break in and have had no problems. 19k miles and running strong with E85. I plan on keeping it forever. Car seems very reliable. Although my E36, and 07 e92 335i never gave me problems either besides spark plugs and ignition coils.. coils didn't start acting up until 80k. i purchased extended warranty on the 335i and never had to use it.

It's luck of the draw!

I had a z435 in the shop so often during 3 years. It had all the possible n54 known issues and top and headlight sensors had issues.

i think others are right on with the couple of grand per year slush fund for maintenance and repairs and consumables. That's the price to pay for all older German cars.

[AhsanU]

Originally Posted by GERM4N

This forum can bring up a lot of fears. But they needn’t be. I own the feared M e46 2005. Almost 100,00mi. It has SMG with no issues and no cracked subframe. Is that to say something won’t come up at 200,00mi? Time will tell. lol

That's funny! I'm the opposite I guess lol. My E46 with SMG had an SMG pump that failed three times, subframe crack, rusting issues from salted roads even though it was never driven in the snow, and had the entire S54 replaced once only to get more issues it really is luck of the draw

[R-M4]

Originally Posted by damageprone

If you really love your car just keep it. It seems like an unexpected issue won't affect you too much since your car has been paid off. Chances are you won't have any catastrophic failure. Off warranty maintenance < the cost of a brand new car.

There are always those who end up upgrading because of an expensive fix, but really, is that really the cheaper option? I think it's just an excuse to buy a new car .

+1

[georgere]

Originally Posted by Darth One

after a certain point, i find that i need to budget a couple of grand in repairs/maintenance in an out-of-warranty BMW every year.

still cheaper than a monthly payment, though.

Well don't forget depreciation. Anyway:
(old car maintenance and repairs + depreciation ) is < (new car payments + depreciation) || new car lease