Looking for a new daily driver, and thinking about the new M3 sedan. Coming from an Acura MDX. I need 4 doors, and tend to keep my dailys 7+ years. How are these maintenance wise? I have never owned a Beemer before. Thanks guys.
Dave

 

4 yrs warrenty and free maintence.


usually you will get a set of brake pads, 2 brake fluid flushs and 4 oil changes. Along with cabin filters, air filters etc.


so that's 3 yrs for the typical stuff.


I think its a awesome daily. I just returned my m3 lease, wish I could have kept it.


fk

 

The previous v8 M3's used to run pretty hot. I'm curious to know how the turbo i6's will run for states that get to be 90+ in the summer. I usually don't like to buy first model years because I consider them still in a test phase. 3rd year is usually the safest. Just my 2cents if you are going to purchase. If lease, have at it.

 

I've owned (7) BMW's over the years. They are usually solid - but each model has a niggle that goes across the line for its series. All of them need new front control arms between 70K and 80K miles, and the environmentally-friendly plastics used in the cooling systems gets hard as a rock and cracks out at about 110K to 120K miles on all of them - so plan on an entirely new cooling system at about the 5 year mark.

 

You won't see Japanese car reliability from a BMW M car. As someone else said - everythings free for 4 years and then some big costs come in.

If you want a cost effective 7 year car, then there is on optimum answer: Lexus.

There should be a Lexus RCF coming out in the fall which is a coupe but will deliver M3 like power and performance. Or you could wait for the GSF which is also in development.

BTW I have owned 7 BMWs and 1 Lexus over the years. I currently have both brands in my garage.

 

I struggled with the decision between a 2015 M3 and a certified 911S for the past few months. The M3 is an amazing car. If you're in a position to have a turbo S and an M3 as a DD I would say have at it.

 

I had a 2010 6speed and it was awesome except for the darn clutch delay valve BMW puts on them. If you get a SMG (or whatever they call their automatics) it is fine but if you get a manual, it is an issue. You can take the valve out cheaply but it voids the powertrain warranty that is longer than 8 years. Not sure if the new M3 6 speed has it but it is something to consider.

 

I removed my CDV and even had the tranny replaced under warranty. it doesn't make sense that they could void the whole powertrain warranty, if anything maybe if you have a clutch/flywheel, tranny problem, they can deny that. but say for instance your motor grenades and throws a bearing like the early S54's, they cant blame the removal of a CDV for that. maybe dealer to dealers are different, mine was very mod friendly and didn't care.

 

My dealer was BMW home office "paranoid". It is as you say dealer to dealer different. Mine wasn't mod friendly. Something to think about if you buy a manual.

 

Please keep any and all comments coming guys. I really do appreciate it. I live about 1/2 mile from BMW's North American HQ in Atlanta, hehehe!

I assume the M3s are starting to trickle into dealers right now. If I get one, or can even find one right now, ideally I'd like a lower optioned one.

I am expecting more service needs from an M3, but more driving excitement as well, than I would from a Japanese car. I have also been considering a 335i. Not really jazzed over BMW SUVs. If I buy a crossover/SUV it will probably be a Macan.

Test drove an RX350 F-Sport, and while a very nice vehicle, way too much like my MDX in overall feel. And I am having a had time getting excited about the 2015 MDX. Styling is way too bland for me, worse than the older style, IMO.

 

Yeah than the BMW should be a good choice. However I have one other. IMO BMW has less drivetrain reliability. Their drivetrains are good for maybe 100k miles - they claim 150k. Another option which has historically had better drivetrain reliability is Mercedes-Benz. You may want to keep an eye out for the 2015 C63. However I suspect it won't hit streets till January.

BTW I live in Atlanta too. Where is their NA HQ? I always thought it was in New Jersey. It's cool that Porsche is also moving their US HQ here so we will have both BMW and Porsche locally.

 

I am in a similar boat but also considering 4 series GC. Why don't you try leasing it until the new 3 series "settles down" a bit over first couple years? I need to replace my 8-year old Cayenne S soon and looking into Macan. Have you owned other Porsches in the past for 7+ years? I have a third-year model and it's been mostly problem free.

BTW, if you are coming from MDX and looking for a replacement, why not look at Cayenne or S model?

 

2014 MDX - Tough to beat for around $50K....very dependable appliance w/great resale.

Also former 2013 M3 E92...good vehicle

 

I have had the last three generations of M3s, and they all had at least a 120 000KMs on them. All were extremely reliable and great cars, I enjoyed them all. I did not feel they were expensive to maintain as long as you take care of them, I do believe in preventive maintenance to be important.

 

So long as the warranty and maintenance is covered by BMW, they are fine as daily drivers.

But they tend to become pricey to maintain in the long run. I'd say keep it 4 years or less.