2011 BMW M3

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Rod bearing wear All years

  What to check: Ask for proof the rod bearings were replaced. Listen for knocking from the bottom of the engine, and ask for an oil analysis.

  Euro Premium Parts dates the wear to about 60,000 to 100,000 miles. In an owner forum thread, one owner of a 2011 coupe found metal in the oil filter at 78,000 miles and changed the bearings, one with a 2013 coupe found them looking worn at 30,000, and a third changed them with the engine out. In another thread, one owner changed them at 25,000 miles and one tracked their wear with oil analysis.

  Sources ^7,10,11

• Throttle actuators All years

  What to check: Ask for a scan for fault codes on the throttle bodies, and watch for a check engine light or limp mode.

  Euro Premium Parts says a failed actuator puts the car in limp mode, at about 40,000 to 80,000 miles. In an owner forum thread, a 2013 convertible owner replaced them as a precaution and found the old ones looked like new.

  Sources ^7,10

• VANOS solenoids All years One source so far

  What to check: Listen for a rough idle and feel for lost power, and ask for a fault code scan.

  Euro Premium Parts says worn or clogged solenoids cause these, at about 50,000 to 90,000 miles, and cleaning or replacing them usually fixes it.

  Sources ⁷

• Cooling system parts All years

  What to check: Ask when the water pump, thermostat and expansion tank were replaced.

  Euro Premium Parts advises replacing all three as a kit at about 80,000 to 100,000 miles, as the plastic parts age. In an owner forum thread, a 2013 convertible owner replaced a thermostat that was not opening.

  Sources ^7,10

• Worn bushings and subframe mounts All years One source so far

  What to check: Feel for vague steering and clunks, check the rear trailing arms for play, and look at the rear subframe mounts for reinforcement plates or repairs, above all on a tracked car.

  Euro Premium Parts lists the front control arm bushings at about 40,000 to 70,000 miles, the rear trailing arm and differential mount bushings, and subframe cracks on tracked cars.

  Sources ⁷

• DCT control unit All years One source so far

  What to check: Try every gear and launch control, and ask for a scan for clutch or gear selection faults.

  Sources ⁷

• Instrument and stability control faults All years One source so far

  What to check: Look for dead pixels in the instrument cluster, and ask for a full scan for steering angle sensor and stability control faults.

  Euro Premium Parts says those faults are usually from corroded connectors.

  Sources ⁷

Recalls

• 16V071000 2008–2013

  The driver's airbag inflator can build too much pressure and burst when it goes off, throwing metal fragments.^12,13,14

• 17V676000 2008–2011

  Wiring and connectors for the heating and air conditioning blower can overheat and melt, with a risk of fire.^12,13

• 19V472000 2008–2011

  The positive battery cable's connection at the fuse box can wear, cutting power now and then and possibly stalling the engine.^12,13

• 20V017000 2008–2013

  The driver's airbag inflator, made without a drying agent, can explode after years of heat and humidity, throwing metal fragments.^12,13,14

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: The six-speed manual All years One source so far

  Euro Premium Parts says purists prefer the manual and that it is simpler to keep, while the DCT shifts faster but brings worries about its control unit as it ages.⁷

• Avoid: A high-mileage car with no rod bearing records All years Less sought after

  Euro Premium Parts advises caution with any car over 80,000 miles that cannot show the rod bearings were replaced. In two owner forum threads on the bearings, four owners report replacing theirs, one after a pre-purchase check found metal in the oil filter, and no owner posting reports a bearing failure of their own.^7,10,11

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.