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BMW M3 M3 common faults.

2005–2008, saloon, petrol, 420 HP.

The fault list covers: S65B40 engine, GS6 transmission.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 15 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical2

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

The contacts between the wiring harness and the blower motor regulator wear against each other and corrode. The connection becomes unreliable, the connector heats up, the insulation of the harness is damaged, and that can lead to a short circuit and finally a vehicle fire.

Show the rest

The short circuit and the fire can happen while the engine is switched off, and also while the car is parked. A car standing in a garage can catch fire too.

According to the German technical press, in January 2021 around 430,000 cars in Germany and more than half a million worldwide were recalled for this, all E90/E91/E92/E93 3 Series. In the USA more than 700,000 2006 to 2011 3 Series cars had already been recalled for the same thing in autumn 2017, after claimants in three separate cases cited injuries. The maker disputed that the fault had ever caused personal injury or an accident.

The EU Safety Gate names it in two separate alerts: the 3 Series (A12/00390/21) and the X5/X6 (A12/01261/21).

The campaign is free, but only if it was carried out. On a fifteen year old car, ask about it, because nobody will offer it unprompted.

What to check

  • Ask the franchised dealer by VIN whether the blower motor connector campaign was carried out
  • Switch the blower on through every speed: a blower that hesitates or drops out at one speed can point to the connector fault
  • Smell the cabin with the blower running: burnt plastic or insulation is an immediate warning
2 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

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

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

Official recall15 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 19 March 2025

SR/01940/26Safety recallInjuries19 March 2025 · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator 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: 19/03/2025

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

09V257000AIR BAGS:FRONTALAIR BAGS:FRONTAL8 July 2009 · NHTSA (USA)

BMW IS RECALLING 2,350 MY 2008 1-SERIES AND 3- SERIES PASSENGER CARS. INCORRECT CRIMP CONNECTORS MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE SIDE AIR BAG AND BELT TENSIONER WIRING. AS A RESULT SUFFICIENT CONTACT BETWEEN THE CRIMP CONNECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING PLUG MAY NOT OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN THE ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF THAT CONNECTION.

Risk: IF THAT HAPPENED, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SIDE AIR BAG AND/OR THE SAFETY BELT TENSIONER NOT TO DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-525-7417.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

06V400000SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARMSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM18 October 2006 · NHTSA (USA)

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ONE OF THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND SWIVEL BEARING CONNECTION BOLTS WAS NOT TIGHTENED CORRECTLY. THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD LOOSEN.

Risk: THE BOLTED CONNECTION COULD BREAK WHICH COULD IMPAIR VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BOLTED CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, ADJUST THE CONNECTION. IN SOME CASES, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM AND THE SWIVEL BEARING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00039/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The connector of the positive battery cable on the front power distribution box may be damaged over the lifetime of the vehicle by vibrations and currents. This may lead to failure of the engine and of the vehicle's electrical system, including headlights and occupant protection which will increase the risk of an accident and injuries to the occupants.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/00390/21Safety recallFire, Injuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The vehicles may be affected by frictional corrosion on the connector from the wiring harness to the blower control unit. Over time, this may cause damage to the insulation of the wiring harness, which could trigger a short circuit. This could cause a vehicle fire, even when the engine is switched off.

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

We could not check this: model year. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0202/17Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The universal joint of the drive shaft might break, causing a sudden loss of propulsion.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/02830/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator 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: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/0819/19Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The connector of the positive battery cable on the front power distribution box may be damaged. This might result in a failure of the vehicle’s electrical system and engine during driving, potentially leading to an accident.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

A12/1019/18Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The plug connection for the positive battery cable may be defective. This could cause the vehicle electrics and the engine to fail while the vehicle is in motion.

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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/00583/26Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/00596/26Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver airbag inflator may malfunction due to long-term degradation. In this case, if the airbag is deployed in an accident, the internal pressure in the inflator may be too high. The inflator could burst. Metal fragments may cause injuries. 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

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

SR/00620/25Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The propellant in the inflator of the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments of the inflator 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: Unknown

We could not check this: model year. The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

S65B40

309 kW (420 HP) · petrol

GS6 · 6-speed manual, longitudinal (Getrag GS6)

manual · 6 speed

Torque limit450 Nm
MakerGetrag

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
manual
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

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