Now, the perspective from someone who actually owned and raced one of these
poppies for close to 6 years now:
I drove the crap out of my 1995 M3 for 4 years and 140,000 miles with
virtually no major failures. I changed the oil and filter when the service
light came on, oh about every 7000-8000 miles. I autocrossed, tracked and
drove the car to work every day. How else would I put on 140,000 miles in 4
years?! I would also bet that my car has spent more time on the rev-limiter
than any other e36 M3 out there.
Aside from the regular wear and tear items (brake pads, rotors, tires), I
only had one major failure and that was the differential going bad on me at
the end of the '99 season after 130,000 miles. The clutch was still the
original one after all those miles!
I did start having a bunch of problems with the head gasket(s) when I made
the car a dedicated race car, but I think it's just upset because I don't
drive it everyday :).
I have been on almost every M3 forum and mailing list and have never heard
of the soft motor mount problem. There are complaints about weak tranny
mounts, but that's a cheap fix. Mine is still stock and I never had any
problems with it. I have also heard about rear shock mount failures, but
mine is still stock.
My $0.02
--Navid
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-ba-autox@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of John Kelly
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 9:51 AM
> To: INTERNET:stingray@onth.com; ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: RE: Seven Year Itch
>
>
> -------------------- Begin Original Message --------------------
>
> Message text written by INTERNET:stingray@onth.com
>
> "Being that I just bought a 98 M3, and am new to autox, I am very
> interested in knowing what some of the draw backs are. For me,
> this is one
> of the best handling cars I have ever driven, and with a great engine and
> even better brakes."
> -------------------- End Original Message --------------------
>
> Several folks have uncovered some weak links in various BMW models.
> 1: Soft motor mounts which allow the engine to rock, and
> some times
> said mounts break.
> 2: If they don't break they allow the engine to rock from side to
> side and the stiff plastic parts in the radiator break, leaking coolant
> everywhere.
> 3: If you hit a pylon exactly right, it breaks a different plastic
> radiator part and coolant leaks everywhere.
> RE: Items #2 and #3: We've had two different BMWs towed
> from recent
> events due to these problems.
> Iten #1: The broken motor mounts at least allowed
> the owner
> to drive.
> home...slowly. (He went out and bought an Audi.)
>
> Other factor: The good handling has misled several drivers. They
> pushed their vehicles even harder and caused the vehicle to turn over.
> The BMW factory folks have instituted driver training programs.
> It's suggested to find one of these and take it. (I took one several years
> ago and it was extremely well done.)
>
> --John Kelly
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