2002 BMW M3: Pit Stop

you guys may have to sell the Ferrari to cover the repairs on the M5 :)

Wow, can't you go to an alignment shop and get a 4 wheel alignment done for $70? It's not like a BMW uses some different suspension design than any other car out there.
 
Thanks for the insight into maintenance costs, glad I did not buy a used Bimmer!

When you purchased the M3 from the dealership, didn't the vehicle carry an used car warranty of some kind? Most used cars do. Shouldn't this warranty cover the control arm bushings?
 
Also, I'm rather surprised that it needs new tires already. Your long-term intro stated that two of the tires were replaced prior to purchase. I'm guessing that the incorrect alignment and/or faulty bushings ruined them?

I'd like to thank Edmunds for convincing me to spring for the extension on my 330i's free maintenance program. For the dealer cost of that brake job I'll take the additional two years of free maintenance, thanks.

MINOR problems? Sheez, when individual repairs get into 4 figures, I tend to drop the adjective "minor." Seems to me you guys need to find a good, independent repair shop. Those prices hurt.

Youch. That's scary expensive.

It is expensive but nothing on that list is going to ruin the car - we're not doing the brakes now and getting our own tires should save some money.
 
The Tech said the tires were from 2005. We haven't exactly been easy on them since we got the car.

I'm pretty sure I spent $90 on a 4 wheel alignment just a few weeks ago...
 
Also, why do you guys always go to the dealership? It would be interesting to hear your experience if, for example, you took it to a specialty BMW garage or even to a local mom and pop.

I see. Since you're replacing the tires, you should consider a set of Michelin PS2s from TireRack. A set of Michelin PS2s cost less than what the dealer quoted you for a set of "OE" tires. They were also ranked #2 in a recent TireRack comparison test.

That's a good idea, sodaguy!
 
I think these tires could be considered (HTML used due to link length). I probably would shy away from the Sumitomo tires, though.
 
I haven't tried the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires but have read many good things about them. I'm partial to Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R tires but they don't appear to be available in the E46 M3's 18" OEM sizes.

I think the Potenza RE050A Pole Positions are also worthy of consideration, but the PS2s are ranked higher and should have a longer service life.

Get the tyres done at Stokes, get the 4 wheel alignment done at Johnsons Alignment in Torrance for much less than the $280 the dealer is asking for.
Last time I had my Porsche CTR aligned there, they asked my body weight and put the equivalent in the driver's seat before doing the alignment!

So much for the whole "308 vs. M3" cost of maintenance argument.

did they specify how much life was left on the pads and rotors?

Regarding the service life of tires, I don't really care about them. I'm usually happy if I can get 20K miles and two track days out of a set of tires. I'm not sure whether the Inside Line staffers would place more weight on grip or longevity in purchasing the M3's new shoes.
 
The old saying, "You've got to pay to play," may apply here.

was there ever a final verdict on the side air bags?

If you're going to spend that kind of money on brakes, you might as well get a big brake kit. Brembo, Wilwood, or Endless make fantastic kits, and for probably less than $1K.
 
The bushing replacement is alignment figures are astronomical! You still want that oceanfront property in Nebraska I'm selling?
 
For tires, being the Falken backer I am, I'd say Ziexes or Azenis' or even the new FK series.

Have you checked the conditions of the bushings yourself? When I took my 5-series to South Bay BMW in Torrance, they suggested an entire laundry list of crap to replace or repair (including control arm bushings) - at just over 60K miles!
 
I had the car checked over by an independent tech (South Bay Independent BMW in Gardena), who deemed most of the suggestions unnecessary, and at 100K miles now, the car still handles and feels fine.
 
Recently I had my entire cooling system overhauled (radiator started to leak) and power steering hoses replaced; South Bay dealer quoted $3,400, the indy shop did it for $1,500 using factory parts.

Just like everything else, you need to keep your eyes open to avoid getting screwed. If you commit to a car like this, you gotta pay attention!

Are these normal prices for service for a BMW? My Lexus dealer charges $100 for an alignment, which is 40% higher than my Honda dealer. $1000.00 for pads and rotors? The hourly rate on this repair would seem to be higher than most lawyers and at least twice as high as most luxury car dealers I have ever dealt with.

Ah the joys of taking an M3 to the shop. I had hoped to one day own an e46 M3, as it's the last real M3, but if things are still this expensive to fix (my e36 cost me $5000 over the course of about four months)I can't really see why anyone would pick one up. It's such a shame that BMW is supposed to build these wonderful cars and that goes to the mechanics' heads when they announce (because what else can you call it?) the bill.

ouch as bad as the 20 year old red machine you have.
 
if thats the cost for both these machines. hmm. I might just stick with my econo cars unless i start making crazy money.

Thats why you just buy a BMW new, and then pay a grand to extend the maintenance and don't worry at all about how much they want for a brake job or alignment.

I like that they are using a dealership for service, since that's what most people will do, and we learn about the experience on here. Although... they are using an independent shop for the Ferrari, and that seems to be the implied "comparison" vehicle here (used sports cars). And used car buyers are probably more inclined to go independent anyway, compared to new car buyers.

The idea that all cars are the same and therefore the prices for labor and service should be the same is pure fantasy. If you have a Honda or Toyota and want to keep it b/c it offers affordable upkeep - you shouldn't be anywhere near an M3. Run, don't walk away.
 
as for the bushings - the abnormal tire wear in the rear was all the evidence we needed.
 
Independent shops are great - we use one for our 308. Still, in most cases I'm willing to bet a dealership like Long Beach BMW has superior talent, technology and a deeper parts bin. Does that cost extra? Yep.

Guys, keep in mind they're not taking the Ferrari to the Ferrari dealer for service. And if they take the M3 to a real repair shop instead of a stealership, the prices will drop by 30-40%.

After 14 years driving beemers, I can tell you the bushing cost is about right and high performance beemers drivren hard eat the bushings, so check the fronts when you do the alignment. The other charges are off the wall. An alignment should run $100 or so. As to the brakes, make sure you really need new rotors. I know the BMW dealership routinely tell you you have to replace both rotors and pads, but my 25 year BMW trained independent mechanic told me that was bunk. So far, my experience is that he is right. High quality pad replacement should run no more than $300. As to tires, my current 540i seems to eat them for lunch and never last more than 20K miles at best, so feel free to experiment.

I thought beemers were motorcycles?

Wow, that Ferrari 308 is starting to look downright economical all of a sudden.

Fact of the day:
Min Front Rotor Thickness for E46 M3 at which replacement is recommended per BMWNA Full Maintenance/Ultimate Service Plan: 26.4 mm (New: 28 mm)
Min Rear Rotor Thickness for E46 M3: 18.4 (New: 20 mm)
 
Here's a good dyk:
The cross-drilled brake rotors for the E46 M3 had (as of June 2006) the same MSRP as the regular brake rotors for the E46 M3. The thing is most dealerships don't charge MSRP for parts but much over. :(

Suby - My understanding is that Honda charges a flat 10% markup on all parts. What's BMW's markup?

BMW parts prices may vary greatly from one dealership to another.
 
I don't believe the Acura dealership I used to work at charged 10% over MSRP on parts. Where did you hear/read that?

I was writing an MBA paper on financing and I made a few calls, local and corporate. The general concensus was 10%.

General consensus? Uh, so there is variation even among honda dealers? Did you survey a local area or over a state or nationwide?
 
FWIW, yes, BMW cars are bimmers. Beemers are motorcycles made by BMW.

estreka, where was the general consensus was 10%? Price gouging probably isn't as rampant in Great Falls, MT as it is in areas such as Southern California.
 
Trying calling your friendly Southern California Honda dealership (those people in the blue shirts - Southern Californians will get what I'm saying (think: local Honda commercials)) or a few in other major metropolises. You'll easily understand how the term "stealership" became so popular.

I too have an E46 M3 and so I know that BMW dealerships rape you for service and parts. The bushings (RTAB's) are only $80 for a pair so they are charging you $720 in labor, which is 6 hrs @$120/hr. It should only take them 2-3 hours max to remove and replace the bushings! Even I did the same job myself in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can also buy polyeurathane bushings by Powerflex for $100/pair, which are stiffer and will last longer.
 
Also, the alignment should be $150 max.
 
I would advise you to find a good indy shop to do the suspension work and save a bunch of money!

Oh, I'm aware. My S was still under warranty when I first bought it when I took it to a certain Honda stealership in Santa Maria (hint: the only one). I told them I needed something done (can't remember what) and that it was covered under warranty. They went to work and fixed the little thing I needed, but then they also did a full lube and filter change, without my permission. I remember my bill being well over $100. I was miffed.
 
I called the local dealership and a few I used to frequent in San Marcos, Austin, and Lufkin as well as a few sample locations (New York NY, Montgomery AL, Orlando FL, and Lansing MI). New York was the highest with 12%, Montgomery reported 9%, and the other 2 were 10%. Oh, and I called a distributor after local guy gave me his number. The distributor confirmed avg 10% markup. We're talking 10% over cost, not 10% above what you can buy direct.

Please e-mail me, estreka. I'd like to understand the method to your madness.