The pre-owned BMW cars mentioned above can be dependable, but Kent points out that they are adapted from motorsports. Because of this, their engines are more demanding and have higher-quality components. For instance, the S54 can only reach 8000 rpm since it uses mechanical valve lifters. Therefore, you must periodically adjust the valves—a requirement that current automobile drivers are less accustomed to than motorcycle owners. Then there are the suspension, brake, and transmission parts that are unique to the M.
High-performance automobiles typically require more frequent maintenance, though. It goes hand in hand with their performance, thus it doesn’t make them unreliable. Driving long distances will increase the cost of ownership just from a maintenance perspective, according to Kent. Don’t purchase a used BMW M vehicle if you can’t handle that.
It’s important to note that these “analog era” cars are simpler to work on at home. Furthermore, Kent adds, “since the [values] are continuing to climb, a lot of these cars just don’t get driven as [often] as they used to.” A automobile can also sustain costly damage from not being driven. Some horror stories about old BMWs are also the result of customers purchasing depreciated vehicles without anticipating the hefty (to them) maintenance costs. Deferred maintenance results in an increased repair price for the subsequent owner.
Furthermore, according to Kent, “there is just a large community at BMW when it comes to figuring out problems and figuring out solutions.” Similar to the Porsche IMS fixes, aftermarket components can eliminate potential costly nightmares. According to Kent, proactive maintenance for E46 and E39 automobiles alone often costs between $10,000 and $15,000.
This is the reason why, according to Kent, “service history is #1 [and] finding a BMW technician that knows what they’re doing is #2” for people looking at secondhand BMW M vehicles. Pre-purchase inspections might also spot issues before they become your issues.
In This Article...
What used BMW M vehicles are the most dependable?
Regarding BMW M reliability, Mike Kent of EAG advises staying with naturally aspirated vehicles from the company’s “analog age.” In this situation, that refers to vehicles with either the S52, S54, or S62 V8 inline-six engine and manufactured from the late 1990s until around 2010. Or, to put it another way, one of the models below:
- 2004-2006 E46 M3
- Z4 M Coupe/Roadster, 2006–2008
- 2000-2003 E39 M5
- Z3 M Coupe/Roadster, 1998-2002
- 1997-1999 E36 M3
These M automobiles are generally dependable, however that depends on routine maintenance. Therefore, have a pre-purchase examination and check any service records before you decide to buy. These vehicles are still in need of repair and some of them are almost vintage-era models. As a result, any examples you discover for sale are probably going to have aging-related problems like worn suspension parts and outdated gaskets. Once more, a PPI ought to alert you to these issues, which are not exclusive to BMWs.
Even these pre-owned BMW M vehicles have problems, just like newer BMW models. Kent assures me, fortunately, that BMW benefits from “a vast community when it comes to figuring out difficulties and working out solutions.” The remaining issues can be resolved if you set aside some grueling time and/or money.
Reliability of the BMW E30 M3
The E30 M3 is a durable vehicle that works well as a daily driver. These vehicles were made for the track, hence they were intended to be driven aggressively. However, because of their age, these vehicles require extensive upkeep, and their ownership costs are considerably higher than those of the more recent M3 versions. Since the S14 lacks hydraulic lifters, you will at the very least need to maintain fresh and appropriate fluids in the vehicle and perform routine valve adjustments. If you can’t do it yourself, valve adjustments cost roughly $200 to $250 at an independent shop and must be performed every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Some BMW stores are capable of doing it, but it will likely cost you roughly $1,000.
Because the majority of E30 M3s for sale today have extremely high mileage of more over 150,000 miles, an engine rebuild could be expensive to factor in. If you do it yourself, it will cost you about $2k; if you hire a shop to do it, it will cost you between $5 and $6k. You should budget $10–15k if you also need to replace your cylinder head.
Overall, the E30 M3’s engine is quite dependable and built to run hard, but given that the vehicles are almost 30 years old, maintenance and upkeep become costly. You can look at our maintenance guide below, which details all the routine maintenance that must be performed on these vehicles to keep them in good operating condition.
A succinct overview of BMW M
BMW M was established in 1972 as the Bavarian company’s motorsport division (M stands for Motorsport), and it got right to work with its debut vehicle, the 3.0 CSL. With the launch of the M1 supercar in 1978, the M brand was expanded into the realm of production cars as a result of the CSL’s success on the racetrack. That marked the start of the M series of production vehicles, which is now a mainstay at the top of BMW’s model lineup.
Over the years, models like the BMW M3 and M5 have come to be associated with the leading edge of road car performance. The M division engineers took regular BMW saloons and worked their magic to create powerful vehicles that are equally at home on the road or the racetrack.
Diversification from that core spectrum has also always existed. M Roadster and M Coupe introduced M expertise to more compact sports vehicles in 1998, and in 2005, the M6 gave BMW’s 6 Series grand tourer sharper fangs and a powerful V10. For a brief period of time, the Z4 M Roadster and Coupe versions were released in 2006, and the 1 Series hatch eventually received a true M car variant in 2011 in the form of the 1M Coupe.
BMW M has expanded its reach in more recent years with the X5 M and X6 M, performance versions of BMW’s large SUVs, and the M4 and M2, thanks to the company’s decision to rename its smaller coupes with even numbers. BMW’s M division has expanded into the world of four-wheel drive with the M-badged SUVs after sticking to the traditional rear-wheel drive arrangement, and the technology has been employed throughout the M automobile range.
We’ve also seen a number of M Performance versions that, although not quite the full BMW M vehicle ticket, still have a strong emphasis on the driver. While the powerful X5 M50d and X6 M50d delivered crushing diesel performance to the SUV market, the M135i and M235i handled business in the 1 Series and 2 Series ranges. The 7 Series saloon also came in an M760Li version for the ultimate fusion of luxury and blistering M car performance.
After 50 years, the M division has produced more than 500,000 vehicles, bolstering BMW’s standing as the manufacturer of some of the best driving machines in the world. Many manufacturers have attempted to duplicate it, but have mainly failed.
Which BMW M vehicle is your favorite? Participate in the discussion by leaving a comment below.
The BMW M series is dependable.
- EAG recommends naturally aspirated BMW M vehicles, particularly those with S52, S62, and S54 engines built between 2003 and later, for best reliability.
- Pre-purchase checks and purchasing examples with long service records will help you avoid costly difficulties even though maintenance on these “analog” M vehicles is frequently more expensive.
Most car enthusiasts will undoubtedly agree that the best BMWs sport M Division emblems if you ask them. Used M vehicles can be surprisingly affordable because even these high-end, high-performance sports cars are susceptible to depreciation. Though “high-end” doesn’t necessarily equate to “reliable,” and “cheap to buy” doesn’t always translate into “cheap to own.” Nevertheless, dependable pre-owned BMW M vehicles are still available. And here are the things to check for while purchasing one.
Is the BMW M3 a trustworthy vehicle?
The BMW M3 is rated as having a 2.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating, placing it 29th out of 31 luxury midsize sedans. Poor ownership expenses are indicated by the $1,161 average yearly repair cost. You may anticipate more significant repairs for the M3 because repairs are more common and more likely to be severe than for the ordinary vehicle.
What makes the BMW M Series unique?
The quickest and most potent trims are the M Performance cars, although due to the extensive performance upgrades, BMW officially views its M products as unique models. Because of this, official M vehicles lack trim names; for example, the M3 and X6 M are simply badged as “M3” and “X6 M.”
And every BMW M SUV and automobile is built with track racing in mind, unlike M Performance cars, which are primarily meant for street driving. An X5 M was even taken on a series of track days across the US by Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire, and it never broke down. Additionally, according to Car and Driver, BMW provides all X5 M and X6 M buyers with training at one of its M driving schools. Which, given the support the M models receive, is probably absolutely necessary.
The most evident is increased strength. According to Car and Driver, the ordinary BMW M3 has the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine as the M340i, but the M3’s engine produces 425 hp. This is increased to 444 horsepower by the M3 Competition. The forthcoming 2021 M3 might have up to 510 horsepower. The M-specific alterations, however, go beyond that.
Wider, more grippy tires, distinctive wheels, well-bolstered sport seats, and improved brake pad compositions are among features that BMW adds to its M automobiles. The M5 features a carbon fiber roof, while the M4 also gets a carbon fiber trunk lid and engine brace. Numerous metal parts have been replaced with carbon fiber equivalents.
The M adaptive suspension, differentials, and AWD systems are still being adjusted by BMW experts. Additionally, drivers have much greater control over the engine, transmission, suspension, and driving modes in M cars than in M Performance vehicles.
BMWs still dependable after 100,000 miles?
Once more, it mostly depends on the car you’re considering. You should also think about the car’s maintenance routine. A BMW should endure well over 100,000 miles if it has been properly-maintained and receives regular maintenance. Some owners have even driven their BMWs for more than 250,000 km.
As a result, when they receive proper care, they last for a very long period. To this, it should also be added that it depends on where you live. If you reside somewhere with poor driving conditions, you should anticipate a BMW to last less than 100,000 miles, probably even less. Ruined roads, a lot of snow in the winter, and other unpleasant circumstances are examples.
Do BMW M vehicles cost a lot to maintain?
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.
A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.