Newbie - Where to start?

[Gtownwes]

Purchased my first BMW yesterday. 2008 M3 convertible with 90k miles. I had it inspected by my local BMW mechanic and am having a hard time figuring out where to start/prioritize.

Issues:
- EDC Fault codes: Mechanic thinks these *may* be due to prior owner letting battery go completely dead and also not registering the new battery after installation. Battery is now registered and main EDC fault code that used to show on the idrive screen isn’t there anymore. But picture still comes up when i turn the car off.

- Valve cover gaskets: Leaks at valve and timing cover gaskets. Not dripping on ground but you can smell it. Estimate to replace was $4200.

- Leak in rear differential seal. No drips on ground but definitively leaking. Estimate to fix is $1700.

- No record of rod bearing replacement. Was thinking of having blackstone oil analysis? I know there are differing opinions on RB replacement.

Negotiated down to $14k after inspection.

Two questions: How’d I do on price? Where would you start on repairs or how would you prioritize? Seems like all of these would allow for me to continue to drive the car until I decide, right?

[S65Hunter]

Learn to work on your own car and save yourself about $5,000 by DIYing those repairs. $14K for 90K miles isn't a bad deal. As for the EDC error, it could be the EDC module but my knowledge on that is negligible.

[kolosy]

yeah that's a ripoff (the repair quotes, not the car price. that sounds like a steal depending on carfax). the VCG job is ~$1K in parts (if you do it right and get new covers too, not just gaskets) and about 3-5 hours of labor.

the diff seal is a $20 part and ~2 hours of work.

edc can be a number of things, you should scan what the code is. the edc module can fail, so can the connectors on the shocks. at 90k it may be worth looking at new shocks anyway.

personally i'd start on the RBs. budget $3K for that. find a good shop that's done them before, have them do the VCG too, since they'll probably need to pull the plenum to do it anyway.

[radiognome]

After fixing all the issues, get a wind deflector

[Johnny E92]

Do rod bearings as others have stated, priority no.1

If your valve covers are leaking, gasket change may not solve the issue, lots of info on the forum about that. For $4500 you could replace them with the aftermarket aluminum ones for a lot less if you can find a good mechanic or do it yourself.

Given your mileage, throttle actuators too and Vanos covers too. Again plenty of info on the forum.

Nice buy, but worth the $ to ‘future proof’ it if you intend on keeping it a while.

Cheers.

[WBSVINCE]

Nice on price! Now you should have plenty of room to do the maintenance. First order is to get those bearings done.

[M0NEYPIT]

1. Do your Rod bearings. You're buying piece of mind and if that fails, you're cheap M3 will not be cheap anymore.

2. I just got my diff seals replaced in Texas for $1100 by a very reputable shop and the job came with a 5 year/$50,000 warranty on the work. Definitely shop around for quotes on the different jobs and explore their warranties.

3. Don't just replace the valve cover gaskets. You need to replace the valve covers too. Personally, I'm probably going to replace mine with Aluminum ones from NRW soon. You can go quite awhile without replacing this if its just seeping and not leaking. I would ride around with a quart of oil to add as needed.
-

All of your issues will allow you to drive the car as you please for now. If you got a $14k M3 though, spend the savings on maintenance sooner rather than later.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by M0NEYPIT

2. I just got my diff seals replaced in Texas for $1100 by a very reputable shop and the job came with a 5 year/$50,000 warranty on the work. Definitely shop around for quotes on the different jobs and explore their warranties.

can you (or someone) help me understand what you're being charged for there? i just did this job myself. you drop the exhaust (30 mins if that for a shop that knows what they're doing), disconnect the half shafts (6 replaceable bolts per side) and then lever the ear out. then you yank the old seal out, and press the new one in. "press" is generous here, you don't need an actual press but it helps.

did you do both output seals + the input seal? still can't see that being that much work. maybe 3 hours total for a shop that's done it before? and the seals are $20 each.

[Johnny E92]

Yes go the NRW aluminum covers, as I suggested in my post and moneypit did too.

I have them, not fitted yet, but they do look to be a quality product, get the grommet kit etc with the covers too if you go that route as suggested.

[Theodore2]

Congratulations on your purchase. If your lucky your EDC fault might only be one of the shock/strut connectors. Check out this thread here for a discussion.

[Gtownwes]

Well… coming back to update. So far I’ve called 5 local BMW/European shops for RB quotes. 3 said they won’t do it, 1 said they’d call me back (been 4 days and no call back), and the fifth was the shop I used for the inspection and oil change after purchase. Tech said it didn’t need to be done, I pushed for a quote anyways. I almost fell out of my chair this am when the quote came back at $13,200 (that’s not a typo).

I’m located in Memphis, TN. Would appreciate if any nearby members have any recommendations?

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by Gtownwes

Well… coming back to update. So far I’ve called 5 local BMW/European shops for RB quotes. 3 said they won’t do it, 1 said they’d call me back (been 4 days and no call back), and the fifth was the shop I used for the inspection and oil change after purchase. Tech said it didn’t need to be done, I pushed for a quote anyways. I almost fell out of my chair this am when the quote came back at $13,200 (that’s not a typo).

I’m located in Memphis, TN. Would appreciate if any nearby members have any recommendations?

haha yeah that's a "i don't want that job" quote.

drive it down to dallas and have mporium do it for you.

[Gtownwes]

Update- Finally found a shop to do my RB out of Little Rock. Insane to me that I couldn’t find anyone in Memphis… Mechanic sent me the attached today. Glad I went ahead and got these taken care of. He said they were definitely original.

Fixed the EDC myself with used edc module from eBay.

Valve covers and rear pinion seal will be winter projects.

Love all the DIY write ups. Thanks everyone for your comments!

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Gtownwes

Update- Finally found a shop to do my RB out of Little Rock. Insane to me that I couldn’t find anyone in Memphis… Mechanic sent me the attached today. Glad I went ahead and got these taken care of. He said they were definitely original.

Fixed the EDC myself with used edc module from eBay.

Valve covers and rear pinion seal will be winter projects.

Love all the DIY write ups. Thanks everyone for your comments!

Sounds like a good start!