I am planning to buy a car for daily drive and I travel like 90 miles a day. The cars that I been looking they have around 50k to 75k miles. I do most of the maintenance on imports cars like Honda and Toyota (like brakes, water pump, timing belt and head gasket. Also I’m good with electrical problems). Most people say that BMW require a lot of maintenance and that is really $$$$. Normally M3 require more maintenance than regular BMW like 330's? If I do all the manufacture maintenance, they still break a lot? Or like a regular car? After the 100k miles they still reliable? If the cars require a lot of money on repairs like a $1000 on repairs a couple of time a year i can't afford the car.

Thanks all for the help, please respond with information like for how long own the car, miles, and what repairs have been done....

I am planning to buy a car for daily drive and I travel like 90 miles a day. The cars that I been looking they have around 50k to 75k miles. I do most of the maintenance on imports cars like Honda and Toyota (like brakes, water pump, timing belt and head gasket. Also I’m good with electrical problems). Most people say that BMW require a lot of maintenance and that is really $$$$. Normally M3 require more maintenance than regular BMW like 330's? If I do all the manufacture maintenance, they still break a lot? Or like a regular car? After the 100k miles they still reliable? If the cars require a lot of money on repairs like a $1000 on repairs a couple of time a year i can't afford the car.

Thanks all for the help, please respond with information like for how long own the car, miles, and what repairs have been done....

no way is an M3 reliable like a honda or a toyota...i have a 02, I had so many issues that the service guys know me by a first name basis, thats really no good. I have 50K miles...and I serioulsy had major work done on it and mainteneance fees and mechanical breakdown warranty. One break and its gonna cost over 4K to fix...in labor and parts...remember labor fees for fixing a M3 is approx. 95 to 120 bucks per hour.

Maintenance costs is a bitch, shocks go out at 50K miles, bushings are gone, poor steering, engine failures, SMG problems

IMO, dont get it used, forget it...BMW uses crappy parts, its better to get a used porsche

I was wondering the same thing; I understand maintenance is going to cost more but for a vehicle like this, if treated well I would not expect random things to be breaking often. I just want a car that is fast, looks good yet does not sit in the shop all the time. I thought that the M3 may meet this category, but maybe not. Maybe I will just get a Supra…

I was wondering the same thing; I understand maintenance is going to cost more but for a vehicle like this, if treated well I would not expect random things to be breaking often. I just want a car that is fast, looks good yet does not sit in the shop all the time. I thought that the M3 may meet this category, but maybe not. Maybe I will just get a Supra…

the problem is if you get this used, the previous owner would have beat the crap out of this car, well what do you expect with an engine that powerful and only a lease, i too would beat it. M3s dont have the luxury of being beaten up, its too sensitive, parts break down, and it starts to clank etc.

as a daily driver i would look into something else, like a 350Z or A G35 used.

I'm not a mechanic or anything but i feel that any car that is abused will not be incredibly reliable, but if you take care of it, it will take care of your pocket.

driving that much everyday, get a Honda, will get a lot better gas mileage and won't leave you stranded. Thats what I did, got me a 98 Hatch with a swap for $4,300 to drive everyday, gets 22-30 mpg, and is putting out around 200HP so it is still kinda fast. And is something is to happen to break they are easy as hell to fix and parts are very cheap.

no way is an M3 reliable like a honda or a toyota...i have a 02, I had so many issues that the service guys know me by a first name basis, thats really no good. I have 50K miles...and I serioulsy had major work done on it and mainteneance fees and mechanical breakdown warranty. One break and its gonna cost over 4K to fix...in labor and parts...remember labor fees for fixing a M3 is approx. 95 to 120 bucks per hour.

Maintenance costs is a bitch, shocks go out at 50K miles, bushings are gone, poor steering, engine failures, SMG problems

IMO, dont get it used, forget it...BMW uses crappy parts, its better to get a used porsche


Ive had pretty much the opposite experience. Mine has been quite solid save for a few minor issues.

I honestly believe the relaibility of the car is 90% dependent on the owner. As i stated above, you take care of it, it will take care of you. All cars will always have some issues here and there but just don't abuse the shit out of it expecting nothing to happen just becasue it's an "M3 and it's supposed to be drivin that way"


That said i have been an owner of and e36 M3 and as of 2 days ago an E46 M3. I can speak with more certainty about the e36 and i can tell you it was incredibly reliable with very few maintenance issues and it had 85500 miles on it when i sold it a few weeks ago. As for the E46 m3 i don't really have any time with it to make a reliability statement about it, but what i can definilty say is that it is literally the best car i have ever owned and when i come home from work and look at it all i can do is smile. :D I probably woul'dn't buy it for a daily driver tho, for me it's more of a weekend car.

Ive had pretty much the opposite experience. Mine has been quite solid save for a few minor issues.

you should have your front control bushings
you should check out your rear SACH POS shocks, struts were ok.
you should check out your RTABS
front subframe checked
transmission check, SMG failure

etc etc.

and I really babied my car..but the shocks.i was suprised they lost neary all compression.

id rather have a crappy BMW than a dialed honda,
BMW's will cost you a pretty penny,
but honda's are a dime a dozen...

IMO, dont get it used, forget it...BMW uses crappy parts, its better to get a used porsche


Hey now......... :confused

-Eli

The car should be fine, if it's had all the maintenence done on time. There shouldn't be any major problems with the car, and M3's costs 3 times as much as a 330i to service.

From what I've been told, maintenance on the M is a pretty penny, but in the end, I think it's all worth it.

...remember labor fees for fixing a M3 is approx. 95 to 120 bucks per hour.

Are you saying that your dealer/shop charges a different hourly rate for the M3 vs. other models? Never heard of such a thing. :confused

My M3 is completely reliable, no problems save for a few minor issues. I've only had the car for about a month. But heres a little story, I was going over the car with a friend and discovered a leak, which ended up being power steering. I took the car in and the CPO covered everything for just $50. So just take care of your car and CPO will take care of you :stickoutt . Besides the car is frickin amazing.
Nick

WOW...buy the maintenance program that ranges from I think 4 years 50K miles for 700.00 or go higher and get the 6 years 100K miles for 1200...that way you never have to worry about a damn thing...as far as a regular program when I bought my car it already had a 6 year 100K warranty on the engine and drive train...so really I don't worry about a damn thing...in fact I used to drive 140 miles a day in stop and go traffic (which is not good.great for the car) and I had ZERO issues. Take your car to get inspected, treat it to regular maintenance, and take care of it. It will take care of you. If you want a Honda for your run around fine, but when I want to get out of a tights spot or open up the car you can damn well bet I will ne in my M...I bought it just for that...to drive!

:evil2

All my Ms have been great. I've owned all the different models, e30, 2-e36s, and all including my current e46M3 have been just as reliable if not moreso than some of the Japanese iron I've owned...Supra, Accord, Legend, Xterra, I even owned a 911 for several years, and a heck of a lot more fun. As has been said just take care of it and it will be fine.

Ive had pretty much the opposite experience. Mine has been quite solid save for a few minor issues.

Same here :redspot I love this car :evil2

Come to think of it, putting 90 miles a day on the car seems like alot...over 30k miles a year :shocked: