Will purchasing a 50k mi 08 E90 be too much of a risk?

I'm looking at something that looks like a good deal (to me). It's a clean 08 E90 with all options except CF roof with 50k miles. I'm getting a PPI on it tomorrow, but if everything checks out, is there more value there than say a 2011 E92 with the new rod bearings? Am I basically forced to buy a powertrain warranty on this vehicle because even blackstone oil analysis has shown to not predict rod bearing failure 100% of the time?

twohandfloater wrote

I'm looking at something that looks like a good deal (to me). It's a clean 08 E90 with all options except CF roof with 50k miles. It's selling for 28k. I'm getting a PPI on it tomorrow, but if everything checks out, is there more value there than say a 2011 E92 with the new rod bearings? Am I basically forced to buy a powertrain warranty on this vehicle because even blackstone oil analysis has shown to not predict rod bearing failure 100% of the time?

If your buying a used m3 with 40k+ you should probably find one with a bearing job done.

opihi5 wrote

If your buying a used m3 with 40k+ you should probably find one with a bearing job done.

is this including 2011+ ones?

i have not found a single one within my criteria, much less one with a bearing job done and i've been looking for E9X for months now

of the last three i've checked out (i'm also in california), one had curb rashes and scratches everywhere that wasn't listed in the pictures, one had a transmission problem (and the owner didn't think so) and one I got a PPI on it and it turns out there was major repainting done (albeit a good job).

Here we go again.

twohandfloater wrote

is this including 2011+ ones?

i have not found a single one within my criteria, much less one with a bearing job done and i've been looking for E9X for months now

of the last three i've checked out (i'm also in california), one had curb rashes and scratches everywhere that wasn't listed in the pictures, one had a transmission problem (and the owner didn't think so) and one I got a PPI on it and it turns out there was major repainting done (albeit a good job).

Yes there are hundreds threads on this. Briefly, The 2011 ones have different bearing material that does not show signs of failure as early and tends to fail earlier. I have a 2011 with 22k miles, oil change every 4-5k and don't track so I most likely won't have to replace them soon....hopefully. It's a hit or miss so find one with a bearing job done. I also did not get a warranty...diy everything is pretty cheap

twohandfloater wrote

I'm looking at something that looks like a good deal (to me). It's a clean 08 E90 with all options except CF roof with 50k miles. It's selling for 28k. I'm getting a PPI on it tomorrow, but if everything checks out, is there more value there than say a 2011 E92 with the new rod bearings? Am I basically forced to buy a powertrain warranty on this vehicle because even blackstone oil analysis has shown to not predict rod bearing failure 100% of the time?

There is a risk of rod bearing failure on all E9x cars, regardless of year. If anything, the rod bearings on the later cars might be worse/more prone to failure?

Why not skip the warranty and just spend that $ on new rod bearings following purchase - that would probably be a better use of your $.

opihi5 wrote

Yes there are hundreds threads on this. Briefly, The 2011 ones have different bearing material that does not show signs of failure as early and tends to fail earlier. I have a 2011 with 22k miles, oil change every 4-5k and don't track so I most likely won't have to replace them soon....hopefully. It's a hit or miss so find one with a bearing job done. I also did not get a warranty...diy everything is pretty cheap

Cool, thanks. I've been looking for months and can't even find a car in California to my liking without a bearing job done, so if this car checks out, I might as well just buy it and do the bearing job myself. However, I plan to own the car for ~3 years and if I buy a 3 year warranty for about 3k, I'm guessing this is about the same cost to replace the bearings plus it'll cover everything else like the throttle actuators failing, etc. So if this is the case, I might as well just get the car and a powertrain warranty and call it a day, right?

twohandfloater wrote

Cool, thanks. I've been looking for months and can't even find a car in California to my liking without a bearing job done, so if this car checks out, I might as well just buy it and do the bearing job myself. However, I plan to own the car for ~3 years and if I buy a 3 year warranty for about 3k, I'm guessing this is about the same cost to replace the bearings plus it'll cover everything else like the throttle actuators failing, etc. So if this is the case, I might as well just get the car and a powertrain warranty and call it a day, right?

The rod bearings were softer and slightly better on the older 08-09 cars. The newer hard bearings were prone to failure with lower mileage.

If you find a car with rod bearings done, you want to make sure it is done correctly and chances are, you'll pay a lot more because it's been done. 99% of people won't do the bearings.

The warranty has the advantage of covering throttle actuators, a common failure. Rod bearing failure is less common but very expensive when it happens. Almost all bearings preventatively removed look excessively worn. I changed mine when my extended warranty ran out. Had one actuator fail. One low pressure fuel sensor. Otherwise no issues. 08 with 81k.

Z K wrote

The rod bearings were softer and slightly better on the older 08-09 cars. The newer hard bearings were prone to failure with lower mileage.

If you find a car with rod bearings done, you want to make sure it is done correctly and chances are, you'll pay a lot more because it's been done. 99% of people won't do the bearings.

Yeah that's what I figured. 28k for a clean 50k 08 E90 is fair though, right? I can always just take it to bavarian professionals in berkeley to get it done or just get a powertrain warranty and pray

twohandfloater wrote

Cool, thanks. I've been looking for months and can't even find a car in California to my liking without a bearing job done, so if this car checks out, I might as well just buy it and do the bearing job myself. However, I plan to own the car for ~3 years and if I buy a 3 year warranty for about 3k, I'm guessing this is about the same cost to replace the bearings plus it'll cover everything else like the throttle actuators failing, etc. So if this is the case, I might as well just get the car and a powertrain warranty and call it a day, right?

Well, not sure if warranty covers rod bearings....only after your engine goes kaboom, if your going to put 15k+ miles on it every year then get the warranty, anything less and I wouldn't.

twohandfloater wrote

Yeah that's what I figured. 28k for a clean 50k 08 E90 is fair though, right? I can always just take it to bavarian professionals in berkeley to get it done or just get a powertrain warranty and pray

Yeah, a warranty or getting it done will cover it.

$28k for that mileage in the SF bay area is a good deal. I know I'd want more for my e90 if I sold it and it has more mileage. But then my car is pretty much like showroom condition inside and out.

Warranty does not cover rod bearings unless they actually fail. 50K miles on an 08 is pretty low mileage.

I'd read the fine print on any aftermarket warranty you're considering, and be 100% sure it covers what you think it will cover. Is it going to cover the cost of a new engine?

If it were me, I'd skip the warranty and spend that $ on bearings. Then you get the bearings you want, and can pick a shop you trust. As someone else mentioned above, you'll be hard pressed to find one for sale that's had the bearings done, and if you do, will it be the car/color/options/mileage you want?

Sure other items may fail that a warranty might cover, but again, the cost of that warranty could still be more than just paying for some of this stuff out of pocket.

People always talk about this bearing job nonsense. OK big deal if you need the bearing job its about 1500-2k. Do not be shy if the car is super clean.

as others have mentioned, I'd get that PPI done and if the car checks out fine then get it!

since you're only keeping the car for ~3yrs, I wouldn't bother with the warranty. I'd just plan on doing rod bearings within the next ~15k miles. throttle actuators is a common issue on these cars too so check if that's been done.

for $28k, I wouldn't hesitate on that car as long as it checks out.

One thing to consider: since you're in CA, if you get a newer one your throttle actuators will still be covered for a while under the CA 7yr/70k emissions warranty.

opihi5 wrote

If your buying a used m3 with 40k+ you should probably find one with a bearing job done.

no

-BEASTMW- wrote

One thing to consider: since you're in CA, if you get a newer one your throttle actuators will still be covered for a while under the CA 7yr/70k emissions warranty.

Emission warranty covers throttle actuators? not too sure about this lol

opihi5 wrote

Emission warranty covers throttle actuators? not too sure about this lol

Emissions warranty covers throttle actuators. I had one covered under California emissions warranty. But being an 08, that warranty has expired already.

Z K wrote

Emissions warranty covers throttle actuators. I had one covered under California emissions warranty. But being an 08, that warranty has expired already.

If one goes out, what is the process of getting it replaced. I've never heard of this warranty. Might have to put cats back on if I had to get something fixed under an "emissions" warranty haha.

opihi5 wrote

If one goes out, what is the process of getting it replaced. I've never heard of this warranty. Might have to put cats back on if I had to get something fixed under an "emissions" warranty haha.

You basically take it to the dealer and if it is the actuators, they'll replace it under warranty.

There is a list of parts that is covered under the emissions warranty.