[AceBurbank]

I am interested in purchasing a 2004 M3 with about 55,000 miles on it. It is in immaculate condition; I know the owner and he has taken great care of it. What type of maintenance issues can I expect to give this car in the future? I would probably drive it about 10,000 miles per year (not in the winter).

Thanks!

[dannyncc]

valve adjustment , spark plugs , valve cover gasket
transmission fluid change ( oem fluids mlt 2 )
differential fluid change ( OEM fluids is always the best )
engine oil with oem filter ( only use castol 10w-60 oil )
cooling system ( thermostat, water pump , expansion tank)
power steering fluids ( always nasty lookin ) maybe just me
Tires worm out very fast got to love the power ( depending on how you drive )
Shock and struts is always recommended to change about 50-60k miles.

can;t think of anything else now.

[namewuztaken]

Originally Posted by dannyncc

valve adjustment , spark plugs , valve cover gasket
transmission fluid change ( oem fluids mlt 2 )
differential fluid change ( OEM fluids is always the best )
engine oil with oem filter ( only use castol 10w-60 oil )
cooling system ( thermostat, water pump , expansion tank)
power steering fluids ( always nasty lookin ) maybe just me
Tires worm out very fast got to love the power ( depending on how you drive )
Shock and struts is always recommended to change about 50-60k miles.

can;t think of anything else now.

I am bumping this. In hopes that maybe OP is in the same boat I am.

And that he was not speaking of what should be done.


However true cost of ownership.

Can anyone chime in on how much in a year you spend on maintaining, and what sorta things break easy?

[spydamunky]

+1 on this please! I bought a 99 323i that had 20k on it. It was a Hendrick loaner car and was certified, other than lower control arm bushings, fan clutch, and window regulators it was fine for 130k! Now my 2002 330ci sport package was a little more of a pain. I sold it with around 120k after spending around $3,000 over the coarse of the previous year in repairs. Most of that was with myself doing the labor on most of it, I just got tired of it needing some kind of repair almost every other weekend. I just do not want to do that all over again. Im looking at getting an M3 with hopefully less than 75k on the clock and would like to make it a keeper. I really think I prefer a coupe as I already have a convertible, but the convertibles seem to be a good bit cheaper.