E90/E92/E93 M3 reliability

[dparm]

At this point I'm fairly certain I'll be selling my S4 next spring and moving to an E9x M3 coupe (but haven't ruled out the sedan or vert).

One of my biggest things is that I want another reliable car, but one that I can take to the track without any fear of things breaking. My S4 doesn't seem to like autocrossing or track days, but especially the autocross. It makes funny noises or misbehaves for the rest of the day afterwards. This kind of behavior has me concerned. Track days don't seem to be as big of a deal, perhaps a nod to its autobahn heritage or something. (slightly OT, but it's frighteningly fast on the track)

BMW pushes their M cars as being track-ready and engineered for that kind of environment. I see tons of them at the track and autocross events.

Can any E9x M3 owners comment? Spare me the comments about cost of repairs/maintenance, I'm well aware of all that.

 

[JHZR2]

All I know is when I did PCD for my 135i, we ran M5s to exhaustion where they would limp home... So you can stress most any car to the point of doing funny things.

Ive seen a few M3 verts in a seafoamish green color, looks beautiful. Not feminine, just beautiful.

 

[needsducktape]

If you were happy with the Audi's reliability, then you should be in heaven with the BMW.

To give you an idea of where I stand, I have owned 1 Audi and 5 BMWs (2 were M3s) over the years...

-Get it in 4 doors, so you can show your friends how fast it goes.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
All I know is when I did PCD for my 135i, we ran M5s to exhaustion where they would limp home... So you can stress most any car to the point of doing funny things.

Ive seen a few M3 verts in a seafoamish green color, looks beautiful. Not feminine, just beautiful.



I think my point is more that the S4 seems to complain even after a few autox passes. My S2000 ran like a champ even after 15+ runs.

 

[rg200amp]

whenever you track a car, stuff is going to wear quicker and break quicker. Now add an aged car to the mix. . .

If you do not mind paying to play, go fo it.

My M3 got reaaaaal expensive, REAL quick. Let go of her fairly quickly.

 

[dparm]

I'm used to the maintenance stuff. My S4 needs 10qt of oil, expensive rotors, big tires, rare parts, etc.

It's not a DD so I'm not putting tons of mileage on it. Had it about 2 years and only done about 14k.

 

[hattaresguy]

When you race any car things will break, my uncle is always replacing parts on his track car.

Also bolts tend to loosen up so its a good idea to take a wrench to all the suspension bolts underneath on a regular bases.

 

[rjundi]

BMW forum seems like the best place for this info.

The cars that seem to hold well at track events are Miata, S2000, Subaru WRX and Evo's.

BMW and Audi look nice but not sure if that is their forte.

 

[dparm]

Actually I would rather not ask on the BMW forum...all they'll say is how awesome the car is and how you should get one. Not very objective. I see it all the time on the Audi forums.

 

[2008wrx]

No offense.. If I were rich enough to buy a M3, reliable or not...doesn't matter. LOL....
But back to the story, autoX a S4 or M3?? S4 -quattro vs M3 -RWD, humm,,,much different, right?
My buddy e46 has no problme (DSG) model. But the dealer can't figure out why he makes make U-TURN the rear diffs make grinding noise.
Sorry for a little bit off topic here....

 

[dparm]

I don't want a car that's always breaking down. A vehicle costing more is not an excuse for it to be problematic. I think Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti proved that about 20 years ago...

 

[Quattro Pete]

If you want something track-ready and that can take the abuse of track, look into a Porsche instead.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
If you want something track-ready and that can take the abuse of track, look into a Porsche instead.


But most Porsches are not 4 seaters.

 

[SteveSRT8]

My car has been to road course events all over the country. The only parts replaced due to track use were at the dragstrip, a broken motor mount. That's it. I prep the car extensively, but other than tires it is extremely track capable as delivered. Note that the SRT Track Experience people have never replaced any engines or transmissions in SRT8 vehicles despite thousands of abusive drivers and lots of track time.

I simply embarrassed a Porsche owner at the last event we had at Homestead. I would blow by and OUTBRAKE him into the infield raceway! We were going in excess of 150 mph. He had lunch with me and was baffled at a large 4 door sedan diving into corners harder than he was. When I told him the car was stock original equipment I am certain he thought I was a liar!

Many here need to renew their experience at a real road course event and see what really goes on. BMW's do quite well, and the newer M3 V8's are track ready right out of the box. One of my driving schools used 3 series cars as trainers and they seemed to hold up pretty well.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Actually I would rather not ask on the BMW forum...all they'll say is how awesome the car is and how you should get one. Not very objective. I see it all the time on the Audi forums.


People are pretty honest with Subaru forums. Usually its the brakes and wheel bearings that cannot take it and are track wear items.

In the end I still think the driver matters more on the dry track than vehicle. But then again you want this as a daily driver so you should get something you like.

I went to an event where a Subaru Legacy GT(turbo) with modded motor (driver stated 290HP) and some suspension tweaks was blowing Corvette's, S4s, M3's, Porsche etc. While he had a great track setup I think it was more due to driving than anything else.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
If you want something track-ready and that can take the abuse of track, look into a Porsche instead.


But most Porsches are not 4 seaters.

He didn't mention that was a requirement.

 

[meep]

I always loved the E36 M3. but at it's age there's gonna be brokes. To me the e36 had a little more finesse than the 911, which could get you into trouble at the edge.

For the money I'd actually consider american muscle, the gap has closed substaintially but the prices aren't as high as the european cars.

Stooks (S2k)are consistent from what I hear from 2 guys that track them, but the motorcycle torque curve doesn't have the same sexy feel as the other vehicles being discussed. I've only driven one once-- it was very "honda". exact, top-performer, uber solid but maybe less emotional zest as the europeans. BUT, for consistent on//off track manners, it'll be hard to beat. Just pads and tires...