The 'W' word on an M3

[thornettj]

Hi All

Bought a 2001 M3, full BMWSH, one month left on the BMW warranty. Do I take a firm shafting from BMW and extend it for nigh on 2 grand, or do I pocket the 2 grand and hope that nothing goes wrong with the hideously expensive and complicated high performance engine.

On a separate note, what a fantastic car, it is everything I hoped and more...

Grateful for your thoughts...

Edited by thornettj on Tuesday 7th November 09:09

[mondeoman]

Pocket that cash and find a good independant to do the servicing for you.

[dcb]

thornettj said:

I pocket the 2 grand and hope that nothing goes wrong with the hideously expensive and complicated high performance engine.

Pocket the money - you will certainly pay the 2K
versus maybe paying out something else.

I might have a bit of a cruel opinion here, but have
you bought a car you can't afford to fix if it goes wrong ?

Always keep a few quid back for when a car goes wrong.

[thornettj]

Well if the engine blows, that is 8 or 9 grand isn't it, I am sure most of us on here would find that hard to stomach!

[m3desmo]

thornettj said:

Well if the engine blows, that is 8 or 9 grand isn't it, I am sure most of us on here would find that hard to stomach!

Only if you had to replace the entire engine (very unlikely). These engines are very well engineered and the only major faults have been with the Vanos units (I think in part attributable to poor main dealer service standards) and big end bearing failure on early models. Most early cars have had the big end issue resolved under warranty (check your car's history), and the Vanos units can be dealt with by a good independent for a lot less money than a main dealer. I assume that your car has covered more than 60k miles (hence warranty renewal will cost +/- £1800). If you were unlucky enough to have to rebuild the engine, good reputable engine builders would be able to rebuild it for a fraction of the cost of complete replacement.)

If I were in your postion, I would not renew the warranty and spend the money instead on frequent quality servicing. I change the oil / filters in mine in between main service intervals and believe this is relatively 'cheap' preventative maintenance, rather than waiting for something to break. I personally think that the service intervals on the M3 are set too far apart for what is a high performance, highly stressed motor. Service it well and regularly and it should give years of good service (that's assuming it was a good straight car to start with of course!)

Edited by m3desmo on Tuesday 7th November 10:52

[egbert nobacon]

m3desmo said:

thornettj said:

Well if the engine blows, that is 8 or 9 grand isn't it, I am sure most of us on here would find that hard to stomach!

Only if you had to replace the entire engine (very unlikely). These engines are very well engineered and the only major faults have been with the Vanos units (I think in part attributable to poor main dealer service standards) and big end bearing failure on early models. Most early cars have had the big end issue resolved under warranty (check your car's history), and the Vanos units can be dealt with by a good independent for a lot less money than a main dealer. I assume that your car has covered more than 60k miles (hence warranty renewal will cost +/- £1800). If you were unlucky enough to have to rebuild the engine, good reputable engine builders would be able to rebuild it for a fraction of the cost of complete replacement.)

If I were in your postion, I would not renew the warranty and spend the money instead on frequent quality servicing. I change the oil / filters in mine in between main service intervals and believe this is relatively 'cheap' preventative maintenance, rather than waiting for something to break. I personally think that the service intervals on the M3 are set too far apart for what is a high performance, highly stressed motor. Service it well and regularly and it should give years of good service (that's assuming it was a good straight car to start with of course!)

Edited by m3desmo on Tuesday 7th November 10:52

I agree with the above - Don't renew.

But before the warranty expires get the car thoroughly inspected by a good BMW independent. Then take your list of faults/work required (if any) and get BMW to sort it prior to warranty expiry date.

I did this and the warranty bill came to c.£7k !! The items changed included gearbox (slight occasional graunch between 2nd & 3rd, prop (driveline shunt), trailing arm bushes (worn),sump gasket(leaking) to name the major bits.

Its worth a £40 - £60 independent inspection just for peace of mind - but do ensure that the specialist you use knows his M cars.

Mine was a 2001 model with under 30k miles and had also previously had the engine bearings sorted.

Edited by egbert nobacon on Tuesday 7th November 11:19

[m3desmo]

egbert nobacon said:

m3desmo said:

thornettj said:

Well if the engine blows, that is 8 or 9 grand isn't it, I am sure most of us on here would find that hard to stomach!

Only if you had to replace the entire engine (very unlikely). These engines are very well engineered and the only major faults have been with the Vanos units (I think in part attributable to poor main dealer service standards) and big end bearing failure on early models. Most early cars have had the big end issue resolved under warranty (check your car's history), and the Vanos units can be dealt with by a good independent for a lot less money than a main dealer. I assume that your car has covered more than 60k miles (hence warranty renewal will cost +/- £1800). If you were unlucky enough to have to rebuild the engine, good reputable engine builders would be able to rebuild it for a fraction of the cost of complete replacement.)

If I were in your postion, I would not renew the warranty and spend the money instead on frequent quality servicing. I change the oil / filters in mine in between main service intervals and believe this is relatively 'cheap' preventative maintenance, rather than waiting for something to break. I personally think that the service intervals on the M3 are set too far apart for what is a high performance, highly stressed motor. Service it well and regularly and it should give years of good service (that's assuming it was a good straight car to start with of course!)

Edited by m3desmo on Tuesday 7th November 10:52

I agree with the above - Don't renew.

But before the warranty expires get the car thoroughly inspected by a good BMW independent. Then take your list of faults/work required (if any) and get BMW to sort it prior to warranty expiry date.

I did this and the warranty bill came to c.£7k !! The items changed included gearbox (slight occasional graunch between 2nd & 3rd, prop (driveline shunt), trailing arm bushes (worn),sump gasket(leaking) to name the major bits.

Its worth a £40 - £60 independent inspection just for peace of mind - but do ensure that the specialist you use knows his M cars.

Mine was a 2001 model with under 30k miles and had also previously had the engine bearings sorted.

Edited by egbert nobacon on Tuesday 7th November 11:19

Great advice this! Get the car checked over and then get BMW to sort the bits under warranty.
Remember BMW dealers like warranty claims (as long as they can be justified) as they get high value work from it.

[eliot]

m3desmo said:

Remember BMW dealers like warranty claims (as long as they can be justified) as they get high value work from it.

Which is why the warranty is so expensive nowadays - a purpetual circle. A 7k warranty job, is probably less than 2k's worth of real work - we all pay for it in the end (if you pay for the warranty)

Edited by eliot on Tuesday 7th November 12:55

[rob05]

I renewed mine but only cos it was £1050 but I'm in agreement with everyone else here save the cash for that nice week in the Maldives.