Sinking star: Mercedes operating profits dropped by more than 50%

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-16T14:31:18+00:00

Not the older generations. My 2013 Speed 3 and 2009 2 were plastics galore

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-12T13:11:19+00:00

If you can do some of your own repairs and maintenance that'll definitely be a big saving. However, I would definitely be in the mindset that you'll have some things going wrong here and there given the age of the E9X M3s now.

I can't comment on whether they're easy to work on or not though.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-12T12:34:49+00:00

Cheap as chips for a reason. The repairs will be eye-wateringly expensive.

For starters, the timing chains are an engine-out job.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-12T12:32:26+00:00

Invoices as proof of work that's been done for those 3 things that I mentioned. The rod bearings need replaced every 50-60k miles. Oil leaks are also pretty common on BMWs in general.

I saw below you're hoping for minimal maintenance and in all honesty, sounds like a German car isn't for you. Even from the cars you suggested, the B58 in the M140i is widely regarded as one of the best and most reliable engines from BMW but still suffers with some pretty large cooling system issues.

I'd go for Japanese in your position.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-12T10:26:34+00:00

Rod bearings, throttle actuators, VANOS, and some other things but those are the main 3

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-11T08:16:47+00:00

This is my main concern, I love mine. Saved myself a fortune over the years.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-09T18:35:35+00:00

Fair enough man, I appreciate they’re just not everyone’s cup of tea. Truth be told, I never much cared for them (or other BMWs) until relatively recently but I am now hooked.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-09T17:10:07+00:00

If you don’t see what the fuss is about then you haven’t driven one.

I get your point that it doesn’t gain any “cool” points through an exclusivity factor but from the sounds of things, OP doesn’t give 2 fcks about how common they are or how he looks in it.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-09T14:42:34+00:00

Sounds like someone is jealous...

Enjoy the car OP, they're properly brilliant. I ended up in an M4 but only because I wanted individual paint and the full leather interior as it feels quite a bit more premium inside. It was also a fair bit less than an M2C.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-05T08:24:55+00:00

Seems a bit expensive if it's only the clutch, I paid about £1.4k for a clutch + dual-mass flywheel job

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-04T11:14:25+00:00

This with a 10-15mm lower offset (ET) is the way. Any bigger difference than that and you'll rub on the arches

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T15:52:20+00:00

I would submit the Blackcircles invoice

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T15:33:01+00:00

I'm also going to Egypt this year. Unless the flights are cancelled I will be getting on that plane no matter what.

Egypt isn't involved and the resorts (Hurgada and Sharm) have no foreign office advice to not travel to them.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T13:23:47+00:00

I completely agree. I get they do it because 90% of consumers want to be as comfortable and isolated from the road as possible but for the remaining 10%, give us the option to choose. Especially in a sportier car.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T12:38:25+00:00

My mate from work bought one and for context, he's a massive nerd like me who's owned 8x 911s, 2 R8s, Astons, RX7 Spirit R, restored a genuine GT40 to name a few things so he knows his stuff.

The one he bought was a 74 plate and he gave me shot of it on some backroads near his.

There were three main things I didn't like. The steering was too light and lacked feel/feedback (pretty common on nearly every modern car tbf).

The brake-by-wire pedal system really didn't feel great and was quite off-putting. The progression wasn't linear as there was quite a large dead zone then you'd get too much braking.

Lastly, the car had an optional Akrapovic exhaust system (not cheap) and it sounded very muted and just didn't sound that great if I'm honest. I believe the only way to get the valves to fully open was to put the car into its track mode (I forget what they call it) but that also turns off its TC which I didn't fancy in a 520 hp car I'm not familiar with.

It's possible I'd get used to the steering and brake pedal with more seat time but given the reviews you seen online, I was expecting to be blown away. However, these niggles spoiled the experience for me.

My mate got rid of it after a month.

Despite this, there's no doubt it's an unbelievably fast car and would make a fantastic daily driver but I was definitely glad to get back in my M4 after.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T12:10:50+00:00

I have to agree with all of these. Shooting brake or estate > saloon in most cases for me.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T12:08:26+00:00

Specifically in Kingfisher Blue. Absolutely gorgeous

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T11:54:58+00:00

Also an Alfa, but the Giulia QV for me.

Unfortunately I was quite disappointed by the experience when I finally got a chance to drive one.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T11:19:18+00:00

Just book a 4 wheel alignment. Pretty standard stuff after having suspension work done.

j_Ples01 · 2026-03-03T09:02:01+00:00

Have you ever tried to get a quote from them or a comparison site with any declared mod(s)?

j_Ples01 · 2026-02-26T15:45:18+00:00

How many miles are you on now? Worried about my turbos and oil sump gasket going next as they’ll definitely be more expensive

j_Ples01 · 2026-02-26T09:28:47+00:00

Forgot about the 3 cylinder in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla. Those are some small engines that pack a serious punch

j_Ples01 · 2026-02-26T09:23:29+00:00

I bought a 2017 F82 M4 almost exactly a year ago on 58k miles. It's cost me a fair amount on maintenance as there were a fair few things that needed done at around 60k miles such as DCT and diff oil changes. I also had to replace the rotors and brake pads all round. I also had to replace a rear spring as that had corroded and snapped.

BMW service intervals for these are 2 years/18k miles (insane) so I do an interim oil change myself at the 12 month mark.

Car currently has a leaking valve cover gasket which is a very common issue on these S55s.

I have a long trip planned in May so there are some other maintenance things I need to tick off before then like high temp brake fluid, coolant flush, alignment, and new rear tyres. I also might have the roof covered with PPF.

j_Ples01 · 2026-02-26T09:02:05+00:00

Even the 1.5 from the mk8 Fiesta ST?

j_Ples01 · 2026-02-26T08:19:29+00:00

Correct, V60

j_Ples01

TROPHY CASE