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BMW M3 M3 common faults.

2005–2008, saloon, petrol, 420 HP.

The fault list covers: S65B40 engine.

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2 fault write-ups. Both are important. 3 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

2 important faults

critical1

S65 V8: rod bearings wear early and metal particles get into the oil

critical

Wear of the rod bearings is known on this engine, and preventive bearing replacement is established maintenance. The clearance between the bearing and the crankshaft is tight from the factory. With cold, thick oil the lubrication is therefore not enough for the high revs the engine can reach, and revving it hard while cold or using oil outside the specification wears the bearing sooner. The debris appears as metal particles in the oil and in the oil filter, and travels through the whole engine from there. Owners replace the bearing shells between 80,000 and 130,000 km, depending on how hard the car is used. It has led to total engine failure on fewer than one per cent of the S65 engines sold, while the early wear is far more common. In the United States a class action was filed over the 2008 to 2013 M3, and it names the connecting rod and main bearings, the connecting rod side clearance and insufficient lubrication. One more fact belongs to the consequence. On this engine the hydraulic power steering is driven directly by the rotating assembly, so if the engine stops the power steering and the brake assistance go with it.

between 80,000 and 130,000 km

What to check

  • Listen to the engine warm and under load: a deep knocking means a bearing fault
  • At idle and at low revs listen for a clacking, knocking noise
  • Look at the oil and the oil filter: a metallic glitter is debris
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

S65 V8: rod bearing wear and throttle actuator faults

expensive

Rod bearing wear is known on this engine, and preventive bearing replacement is established maintenance. The debris shows up as metal particles in the oil.

Show the rest

The other recurring fault is the throttle actuator: the engine has two throttle bodies, one per bank, and their servo motors wear out. The engine then runs unevenly and can go into limp mode. Together these two raise the running costs.

What to check

  • Listen to the engine under load when warm: a deep knock means a bearing fault
  • Look at the condition of the oil: a metallic sheen points at wear
  • At idle, watch the engine: uneven running can point at the throttle actuator
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

BMW M3 M3

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall3 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 23 May 2022

A12/01882/23Safety recallInjuries23 May 2022 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the passenger airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 23/05/2022

The authority's notice

A12/01929/23Safety recallInjuries29 June 2021 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: 29/06/2021

The authority's notice

A12/00637/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver's airbag inflator propellant may deteriorate over time. If activated during an accident, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to burst, and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

S65B40

309 kW (420 HP) · petrol

We built the code from the model and the gear count. The factory sheet does not state it.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
M3
Body
saloon
Fuel
petrol
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
3999 cc
Power
309 kW (420 HP)
Drive
RWD
Production
2005–2008

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Engine oil and oil filter (BMW condition-based service)

    • LongLife25,000 km or 2 years

  • Spark plugs, petrol

    • 60,000 km or 6 years
All E90 versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms