2008 BMW M3 E93
Discussion
I had a Z4 and loved roof-down motoring, but it wasn't getting used enough as a second car.
I also had an E91 335d which was great, but got bored of being a little too practical.
There was a (brief) journey with an X6, but after it was written off, the hunt was on.
Came across this...
EDC, DCT and a lovely red interior.
As it's October, it's obviously now absolutely filthy.
I never bonded with the X6, but I've fallen for this car instantly. I don't think I stopped smiling the two hours home...
Obviously it's quick and handles well, that's a given - but it feels special and a bit flawed which makes it even better.
I love that the regular E9x scuttle doesn't fit, and that when you open the bonnet you feel the heat from the engine
The noise is fantastic, it sounds like something you'd hear on YouTube rather than in your street
The gearbox is slick, but you can never just ignore it like the 8HP I'm used to
...getting carried away...
I was worried that while the M3 is obviously faster, the 335d had M3 suspension bits and was 200KG lighter and it might feel a bit like deja vu but luckily not at all. I'm also very impressed by how well it rides - better than my 335d on Bilstein B12 ProKit.
Black isn't my ideal colour, but at the bottom of the market the colour choice is poor and it's growing on me.
The service history is an inch thick, and some of the highlights include:
I also had an E91 335d which was great, but got bored of being a little too practical.
There was a (brief) journey with an X6, but after it was written off, the hunt was on.
Came across this...
EDC, DCT and a lovely red interior.
As it's October, it's obviously now absolutely filthy.
I never bonded with the X6, but I've fallen for this car instantly. I don't think I stopped smiling the two hours home...
Obviously it's quick and handles well, that's a given - but it feels special and a bit flawed which makes it even better.
I love that the regular E9x scuttle doesn't fit, and that when you open the bonnet you feel the heat from the engine
The noise is fantastic, it sounds like something you'd hear on YouTube rather than in your street
The gearbox is slick, but you can never just ignore it like the 8HP I'm used to
...getting carried away...
I was worried that while the M3 is obviously faster, the 335d had M3 suspension bits and was 200KG lighter and it might feel a bit like deja vu but luckily not at all. I'm also very impressed by how well it rides - better than my 335d on Bilstein B12 ProKit.
Black isn't my ideal colour, but at the bottom of the market the colour choice is poor and it's growing on me.
The service history is an inch thick, and some of the highlights include:
- £6.5k at Redish for rod bearings, new sump and diff
- £500 at a BMW dealer for a pair of xenon bulbs
- DCT oil changed, brake fluid not overdue (as it always is) etc
Not all the modifications are to my taste, the tri-colour grill in particular - luckily the seller included the standard one.
The front badge also wasn't my thing
I removed it to buy a replacement, but after examination realised there was a genuine, 2 year old badge hiding under a faux-carbon skin
After some very careful peeling and cleaning
£40 saved!
No such luck at the back though
The front badge also wasn't my thing
I removed it to buy a replacement, but after examination realised there was a genuine, 2 year old badge hiding under a faux-carbon skin
After some very careful peeling and cleaning
£40 saved!
No such luck at the back though
Edited by Jakg on Wednesday 16th October 11:37
The car had an SOS warning, common to E-chassis BMW's
The TCU (Telematics Control Unit) was faulty, luckily had a spare from when I retrofitted a combox into my X6
Serviced
There are two drain plugs, my drain pan fits under both... until there's the slightest breeze
Refilling the oil was a real pain - there's no dipstick, but the oil level sensor only works when the car is up to temperature. So until then you need to be confident there's enough oil in there!
The history says the valve cover gasket has been replaced so I was surprised it was covered in oil - cleaned at the same time.
The oil level can only be checked with the engine running, and the chain flicks little oil droplets everywhere when you take the cap off, undoing all my cleaning. But at least I know where the oil came from now.
The TCU (Telematics Control Unit) was faulty, luckily had a spare from when I retrofitted a combox into my X6
Serviced
There are two drain plugs, my drain pan fits under both... until there's the slightest breeze
Refilling the oil was a real pain - there's no dipstick, but the oil level sensor only works when the car is up to temperature. So until then you need to be confident there's enough oil in there!
The history says the valve cover gasket has been replaced so I was surprised it was covered in oil - cleaned at the same time.
The oil level can only be checked with the engine running, and the chain flicks little oil droplets everywhere when you take the cap off, undoing all my cleaning. But at least I know where the oil came from now.
helix403 said:
Are the front windows film tinted?
All the windows are tinted (except windscreen), some have failed and need replacing. Tinted front windows are obviously bad and I wouldn't do it, but my 335d came like it too and I kind of like it.helix403 said:
I think silver would look good for the wheels.
I really don't like black wheels, but these were only refurbed last year so a shame to change them - OE are diamond cut I think which is why I'm guessing they were done.Nice to see someone doing work themselves - sadly not my forte!
I think we have the same colour combo. Glad you are de-chavving - I'd personally get rid of the M4-wannabe rear spoiler too if it were mine.
It's a rather clichéd move, but some Competition (359M) wheels, lowering springs and small spacers would make it looks absolutely perfect to these eyes. Otherwise, I personally prefer the standard 18s to the 19s.
I think we have the same colour combo. Glad you are de-chavving - I'd personally get rid of the M4-wannabe rear spoiler too if it were mine.
It's a rather clichéd move, but some Competition (359M) wheels, lowering springs and small spacers would make it looks absolutely perfect to these eyes. Otherwise, I personally prefer the standard 18s to the 19s.
Alarms been playing up - whenever locked, it sets itself off.
ISTA didn't have any faults logged, but you can query the cause of the last N alarm activations - all the anti-tilt sensor, which is part of the alarm siren and hidden inside the wheel arch.
Arch liner out
Unit removed
Swapped for a second hand unit and seems fixed (🤞)
Swapped the ashtray for an "oddments" tray
Replaced some missing fixings presumably from when the battery was replaced
ISTA didn't have any faults logged, but you can query the cause of the last N alarm activations - all the anti-tilt sensor, which is part of the alarm siren and hidden inside the wheel arch.
Arch liner out
Unit removed
Swapped for a second hand unit and seems fixed (🤞)
Swapped the ashtray for an "oddments" tray
Replaced some missing fixings presumably from when the battery was replaced
Edited by Jakg on Tuesday 22 October 16:52
Vanity lights were broken in various ways
They've got hot and the glass bulb has melted to the holder
There's also very little clearance between the positive/negative connections so on another they've shorted out
Replaced with an integrated-LED replacement, but the look isn't great, luckily hidden behind the sunvisors
They've got hot and the glass bulb has melted to the holder
There's also very little clearance between the positive/negative connections so on another they've shorted out
Replaced with an integrated-LED replacement, but the look isn't great, luckily hidden behind the sunvisors
Can I ask how you acquired the ISTA software?
Agree re oil change - it makes a bigger mess when you start the engine after forgetting to put the oil filler cap back on though. (Don’t ask me how I know)
I’m doing the rear differential fluid this winter, and wondered given the age of these cars whether a coolant replacement is also sensible.
Agree re oil change - it makes a bigger mess when you start the engine after forgetting to put the oil filler cap back on though. (Don’t ask me how I know)
I’m doing the rear differential fluid this winter, and wondered given the age of these cars whether a coolant replacement is also sensible.
hermes said:
I’m doing the rear differential fluid this winter, and wondered given the age of these cars whether a coolant replacement is also sensible.
Coolant is a service item - I've got it written down on a 6 year schedule, but Comma G48 quotes a 3 year service life - https://app.commaoil.com/passenger-vehicles/produc...Mines also due, just putting off taking off the undertray to drain properly.
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