HOLY CRAP....i'm no math major, but isn't that over 12,000 miles??? GEEEEZZZZ is it synthetic oil??? That's just freaking CRAZY.

 

That's what I thought...so I do interim oil changes.

Mine actually uses a specially formulated castrol synthetic oil specifically for ///M engines (or at least the clever packaging says so).





The car tells you how many miles you have left until the next service...typically 15k miles when reset...it's not always an exact mileage since it clicks off more miles faster depending how hard you drive it.

I change my oil, clutch and brake fluid every 6 months just to be safe.

 

But you forget that if you want even an oil change before 20K miles you have to pay for it. Of if you want spark plus changed at 30K miles... that's right.. you pay for it.

BMW's free maintenance is based on the light duty service cycle, and not the heavy duty service cycle that most members here follow.

 

Yep...very true. I change my own fluids (interim changes only), but it can still be pricey.

 

But if you look at the BMW sales model which accounts over 50%(if not more, can't remember) of their cars in leases, the 0 Maintenance Cost is perfect. To the typical person who leases these cars and returns it after 3 yrs, it is great. The Inline 6 could be in a bad shape by lease end but that person would've gotten a new BMW lease. The out of warranty Bimmer will then be passed on to the poor sod as CPO. And you know the cost to fix for out of warranty BMWs. Brilliant sales strategy. It's the Ultimate Money-Making Machine.

 

as far as *free* oil changes go, all bmw's are equipped w/ a service counter. it supposedly monitors your driving behavior and adjusts the service mileage intervals, but i bet it doesn't really matter THAT much. we also have a mini, which is basically a bmw. at least for mini's, the default service interval is 15k miles. 15k miles in between oil changes. they all run on synthetics, but 15k is too long. many people often do their own oil change(s) in between the 15k interval and just don't reset the counter. the *free* maintenance is nice, but it's not as generous as they want you to think

 

Most BMW CPOs get the extended 100k mile warranty...so if you buy CPO you would be covered for an extended period...it's the non-CPO folks that end up paying.

Not sure if the maintenance has any kind of extension...I believe it does to one degree or another...just not sure how much.

I should note that many newer bimmers don't even have dipsticks to check your oil...so you can't really change it...you are kind of a hostage to their servicing scheme. I am lucky in that mine is at least like a normal car in that regard...how novel, I can check and change my own oil!

 

The only BMW I have ever even considered remotely attractive is the Z4 M. I really hate BMWs in general.

 

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.....I seee now. That's a pretty good gimick. OH and btw Kevo...the Z4M is pretty sharp..I just really like the unique shape...I liked the Z3M coupe too.

 

The 8 stirred my soul and so does this thing!








Damn Sexy!

 

Yeah...the Z3M Coupe is odd at first (especially in pictures)...kind of like a little station wagon with the squared off hatch, but when you see it in motion it looks really cool. I like 'em.

 

I like the 3-series and Z4 a lot, but one major sticking point for me is no LSD. I mean, considering the pricetag and the amount of power the cars have, it is absurd that it doesn't come standard. Is it possible to add one without voiding the warranty or anything?

 

The M versions have the LSD...but I would suspect adding one (assuming one can be fitted properly) to the 3series or Z4 base models would most likely cause issues with that part of the warranty...and would prolly be quite expensive too.

 

My girlfriend at the time used to say the Z3M coupe looked like a roach...I told her, that thing is a hell of a lot quicker than them project roaches you're used too...we're not together anymore hahahahaha. One thing BMW does quite well, is their choice of wheels...before I saw the above big picture, I thought those were aftermarket wheels. Very Nice!!!

 

Any problems with the fuel pump? I've been hearing millions of horror stories about them.

 

Lol...They are unique, but I would not have thought a roach!

These wheels aren't the stock ///M wheels...they are the M3 19" CSL Competition wheels (also known as ZCP)...BBS makes them for BMW.

I use the stock 18" wheels as track wheels and for driving the twisties in the Hill country...much rather run them over cattle guards at 70mph!

 

Now why would BMW ever want their customer to get their manicured hands dirty by checking such a vile liquids as the life blood of an engine? Didn't they come up with engine covers in the first place?
You forgot to mention that the CPO extended warranty starts from the year that the car was initially sold. And the 100k mile warranty is not in addition to the already accumulated mileage. Unless it's different in US. Nice M Coupe btw! I'm a big fan of the S54 MZ3 Coupe.

 

For the typical bimmer customer they might as well remove the hood latch! No reason to ever pop that thing.

Right, same in the US...the CPO warranty is not in addition to...so the warranty may be up in a very short period depending on the mileage already clocked.

Thanks man...the M reminds me of the 8 in many respects!

 

You'll be back.....

I own both, an 05 RX 6MT and an 08 335I 6MT. The bimmer gets driven about 3x as much, especially on longer roadtrips. But the 8 is still the 'fun car'.

While fast and posessing gobs of torque, the 335 is no where near as fun on a twisty backroad. There's also something to be said about the 9krpm grin...

 

1 series is legit!

 

i test drove my cousin's 2009 Z4 M (manual), and i thought it was okay... compared to the rx-8 the ride was a bit stiff, pedals a little firmer, engine was kinda loud, and there was some noticeable very small lag between when you stomped wot before it would start moving. it felt like a heavy car, despite being a 2 seater. the interior, however, was a lot nicer than the 8. much better leather, an awesome soft leather steering wheel, and nicer seats.

for the purchase price though, i'd still take the 8 over the z4... also, any bimmer with an M at the tail end just means it's going to cost you MONEY... the other thing i don't like is that unless you know what to look for the normal cars aren't that much cosmetically different than the higher end ones. for example, the only way you can tell a 335i is by the tail pipes- ie they are apart vs. being together on the left for the 328i. and, from far away, u can't really tell a 335i coupe apart from an m3 coupe... but, the 8 is an 8 is an 8....

but, again, if you're leasing, then it's a lot less of an issue- since you'll be turning it in for something different in 3 years anyways....

 

I can certainly appreciate your initial impressions...I know how difficult it is to get a good feel for an unfamiliar car.

I can say with confidence that the ///M and the 8 are very similar creatures at the ragged edge. And that's saying alot.

 

my best friend just picked up an 06 325i with sport package and 6 speed for $20k. I couldn't believe the amount of car for the price. I drove it and absolutely love it

 

a LSD is not as big of a deal on the newer BMW's as they can modulate the traction control through the ABS system for each wheel independently.

The M3's LSD is more a sales tool than really needed.

But butt ugly.

My 335i coupe that the wife drives, burnt up its steering pump and rack at 3000 miles... but has not had any other real issues (other than crappy service techs that don't get the idea that they have to wash the grease off their hands before the drive a car).

 

Really? I think the 1 series is gorgeous. Not stock. But with the right mods, that car looks way good.