Community Break/Fix Woes

Squints33 · 03-31-2024, 06:03 PM

Hey everyone, first time BMW owner. Just picked up a 2020 M4 (F82) with 57k miles on it. I’ve been doing a ton of research and seem to have identified a couple of definite headaches I’ll encounter soon so trying to plan for likely failures and understand cost/difficulty to replace.

From what I’ve read, the problem children seem to be:
Charge pipes
PCV Valve cover
Various hoses
Oil leaks (in true BMW fashion)

Is there anything I’m missing here I should be aware of or should maybe even consider proactively replacing?

My first step is to get a full inspection performed (probably in the next week) to understand the shape of the vehicle overall but want to see what all the folks who know more than me think.

Ropes · 03-31-2024, 11:05 PM

Charge pipes are not a real issue unless you crank the tune up. I ran a tune on my first F82 for 80k on stock charge pipes without issue.
The top mount intercooler can start leaking internally. I have had it replaced twice on my first F82 (80k miles I put on it). This has been the main issue I have experienced.
The PCV can and will go bad. This is not a BMW only issue and is common with miles/age. The BMW high price point is that you need to replace the valve cover to do so is expensive. This happened around my 70k mark.
Hoses were never an issue on this platform.
Oil leaks also were never an issue. I do not use 0W-30 as this is rather thin. I have always used 5W-40 (three M cars and a couple of non M's at 50k+) and have never had an oil leak.
Spark plugs need to be changed every 30k and gapped properly. The stock plug gaps will vary which can cause misfire issues at stock power levels. Gap them accordingly and this will alleviate some potential self induced issues.
Outside of the above, this is a rather strong platform. Some will say the crank hub is a weak point, but I honestly feel it is overblown and also an issue on cars with a tune for big low-mid range torque.

Best of luck and enjoy. I prefer this platform to the F90 M5 which the wife drives. I like it so much I sold my first one (bought new and had for 80k) and bought lightly used CS.

D_SheerDrivingPleasure · 04-01-2024, 06:23 AM

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

Be sure to flush the power steering fluid. Red Line or OE is good.

The shop manager might give you an odd look when you request this service but just insist on it. And, be sure to send a sample to Blackstone for analysis.

Squints33 · 04-01-2024, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_SheerDrivingPleasure

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

Be sure to flush the power steering fluid. Red Line or OE is good.

The shop manager might give you an odd look when you request this service but just insist on it. And, be sure to send a sample to Blackstone for analysis.

How often should I flush it?

Squints33 · 04-01-2024, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropes

Charge pipes are not a real issue unless you crank the tune up. I ran a tune on my first F82 for 80k on stock charge pipes without issue.
The top mount intercooler can start leaking internally. I have had it replaced twice on my first F82 (80k miles I put on it). This has been the main issue I have experienced.
The PCV can and will go bad. This is not a BMW only issue and is common with miles/age. The BMW high price point is that you need to replace the valve cover to do so is expensive. This happened around my 70k mark.
Hoses were never an issue on this platform.
Oil leaks also were never an issue. I do not use 0W-30 as this is rather thin. I have always used 5W-40 (three M cars and a couple of non M's at 50k+) and have never had an oil leak.
Spark plugs need to be changed every 30k and gapped properly. The stock plug gaps will vary which can cause misfire issues at stock power levels. Gap them accordingly and this will alleviate some potential self induced issues.
Outside of the above, this is a rather strong platform. Some will say the crank hub is a weak point, but I honestly feel it is overblown and also an issue on cars with a tune for big low-mid range torque.
Best of luck and enjoy. I prefer this platform to the F90 M5 which the wife drives. I like it so much I sold my first one (bought new and had for 80k) and bought lightly used CS.

Thanks! I fully intend to replace the charge pipes and intercooler with mishimoto parts so not as worried about that. Never would have thought about using a different oil. That never caused any issues?

Ropes · 04-01-2024, 08:59 AM

This weight is fine and approved for the engine. You want to have LL-01 spec.

N1rve · 04-01-2024, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_SheerDrivingPleasure

Congratulations and welcome to the forum.

Be sure to flush the power steering fluid. Red Line or OE is good.

The shop manager might give you an odd look when you request this service but just insist on it. And, be sure to send a sample to Blackstone for analysis.

Power Steering Fluid...? You're joking right? This is sarcasm, right?

D_SheerDrivingPleasure · 04-01-2024, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N1rve

Power Steering Fluid...? You're joking right? This is sarcasm, right?

April Fool's Day. I think OP got it.

N1rve · 04-02-2024, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_SheerDrivingPleasure

April Fool's Day. I think OP got it.

Oh boy. You got me.

Zed519 · 04-05-2024, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ropes

Charge pipes are not a real issue unless you crank the tune up. I ran a tune on my first F82 for 80k on stock charge pipes without issue.
The top mount intercooler can start leaking internally. I have had it replaced twice on my first F82 (80k miles I put on it). This has been the main issue I have experienced.
The PCV can and will go bad. This is not a BMW only issue and is common with miles/age. The BMW high price point is that you need to replace the valve cover to do so is expensive. This happened around my 70k mark.
Hoses were never an issue on this platform.
Oil leaks also were never an issue. I do not use 0W-30 as this is rather thin. I have always used 5W-40 (three M cars and a couple of non M's at 50k+) and have never had an oil leak.
Spark plugs need to be changed every 30k and gapped properly. The stock plug gaps will vary which can cause misfire issues at stock power levels. Gap them accordingly and this will alleviate some potential self induced issues.
Outside of the above, this is a rather strong platform. Some will say the crank hub is a weak point, but I honestly feel it is overblown and also an issue on cars with a tune for big low-mid range torque.
Best of luck and enjoy. I prefer this platform to the F90 M5 which the wife drives. I like it so much I sold my first one (bought new and had for 80k) and bought lightly used CS.

How can I test to see if my top mount intercooler is leaking or if my charge parks have a leak? Is it a DIY test?

Ropes · 04-06-2024, 08:52 AM

You can tell if your top mount has a leak by opening the reservoir located behind it and noting the level. If it is low, you may have a leak. If it is not then you are still good. If it is low, add distilled water to the appropriate amount and then recheck the level in a few weeks. If the level is the same, you are fine. If it has dropped then you probably have a leak. Every time mine last one had this, there was a light coolant smell when I finished a drive and was walking past the front to go inside. I found I had to replace it about once every 40k.

The charge pipes will throw a code and I have never had an issue with them even tuned.

03-31-2024, 06:03 PM	#1
Squints33 New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M4 (F82) Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Atlanta, Georgia iTrader: (0)	Community Break/Fix Woes Hey everyone, first time BMW owner. Just picked up a 2020 M4 (F82) with 57k miles on it. I’ve been doing a ton of research and seem to have identified a couple of definite headaches I’ll encounter soon so trying to plan for likely failures and understand cost/difficulty to replace. From what I’ve read, the problem children seem to be: Charge pipes PCV Valve cover Various hoses Oil leaks (in true BMW fashion) Is there anything I’m missing here I should be aware of or should maybe even consider proactively replacing? My first step is to get a full inspection performed (probably in the next week) to understand the shape of the vehicle overall but want to see what all the folks who know more than me think.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-31-2024, 11:05 PM	#2
Ropes First Lieutenant 222 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 CS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Charge pipes are not a real issue unless you crank the tune up. I ran a tune on my first F82 for 80k on stock charge pipes without issue. The top mount intercooler can start leaking internally. I have had it replaced twice on my first F82 (80k miles I put on it). This has been the main issue I have experienced. The PCV can and will go bad. This is not a BMW only issue and is common with miles/age. The BMW high price point is that you need to replace the valve cover to do so is expensive. This happened around my 70k mark. Hoses were never an issue on this platform. Oil leaks also were never an issue. I do not use 0W-30 as this is rather thin. I have always used 5W-40 (three M cars and a couple of non M's at 50k+) and have never had an oil leak. Spark plugs need to be changed every 30k and gapped properly. The stock plug gaps will vary which can cause misfire issues at stock power levels. Gap them accordingly and this will alleviate some potential self induced issues. Outside of the above, this is a rather strong platform. Some will say the crank hub is a weak point, but I honestly feel it is overblown and also an issue on cars with a tune for big low-mid range torque. Best of luck and enjoy. I prefer this platform to the F90 M5 which the wife drives. I like it so much I sold my first one (bought new and had for 80k) and bought lightly used CS.
	Appreciate 3 Squints330.00 TimmyM56241.50 agentrnge383.50 Quote

04-01-2024, 06:23 AM	#3
D_SheerDrivingPleasure Captain 1100 Rep 925 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Congratulations and welcome to the forum. Be sure to flush the power steering fluid. Red Line or OE is good. The shop manager might give you an odd look when you request this service but just insist on it. And, be sure to send a sample to Blackstone for analysis.
	Appreciate 1 Squints330.00 Quote

04-01-2024, 08:59 AM	#6
Ropes First Lieutenant 222 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 CS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	This weight is fine and approved for the engine. You want to have LL-01 spec.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-06-2024, 08:52 AM	#11
Ropes First Lieutenant 222 Rep 320 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 CS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	You can tell if your top mount has a leak by opening the reservoir located behind it and noting the level. If it is low, you may have a leak. If it is not then you are still good. If it is low, add distilled water to the appropriate amount and then recheck the level in a few weeks. If the level is the same, you are fine. If it has dropped then you probably have a leak. Every time mine last one had this, there was a light coolant smell when I finished a drive and was walking past the front to go inside. I found I had to replace it about once every 40k. The charge pipes will throw a code and I have never had an issue with them even tuned.
	Appreciate 0 Quote