Which cars this covers
This guide covers the 2008 to 2013 E90, E92 and E93 M3 with the S65 V8, according to our repair pages. The chassis pages are BMW E92-M3 repair costs and BMW E90 repair costs, and the engine page is BMW S65 engine. It lists what owners have priced, and is not a failure rate.
Rod bearings
Owners usually do this preventively around 60 to 100k miles. Knocking from the bottom end means it is too late, and metal in an oil analysis is another warning. Dealers rarely do this job, so there is no dealer price in our data. Ask whether a quote includes ARP bolts, aftermarket bearings, engine mounts and an oil change; that explains most of the spread. Our data does not yet include S55 or N54 rod bearing prices. See S65 Rod Bearings (E9x M3).
M-DCT service and reseal
Cars with the 7-speed M-DCT can weep fluid from the bottom pan, side cover or mechatronics sleeve, and service is due around 50 to 60k miles. A fluid-only service is a different job from a full reseal, which needs the transmission dropped, so compare scope. See E9x M3 DCT Service & Reseal.
Power steering and other E9x items
Whining when turning and fluid on the reservoir or under the car point to the power steering hoses or pump. Leaks are often at the cooler-line O-rings or crush washers, which is a cheap fix, and if the pump grinds, check the plastic pulley (E90 Power Steering Hoses & Pump). Other E9x items that apply are the engine mounts (Engine Mounts), the front wheel bearing (Front Wheel Bearing / Hub) and the driveshaft flex disc (Driveshaft Flex Disc (Guibo)).
Before you pay
Ask for proof of the bearing service and the DCT work, look for fluid weeping at the transmission, and compare any quote with the repair pages. For the rest of the E9x range see the BMW E90 3 Series Buying Guide: What It Costs to Fix.