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UNDER CONSTRUCTION ***Official Used E9x M3 Buying Advice Thread***

44K views 33 replies 21 participants last post by  Jcrosara 
#1 · (Edited)
Considering buying a used 2007-2013 E9x M3? This thread is for you.

Reliability issues, questions on options, build sheet information, pricing, performance parts; let's cover all of these.

Potential owner? Have a buying question? Post it here.

Have you found a car, and want an opinion on price, feature, or condition? Post a link to the ad.

Current owner? Had a recurring issue? Write up a summary of how your car has performed so we can build up picture of what it's like to own one these cars.

Now that the E9x is virtually done with production, lets build this up as the best used E9x M3 buying reference thread on the web. :thumbup:

I'm going to reserve the first four posts to develop a BMW E9x M3 FAQ. This FAQ is a work in progress August 2013.

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS, IF YOU SEE ERRORS OR OMISSIONS LET ME KNOW.

-- MMME30W
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Group 1

Thinking about a used E9x M3, what are the Specifications and Features for these cars?

2007 Ordering Guide:

http://www.valuebrothers.com/rz/BMW_m3_coupe_catalogue.pdf (Posted by member roup1)

2013 Model Features and Specifications:

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/m3/2013/features-specs.html

Where can I get an Owner's Manual?

BMW M3 2007-2013 owner's manuals are downloadable here:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/dgh.aspx

Where there any changes or upgrades between 2008 and 2013 MY?

Not much. Check this thread out:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698675&highlight=changes

What is the summary of changes by MY?

2007

2008

2009 - Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) refresh. Upgraded iDrive. Minor interior trim pieces and LED rear tail-lights.

2010

2011 - ZCP Competition Package Available.

2012

2013

I found a car, what were the factory options on it?

Use this Archive site and enter the last 7 digits of the VIN to decode the build sheet:

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/
 
#33 ·
Group 1

Thinking about a used E9x M3, what are the Specifications and Features for these cars?

2007 Ordering Guide:

http://www.valuebrothers.com/rz/BMW_m3_coupe_catalogue.pdf (Posted by member roup1)

2013 Model Features and Specifications:

Used 2013 BMW M3 Specs & Features | Edmunds

Where can I get an Owner's Manual?

BMW M3 2007-2013 owner's manuals are downloadable here:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/dgh.aspx

Where there any changes or upgrades between 2008 and 2013 MY?

Not much. Check this thread out:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698675&highlight=changes

What is the summary of changes by MY?

2007

2008

2009 - Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) refresh. Upgraded iDrive. Minor interior trim pieces and LED rear tail-lights.

2010

2011 - ZCP Competition Package Available.

2012

2013

I found a car, what were the factory options on it?

Use this Archive site and enter the last 7 digits of the VIN to decode the build sheet:

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/
Factory options archive link is dead for me. Are there any other way to fogure it out? And why are people hosing me for manuals on ebay? Why do people even throw those out? Anyways, the build spec would be nice. And if anybody has a source for manuals (the website doesnt work for my canadian vin) that would be great. Found one pdf on here for the supplementary but i like hard copies
 
#3 · (Edited)
Group 2

How is the reliability of these cars?

Edmunds.com indicates that MY 2008-2010 M3 Coupe 6MT cars have 'minimal problems':

http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/m3/2013/reliability.html

Objective reliability data is available here:

http://www.truedelta.com/reliability.php

What are the common mechanical issues with these cars?

Idle Control Valve Issues

TBD

My M3 sounds like a cowbell in the rear, why?

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=680480&highlight=cowbell

What is the cost of an M3 Aftermarket Warranty?

TBD
 
#4 · (Edited)
Reserved post 3.

(Reserved for links to ongoing maintenance, DIY's, tires, spare parts sources, etc.)
 
#5 · (Edited)
Group 4

What are common upgrades?

Convert yellow halogen angel eye's to white/LED (TBC)

Zhp short shift knob install (TBC)

Ultimate pedals (TBC)
 
#7 ·
Another big change is the addition of the Combox in mid 2011. Streaming bluetooth and the connected features require it. :)
 
#8 ·
is this on 2011 models or 2012 models. My E70 was built before 10/10/10 and does not have the combox, but anything made after 10/10 does. Also, is this just going to be a sticky? Or can we ask questions? I am (have been for a while) interested in getting a used E9x, but will post my questions in another thread if this is just for info purposes:thumbup:
 
#13 ·
Buying advice 2011-2013 M3

This may be more of a reliability question. I'm looking at the following basic configurations:

Either a 2011, 2012 or 2013 M3, premium package, comp package, cold weather with the double clutch tranny, and assume all have less than 15k miles.

The 2011 is obviously the most cost effective but has little warranty left, where the 2013 is the most expensive with the most warranty. I'm in the process of looking but don't have enough data to decide if the warranty is worth the difference in price. Can anyone help with info?

Cheers, David
 
#16 · (Edited)
Is this a good one?

Car is located at Hyman Bros in VA. Has competition, premium 2, and has 26000 miles on it. Listed for 48,xxx. DCT, cold weather. If the PPI checks out, I am going for it. I'm gonna call it Black and Tan. It is Jerez w tan extended Novillo. Any thoughts would be appreciated!:). I personally like the sound of it. Let's see what the PPI shows
 
#18 ·
How much?

I am considering buying a high mileage M3 and I was wondering how much I should be paying with the options it has.

It's a 2008 Space Grey M3 with fox red interior. 6mt with sunroof. Mileage is roughly 106,000.

The last 7 of the vin is PY39952.

How much would you pay? I think it has the premium, cold weather, and tech packages.

Thanks for your opinions
 
#21 ·
Used M3

Looking into purchasing a used M3. This is one that caught my attention. Not very tech savvy so just considered about this mileage vs price? Thoughts?

http://www.boutiqueautosales.com/2011-BMW-M-Models-M3-COMPETITION-PKG-MANUAL-NEW-TIRES-IMMACULATE-CONDITION-Woodland-Hills-CA-91367/5943329
 
#27 ·
Looking for a 2011.75 with Competition, Tech, Convenience, and Cold Weather packages and I think I found a beautiful Silverstone with black leather but it doesn't have the highly wanted Convenience package for keyless entry and keyless start. Is there anyway to add those features through a dealer or aftermarket?
 
#28 ·
2013 M3 - what should I look out for or be concerned about

Hi Everyone,

I have been a fan of BMW for quite some time (have always thought they are great looking cars). I have always been looking at 335i or M235s from model years 2015 to 2016, but have noticed that there are a few M3s for sale at a reasonable price (though they are older). I found this below car at a local dealership and wanted to get some opinions on it. I will be going there tomorrow to check it out and take it on a test drive.

https://choiceautosalesonline.com/2013-BMW-M3/Used-Car/Murrysville-PA/7865461/Details.aspx

I have never owned a BMW so I wanted to get your thoughts on whether this car is over priced or if it has too many miles on it. Also, are their any issues I should be worried about with this model year? I know BMWs can be expensive to maintain and M3s even more so. I would like to avoid purchasing a lemon. I would def get a PPI prior to purchase if I liked it enough to make an offer.

Thanks!
 
#29 ·
Guys,

Has anyone here posted about extensive collision repair jobs? Found this. Looks pretty bad but maybe very fixable. I see frame damage on the passenger side front, but it looks like no airbags went off? And the steering wheel controls are missing? What's that cord hanging down?

Anyone gotten something like this fixed before?

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inven...ype=PRICE&sortDirection=ASC#listing=206683393
 
#30 ·
I find myself back at this thread after all these years. I have posted a separate question regarding how high it too high milage to consider. But, when an M3 gets that high, has it sort of surpassed all of the problems that arise and is it considered solid? Just a thought. I know one never knows when and how a car will fail, but it seems like there is enough info out there to make an informed decision on whether or not to purchase a high milage M3 without having to worry too much. So, now the hunt is on.....AGAIN
 
#31 ·
I have the same question - as I am looking for a 2008-2011 E90 M3 with about 130,000 kms or roughly 80,000 miles? What should I look out for/are there specific maintenance/repairs I should be looking to see if completed?
 
#34 ·
I found a car, what were the factory options on it?

Use this Archive site and enter the last 7 digits of the VIN to decode the build sheet:

http://www.bmwarchiv.de/
[/QUOTE]
Factory options archive link is dead for me. Are there any other way to fogure it out? And why are people hosing me for manuals on ebay? Why do people even throw those out? Anyways, the build spec would be nice. And if anybody has a source for manuals (the website doesnt work for my canadian vin) that would be great. Found one pdf on here for the supplementary but i like hard copies
 
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