How long do these engines last?

[Amrinder]

Hey, first off im sorry if i sound like a complete newbie. Im currently looking for an M3 to buy, and Ive found one for decent price, it has nav and red seats, which I really think look great. It looks like its in great condition visually, Im going to go test drive it tommorow, the only thing is, it has 114000 km on it. So my question to you guys is, how these engines are around this amount of km and what problems are common for these cars around this mileage? Would you guys recommend going for it if it runs good or bad idea?

[s85e90]

Please search as there's a wealth of information including a high mileage thread dedicated to just that. Don't take offense to this but eveyone asks questions nowadays and people should revert to doing their own research before making a decision.

[m3ray]

These threads are becoming an epidemic, LOL

[Amrinder]

I do apologise.

[mtecnic]

Originally Posted by Amrinder

I do apologise.

We've all been there before. Take it to a local shop you trust for a pre-purchase inspection. Get the carfax and see if the dealership can divulge service history. Ask the owner questions about repairs or anything he's had to do. If all seems in place. Make the plunge.

[1MOREMOD]

There's also really no way to answer some will last 100k plus and some will have issue early on. Depends on variety of factors. Find one with lowish mileage that has been well maintained and not beat on too much and roll the dice.

[Ezio]

you dont see to many really high mile M3s.

[Helmsman]

I think 114km start to become quite a bit for any car you plan to keep for a while and certainly even more so for s M3 with its high rev engine.
If crazy good maintenance is documented, incl oil change every ~10000km, and overall on the spot for you, then maybe it is the one you should have.

Good luck

[gatorfast]

114000km is only like 70k miles right? Thats not extremely high.

[SECOND2NONE]

How long they last depends on how they were treated earlier.. This is why i like to get higher mileage cars sometimes. A low mileage car could have been beaten on and you really cant tell. Especialy an off lease car. High mileage you can Definetly judge if it was cared for or not. You would know if the car problematic or one of the lucky ones. Any way, just get a inspection before purchase and a oil report directly after.

[backhill]

Originally Posted by SECOND2NONE

How long they last depends on how they were treated earlier.. This is why i like to get higher mileage cars sometimes. A low mileage car could have been beaten on and you really cant tell. Especialy an off lease car. High mileage you can Definetly judge if it was cared for or not. You would know if the car problematic or one of the lucky ones. Any way, just get a inspection before purchase and a oil report directly after.

Well said. If it has made it to 60-90k miles, someone obviously was caring for it, or it was pure luck, and you will be easily able to discern if it was the former or the latter.

[tdott]

Try to negotiate about $2000-2500 off the price if it isn't already a really good price, save that money and do a rod bearing change if you want some piece of mind. That's really the only major thing that can go wrong with this motor.

Other than that a good PPI and you should be set.

[W///]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

114000km is only like 70k miles right? Thats not extremely high.

Yea seriously. If there's one S engine I trust the most, it's the S65. Yea it might have rod bearing issues, but if you take care of it and make sure you keep an eye out for signs of issues, I think you'll be just fine.

All these threads about rod bearings ruining your experience. Sure I wish it wasn't an issue, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying the hell out of this car. Granted I do know that this car has been babied before my ownership, and I've taken the hell out of this car.

[K-M3]

OP - just knowing that it's lasted 70K miles approx (114k km's) makes me wanna think that it's a well cared for car .... If the PPI ( pre purchase inspection) turns out normal or within limits and it runs great without any signs of trouble, it may not be such a bad idea .
Agree with comments on rod bearings here .... I still think it's a hit or miss issue
The other question is - why have you planned for the car ? Is this ur DD or is this going to be ur modded track toy? Do expect some regular maintenance though even if the bearings are a no issue ... Hope this helps

[Groundpilot]

Originally Posted by tdott

Try to negotiate about $2000-2500 off the price if it isn't already a really good price, save that money and do a rod bearing change if you want some piece of mind. That's really the only major thing that can go wrong with this motor.

Other than that a good PPI and you should be set.

OP, this is a great advice

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

There's also really no way to answer some will last 100k plus and some will have issue early on. Depends on variety of factors. Find one with lowish mileage that has been well maintained and not beat on too much and roll the dice.

Driving style/environment being the BIGGEST. I found one in may with 97K miles, one owner, and highway driven for only two straight years. That's right 2 years and 97K miles. Sat at the dealer for almost 2 years prior to that. Car currently has 104K miles and 4 HARD FULL track days under it's belt, and ZERO engine issues.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by tdott

Try to negotiate about $2000-2500 off the price if it isn't already a really good price, save that money and do a rod bearing change if you want some piece of mind. That's really the only major thing that can go wrong with this motor.

Other than that a good PPI and you should be set.

Without any engine noise, it's an absolute waste of money!

[tdott]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Without any engine noise, it's an absolute waste of money!

Not really, you are buying piece of mind for another 80-100k.
Even if you catch it in time, by the time it's making noise, the damage is already done and the crank could be damaged.

[pbonsalb]

Between 5k miles and 200k plus miles. I am at 63k and recently did a preventative maintenance rod bearing change so I won't worry about the next 60k miles.

[SECOND2NONE]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Between 5k miles and 200k plus miles. I am at 63k and recently did a preventative maintenance rod bearing change so I won't worry about the next 60k miles.

How did your bearings look

[pbonsalb]

Bottom were fine. 4 of 8 top showed what I would call average wear and the other 4 showed much more wear but not as bad as some in the bearing thread.

[Amrinder]

Thanks alot for the replies guys. Really helps to know this stuff.