Greetings from 150K!

I just passed the 150,000 mile mark this past weekend, so I thought I'd check in with a progress report.

While I'm still annoyed by the radio taking so long to actually change stations once you push the button (Seriously! It's like 10-15 seconds sometimes!) and the occasional unresponsiveness of the comfort access not unlocking the doors as I repeatedly grab the handle, I have had zero maintenance or service issues.

I do still have the problem where, when I put gas in it (doesn't matter if it's a full or half tank or what brand), it won't stay on idle until I drive a few miles. If I stop at a light or something it runs rough and dies unless I keep the RPMs up manually.

I replaced the plugs, brake pads/rotors at 100K (not a difficult job on either) and will do the hoses and belts this weekend probably. Doing my own oil and filter changes (about time to replace the ridiculously expensive cabin air filters again...) as well as the plug/brake/hose/belt stuff.

Car still looks good, runs great and I still really enjoy driving it!

Originally Posted by TeaRex714

I just passed the 150,000 mile mark this past weekend, so I thought I'd check in with a progress report.

While I'm still annoyed by the radio taking so long to actually change stations once you push the button (Seriously! It's like 10-15 seconds sometimes!) and the occasional unresponsiveness of the comfort access not unlocking the doors as I repeatedly grab the handle, I have had zero maintenance or service issues.

I do still have the problem where, when I put gas in it (doesn't matter if it's a full or half tank or what brand), it won't stay on idle until I drive a few miles. If I stop at a light or something it runs rough and dies unless I keep the RPMs up manually.

I replaced the plugs, brake pads/rotors at 100K (not a difficult job on either) and will do the hoses and belts this weekend probably. Doing my own oil and filter changes (about time to replace the ridiculously expensive cabin air filters again...) as well as the plug/brake/hose/belt stuff.

Car still looks good, runs great and I still really enjoy driving it!

Holy crap you drive a lot. Took me 6 years to hit 150K on my wife's old civic. Good to hear the car is holding up well - I take it you've been purchasing tires several times per year? Still running sport tires? Or have you switched to an all season to get more life out of them?

How is the suspension holding up? Ball joints, struts, etc, replaced?

That is unf**kingbelievable. Congrats, bravo and good luck in the future. I know my results may vary but that is very reassuring.

Everything still feels pretty tight. I'll probably get under and check bushings and front end parts when I do the belts and hoses soon (I think I have them in my garage already.)

I have only used performance tires. I'm running the Michelin Pilot Super Sports right now, and I do like those pretty well.

I forgot to mention in the original post, I got 22.4 MPG on my trip to Alabama last weekend. That has my worried... I don't think I've ever gotten more than 20.5 before. Maybe I just lucked into a tank of gas without the ethanol crap in it.

I saw dozens of threads mentioning that the e46 was the last of the DIY friendly BMW (that also means everything released after the e65) and now I see you doing DIYs on an e92 M3 Is it really easy or you're so much mechanically/electrically inclined?? And btw got 240k on my e39 540 here..I recently bought it and everything is solid..no problems at all

Have you had your fuel injectors checked? They may need to be cleaned as the reason for your idle issue.

Originally Posted by beden1

Have you had your fuel injectors checked? They may need to be cleaned as the reason for your idle issue.

I'll admit that I'm not really that informed when it comes to injectors (re-jet the carburator maybe but, alas... those days are gone...), but it seems like dirty injector(s) would cause the rough idle all the time. I only have the problem for the first 5 miles or so after I put gas in her. It happens every time, and doesn't seem related to brand of gas.

Originally Posted by e30lebanon

I saw dozens of threads mentioning that the e46 was the last of the DIY friendly BMW (that also means everything released after the e65) and now I see you doing DIYs on an e92 M3 Is it really easy or you're so much mechanically/electrically inclined?? And btw got 240k on my e39 540 here..I recently bought it and everything is solid..no problems at all

I've been working on cars for a long time as a hobby, so I can do some of the more complicated stuff, but everything I've done so far is pretty easy. The spark plugs were easy too, but a couple of them take a little patience.

I had a 2002 530i E39 and it was probably the best car I've ever owned. I had 230K miles on it when I gave it to one of my daughters, and it gave her great service until it got hit by a drunk driver and totaled. Have you owned the 540 since it was new?

Originally Posted by TeaRex714

I've been working on cars for a long time as a hobby, so I can do some of the more complicated stuff, but everything I've done so far is pretty easy. The spark plugs were easy too, but a couple of them take a little patience.

I had a 2002 530i E39 and it was probably the best car I've ever owned. I had 230K miles on it when I gave it to one of my daughters, and it gave her great service until it got hit by a drunk driver and totaled. Have you owned the 540 since it was new?

I bought it 2 months ago in Lebanon..drove it for 6 days then came back to Canada! Now I'm stuck with my dads civic My aunt is "test" driving it now and she may sell her 97 c280 and keep the 540..if she doesn't I may have to sell it cuz I'm stuck in Canada for at least 4 years. Here's some pics The e92 M3 is one of my favorite so I always check threads here and it seems that it's reliable comparing it to a 335i for example! Keep us updated if you plan to keep it for a long time!

that is great to here both on the E90 M3 and E39 530. Just hit 200K KMs ~ 120 miles on the 5 and only surprise but not unexpected was tie rod end that just went loose for the first time both side at the same time. Replaced left side lower ball joint twice. E39 has been pretty good and am having sight on the M3 sedan as the next ride when the price is right. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Originally Posted by Five30i

Replaced left side lower ball joint twice.

I learned after a couple extra front-end part replacements that Lemforder is the way to go. I tried a couple other brands, but they didn't last.

Originally Posted by TeaRex714

Everything still feels pretty tight. I'll probably get under and check bushings and front end parts when I do the belts and hoses soon (I think I have them in my garage already.)

I have only used performance tires. I'm running the Michelin Pilot Super Sports right now, and I do like those pretty well.

I forgot to mention in the original post, I got 22.4 MPG on my trip to Alabama last weekend. That has my worried... I don't think I've ever gotten more than 20.5 before. Maybe I just lucked into a tank of gas without the ethanol crap in it.

What part of Alabama did you visit? I live just outside of Huntsville, Rocket City.

Originally Posted by NASA43

What part of Alabama did you visit? I live just outside of Huntsville, Rocket City.

I have family in Gadsden, but I was taking my daughter to school at Alabama (Tuscaloosa).

Wow...congrats. My '09 M3 Coupe just turned 6K miles. I need to get out more.

Originally Posted by TeaRex714

I have family in Gadsden, but I was taking my daughter to school at Alabama (Tuscaloosa).

Both my kids graduated from Bama, son in 2009 and daughter in 2011. I'm in Dallas now for the Michigan game. Roll Tide.

Is yours a manual or SMG?

Manual tranny