New Space Gray/Fox Red e90 M3 owner....checking in.

[MikeyDawg]

After years of lusting over an e90 M3, I finally started my search a few months back and pulled the trigger about a month ago. I bought my M from a fellow m3post member and had it shipped across country...a nerve wracking experience but no regrets so far.

I actually need to thank a fellow member, jiggz, for taking the time to look at the car for me in person, taking her for a test drive, and giving me a full run down of the car.

So far, the car hasn't disappointed. I have a few 60k mile maint. items coming up that I need to start addressing, but other than that the car has been taken care of very well.

Few questions:
-Is a strong exhaust odor normal at times? Not from within the car, but when I park and get out the exhaust smell is noticeable in the garage. I have a stock xpipe... and I assume its the exhaust smell. (yes - this forum has me a tad paranoid regarding this vehicle). I dont see any oil leaks in the engine bay or anything.

-The car is on original RBs (its a 2009 with 59k miles), it is the consensus that blackstone reports are pointless on all MYs or just the ones with newer bearings? I eventually want to get the RBs done, but it is not on my immediate to do list right now.

-The car wasn't driven a lot by the previous owner so the rotors were rusted. I've only put about 100 miles on it myself but the rust has come off the rotors but it seems like the rotors/brakes are creating an excessive about of brake/rotor dust... is this normal? I cleaned the car this weekend, drive it a few miles and the wheels are immediately covered in rust/dust.

Anyway, I am sure I will have more questions, but enough rambling for now.... here are some pics. I did have the 220s refinished over black which I think turned out pretty well.

[Timujin]

Welcome and congratulations

[jiggz]

Thanks for the shout out! Glad it worked out for both you and the seller, and that my assessment of it's condition matched what you think of the car. This car is super clean, especially the interior - surprised it lasted so long given color combo/6MT/price/miles.

I think it looks much better on the 220's

[JP10]

Car looks great man!

-Don't have many issues regarding the odor so I can't comment.

-'09s have copper lead bearings, so you could track the wear via blackstone, but everyone is going to tell you that you need to develope a trend before the information is viable. I also have an '09 that I did a blackstone on and it came back with perfect results, almost no sign of wear only 1ppm copper. That said I replaced them about 3 months ago(1yr anniversary present to my car lol) and they were wearing down into the copper layer. Point being oil samples are not the most accurate.

-My rotors instantly rust as soon as water touches them. Pain in the ass when I want to keep my 2piece wheels clean.

[spazzyfry123]

Lookin' good! Glad to see it on the right side of the country

[Shiza]

Originally Posted by MikeyDawg

Few questions:
-Is a strong exhaust odor normal at times? Not from within the car, but when I park and get out the exhaust smell is noticeable in the garage. I have a stock xpipe... and I assume its the exhaust smell. (yes - this forum has me a tad paranoid regarding this vehicle). I dont see any oil leaks in the engine bay or anything.

-The car is on original RBs (its a 2009 with 59k miles), it is the consensus that blackstone reports are pointless on all MYs or just the ones with newer bearings? I eventually want to get the RBs done, but it is not on my immediate to do list right now.

-The car wasn't driven a lot by the previous owner so the rotors were rusted. I've only put about 100 miles on it myself but the rust has come off the rotors but it seems like the rotors/brakes are creating an excessive about of brake/rotor dust... is this normal? I cleaned the car this weekend, drive it a few miles and the wheels are immediately covered in rust/dust.

- First congrats on the new car

-I've always had a strong exhaust smell that came from my car, it was always noticeable when sitting still with the windows down. So it is normal for me.

-I and many others believe that Blackstone reports in general are pretty useless for telling the condition of your bearings regardless of the year/bearing material. You would need to set a baseline and do many test and even then there is no guarantee that they would catch the problem before you've spun a bearing. I would recommend just replacing your bearings with BE when you have the time/funds set aside. All of your paranoia will go away.


-The amount of brake dust usually depends on the brand of pads you are using. Since the car has 60K miles I would assume that they have been replaced at one point and may not be oem pads.

Car looks great BTW

[daarts]

Congrats and welcome!

I picked up my e92 last year. This thread helped me start figuring things out:
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1418410

For your questions:

1. I haven't noticed too strong of an odor on mine. Keep driving it for a bit and see if the issue persists. If the car had been sitting for a long while before you purchased that could cause the issue.

2. From my understanding the older cars use a copper bearing, as JP10 said, which can be picked up in a Blackstone analysis, whereas RB degradation is harder to track down with an oil analysis on the newer models. 2009 should be copper so an oil analysis wouldn't be a bad idea.

3. These rotors rust very quickly if sitting for longer periods and generate LOTS of dust within a short time. Changing to different brake pads might help with this, but honestly I've just learned to live with it.

Best of luck!

[MikeyDawg]

Originally Posted by jiggz

Thanks for the shout out! Glad it worked out for both you and the seller, and that my assessment of it's condition matched what you think of the car. This car is super clean, especially the interior - surprised it lasted so long given color combo/6MT/price/miles.

I think it looks much better on the 220's

Yea, the refinished 220s look solid. Been watching the classifieds and e90/MTs have been slim pickings... fortunate to find this one when I did.

Originally Posted by Shiza

- First congrats on the new car

-I've always had a strong exhaust smell that came from my car, it was always noticeable when sitting still with the windows down. So it is normal for me.

-I and many others believe that Blackstone reports in general are pretty useless for telling the condition of your bearings regardless of the year/bearing material. You would need to set a baseline and do many test and even then there is no guarantee that they would catch the problem before you've spun a bearing. I would recommend just replacing your bearings with BE when you have the time/funds set aside. All of your paranoia will go away.

-The amount of brake dust usually depends on the brand of pads you are using. Since the car has 60K miles I would assume that they have been replaced at one point and may not be oem pads.

Car looks great BTW

Paranoia is right... I'm too OCD to not address them sooner or later. Luckily I don't drive the car a lot so it should keep my paranoia to a minimum for now. I've debated DIY'ing them, but not sure I have the kahunas to give it a go or not on the quick jack.

[Shiza]

Originally Posted by MikeyDawg

Yea, the refinished 220s look solid. Been watching the classifieds and e90/MTs have been slim pickings... fortunate to find this one when I did.



Paranoia is right... I'm too OCD to not address them sooner or later. Luckily I don't drive the car a lot so it should keep my paranoia to a minimum for now. I've debated DIY'ing them, but not sure I have the kahunas to give it a go or not on the quick jack.

I'd say its DIYable if you have a garage lift, doing it on jack stands would be insane.

[InnerBlueSkies]

Congrats, car looks outstanding, nice garage

[Richsocal12]

congrats! welcome to the club

[Bif]

Welcome GA owner! Car looks great!

[Conzyo]

Congrats, have fun modding

[xander_g]

Congrats and welcome!
Now find another source of income to address the impending mod addiction

[Solo_M_Tech]

1. Welcome
2. If you have the stock x pipe and you're smelling exhaust gasses it's most likely a leak,
3. Another possibility is your driver side fuel sending unit is cracked and you're smelling raw gases.
4. Change out the pads.

[Siajoon]

Congratulations. This car will not let you down.

I promise I'm not being bias lol

[eswaroop]

Very nice car - congratulations!

Btw - what is that lift system you have in your garage - that looks neat !

[Teufel_Hunden]

One of my favorite color combos. Congrats and welcome.

[thkfast]

Originally Posted by eswaroop

Very nice car - congratulations!

Btw - what is that lift system you have in your garage - that looks neat !

That would be the QuickJack 5000.

[nekbreaker]

congratulations and welcome to the m gang and nice those quick jack are so awesome I got one and boy I used alot

[Helmsman]

Welcome and congrats to a stunning looking car Mikey!

Once cold start is over it shouldn't smell. Assuming you have the cats in place and working.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by Shiza

I'd say its DIYable if you have a garage lift, doing it on jack stands would be insane.

It is a pretty easy job with SYT's DIY. I did mine on jack stands. I used 6T stands to get the car up high.

On quickjacks, it will be a cinch. Just make sure to take your time, use a good torque wrench and keep everything clean.

And congrats!! I have the E92 twin to your car!!

Cheers,