NEW M3 OWNER! Help me get her perfect!

[M3Chica]

Hey guys!

I recently purchased 2005 black M3! I have always loved M3s, specifically this year. It's an SMG with under 30K miles 😏.

I wanted to ask for opinions and recommendations for maintenance that should be performed. The past service history is unknown, so I'm kinda starting from scratch.

From what I've come across online, I'm thinking the following (with prices I was quoted by my dealership):

Oil Change - $250
Differential Oil Flush - $600
All Cabin Air Filter replacement - $375
Brake Fluid Flush - $200
Coolant Flush - $250

I'm planning to replace wheels and tires during this service as well. I was shocked at how much cabin air filters cost 🤯

Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

[r4dr]

Unless you're trying to burn cash, you should connect with a local independent shop and go from there. Those are steep prices.

What area are you located in? Chances are, someone on here can suggest some shops.

[Estoril]

Do NOT use a dealership. Find a good indy shop with E46 M3 experience.

Get it up on the lift and have a full inspection done. Then set real maintenance priorities.

[nahvkolaj]

That cabin air filter is $46 for a Genuine BMW part and about 2 minutes of labor. $600 for a diff fluid change is insane, unless they are going to remove it, put all new seals in and install new bushings.

I would find a reputable BMW Indy in your area and get that stuff re-quoted.

[ra2fanatic]

A lot of those are quite easy to do on the M3. You could save yourself quite a few pennies DIY'in them. Seems well documented online or on various forums.

[ELEM3NT]

Do NOT use a dealership. Find a good indy shop with E46 M3 experience.

Get it up on the lift and have a full inspection done. Then set real maintenance priorities.

☝ this

[M3Chica]

Thanks guys! Appreciate all the recommendations. I dropped the car off to them today, but only doing the oil change for certain.

Will just leave it at that and move onto an Indy.

Any shops recommended in the DC area?


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[R717]

Tier Car Care. Up towards Baltimore, but Tommy and crew really know these cars and are great folks.

[maw1124]

Hey guys!…

From what I've come across online, I'm thinking the following (with prices I was quoted by my dealership):

Oil Change - $250
Differential Oil Flush - $600
All Cabin Air Filter replacement - $375
Brake Fluid Flush - $200
Coolant Flush - $250

Thanks![/FONT][/SIZE]

Congrats! Since it’s the dealership why not have them pull service records (if not too old) and do an inspection? They are likely to give you a longer list than you need.

From experience, I would add transmission fluid and SMG fluid flush to your list. All of that should be under $1000.

From there, driving it (plus the stealership list) will tell you what you need. GL

maw

[COVID-19]

Also if you ever need parts buy from FCPEuro

[DropTopKingM3]

LOL if you were a guy you’d be getting flamed by some of these other members.

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your M3. I’m surprised a cabin filter replacement would cost more $$ than a coolant flush. The cabin air filter can be replaced in a matter of mins. I would definitely take the car to an independent mechanic and have some preventative maintenance done.

Now post some pics of the car 👍

[m3nt0s]

All Cabin Air Filter replacement - $375

I actually brought my wife into the garage to demonstrate this service item, just to show how badly dealerships gouge customers. This is insane.

Edit: if anyone in the Philadelphia area needs cabin air filter replacement on their E46, I’ll charge $350 but we gotta meet halfway.

[///Mangler]

RRT racing out by Dulles.

T

[BlueBimmers]

Congrats on the purchase. Please look into a little DIY. Some things you can do with little or no skill. Here's a good video with some of E46 basics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSe5FqGsHEY

Gary Martin of Martin Motorsports in Alexandria is a huge enthusiast. He's not cheap but honest: https://martinmotorsportsinc.com/

There is updated software these days that supposedly improves the SMG. Enjoy getting to know your M3!

[t44tq]

[SIZE=12px][FONT=Tahoma]Hey guys!

I recently purchased 2005 black M3! I have always loved M3s, specifically this year. It's an SMG with under 30K miles 😏.

I wanted to ask for opinions and recommendations for maintenance that should be performed. The past service history is unknown, so I'm kinda starting from scratch.

From what I've come across online, I'm thinking the following (with prices I was quoted by my dealership):

Oil Change - $250
Differential Oil Flush - $600
All Cabin Air Filter replacement - $375
Brake Fluid Flush - $200
Coolant Flush - $250

Diff oil $600? It's 2 quarts, which is $80 if you use the BMW branded stuff, which is the most expensive. So $520 labor for a drain and fill? That's insanely expensive.

Cabin air filter is right by the firewall, just unscrew a couple fittings and swap filters, 5 minute job. The filter was $25? I think. That's also insanely expensive.

With unknown service history, I would do valve adjustment, brake/transmission/differential/engine fluids, coolant drain and refill, and all the filters- fuel, oil, air, cabin.

Find an independent BMW mechanic to do that and it should be under $1000 for all of what I mentioned. Probably way under $1000- I DIY most stuff, so I don't know what the labor rate is for some of these jobs.