Highest maintenance item, so far ?

[Merlin_83]

Greetings,

Curious to know what people have had done that's been the most expensive item done outside of warranty, extended service plan, etc.

Engine related ?

Transmission DCT ?

Transmission 6 spd ?

Electrical ?

And if you can, the amount spent too.

My other cars: Lexus IS 300, and Lexus GX470 - bought new, have been very reliable. But - wowza! the big rig GX470 has NOT been cheap to maintain ! My wife drives the heck out of it, been a great rig. But being permanent all-wheel drive there's a lot of 'stuff' to keep up on. And both cars, the 60K, and I think 120K service was total bone-ege!! Like $3,500 on the GX and about the same for IS (it had a bunch of dashboard lights out, HID igniter, timing belt change, etc.)

So with my M3 - I am a bit nervous when the warranty runs out in June 2016. I plan to keep my M3 forever, and may take on some of the easier maintenance tasks (oil and filter change, spark plugs, air filters, etc.). I do worry about electrical 'stuff'.

Cheers,
Merlin

[V8FunNaturally]

I've read the evaporator for the AC is a flawed OEM part, it rusts due to poor material choice by the subcontractor and then leaks which makes the AC not cool, it really should be recalled but in typical bmw fashion they only replace cars under warranty on a need basis . I would ask your dealer to do an AC pressure check. If it fails they will get to it. The part is inexpensive but it's a $2,500 labor because the whole dashboard needs to be removed and put back.

check that your differential screws aren't getting loose under the car.

it's a pretty solid car overall !!

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by sunsweet

I've read the evaporator for the AC is a flawed OEM part, it rusts due to poor material choice by the subcontractor and then leaks which makes the AC not cool, it really should be recalled but in typical bmw fashion they only replace cars under warranty on a need basis . I would ask your dealer to do an AC pressure check. If it fails they will get to it. The part is inexpensive but it's a $2,500 labor because the whole dashboard needs to be removed and put back.

check that your differential screws aren't getting loose under the car.

it's a pretty solid car overall !!

This.

So far, the evaporator seems to be the only sure-to-fail part. Time will tell on rod bearings...

Thankfully I bought my car with a little factory warranty remaining and caught it before it ran out (thanks to my wife parking it in the sun and complaining about it!).

[Ezio]

the DCT have been surprising reliable. i havent had any major problems. but i would guess the engine would be the most expensive part to replace.

[V8FunNaturally]

Originally Posted by Ezio

the DCT have been surprising reliable. i havent had any major problems. but i would guess the engine would be the most expensive part to replace.

aren't there leak issues with gasket that have to be changed and/or worn wet clutch discs that need replacement above certain mileage followed by recalibration programming of the dct followed by testdrives ? I'm seeing threads popping up but don't need to read them with 6MT

[modkrazy]

6MTs have had way more issues with broken diff bolts and clutch replacements than the DCT gasket leaks.

Anyway, the real answer is none of the above. It's the evaporator, with close to a 100% failure rate. You don't hear much discussion about it because it's a pretty obvious issue when it happens, and it's not as sexy a topic as engine or transmission problems.

[backhill]

None of those. Replacing the diff fluid, tires and oil changes have hit me hardest.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

6MTs have had way more issues with broken diff bolts and clutch replacements than the DCT gasket leaks.

Anyway, the real answer is none of the above. It's the evaporator, with close to a 100% failure rate. You don't hear much discussion about it because it's a pretty obvious issue when it happens, and it's not as sexy a topic as engine or transmission problems.

No they don't. Stop spreading bad info. Manual diff bolts break due to bad drivers. Same can happen to DCT car but it's easier to do on a manual. Clutch is a maintenance item on both but should at least last 100k.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by s85e90

No they don't. Stop spreading bad info. Manual diff bolts break due to bad drivers. Same can happen to DCT car but it's easier to do on a manual. Clutch is a maintenance item on both but should at least last 100k.

Clutch on a manual will wear faster than DCT, due to inevitable user error, if for no other reason. Bolts broken on hard launches (what's that got to do with "bad driving", unless you consider all launches to be "bad driving") happened mostly, if not exclusively, on manual cars. What did I say that was wrong?

[waldron80]

Just replaced my Throttle Actuator which, with my research, are also a known "eventually fail" item. Seems to also be an issue with the s85 motor as well. Part was $850 and I DIYed the labor.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

Clutch on a manual will wear faster than DCT, due to inevitable user error, if for no other reason. Bolts broken on hard launches (what's that got to do with "bad driving", unless you consider all launches to be "bad driving") happened mostly, if not exclusively, on manual cars. What did I say that was wrong?

that's not correct though. Don't people know how to drive stick? Even SSP agrees both clutches (man/DCT) should last/wear the same.

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by s85e90

that's not correct though. Don't people know how to drive stick? Even SSP agrees both clutches (man/DCT) should last/wear the same.

Um, no, they don't. It is increasingly a lost skill, and unless you're Mario Andretti or something, you will inevitably have an off shift, or be forced to valet your car, or take it in for service (you think those kids they have moving the cars know anything about manuals?). The 6MT in the E9x is not the smoothest piece of machinery to begin with.

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

Um, no, they don't. It is increasingly a lost skill, and unless you're Mario Andretti or something, you will inevitably have an off shift, or be forced to valet your car, or take it in for service (you think those kids they have moving the cars know anything about manuals?). The 6MT in the E9x is not the smoothest piece of machinery to begin with.

I guess. I don't know. I get well over 100k on clutches and no, I never have issues shifting?? Lost skill? Maybe to some. Unfortunate. And I don't get all the gripes about the trans. My car w/ better fluid and performance knob shifts like butter. Very, very smooth.

[Rupes]

Originally Posted by modkrazy

Um, no, they don't. It is increasingly a lost skill, and unless you're Mario Andretti or something, you will inevitably have an off shift, or be forced to valet your car, or take it in for service (you think those kids they have moving the cars know anything about manuals?). The 6MT in the E9x is not the smoothest piece of machinery to begin with.

I betcha dollars to donuts that most valets know how to drive a stick better than they know how to put a DCT into park.

By the way, we only have four options on the most expensive thing we've replaced, two of which are transmission related? That seems pretty limiting. Would be more interesting to see what hasn't been replaced to be honest.

[Flying Ace]

Still motor oil for me. I've had no issues I had to fix outside of warranty thus far.

Only issues see rear diff chatter and throttle actuator

[1MOREMOD]

Trunk cleaning supplies?

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Trunk cleaning supplies?

I go cheap and just use bleach

[Flea7]

Replaced 2 throttle valve actuator (DIY) .... planning to change out the leaking valve cover gasket soon.

[///mawana]

Originally Posted by waldron80

Just replaced my Throttle Actuator which, with my research, are also a known "eventually fail" item. Seems to also be an issue with the s85 motor as well. Part was $850 and I DIYed the labor.

Throttle actuator too, passenger side! Should have done both when I had her opened up.

[chadwick]

Tires are going to be far and away the most expensive item for most owners. I'm at $2,300 so far for those.

[Richbot]

Tires.

[Stronie]

Spark Plugs aren't the cheapest either.