Should I be concerned?

mr_yogi · 01-05-2011, 09:43 AM

So here's the deal everyone:

I have a 2011.5 E90 M3 on order; and I am completely stoked, and cannot wait to get my car. However, I have a nagging thought that I can't shake:

What are the odds that my car will be a POS? I don't know if it's forum syndrome (not sure if I just made that up or not) or what, but I feel like every other thread is about a M3 that needs to be or is on the way to being a lemon. This in turn makes me feel like there's a high percentage of M3 owners that had or are having major issues with their car. Or is it that the percentage is low but because the concentration of owners on the forum (obviously) is so high?

The idea of buying a $70k+ car only to have it be junk is very unnerving to me. This is my first big ticket car and I have never been more excited AND scared at the same time.

Any thoughts (of comfort hopefully)?

James T. Kirk · 01-05-2011, 09:55 AM

4 Bimmers, 2 of which were M3s. All great. No trouble with any.

Don't be swayed by the negative threads. It represents a tiny percentage of the community.

Erhan · 01-05-2011, 09:59 AM

Don't forget that people without complaints don't come here often and talk how reliable their cars are. Also, you'd pay more attention and get effected more by any negative post concerning reliability.

I'd say don't worry. It is a reliable car.

PKL · 01-05-2011, 10:00 AM

People come on the internet to talk about their problems, usually not to talk about how the car is running perfect. This is true for car forums, motorcycle forums, gun forums, etc...

If you could find out how many people own an E9x M3 and aren't on this forum and have never had an issue I think you would be surprised.

I have owned a 2000 323i, then '99 M3, then 2005 M3, then 2006 M3, then 2007 M Coupe. All were great!

creepy coupe · 01-05-2011, 10:03 AM

Human nature to complain and forums tend to show owners with problems becuae let's face it, we'd all get fed-up with owners who keep banging on about "how good their M3 was"

All premium brands are in danger of problems IMO.

Doh! PKL

ES_TRADER · 01-05-2011, 10:09 AM

the day after i took delivery of my brand new 2011.5 M ( after i put 180 mi on the odomenter), the DCT transmission died..."malfunction error"....took it back....they checked it, couldnt duplicate error...5 days later, transmission failed again....in less than one week of ownership, my M was flatbedded to the dealer twice. ...i think their motors are reliable tho...but yea, i wouldnt be worried, just be prepared in case shit happens.

Chowster · 01-05-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_yogi

So here's the deal everyone:

I have a 2011.5 E90 M3 on order; and I am completely stoked, and cannot wait to get my car. However, I have a nagging thought that I can't shake:

What are the odds that my car will be a POS? I don't know if it's forum syndrome (not sure if I just made that up or not) or what, but I feel like every other thread is about a M3 that needs to be or is on the way to being a lemon. This in turn makes me feel like there's a high percentage of M3 owners that had or are having major issues with their car. Or is it that the percentage is low but because the concentration of owners on the forum (obviously) is so high?

The idea of buying a $70k+ car only to have it be junk is very unnerving to me. This is my first big ticket car and I have never been more excited AND scared at the same time.

Any thoughts (of comfort hopefully)?

We're all just a bunch of forum freaks that nit-pick over our cars. There are tons of "regular" owners out there that aren't represented here!

I too have forum syndrome... worrying about everything, and somehow my car keeps accumulating mods!

LemonOne · 01-05-2011, 10:30 AM

2008 E92 M3 fully loaded, still runs like a dream (or like a new car)!

Gkap · 01-05-2011, 10:34 AM

any car can be a lemon so dont worry.

chances are yours wont be.

Brosef · 01-05-2011, 10:34 AM

like others have said, you need to recognize that forums will have an inherent preponderance of problems/complaints because nobody cares to post (or read posts) about everything working properly.

anyone who doesn't recognize that might benefit from one of these:

e1000 · 01-05-2011, 10:35 AM

If it makes you feel any better, I bought my car a couple months ago and it's been completely flawless since then. My only problem is I can't stop driving the damn thing. I consider gasoline a type of drug now, and I want a larger prescription.

F82_SID · 01-05-2011, 10:43 AM

All manufactures assume that a certain small percentage of their cars will be lemons. They factor that into their budgets. Although some people on here have had problems with their car, for the vast majority the E9X M3s have been a dream. I am coming from a lemon 335. Even my dealer said that they have had to lemon allot of 335s but still have not had a single M3 lemon; and its a big dealership. The M3 is consistently rated as one of the most reliable cars on the road today. Although, nothing can be 100% perfect. I would consider the E9x M3 about as close as you could really get.

M3maniac20 · 01-05-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_yogi

So here's the deal everyone:

I have a 2011.5 E90 M3 on order; and I am completely stoked, and cannot wait to get my car. However, I have a nagging thought that I can't shake:

What are the odds that my car will be a POS? I don't know if it's forum syndrome (not sure if I just made that up or not) or what, but I feel like every other thread is about a M3 that needs to be or is on the way to being a lemon. This in turn makes me feel like there's a high percentage of M3 owners that had or are having major issues with their car. Or is it that the percentage is low but because the concentration of owners on the forum (obviously) is so high?

The idea of buying a $70k car only to have it be junk is very unnerving to me. This is my first big ticket car and I have never been more excited AND scared at the same time.

Any thoughts (of comfort hopefully)?

I know what you mean. I am so excited for my car and almost nervous which is so annoying. I'm
About to not get on here until I've had the car for over a month.
When I get the car, I want to fully enjoy it...not make sure the Dct is perfect, that there are no rattles, etc.

PrimeBMW · 01-05-2011, 12:14 PM

The current M3 is BMWs most reliable car. I can’t remember if it was BMW or an outside source for this information……..
I would not worry one bit. It is a very well built and engineered car…….much better than the current turbo models.

Crazy Bimmer · 01-05-2011, 12:28 PM

Go to any car forum and you will see owners complaining about something. Even Honda owners have issues.

Hell we have tons of owners here who track their cars yet they dont have any problems at all. Track days take a beating on these cars yet the M3 handles it like a champ.

With that said, mines been perfect for over 1.5 years.

1sikbmr · 01-05-2011, 12:48 PM

Its the forum... Most people do not make threads for fun... They ask questions about their cars so in the sense its just your mind... There are tons of M3 owners that are not on the forums that are problem free... I only know of two people that had bmw buy back their car and one guy whos thinking of it...

Always think positive and positive things will happen...

mr_yogi · 01-05-2011, 12:50 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys. It seriously is nerve racking. You all bring up valid points that forums by nature will probably have more topics about issues than non-issues.

I need to keep telling myself that.

For those that have had issues or had to lemon - I really feel for you guys. I bet you had people all around you smug as hell and basking in your issues. Maybe it's that I'm cynical. I can just see people's envy turning into pure smugness in the event something was to go wrong with the car...

1sikbmr · 01-05-2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e1000

If it makes you feel any better, I bought my car a couple months ago and it's been completely flawless since then. My only problem is I can't stop driving the damn thing. I consider gasoline a type of drug now, and I want a larger prescription.

1,000,000X this

James T. Kirk · 01-05-2011, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_yogi

It seriously is nerve racking... I bet you had people all around you smug as hell and basking in your issues. Maybe it's that I'm cynical. I can just see people's envy turning into pure smugness in the event something was to go wrong with the car..

Relax.

View Poll Results: E9x M3 owners: How's your car doing?
Owned > 1.5 years: Running like a dream!	16	36.36%
Owned > 1.5 years: I've had my share of issues...	0	0%
Owned > 1.5 years: Care for some LEMONade?	0	0%
Owned < 1.5 years: Running like a dream!	23	52.27%
Owned < 1.5 years: I've had my share of issues...	3	6.82%
Owned < 1.5 years: Care for some LEMONade?	2	4.55%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

01-05-2011, 09:43 AM	#1
mr_yogi Lieutenant 22 Rep 499 Posts Drives: Success Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Should I be concerned? So here's the deal everyone: I have a 2011.5 E90 M3 on order; and I am completely stoked, and cannot wait to get my car. However, I have a nagging thought that I can't shake: What are the odds that my car will be a POS? I don't know if it's forum syndrome (not sure if I just made that up or not) or what, but I feel like every other thread is about a M3 that needs to be or is on the way to being a lemon. This in turn makes me feel like there's a high percentage of M3 owners that had or are having major issues with their car. Or is it that the percentage is low but because the concentration of owners on the forum (obviously) is so high? The idea of buying a $70k+ car only to have it be junk is very unnerving to me. This is my first big ticket car and I have never been more excited AND scared at the same time. Any thoughts (of comfort hopefully)?
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01-05-2011, 09:55 AM	#2
James T. Kirk Captain of the Enterprise 101 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: 2011 1 Series M Coupe Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Alpha Quadrant, Sector 001 iTrader: (0)	4 Bimmers, 2 of which were M3s. All great. No trouble with any. Don't be swayed by the negative threads. It represents a tiny percentage of the community. __________________ 2011 1 Series M Coupe VO M3 vs 1M Comparo Review 2011 M3 E90 DCT ZCP (sold) * 2010 335i Sedan (sold) 2005 M3 Convertible (sold) * 2003 325i Sedan (sold)
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01-05-2011, 09:59 AM	#3
Erhan Colonel 87 Rep 2,464 Posts Drives: Cooper S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Don't forget that people without complaints don't come here often and talk how reliable their cars are. Also, you'd pay more attention and get effected more by any negative post concerning reliability. I'd say don't worry. It is a reliable car. __________________ 2011 MINI Cooper S previous cars: E92 M3, Z4MC, Z4 Roadster, E36 328 Sedan
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01-05-2011, 10:00 AM	#4
PKL Brigadier General 848 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2020 M4, 2022 X6 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Fernando Valley iTrader: (1)	People come on the internet to talk about their problems, usually not to talk about how the car is running perfect. This is true for car forums, motorcycle forums, gun forums, etc... If you could find out how many people own an E9x M3 and aren't on this forum and have never had an issue I think you would be surprised. I have owned a 2000 323i, then '99 M3, then 2005 M3, then 2006 M3, then 2007 M Coupe. All were great! __________________
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01-05-2011, 10:03 AM	#5
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1867 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Human nature to complain and forums tend to show owners with problems becuae let's face it, we'd all get fed-up with owners who keep banging on about "how good their M3 was" All premium brands are in danger of problems IMO. Doh! PKL
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01-05-2011, 10:09 AM	#6
ES_TRADER Colonel 344 Rep 2,928 Posts Drives: 328i, 335i, M3, 535i, X5, 36M Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 Ford Raptor [0.00] 2012 328i E92 [10.00] 2013 X5 [0.00] 2013 335i F30 [8.00] 1990 Toyota Previa [0.00] 1997 E36 M3 [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [0.00] 2011 535i [0.00]	the day after i took delivery of my brand new 2011.5 M ( after i put 180 mi on the odomenter), the DCT transmission died..."malfunction error"....took it back....they checked it, couldnt duplicate error...5 days later, transmission failed again....in less than one week of ownership, my M was flatbedded to the dealer twice. ...i think their motors are reliable tho...but yea, i wouldnt be worried, just be prepared in case shit happens.
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01-05-2011, 10:30 AM	#8
LemonOne Major 708 Rep 1,079 Posts Drives: ///Most Powerful Letter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	2008 E92 M3 fully loaded, still runs like a dream (or like a new car)!
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01-05-2011, 10:34 AM	#9
Gkap BMF Movement 51 Rep 3,024 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: GTA iTrader: (1)	any car can be a lemon so dont worry. chances are yours wont be.
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01-05-2011, 10:34 AM	#10
Brosef Brigadier General 876 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: F90 M5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago iTrader: (4)	like others have said, you need to recognize that forums will have an inherent preponderance of problems/complaints because nobody cares to post (or read posts) about everything working properly. anyone who doesn't recognize that might benefit from one of these:
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01-05-2011, 10:35 AM	#11
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	If it makes you feel any better, I bought my car a couple months ago and it's been completely flawless since then. My only problem is I can't stop driving the damn thing. I consider gasoline a type of drug now, and I want a larger prescription. __________________
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01-05-2011, 10:43 AM	#12
F82_SID Brigadier General 208 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	All manufactures assume that a certain small percentage of their cars will be lemons. They factor that into their budgets. Although some people on here have had problems with their car, for the vast majority the E9X M3s have been a dream. I am coming from a lemon 335. Even my dealer said that they have had to lemon allot of 335s but still have not had a single M3 lemon; and its a big dealership. The M3 is consistently rated as one of the most reliable cars on the road today. Although, nothing can be 100% perfect. I would consider the E9x M3 about as close as you could really get. __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
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01-05-2011, 12:14 PM	#14
PrimeBMW Major 662 Rep 1,424 Posts Drives: E46 M3+S62, E92 M3 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0)	The current M3 is BMWs most reliable car. I can’t remember if it was BMW or an outside source for this information…….. I would not worry one bit. It is a very well built and engineered car…….much better than the current turbo models.
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01-05-2011, 12:28 PM	#15
Crazy Bimmer The Jesal 391 Rep 5,859 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago IL iTrader: (20) Garage List 2009 BMW M3 [0.00]	Go to any car forum and you will see owners complaining about something. Even Honda owners have issues. Hell we have tons of owners here who track their cars yet they dont have any problems at all. Track days take a beating on these cars yet the M3 handles it like a champ. With that said, mines been perfect for over 1.5 years. __________________ 2009 E90 M3 - SOLD
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01-05-2011, 12:48 PM	#16
1sikbmr Brigadier General 145 Rep 3,329 Posts Drives: F80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (16)	Its the forum... Most people do not make threads for fun... They ask questions about their cars so in the sense its just your mind... There are tons of M3 owners that are not on the forums that are problem free... I only know of two people that had bmw buy back their car and one guy whos thinking of it... Always think positive and positive things will happen... __________________ F80 ///M3 6MT Avus Blue ZCP
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01-05-2011, 12:50 PM	#17
mr_yogi Lieutenant 22 Rep 499 Posts Drives: Success Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the feedback guys. It seriously is nerve racking. You all bring up valid points that forums by nature will probably have more topics about issues than non-issues. I need to keep telling myself that. For those that have had issues or had to lemon - I really feel for you guys. I bet you had people all around you smug as hell and basking in your issues. Maybe it's that I'm cynical. I can just see people's envy turning into pure smugness in the event something was to go wrong with the car...
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