M3 (2007-2014) Used Car Review

[LoudPipes]

With the demise of the local V8’s and limited alternatives available, these cars as their prices continue to come down in the second hand market will start to appeal more and more to some potential performance car buyers.

This model M3 like the C63 is available in sedan and coupe which also helps widen their appeal.

BMW M3 2007-2014 Used Car review

Date June 5, 2015
David Morley
Freelance Motoring Writer

German brand's V8-powered icon is becoming a bargain-priced collectible.


BMW M3 Pure edition

Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars



It happens pretty frequently; a car-maker makes a radical change to a model's specification and the buyers all gripe about it, claiming that the old way was better.

It happened when BMW took the M3 supercar from an inline six-cylinder engine to a V8 back in 2007.

And now, having just replaced the V8 model with the all-new M3 which has returned to a six-cylinder engine, BMW has the dubious pleasure of having those same enthusiasts complain that they now miss the V8 layout.

Sometimes you just can't win.

However, it has to be said that the latest M3 doesn't universally please everybody, bringing the superseded V8 model back into focus for some, especially as prices for early V8-powered M3s have fallen to about the same as a well-equipped, brand-new family car.

The M3 still looks like the 3-Series on which it was based, but there are some clues to alert the switched-on onlooker that the car before them is not a 318i.

The quad exhaust tips are one, so are the M3 specific wheels and tyres, and the whole car just sits 'right'.

The M3 has now been put into the old-school basket by virtue of its large capacity, normally aspirated engine.

In an age where small capacities and forced-induction are more or less the norm, the 4.0-litre V8 in the M3 will serve to remind us what we lost.

It's a proper supercar engine with a huge bellowing exhaust note and loads of thrust once you've revved it up and let it off the chain.

Revved it up? Yes, see although it's a V8, it's not the lazy old lugging type that most Australians are familiar with.

Instead, it's a high-stepping unit that revs to a stratospheric 8400rpm, the flip-side of which is that it doesn't make an awful lot of torque below about 3000rpom. So it needs to be driven hard to really deliver.

This model M3 was also notable for being the first to offer a four-door sedan version rather than just the two-door coupe.

The four-door arrived in November 2008 and suddenly made the M3 a potential reality for anybody who still needed to cart a couple of kids around.

Yes, the coupe had rear seats, but they weren't the roomiest or most accommodating.

But while you might have picked up a couple more useful seats, you lost the coupe's carbon-fibre roof panel when opting for the sedan. (That said, you lost the carbon roof on the coupe if you ordered your car with a sunroof.)

The big improvement over the old M3, however, was the move to a double-clutch gearbox (dubbed M-DCT) rather than the old single-clutch unit that BMW called SMG.

The difference is chalk and cheese with the later unit giving much more refined gearshifts and actually having an automatic mode worth bothering with.

Suddenly, a two-pedal M3 was a viable alternative although the six-speed manual would still be our pick.

The other first for this series of cars was a folding-metal-roof convertible in M3 trim, although the purists usually went for one of the two hardtops.

When shopping, you want to find an M3 that has been absolutely serviced by the book.

BMWs like this one have an on-board brain that looks at how the car has been driven (not just how far) and then calculates the correct service point.

Make sure those advisories have been followed.

An M3 that has been neglected can easily develop sludge in its engine oil which can block the oil pathways that feed the intricate (and expensive) Vanos variable valve-timing system. At which point you've got a big bill on your hands.

Keep an eye on the oil level on the dipstick, too.

These high-revving engines with big per-litre outputs can often consume a little oil between services, so a check of the level every week or two is good insurance.

Beyond that, the V8 seems pretty robust and uses a timing chain - good for the life of the vehicle - rather than a timing belt which needs periodic changes.

We'd steer clear of any modified M3 (how much performance does a person really need?) and watch out for examples wearing R-spec tyres which suggest they've been weekend track-day cars.

Take a close look at the bodywork.

Components such as the aluminium bonnet need specialist repairs if they've been damaged in a shunt.

And the front wings are actually made from plastic – to save weight – which means they're more likely to be replaced than repaired after a crash.

Finally, make sure you know exactly what options a particular car has fitted (or should have).

BMW's pricing on options has always been pretty aggressive, and the right options can drastically affect the asking price of one car over another.




Nuts and bolts

Engine/s: 4.0 V8

Transmissions: 7-DCT/6-man

Fuel economy (combined): 11.2 litres per 100km

Our rating: 4 stars


Likes:

·Performance is proper supercar stuff.

·Two-pedal layout finally makes sense.

·Sedan option broadens appeal.

·A modern classic if ever there was one.



Dislikes:

·Engine needs a good gee-up; might be a bit tiresome in town.

·Won't be cheap to run or insure.

·Watch out for thrashed examples.

·Metal-roofed convertible seems a bit superfluous.



Competitors:

·Mercedes AMG C63 – Old formula: Stick your biggest engine in one of your smallest cars. Voila; the AMG C63. Seriously good fun and highly regarded, this is one C-Class that carries a big stick. The biggest, in fact. 4.5 stars

·Audi RS4 Quattro – All-wheel-drive makes for added safety which is a good thing considering the performance potential from the 4.2-litre V8 which hits about as hard as the M3's V8. Brilliant front seats. 4 stars

·Lexus IS-F – Rear-drive, V8 engine; you can see Lexus had the M3 in its sights when it designed the IS-F. Not the most radical looking car, but beautifully made and will appeal to the technophiles out there. 3.5 stars



What to pay (courtesy of Glass's Guide):

Model........Year............New............Now

Coupe.........2007......$157,000......$42,700

Coupe.........2008......$162,900......$50,300

Sedan.........2008......$145,000......$59,200

Coupe.........2009......$162,901......$56,700

Sedan.........2009......$145,000......$62,900

Coupe.........2010......$162,901.....$63,100

Sedan.........2010......$145,000......$68,400

Coupe........2011......$155,000......$83,700

Sedan.........2011......$141,700......$76,500

Coupe........2012......$155,000......$93,800

Sedan.........2012......$141,700......$85,700

Coupe........2013......$155,100......$104,600

Coupe........2014......$155,100......$116,800

http://www.drive.com.au/used-car-rev...05-ghhejl.html

[Trump]

Awesome little car, but stupid expensive to maintain, even when sourcing parts from Europe or the US. There is a mint 2008 E92 M3 manual with 45,000km on it for $44k close to work, so tempting but such a bad idea as a medium to long term proposition.

[Stefan]

I can't see this as a viable alternative.

Imagine owning a 8year old M3 with ~100K km on the ODO.

Good luck maintaining that "bargain" collectable

[XR Martin]

Rather an E39 M5

[happy1]

I have followed pricing on M3s, and I have seen some price drop recently, but I don't believe you find genuine M3s as low as in the 40s. Maybe the car for sale is a repairable writeoff or a conversion from non-M3 to M3. Its more like 60 - 80 grand for a good example.
Cheers

[Trump]

Originally Posted by happy1

I have followed pricing on M3s, and I have seen some price drop recently, but I don't believe you find genuine M3s as low as in the 40s. Maybe the car for sale is a repairable writeoff or a conversion from non-M3 to M3. Its more like 60 - 80 grand for a good example.
Cheers

If you are referring to the example I mentioned, the car is a one owner example with no record of ever being written off and a genuine E92 M3. I gave it more than the casual once over as I was considering it knowing the history of the car (and the owner's maintenance). Once I had a look at what consumables and other parts cost as compared to the 530i, it wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

[sexyxe]

I researched quite heavily before buying my 55, and parts are as cheap, sometimes cheaper for it than what I have paid for either my F6 or XR6T. I can't speak for the M3, but the reliability of the Merc is 'normal'. It doesn't break down, it doesn't ask for strenuous maintenance. It is just normal. Spinning spanners on any car makes it far cheaper than taking it to a dealer - I agree that dealer prices are higher than Ford though.

[malazn mafia]

Pity they didn't make an M3 Wagon. But a US wrecked low mileage 07-14 M3 donor car goes for mid-teens USD. Coupled with a base model 3 series local wagon, would be a fun ride.

[FG50T]

Worked for BMW during this M3 period. Saw a few a E92 M3's with 100,000+ kms that had needed less maintenance than a 320i parts the only draw back was the price of tyres and brakes. If you needed both all round at the same time it came to about $6500 from memory. I've driven a few with cheaper replacements but it's always a big downgrade in what makes it good. The C63 is more fun to daily anyway.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Awesome little car, but stupid expensive to maintain, even when sourcing parts from Europe or the US. There is a mint 2008 E92 M3 manual with 45,000km on it for $44k close to work, so tempting but such a bad idea as a medium to long term proposition.

I did a search on Carsales for the E92 Coupe and 83 came up.

The cheapest I saw was a 2007 E92 6 speed manual with 124,000km for $51,500 excluding government charges and on road costs.

So the one you saw was a steal, I would’ve almost gone for it myself if I’d seen it but then I’m not concerned about the terrifying service and maintenance costs.

My brother-in-law has one in his garage, he rarely drives it as he’s moved on to something else.

His philosophy is he’s already done a far bit of cash due to depreciation so he may as well keep it for his boys.

He doesn’t think there will be any more V8’s therefore there’s the chance it may one day become collectable.

If it doesn’t not to worry, his boys will still have a classic to do as they please with.

He's always said if you are going to collect cars don’t restrict yourself to the local produced varieties as they have a limited market.

The real money is in collectables that draw overseas interest.

When I said there are way too many of them sold worldwide to ever be worth much, he answered he hopes that’s what everyone thinks and they’ll eventually become cheap and fall into the hands of people who won’t respect or look after them until they are trashed and destroyed.

Meanwhile his will sit in his shed and get taken out once in a while and maybe one day he’ll be proven right.

He may end up being right so grabbing a good one at a cheap second hand price could end up being a smart move.

[Sioso]

Glass's guide should open a car yard, they would have a ton business selling cars at the prices they list!

[new2ford]

Find a good independent BMW mechanic who can also source parts, pay the lowest price you can and put it in the garage for "occasional use"! That's the life of our 20 year old, 200,000k E36. BMW make really beautiful, practical cars and they're also true drivers' cars which is a rare characteristic among modern cars nowadays.

I've owned two cars with V8 and I miss it, but Australia has been so nannied down that driving is no longer a pleasurable experience. Cars like this are barely allowed to go past idling speed. I used to do the ton in the country quite often many years ago but no way can I do it any longer!

This is for the European motorway where you're quite legally cruising at 130 and you need a sudden burst of acceleration to 160 to overtake before the car coming down the outside line at 200 closes up on you. The thing is that nowadays the turbo 4 cylinders can do all this with no sweat, so there's hardly any point in a V8.

[Polyal]

There is a reason the EU cars drop like rocks after the warranty period, its all just how much risk do you want to run with?

Savvy people can savea few bucks, but over here its still not going to be a cheap exercise. And thats for standard models, let alone a M or AMG.

[Franco Cozzo]

Car might be 1/3rd of the price but its spare parts aren't.

Its like all those P platers getting around in Z32 Nissan 300ZX's, no workshop will touch it and they can't afford to maintain them unless they source the parts and do the work themselves.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Awesome little car, but stupid expensive to maintain, even when sourcing parts from Europe or the US. There is a mint 2008 E92 M3 manual with 45,000km on it for $44k close to work, so tempting but such a bad idea as a medium to long term proposition.

45,000 kms should have no issues,
but its a top end sports car so things like brake pads should be expensive. and those run flats.. $$$$


Its a Bargain at $44K.

[sprintman1]

Beware, many S65 had insufficient rod side clearance and rod bearing clearance. New Clevite rod bearings are on the way and opening up rod side clearance can be done by any decent race engine shop.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Polyal

There is a reason the EU cars drop like rocks after the warranty period, its all just how much risk do you want to run with?

Savvy people can savea few bucks, but over here its still not going to be a cheap exercise. And thats for standard models, let alone a M or AMG.

The standard models are fine as a daily proposition IF parts are sourced from overseas and a good BMW mechanic is used. If anything, they can be cheaper to maintain than an FG by and large. There are a few exxy components (like the active steering rack in mine), but failure is that uncommon on the exxy bits, it is a non-issue.

However, stay the **** away from a BMW dealer once warranty is done. Their "standard" labour rate is $253p/h and parts pricing makes Ford dealer pricing look like eBay. For example, an OEM tail light globe (Hella) from Burson is $1.67 for a pack of 2. The dealer wanted $14.95 for the same globe.

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Car might be 1/3rd of the price but its spare parts aren't.

Its like all those P platers getting around in Z32 Nissan 300ZX's, no workshop will touch it and they can't afford to maintain them unless they source the parts and do the work themselves.

I had a Z32 and no-one in the Melbourne metro area even wanted to look at it. I became very adept at fixing that thing (repairs were quite rare though, only majorish repair I did was more a maintenance thing was the water pump and timing belt).

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

45,000 kms should have no issues,
but its a top end sports car so things like brake pads should be expensive. and those run flats.. $$$$


Its a Bargain at $44K.

It is indeed a bargain at that price, but I've passed on it.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Car might be 1/3rd of the price but its spare parts aren't.

Its like all those P platers getting around in Z32 Nissan 300ZX's, no workshop will touch it and they can't afford to maintain them unless they source the parts and do the work themselves.

LOL I looked at a Z32 in the 90's, Jap import in NZ you could pick one up for 20-24K. They were having issues then, & nobody wanted or knew how to fix them.

Its a wonder you see them on the roads these days.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by new2ford

Find a good independent BMW mechanic who can also source parts, pay the lowest price you can and put it in the garage for "occasional use"! That's the life of our 20 year old, 200,000k E36. BMW make really beautiful, practical cars and they're also true drivers' cars which is a rare characteristic among modern cars nowadays.

I've owned two cars with V8 and I miss it, but Australia has been so nannied down that driving is no longer a pleasurable experience. Cars like this are barely allowed to go past idling speed. I used to do the ton in the country quite often many years ago but no way can I do it any longer!

This is for the European motorway where you're quite legally cruising at 130 and you need a sudden burst of acceleration to 160 to overtake before the car coming down the outside line at 200 closes up on you. The thing is that nowadays the turbo 4 cylinders can do all this with no sweat, so there's hardly any point in a V8.

I drive a V8 and it is a pleasurable experience even at our (low) speed limits . V8 is not about just about top speed , even Fiesta or Golf will cruise at 160 . To me it is more about effortless delivery of smooth power. Walk quietly (mine is quiet) but carry a big stick as they say.
Long distance comfort is beyond reproach but even driving to work is fun in a large V8 sedan. Mechanical simplicity is a bonus :-)

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by FGX310

Glass's guide should open a car yard, they would have a ton business selling cars at the prices they list!

People that dont like glass guide prices think their car is worth more than it is. They base their valuation on actual sale prices.

Should we let t series/FPV Cobra owners loose to value cars?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

I drive a V8 and it is a pleasurable experience even at our (low) speed limits . V8 is not about just about top speed , even Fiesta or Golf will cruise at 160 . To me it is more about effortless delivery of smooth power. Walk quietly (mine is quiet) but carry a big stick as they say.
Long distance comfort is beyond reproach but even driving to work is fun in a large V8 sedan. Mechanical simplicity is a bonus :-)

Yeah my TE50 is not fast but its quick enough and sounds great...I mean really there is only so much you can do on the streets anyway.

[99AUXR]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah my TE50 is not fast but its quick enough and sounds great...I mean really there is only so much you can do on the streets anyway.

Well legally

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

I drive a V8 and it is a pleasurable experience even at our (low) speed limits . V8 is not about just about top speed , even Fiesta or Golf will cruise at 160 . To me it is more about effortless delivery of smooth power. Walk quietly (mine is quiet) but carry a big stick as they say.
Long distance comfort is beyond reproach but even driving to work is fun in a large V8 sedan. Mechanical simplicity is a bonus :-)

You don't need to tell me, I remember it well! It even took me a while to stop yearning for a V8 in our first Territory.

But we've got three 4 cylinder cars in the garage now that are all capable of 190-210 km/h, one an SUV, all European and very well sorted. Even the big one delivers what I'd regard as smooth power effortlessly. I never thought I'd say this about 4 cylinder engines but times have certainly changed. Furthermore, I know from driving a 4 cylinder Octavia in Europe that that power is still available to be poured on when you need it at 140, 160 and faster.

Still miss walking my old V8 Range Rover down the Hume motorway at 130 before the police got all their technology. They were good times but so much has changed, particularly the fuel economy!

[HULK_I6T]

All V8's are not created equally.

A BMW M-Series V8/C63 AMG V8 is a far different proposition to most V8s people are talking about in this thread.

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by HULK_I6T

All V8's are not created equally.

A BMW M-Series V8/C63 AMG V8 is a far different proposition to most V8s people are talking about in this thread.

M3 S65 and C63 M156 are very different proposition themselves .

[sexyxe]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

45,000 kms should have no issues,
but its a top end sports car so things like brake pads should be expensive. and those run flats.. $$$$


Its a Bargain at $44K.

I was very surprised to source pads and rotors for a smidge over 500 for the front and slightly less for the rear on my 55. It is a heavy car with massive brakes too.

It really would surprise a lot of people what price parts can be sourced for from the States. Sure everyone's mates mate had a 63 AMG or a 3/5 M series and they once had a $6000 brake job, but no one on this forum would be stupid enough to do that, nor should they believe it. (Not directed at you in particular Bevsta just a general comment)

[HULK_I6T]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

45,000 kms should have no issues,
but its a top end sports car so things like brake pads should be expensive. and those run flats.. $$$$


Its a Bargain at $44K.

Not necessarily.. if it was a repairable write off? A used car is almost a completely unique proposition every time. Even two identical cars with same km can have completely different history and use. One could be a one owner beauty whilst the other a dark past on the drag strip or suffered water damage / big front ender.

Its never a bargain until thoroughly checked and it gives you good reliable service for a while.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by sexyxe

I was very surprised to source pads and rotors for a smidge over 500 for the front and slightly less for the rear on my 55. It is a heavy car with massive brakes too.

It really would surprise a lot of people what price parts can be sourced for from the States. Sure everyone's mates mate had a 63 AMG or a 3/5 M series and they once had a $6000 brake job, but no one on this forum would be stupid enough to do that, nor should they believe it. (Not directed at you in particular Bevsta just a general comment)

$1000 for the parts, did you fit them yourself?

Performance brake pads and rotors would need to be changed regularly as well.

[Express]

Unless you’ve optioned the ceramics the cost of replacement usually isn’t any more than the FPV or HSV big brakes and sometimes cheaper as you have competitive overseas suppliers to also source from.

[tranquilized]

Maintenance costs are a moot point anyway. If you can't afford, or don't want to afford the upkeep of a car like this, don't buy one. You get what you pay for, and the M3 has a performance/practicality balance that few other cars can match.