Recalls: BMW E93 M3 Convertible
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW E93 M3 Convertible
2008-11 BMW E93 M3 Convertible: won’t unlock/start, may shut down due to electrical failure
In February 2013, a recall was issued for BMW E93 M3 Convertibles that were available for sale prior to 28 February 2011. In these vehicles, the plug-in contact of the battery-positive cable on the front power distributor (fitted behind the glove compartment) could be damaged by vehicle vibrations, impairing power supply to the vehicle. As a result, the door locks may not open and it may not be possible to start the vehicle. Furthermore, if the engine were to stall, power steering assistance may be lost and the electrical system may fail – such a situation would be apparent from the flickering of the instrument panel and power loss from the engine (PRA 2013/13476).
2008-11 BMW E93 M3 Convertible: won’t unlock/start, may shut down due to electrical failure
In June 2018, a recall (campaign number 00 61 7704 00) was issued for BMW E93 M3 Convertibles that were available for sale prior to 31 October 2011. Due to a possible electrical connection failure to the car’s main battery power cable (where it connected to the fuse box), the car may lose power to several electrical systems within the vehicle. If this electrical fault occurred, it may not be possible to unlock or start the vehicle; in some cases, there may be a total electrical failure that causes the vehicle to shut down while it is being driven – this would pose a collision hazard. Prior to the electrical failure occurring, the driver may notice the dashboard icons flickering. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16803.
2008-11 BMW E93 M3 Convertible: wiring and fan resistor could short circuit
In June 2018, a recall (campaign number 00 61 6604 00) was issued for BMW E93 M3 Convertibles that were available for sale prior to 1 July 2011. In these vehicles, the electrical wiring and fan resistor for the interior fan blower motor could deteriorate over time – this could cause a short circuit, overheating or melting at the plug-in contact at the fan resistor and, ultimately, a fire. For the VINs of the recalled vehicles, please see PRA 2018/16813.
Problems and faults: BMW F93 M3 Convertible
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
S65 engine: connecting rod bearing wear
The connecting rod bearing clearance to journal ratio for S65 engines produced from 2007 to October 2008 (with 088/089 bearings) is less than is generally recommended by engine builders. This lack of clearance causes inadequate oil lubrication between the crank journal and the connecting rod bearings, resulting in premature wear of the rod bearings. For the 702/703 bearings that were subsequently introduced, bearing eccentricity was increased for greater clearance. After initially specifying 10W60 engine oil, BMW permitted the use of thinner LL-01 approved 0W40, 5W30 and 5W40 oils.
For a detailed discussion of the connecting rod bearing clearance and rod side clearance design attributes, please see http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=892838.
S65 engine: connecting rod side clearance
The S65B40 engine has very little clearance for the sides of the connecting rods and insufficient clearance can prevent oil escaping from that area. As a result extra heat is generated by the friction of the connecting rods colliding against each other. As the engine heats up, the rods will swell and the crankshaft will shrink. Connecting rod side clearance is reduced even further and the connecting rods will start riding against the crankshaft journal fillet. The fillet can be worn down and damaged by this process, and the metal shavings it produces will damage the connecting rod bearings and other engine parts.
S65 engine: throttle body actuator failure
For theS65B40 engine, there are two throttle body actuators (part no. 13627838085, one per cylinder bank) that are susceptible to failure. Failure of the throttle body actuator causes the vehicle to enter ‘limp home’ mode and may issue code 2B21 (among others). Throttle body actuator failures have been reported from 50,000 kilometres.
The gears within the actuators are made from plastic and wear over time, causing uneven mesh and increased resistance to motion. As a result, the control board applies additional current to the motor to overcome the resistance. The circuit control board, however, does not have over-current protection so that the driver MOSFETs fail due to source-to-drain shoot-through; this may also cause the gate lead to fail. This, in turn, damages the gate driver circuitry and renders the circuit board inoperable. Since some MOSFET failures do not take out the gate driver, replacing the MOSFETs alone may repair the circuit board.
It is understood that aftermarket suppliers are producing brass gears to retrofit to the actuators.
E93 M3: electric fuel pump
In May 2008, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B12 12 14 08 for BMW E93 M3 Convertibles that were manufactured prior to 29 April 2008. In these vehicles, the ‘Service Engine Soon’ lamp may illuminate and the following fault codes may be logged –
- FC 2786: Fuel Pressure Sensor, plausibility, sensor value too low;
- FC 2787: Fuel Pressure Regulation, plausibility, pressure too low; and,
- FC 2788: Fuel Pressure, plausibility, pressure too low.
According to the service bulletin, this condition was caused by a hardware error in the EKP (the control unit for the electric fuel pump). If only EKP-related fault codes were logged in the DME and an exact determination could not be made, the EKP control unit for the electric fuel pump was to be replaced. Where other fault codes were present, however, additional diagnosis was required.
E93 M3: rear differential grinding noise
In January 2009, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B33 01 02 for E93 M3 Convertibles. In these vehicles, a grinding noise may be heard from the rear differential during slow cornering; the noise was most prevalent during turning manoeuvres with a high degree of lock such as parallel parking or tight circles.
When cornering, a ‘slip stick’ effect was created on the lining and steel discs incorporated in the differential locking clutch, thereby causing the grinding noise. The noise typically dissipated as the locking clutch discs in the differential were ‘broken in’. The break-in time, however, varied according to driving habits.
For the E46 M3, E90/E92/E93 M3, E60 M5 and E63/E64 M6, a specially formulated differential oil (part number 83 22 2 282 583) was recommended.
Problems and faults: BMW E93 M3 Convertible
- If the air conditioning begins to blow warm after driving for about an hour, there may be an air leak near the evaporator sensor. If the air conditioner makes hissing noises, adding 90g more refrigerant to the system may fix the problem.
- For models fitted with rear seat air conditioning, the decorative trim on the centre console can become hot when rear heating is selected – this can cause discomfort if the driver’s knee contacts the console.
- If the headlights vibrate while driving, an additional headlight support is required to be installed.
- Remote central locking may stop working because one of the door latches, or the gas door latch, draws too much electrical power and blows the fuse.
- For vehicles fitted with xenon lights, the power mirrors and windows may stop working if a connector behind the headlight gets wet and corrodes.
- Power steering assistance may fade due to internal wear of the power steering pump.
- The universal garage door opener may not accept a code from a different source (new transmitter or new owner) if the batteries in the transmitter are low.
