Learn me E92 M3 - weak spots, overall impressions, current market

We have the opportunity to buy a very unmolested 2008 M3 coupe slick top with 6 speed manual and 62,000 miles.  Same owner either since new or 2009.  It's been in hibernation for the past 4-5 years - driven once every couple of months.

I read this https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/buyers-guide-e90-and-e92-bmw-m3-2008-12/ but it's now 4.5 years old.

Have any new big dollar maintenance items cropped up aside from rod bearings?  This one has likely had only basic (non-enthusiast) maintenance done but it's bone stock other than a set of aftermarket wheels.

Now the biggest issue.  We got the dreaded "would you like to make an offer" question instead of a price.  There is a lot of sentimental value, but we're associated to that sentiment so I could see this price in their head being both high and low.  Does anyone feel like they have a good handle on both the reasonable market price and the "I really want you to be the next owner"  price?

Throttle body motors. Apparently they use plastic gears that can break, my indy said he's also seen broken valve springs. 

Best bet is to call your favorite euro shop and ask them what issues they've seen. This is what originally steered me toward a 135i vs M3 years ago when I made that move. 

The general consensus was that the V8 cars were more "reliable" than any of the //m cars that have come after. Two fewer turbos = a lot less heat underhood.

Having driven quite a few while cross shopping my IS-F, I was underwhelmed. The "small" v8 lacked power down low, felt like you had to spin it up before the fun started. In some ways it felt like a porky S2000.

That being said, the particular car you're looking at is specced out to appreciate. With regards to comps, in the auction market there is one with similar miles that brought $27,500, but it's listed as below average condition. 2009's with similar mileage are bringing $23-28k (again, this is pure wholesale). 

I've had two, a 2013 DCT from 0 to 60k miles with zero issues and a second one (2009 6 speed, carbon roof) from 55k miles to now 109k miles.

On the second one I did the following:

- TB motor. It was around $300 for the parts and I did it myself. Easy
- Clutch at 107k miles due to a failed clutch disc, these are twin disc btw. I did it myself and the parts were $700 from the dealer.
- Fuel pump cover started seeping fuel, this is a common problem on all e9x cars. I ended up getting a cover from the junkyard from a 328 I believe and swapped it in.
- The carbon fiber roof clear coat started to fail. I am dealing with this now, will have to get it recleared and it will be the most expensive fix as I am getting quotes in the $4k range.
- At some point I changed the battery too.

I have not done the bearings yet, and will probably diy soon.

I think the car you are looking at is a high $20k to very low $30k car, depending on color and if it has the carbon roof, etc. 

I would buy one again.

z31maniac said:

 

This is what originally steered me toward a 135i vs M3 years ago when I made that move. 

I bet you regret that decision, lol. JK

Slippery said:

I think the car you are looking at is a high $20k to very low $30k car, depending on color and if it has the carbon roof, etc. 

Black/black.  No carbon roof.  I don't think it has anything special other than the no-sunroof

In reply to glueguy (Forum Supporter) :

Does it have navigation? No nav is better. What wheels?

Slippery said:

In reply to glueguy (Forum Supporter) :

Does it have navigation? No nav is better. What wheels?

Pretty sure no nav.  Some aftermarket wheels, been a while since I've seen it.  If we get it I'll start looking for an original set.  

I would say thats a 30k car. 

E92s are yet to start appreciating like e36s and e46s. But have not lost value either. 

I loved my e90 M3. It had all the bolt-ons and was awesome!

Slippery said:

z31maniac said:

 

This is what originally steered me toward a 135i vs M3 years ago when I made that move. 

I bet you regret that decision, lol. JK

Absolutely! Alli and I both loved the car. White over Coral red interior, DCT, low miles, the upgraded stereo.......I think the only option it didn't have was Navigation. But even though I bought it with like 24k miles, it was a maintenance nightmare and it was gone by 30k miles. 

I think in that time it needed a battery, OFHG and valve cover gasket and plugs replaced, belt tensioner and belt replaced, new battery, oil pan gasket was starting to weep, and I think we had the DCT reprogrammed 3 times to get it to act right. Then it started randomly making some god awful noise that even my mechanic couldn't determine if it was the early stages of rod knock or something in the transmission. So after he couldn't diagnose it, that day, it got driven 1 mile down the street and I was in a used '18 Mazda 3 Touring 2 hours later. 

I'll never own a modern BMW again unless it's a lease. 

Rod bearings, tbody, overall lack of torque.  Granted, I live at altitude, so any NA motor up here just feels wheezy, but that V8 motor in particular has no low end.  This is in comparison to the Audi RS4 motor, which again doesn't have much low end compared to an LS, but it still felt way punchier than the E90 M3 I drove...