Long-term update: 2000 BMW M Roadster
Our BMW M Roadster soldiers on, having spent more than one year with us, racking up only 3000 km since we bought it at the beginning of 2008. Driving a hardcore-tuned sports car in daily traffic isn’t easy, so we fell back on our other automatic cars for city driving. Even then, costs came up during the year, some involving expected repairs, some just general maintenance, and some because BMWs have the durability of ice cream in the desert.
First up was to fix the sloppy manual gearbox. What happens is the springy pins in the gear-stick become weak, so the shifter does not jump back to the neutral centre anymore, making it hard to know which gear is where. This affected all manual BMW 6-cylinder models till about 2003, when BMW quietly issued replacement pins, fixed under warranty only if you argued a lot. Owners of older cars were out of luck.
So the BMW parts guy did not even want to order these tiny parts for me, insisting I buy a whole gearbox for Dhs 12,000! I finally ordered the parts on the internet, shipped from USA for about Dhs 200 total.
The bigger issue was putting in the pins, which requires removing the whole transmission and about Dhs 800 in special BMW tools. What I did was download the service instructions from the net, handed them to some crappy garage, and supervised the entire procedure over 3 evenings. All that was needed was some quickly-modified tools from my buddy, the ingenuity of the Indian mechanic, and I reading out instructions. I paid the mechanic Dhs 700 at the end, for a job that would’ve cost thousands more elsewhere with uncertain results.
At this time, I also replaced BMW’s “lifetime” transmission and differential fluids, both pitch black and full of metal shavings. I just put in cheap generic Shell oil for Dhs 40, but intend to put in something better soon. The gearbox already feels smoother, no thanks to BMW. This “lifetime” fluid nonsense started just as BMW started offering free servicing from around the late 90s. What better way to offer “free” servicing than to not service it at all!
When I bought the car around January 2008, its engine oil was in good shape. Of course, as part of BMW’s “free” servicing back in the day, they recommended oil changes only if the oil life indicator blinked. By October 2008, it still hadn’t blinked, and my oil was in horribly black condition, at less than 2000 km of driving. I hear the oil-life indicator only goes off every 24,000 km, to give the impression of “low” maintenance. After the warranty runs out, it really isn’t BMW’s problem whether the engine blows up or not.
I went to a Castrol-certified service station to put in the Castrol Edge 10W oil recommended for BMW M engines. It cost me a whopping Dhs 470 for the privilege of being ignored by the Indian service techs at the Grand Service Station, as they were busy scrounging for tips from some European customer. That Dhs 470 was only for an oil change, and nothing else. Of course, you could always go for the dealer’s oil services, and pay maybe Dhs 1000 to change the oil and reset the oil-life meter on the dashboard with their expensive computer device. I think I’ll just leave those little dash lights on, as they serve no purpose.
In early November 2008, I gave the car to a crappy Dubai garage to paint a few parts in time for the Sharjah Auto Show display. Of course, they did a crappy job, and I handed them a discounted Dhs 900 for it. I detailed the car by hand, including the engine, at the last minute with Dhs 200 worth of products, as no shop was ready to deliver the car on my schedule, and doing it too many days beforehand would be a waste in this dusty weather.
Just after the show, a plastic coolant pipe cracked due to age, but we taped it up and never let the car overheat thanks to the temperature gauge on the dash. We ordered the Dhs 45 replacement pipe for the 1998-2000 Z3M from the BMW dealer, only to be given a completely different rubber hose for a 2001-2002 Z3M, because the old parts have been discontinued. Using my handyman skills, I rigged a solid system using bits of the old pipe and the new hose, and expect no further problems on that front.
We also ordered a new wiper-fluid tank and a cap from BMW for Dhs 197 to replace the cracked old yellowy one (as seen at the show stand), and slapped on some Dhs 40 non-BMW wipers.
Third-party insurance on renewal in January 2008 remained Dhs 1800, as was last year, but we are not adding that in the total ownership costs. Future costs include re-upholstery for the torn leather seats and paint for some badly-peeling panels, among other things. We already have a new set of imported aftermarket Umnitza “angel-eye” headlights sitting since October 2008, ready for installation.
Also needed is some racing-quality gearbox fluid. We looked for enthusiast-recommended Red Line gearbox fluid, but the local dealer for that is Gulf Sport Racing, who are useless at stocking the stuff and are busy taking part in Autodrome races that no one watches. After chasing them for six months, we will look at other brands of fluid.
In short, I still consider BMW to be the best driver’s cars in the world. But to own one, you have to be either (A) a hands-on enthusiast who knows what he is doing, or (B) a badge-snob with pockets loaded with money so you can donate to the dealer. I knew what I was getting into, so I can’t say I can complain, although certain things are still making me whine. In the end of it all, I can still say I am an M owner. After all, Porsche owners have it worse when it comes to costs.
Original Mileage When Bought: 113,000 km
Latest Mileage To Date: 116,500 km
Latest Average Fuel Economy: n/a
Cost of Latest Problems: Dhs 2042
Cost of Latest Maintenance: Dhs 550Total Non-Fuel Running Cost Since Bought:: Dhs 2592
Comments
rlasrado
Icecream in the desert!!! No ways. Mashy i think you’ve picked up a lemon albeit a red colour lemon
Been driving beemers right from the E36, E46 and now my roomy has carried on the legacy with his 330i 2006 with an upgrade to a 335i coupe shortly and we would swear by it.
Bit shocked by your maintenance cost in Dubai. Thght you guys in Dubai have specialist Beemer garages (other than the authorised dealers). I woudn’t trust any common garage guy with my baby. U surely need to find a specialist else your repair cost will shoot the roof with ignorant mechanics. A specialist garage would have a BMW diagnostic computer but more importantly the guys would be familiar with the car. Bahrain has two BMW specialist mechanics and I’ve just found one in Qatar. No procedure in a beemer is simple – even changing brake pads involves changing the pads, calipers and sensor. There is a whole kit.
Put in some Mobil 1 synthetic oil and make ur 6 cylinder inline sing like Michael Jackson with his hand on his crotch. And please please change the oil every 3 months methodically – comeon mashy i do know u know something about cars – u behaving like my wife (waiting for the warning indicator lights to come on before servicing) 😆 Just kiddin. Luv ya.
rlasrado
Icecream in the desert!!! No ways. Mashy i think you’ve picked up a lemon albeit a red colour lemon
Been driving beemers right from the E36, E46 and now my roomy has carried on the legacy with his 330i 2006 with an upgrade to a 335i coupe shortly and we would swear by it.
Bit shocked by your maintenance cost in Dubai. Thght you guys in Dubai have specialist Beemer garages (other than the authorised dealers). I woudn’t trust any common garage guy with my baby. U surely need to find a specialist else your repair cost will shoot the roof with ignorant mechanics. A specialist garage would have a BMW diagnostic computer but more importantly the guys would be familiar with the car. Bahrain has two BMW specialist mechanics and I’ve just found one in Qatar. No procedure in a beemer is simple – even changing brake pads involves changing the pads, calipers and sensor. There is a whole kit.
Put in some Mobil 1 synthetic oil and make ur 6 cylinder inline sing like Michael Jackson with his hand on his crotch. And please please change the oil every 3 months methodically – comeon mashy i do know u know something about cars – u behaving like my wife (waiting for the warning indicator lights to come on before servicing) 😆 luv ya mashy
caYAnidE
Mash… what do u mean by Porsche owners have it worse are they more unreliable than BMW i don’t think so..shed some light on it…Ur M may be faster in a straight line but round a lap porsche will be faster and better to drive also than M roadster…and mercs are also not bad in driving either still saying BMW is the best drivers car …hmmm its a big claim..i think so… 🙂
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Means Porsches cost even more to maintain. And yes, BMWs drive better than Mercs.
Vikas B
Great report, you detailed everything well and also let us know ways to get around those expensive repairs at the dealer!
And FYI…you do have a fantrail in the US as well. Being a former Dubai (Karama shopping center resident) I let my friends here know about your blog as well.
Having been in Dubai three weeks ago, I discovered where one of your cars was parked and had a smile on my face. Back in the US now, I read your blog almost on a daily basis
Dr. Diego "The Dodo" Martins
According to wikipedia, the 1998 M Coupe is 3 seconds faster than the newer Cayman S on the Nurburgring.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Hehe, Vikas. Well, the rent’s cheap. Makes it easier to afford 3 cars. They take a beating in the parking lot though.
BJD(Boris)
Well, vikas, most of DA’s web traffic is from US.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
No, Boris. That Alexa thing (which I assume you saw) is inaccurate as their users are mostly in USA anyway. More than 40% is from the UAE. A further 15% is from the GCC, according to my Google Analytics monitoring. About 10% is US.
CayaNIde
Ok Mash E63 AMG or BMW M5 which One will u go for
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
That’s too easy. Guess.
Vikas B
I agree Mash. Parking has been getting more and more difficult to find. Easier taking a cab out of you want to go out later in the evening!
Keep the blog rolling 🙂
spyke
BMW all the way!!
B.Bader
I think Mashfique is not right about BMW’s reliability. After all what can he expect from a nearly 10 year old car. There are so many vehicles at that age already out of order. Does he really believe that car is 116,500 km, a lot of people make this millage for only 2-3 years ownership. In addition, it’s not difficult to guess how this Z3M was driven by previous owners, probably everyone of them was pushing this car to the limit. Mashfique has to be thankful that this car is still moving.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Ehh, look up BMW shift pin service, VANOS failure, BMW subframe failure, BMW lifetime transmission fluid, etc, etc. All these problems haven’t hit me yet, but none of the above problems in the article have anything to do with abusive driving.
By the way, I did not mention my BMW as being unreliable. There are worse cars out there, and I bought my cars based on at least some faith (and research) that I will never be stranded.
rlasrado
Mashy you’ve blocked my comments!!!!!!!!!!
rlasrado
Icecream in the desert!!! No ways. Mashy i think you’ve picked up a lemon albeit a red colour lemon
Been driving beemers right from the E36, E46 and now my roomy has carried on the legacy with his 330i 2006 with an upgrade to a 335i coupe shortly and we would swear by it.
Bit shocked by your maintenance cost in Dubai. Thght you guys in Dubai have specialist Beemer garages (other than the authorised dealers). I woudn’t trust any common garage guy with my baby. U surely need to find a specialist else your repair cost will shoot the roof with ignorant mechanics. A specialist garage would have a BMW diagnostic computer but more importantly the guys would be familiar with the car. Bahrain has two BMW specialist mechanics and I’ve just found one in Qatar. No procedure in a beemer is simple – even changing brake pads involves changing the pads, calipers and sensor. There is a whole kit.
Put in some Mobil 1 synthetic oil and make ur 6 cylinder inline sing like Michael Jackson with his hand on his crotch. And please please change the oil every 3 months methodically – comeon mashy i do know u know something about cars – u behaving like my wife (waiting for the warning indicator lights to come on before servicing)
rlasrado
Mashy why is your site not allowing me to post? Is there a character limitation?
Anyways the comment posting is working like your beemer 😆 Let me know what m i doing wrong.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I dunno what you did wrong. But yeah, if I spent 600 bucks on synthetic oil, it damn well should last longer than 3 months. That is the point of synthetic oil. Also, to legally swear by your E36, you still have to be currently owning it to prove its long-term reliability.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Hehe, ok. Your comments were so long it went into the spam folder automatically. I restored the non-duplicate comments. Sorry, man.
By the way, these old Z3s are specifically more reliable than the newer 3-Series in the LONG run due to their relative simplicity. But I haven’t handed the car to any random garage yet, as it is not due for any major service yet. I supervised the gearbox shift-pin at the crappy garage because not even the dealer would bother taking that simple but tedious job.
Anyway, I do not intend to sell the car for a very long time. An M is an M. If I owned a Ferrari, I’d post a similar story, only longer.
rlasrado
Mashy! its now got posted 3 times!!!Woah!!Better delete the extra postings.
AED 500 for Mobil 1 oil!!! Mashy u really have it bad there. I used to pick it up for QR 130 for the 4 liter can or as a replacement the Castrol GTX Magnatec (QR 60/4 liters) is pretty good.With about 6-7 liters required for the 6 cylinder inline.BMW oil filter for around QR35 and rest cheap labour by Mr.Ibrahim in Bahrain (Ex-Euro Motors).Brilliant service.
Correct me if i’m wrong but isn’t the Z3 assembled in the US of A. THAT EXPLAINS EVERYTHING. Don’t have to explain the problems that an American assembled car would have – that too after 9 years.There might surely be a burger under one of the panels 😆
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
That gearbox problem was there with EVERY 6-cylinder manual BMW of that era. So is that “lifetime” fluid and that stupid oil indicator. I was harping more about BMW’s maintenance bullcrap than about actual reliability. By the way, that 500 price was for Castrol Edge, the only recommended oil for an M engine.
xander
well the best way of making money is by dedicated after service. i’ve heard some owners of BMW X5 having problems with their ac & repair that the dealer was asking AED 12000 as repair charges & the ac unit to be imported exclusively from Germany.
Pankaj
Mashfique, valuable comments (maybe for some) on your Z3M but I dont really know what do you expect of a car which has done milage equivalent to going to the moon and back. Also the gear shift-pin problem that you spoke about maybe because someone prior to you might have abused the car royally. Your comments on Z3 M are alright but very sorry to see your comments paintaing a black picture for beemers on an overall basis. It would be really nice to know what do you think about the drive, engine response and other such aspects rather than how much painful is it to maintain an old beemer. I am sure everyone knows BMW is a driver’s car and sometimes you have to give a arm and a leg to maintain it such European beauties.
I own a 330i (2007) and the only complain I have with its 6 pot is serious lack of mid-range kick, which even if you decide to bring life into it at a higher gear (at high speed) by putting it in ‘S’ mode you need a fortnight to overtake a faster moving car.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
As I said before, the shift-pin problem affected ALL manual 6-cylinder BMWs before 2003. It was a known problem.
Murf
i dunno y some ppl thinking this is some kind of negative review about the beamer..blaming the model make for its problems..im pretty sure people buy an old sports car coz its more AFFORDABLE and not buy a brand new yaris instead. Of course there’s wear and tear and for the last time, THE GEAR PROBLEM WAS A COMMON PROBLEM on ALL MANUAL BMWs that time. I think 700 dirhams is pretty cheap to fix it, that’s what, maybe one service of a brand new beamer?
rlasrado
Mashy i’ve found out the price of Castrol Edge out here. The 4 litre can cost QR 60 (AED 60).It is available at all Waqod petrol stations in Qatar.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Either that is fake or there is a big scam being played out in the UAE.
Rajo
MADE IN INDIAAAAAA
Gladiator
Why do Mash intend to park all his cars together, does he like to show off or what? 😆 ….
aldrin
if u selling this car pls let me know
Barak
Does any one know of a good garage in sharjah that deals with BM’s. I have a 2009 Z3 coupe ready for a service.
thanks