How reliable is the M3/M4?

georgere · 08-18-2017, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman335

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinM

My direct answer to your question is 0 times for mechanical issues and once for rattles (that were not fixed). However, I've had the car for less than one year. The real question is reliability after 4 years (or 6 if you extend the warranty). My opinion is that these new cars (not just from BMW) are almost designed to be disposable. They are so complex - both in their electronics and mechanics (twin turbos, dual clutch autos, etc.) - that they are going to be quite expensive to fix vs. their value as they age. I cringe at the thought of the third owner of a 10 year old F8X bringing the car in for a transmission failure or an iDrive failure.

I think the days of my long-term ownership of new cars is done. I've had my E39 M5 since 2004 and a Z4M coupe since 2007. I'll definitely be keeping those. I or my mechanic do all the maintenance for those cars at my house. My plan for the F80 and other new cars is, at the moment, to keep them for 3-4 years, enjoy them without worry, and move on.

Yeah, I think my wife and I need to get out of our mindset of buying a brand new car and driving it till the wheels fall off- these days it doesn't seem that would work.

I disagree. I kept my e90 until 10 years old and no issues. I think newer cars are more reliable

georgere · 08-18-2017, 06:27 AM

2016 m3. 2 years in October. 0 issues to date. Knock on wood

Red335i · 08-18-2017, 07:33 AM

2016 m4. 49350 miles as I type this. Only problem was a bad spark plug 9k miles ago. I love this car.

IDBGOD · 08-18-2017, 05:27 PM

Old Report. New JD power report for 2016 puts BMW near the top. Well above Audi, MB, Lexus, etc.
Kia #1, Porsche #2, followed by Hyundai, Toyota, then BMW.

It's sitting right here on my desk

Not sure if there's an updated one for 2017, but just goes to show you it can fluctuate from year to year.

IDBGOD · 08-18-2017, 05:42 PM

As far as the F80/82/83, the DCT is rock solid.

S55 motor seems to be as well, but we still are a little too premature on the lifespan to really say.

So far, they have had hardly any issues.

gearboxtrouble · 08-19-2017, 06:02 PM

Very. My M4 is my daily (>70% of the miles) driver. I've never had to do anything other than scheduled maintenance. The only non scheduled thing I did was replace two flat tires. Compared to my old e46s (2 SMG pump failures on the SMG, rod bearing on the MT car), old E92 (complete DCT failure), the f82 M4 is the most reliable car I've owned. After some work with a trim tool and some felt tape, it feels more solid than even my Porsche 991.1 GTS. It has never let me down in any conditions ever.

In terms of quality, it feels every bit as good as the Porsche. The materials are good and the fit and finish is the best I've seen on a BMW. In some areas eg DCT gear lever vs PDK selector, paint durability, iDrive vs PCM etc it is actually the better built and designed car.

SEXY-BEAST · 08-21-2017, 11:46 AM

None -- other than scheduled maintenance (knock on wood).

Vectors2final · 08-21-2017, 12:50 PM

My anecdotal experience.

My F80 was a February 2015 build.

After the 1200 mile break-in, I put on a JB4, downpipes and an AWE exhaust on it, along with lighter wheels and R88 tires. I ran that setup for 14,000 miles, and that's with a 100-mile daily commute that includes a speed limit as high as 85mph, averages mostly 70+ MPH. That includes the kick-downs, etc.

FirstF80InSpace · 08-21-2017, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDBGOD

Old Report. New JD power report for 2016 puts BMW near the top. Well above Audi, MB, Lexus, etc.
Kia #1, Porsche #2, followed by Hyundai, Toyota, then BMW.

It's sitting right here on my desk

Not sure if there's an updated one for 2017, but just goes to show you it can fluctuate from year to year.

The 2017 has been out since Feb. Here it is...

Vectors2final · 08-21-2017, 02:30 PM

That's a hell of a jump.

I should probably fill those out, but I never do... Because I don't purchase cars based on JD rankings.

FC · 08-21-2017, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstF80InSpace

The 2017 has been out since Feb. Here it is...

Pretty big jumps for a few makers. MINI and Land Rover come to mind as having improved a lot as well.

EDIT: Also, let's compare apples to apples. The chart above is for "Vehicle Dependability Study." The one earlier in the thread is for "Initial Quality."

See 2015 VDS below:

///M-er-gized · 08-21-2017, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC

Pretty big jumps for a few makers. MINI and Land Rover come to mind as having improved a lot as well.

EDIT: Also, let's compare apples to apples. The chart above is for "Vehicle Dependability Study." The one earlier in the thread is for "Initial Quality."

The 2017 dependability study is more relevant.

FC · 08-21-2017, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M-er-gized

The 2017 dependability study is more relevant.

Obviously. My point is that the 2017 VDS was being compared to the 2015 IQS, not the 2015 VDS, so I provided that.

chaponius · 08-23-2017, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearboxtrouble

Very. My M4 is my daily (>70% of the miles) driver. I've never had to do anything other than scheduled maintenance. The only non scheduled thing I did was replace two flat tires. Compared to my old e46s (2 SMG pump failures on the SMG, rod bearing on the MT car), old E92 (complete DCT failure), the f82 M4 is the most reliable car I've owned. After some work with a trim tool and some felt tape, it feels more solid than even my Porsche 991.1 GTS. It has never let me down in any conditions ever.

In terms of quality, it feels every bit as good as the Porsche. The materials are good and the fit and finish is the best I've seen on a BMW. In some areas eg DCT gear lever vs PDK selector, paint durability, iDrive vs PCM etc it is actually the better built and designed car.

Mind doing a write up or pointing me in the direction of one? Door squeaks from the trim are driving me absolutely nuts.

shyu0622 · 08-23-2017, 06:04 PM

It's in the name... BMW.

Buy Maintenance and Warranty.

I maxed out both to 100k miles, so I'm good for the planned duration of my ownership.

6spdTanzM4 · 08-23-2017, 07:29 PM

2.5 years in..zero issues. The one thing I had the dealer do is put felt or quieting material behind the radio console because the plastic was making noise on bumps and things. That's so minor though..car has been awesome.

Ian1973 · 08-24-2017, 07:27 PM

My car is 28 months old, has traveled about 34,000 miles and has never been in for anything but maintenance it's normally scheduled for. Never even a hiccup. The only message I have ever received not normal was an LED headlight warning that never came back.

pruettfan · 08-28-2017, 08:22 PM

These surveys are funny to me, if you get the full report and read what is considered a problem you will quickly realize that many of the "problems" are folks that cannot understand how to use the Nav system or other tech not reliability issues.

Gibson6594 · 08-29-2017, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pruettfan

These surveys are funny to me, if you get the full report and read what is considered a problem you will quickly realize that many of the "problems" are folks that cannot understand how to use the Nav system or other tech not reliability issues.

I know. It's frustrating and unfair.

"This car stinks. I took it to the dealer for service and got grease on my shirt. They didn't buy me a new shirt. I'll never by a BMW again!"

Motodude310 · 08-29-2017, 10:54 AM

146 problems per 100 vehicles? So basically you're guaranteed to have a problem with the car, lol.

Thescout13 · 08-29-2017, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motodude310

146 problems per 100 vehicles? So basically you're guaranteed to have a problem with the car, lol.

Yeah man it is nuts. The problems are so bad even 46 imaginary cars get them.

But in all seriousness, maybe he meant 1000?

Motodude310 · 08-29-2017, 10:58 AM

Then again, i guess this is why it will he a 3rd car for me. Notthedaily

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08-18-2017, 06:27 AM	#90
georgere Lieutenant Colonel 586 Rep 1,935 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 BSM Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Stamford CT iTrader: (1)	2016 m3. 2 years in October. 0 issues to date. Knock on wood __________________ My 1st love was 2006 BMW 325i Sport + Prem 6MT but I married the 2016 M3 BSM MDCT.
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08-18-2017, 07:33 AM	#91
Red335i Second Lieutenant 408 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 16 f82 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New york iTrader: (0)	2016 m4. 49350 miles as I type this. Only problem was a bad spark plug 9k miles ago. I love this car.
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08-18-2017, 05:27 PM	#92
IDBGOD First Lieutenant 180 Rep 317 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sarasota iTrader: (0)	Old Report. New JD power report for 2016 puts BMW near the top. Well above Audi, MB, Lexus, etc. Kia #1, Porsche #2, followed by Hyundai, Toyota, then BMW. It's sitting right here on my desk Not sure if there's an updated one for 2017, but just goes to show you it can fluctuate from year to year. Last edited by IDBGOD; 08-18-2017 at 05:32 PM..
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08-18-2017, 05:42 PM	#93
IDBGOD First Lieutenant 180 Rep 317 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sarasota iTrader: (0)	As far as the F80/82/83, the DCT is rock solid. S55 motor seems to be as well, but we still are a little too premature on the lifespan to really say. So far, they have had hardly any issues.
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08-19-2017, 06:02 PM	#94
gearboxtrouble Second Lieutenant 134 Rep 246 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 M4 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Houston TX iTrader: (0)	Very. My M4 is my daily (>70% of the miles) driver. I've never had to do anything other than scheduled maintenance. The only non scheduled thing I did was replace two flat tires. Compared to my old e46s (2 SMG pump failures on the SMG, rod bearing on the MT car), old E92 (complete DCT failure), the f82 M4 is the most reliable car I've owned. After some work with a trim tool and some felt tape, it feels more solid than even my Porsche 991.1 GTS. It has never let me down in any conditions ever. In terms of quality, it feels every bit as good as the Porsche. The materials are good and the fit and finish is the best I've seen on a BMW. In some areas eg DCT gear lever vs PDK selector, paint durability, iDrive vs PCM etc it is actually the better built and designed car. Last edited by gearboxtrouble; 08-19-2017 at 06:08 PM..
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08-21-2017, 11:46 AM	#95
SEXY-BEAST Second Lieutenant 210 Rep 296 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	None -- other than scheduled maintenance (knock on wood). __________________ 2004 E46 6MT 2008 E92 6MT 2015 F82 M-DCT 2018 F82 ZCP
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08-21-2017, 12:50 PM	#96
Vectors2final Brigadier General 1349 Rep 3,345 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 YMB/SS ZCP Join Date: May 2011 Location: Austin, Tx iTrader: (0)	My anecdotal experience. My F80 was a February 2015 build. After the 1200 mile break-in, I put on a JB4, downpipes and an AWE exhaust on it, along with lighter wheels and R88 tires. I ran that setup for 14,000 miles, and that's with a 100-mile daily commute that includes a speed limit as high as 85mph, averages mostly 70+ MPH. That includes the kick-downs, etc. __________________ 2019 Ruby GT350 - Gen 5 Whipple on corn making 855RWHP. Sold: 2018 F80 Part Deux /DCT /YMB /Full SS /CF Trim /ZCP /ZEC w/Black 666M Sold: 2015 F80 /DCT /YMB /Full SS /CF Trim /ZEC /ZLP /HK /S&TVC- 18''///M
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08-21-2017, 02:30 PM	#98
Vectors2final Brigadier General 1349 Rep 3,345 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 YMB/SS ZCP Join Date: May 2011 Location: Austin, Tx iTrader: (0)	That's a hell of a jump. I should probably fill those out, but I never do... Because I don't purchase cars based on JD rankings. __________________ 2019 Ruby GT350 - Gen 5 Whipple on corn making 855RWHP. Sold: 2018 F80 Part Deux /DCT /YMB /Full SS /CF Trim /ZCP /ZEC w/Black 666M Sold: 2015 F80 /DCT /YMB /Full SS /CF Trim /ZEC /ZLP /HK /S&TVC- 18''///M
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08-23-2017, 06:04 PM	#103
shyu0622 New Member 13 Rep 11 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cerritos, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW M3 [0.00]	It's in the name... BMW. Buy Maintenance and Warranty. I maxed out both to 100k miles, so I'm good for the planned duration of my ownership.
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08-23-2017, 07:29 PM	#104
6spdTanzM4 Second Lieutenant 125 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Tanzanite Blue 6spd Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Cape Coral, FL iTrader: (0)	2.5 years in..zero issues. The one thing I had the dealer do is put felt or quieting material behind the radio console because the plastic was making noise on bumps and things. That's so minor though..car has been awesome.
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08-24-2017, 07:27 PM	#105
Ian1973 Colonel 736 Rep 2,134 Posts Drives: 15 M3 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Charlton, NY iTrader: (0)	My car is 28 months old, has traveled about 34,000 miles and has never been in for anything but maintenance it's normally scheduled for. Never even a hiccup. The only message I have ever received not normal was an LED headlight warning that never came back.
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08-28-2017, 08:22 PM	#106
pruettfan Brigadier General 1622 Rep 3,402 Posts Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	These surveys are funny to me, if you get the full report and read what is considered a problem you will quickly realize that many of the "problems" are folks that cannot understand how to use the Nav system or other tech not reliability issues.
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08-29-2017, 10:54 AM	#108
Motodude310 Private First Class 51 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 2011 GTI Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chicago burbs iTrader: (0)	146 problems per 100 vehicles? So basically you're guaranteed to have a problem with the car, lol.
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08-29-2017, 10:58 AM	#110
Motodude310 Private First Class 51 Rep 179 Posts Drives: 2011 GTI Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Chicago burbs iTrader: (0)	Then again, i guess this is why it will he a 3rd car for me. Notthedaily
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