Recommended maintenance

[romeo_f]

Good evening everyone, I just grabbed a 2009 e90 m3 with just 7k miles, the car even smells like new I couldn't be happier. The previous owner kept it in the garage for the past couple years with almost no use. My question is even though it has low mileage what parts would you think I must check out for manteinance not for mileage but for time?

[bdaddylo]

Did you get the service history? Engine oil and brake fluid should be changed at a minimum on a yearly basis.

[romeo_f]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

Did you get the service history? Engine oil and brake fluid should be changed at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Apparently the last service was made on 2012 when it had 4k miles

[Helmsman]

Congratulations and welcome OP!

7k miles on a 2009, now that is special. Tell us a bit more about the car man, and don't forget pictures!

Cheers

[tjsabec]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

Did you get the service history? Engine oil and brake fluid should be changed at a minimum on a yearly basis.

Brake fluid yearly? That's pretty over the top my man.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by tjsabec

Brake fluid yearly? That's pretty over the top my man.

Same thing with engine oil, every 2nd year min is the schedule over here. More important in my book is to change at least twice as often from mileage perspective i.e. 7.5k miles max.

[Raek]

Originally Posted by romeo_f

Good evening everyone, I just grabbed a 2009 e90 m3 with just 7k miles, the car even smells like new I couldn't be happier.

Haha...looks like we both bought from the same type of PO.

I'm at 9888 (garaged for the winter). According to the service history, last service was done at 7500. I think what I'm going to do is have the oil changed/serviced at the dealer as soon as it comes out of the garage. Then, every OTHER oil change will be done at home. Probably every 3500...just to be safe.

[crypticc]

Originally Posted by Raek

Haha...looks like we both bought from the same type of PO.

I'm at 9888 (garaged for the winter). According to the service history, last service was done at 7500. I think what I'm going to do is have the oil changed/serviced at the dealer as soon as it comes out of the garage. Then, every OTHER oil change will be done at home. Probably every 3500...just to be safe.

Why? Just get the engine good and hot now and again to evaporate the condensation. 3,500 mile service? Sheesh. Surely can stretch to 7000 miles? :-D

[Raek]

I feel like a lot of the rod bearing failure comes from this whole new idea of stretched duration between oil changes. I know it CAN go at least 7k. But, do I want it to? Heellllll to the no!

MAYBE 5k. But, that's where I draw the line...haha.

[Flying Ace]

It's unbelievable someone bought a $70k M3 and basically didn't drive it...

I would change the oil and brake fluids. Also the brake pas themselves are probably up for replacement, but you have to check the CBS.

You should also check the battery.

May I ask how much you paid for this car?

[CBS]

Congrats OP on your Basically New M3! Enjoy it, it's a car that begs to be driven!

I'm not going to repeat the good advice you already received, BMW's when not driven enough have a habit of their original battery depleting. You will first notice this by the clock starting to lose time. I have 2 battery tenders and switch them out with my BMW's. Without a tender and driven infrequently you can expect the battery to have a life expectancy of approx. 3 years.

Enjoy!
Chris

[Raek]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

It's unbelievable someone bought a $70k M3 and basically didn't drive it...

I don't see this as a bad thing. I only plan on driving mine when the sun is shining, the road is dry, and the windows can be rolled down. In my area of the country...that's about 5 months out of the year

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by Raek

I don't see this as a bad thing. I only plan on driving mine when the sun is shining, the road is dry, and the windows can be rolled down. In my area of the country...that's about 5 months out of the year

well i think people's perspectives on car usage is different. I'm also a low-mileage M3, but at one point, it's just doesn't make sense financially to buy a car and not drive it. It's one thing if it drop 8k a year, but 8k in 6-years for a new car is almost unheard of outside of exotics...

[tjsabec]

Originally Posted by Raek

I feel like a lot of the rod bearing failure comes from this whole new idea of stretched duration between oil changes. I know it CAN go at least 7k. But, do I want it to? Heellllll to the no!

MAYBE 5k. But, that's where I draw the line...haha.

You can do whatever makes you feel good, but I have done Blackstone Analysis on every oil change I have done ranging between 4k and 9k miles and nothing I have seen on the reports makes me think the oil needs to be changed more regularly... I change mine annually because I have yet to put 10k miles on it in 1 year...

[MTM]

Don't forget about the coolant, and maybe the power steering fluid. Also check the microfilters to make sure they are molded badly or anything.

And...wow...7k miles. Well done. Enjoy!

As for oil intervals...if you are paranoid (which is not a bad thing) then I suggest you start with 7.5k interval and get regular oil analysis reports. Let the DATA drive any interval less than 15k...not anecdotes.

[wifesbimmer]

That's awesome!!!! I thought I bought a low mileage 2009 m3. Mine had 15k miles on it when I bought it last year. Congrats!!!

[romeo_f]

Thanks for the heads up everyone! I paid $31,250.00 which is under the market I assume. I don't plan to daily drive it either, i'm posting some pictures tomorrow for sure. BTW it is losing time repeatedly and one time I was listening music with the engine off and the battery warning poped up I assume the battery needs to be changed too. I already changed the engine oil, air filter, brake fluid and cabin micro filter. Do you think steering fluid is a must too?

[burtonsbs5114]

Originally Posted by romeo_f

Thanks for the heads up everyone! I paid $31,250.00 which is under the market I assume.

WOW, that is a crazy deal! Awesome buy!!

[s85e90]

Originally Posted by Raek

I feel like a lot of the rod bearing failure comes from this whole new idea of stretched duration between oil changes. I know it CAN go at least 7k. But, do I want it to? Heellllll to the no!

MAYBE 5k. But, that's where I draw the line...haha.

Totally wrong. If you want, change it every 7500, otherwise it's throwing money away.

[ChiTownM]

I was also told spark plugs every 5 year, does that make sense or is it mileage based like every 30k.

[Genericuser1]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

It's unbelievable someone bought a $70k M3 and basically didn't drive it...

That's my feeling, well unless you have 3-4 cars. I bought mine a year ago with 28k on the odo and now it has 45k. Oil change every 7k miles with blackstone reports.

[Gr330zhp]

I have been doing 5k mile oil intervals on my M3 for almost 2 years now. I daily drive it in all the weather, some days below 0 and I drive many miles a year. ALWAYS start it a couple minutes early and ALWAYS let the oil warm up before getting anywhere close to even 3k rpm. The cost of the extra oil changes is minor to me. Love this car!