The chassis design was revised in 2014. Some Pre 2014 cars have had chassis replaced following the discovery of cracks in the upper wishbone rear attachment area, others that did not have cracks had a bolt in brace fitted as a preventative measure. Since then further cracks have been found in another position, only in pre 2014 cars, in the lower wishbone forward attachment area and these are subject to a factory repair scheme. With the modifications incorporated the pre 2014 cars should be as durable as the later post 2014 cars. You should not be put off ownership by this, all it needs it a bit of knowledge about what to look for when you are buying, as with most cars.
I think this is pretty much the definitive answer to all of this as it currently stands.
Is the M3W 'Fit for Purpose"..? Undoubtedly yes.
Would it put me off buying another..? No, I don't think it would. It galls to think that at forty odd grand I'd even have to think about it though.
The issue with public forums is the strength of feeling that lies behind the two dimensional words on the screen, something that would be obvious with the third dimension of body language and intonation at a face to face conversation.
No-one likes to read personal angry posts, though.
I have this written on a Post-it note on my laptop.. Ahem..
