The e46 M3 thread

[Faymester]

I'm shopping for one (or maybe more appropriately, shortly I'm going to give my requirements to some1 so they can find the car for me) & I was just wondering CLs experiences with this particular car.

Who had one? Do you still have it? What did you like/love? What did you hate? Anything important I should know?

Note: I would like to keep this keep this on specifically the e46 m3 because I'm not really considering some of the other closer substitutes.

[Stokdgs]

Been around alot of them but didnt own that model.
Have also been toying with the idea of buying one too.
Things to look for:
1. Papertrail that shows the 1200 mile break-in service was done; change oil, transmission fluid, differential fluid.
2. If possible, insure break-in speed was adhered to before the 1200 mile change.
3. Insure that only BMWCastrol 10w-60 oil was used for every oil change and that they were frequent. This oil is made in Europe and used to cost me up to $19.00/liter and you need 7 liters each oil change..
4. Insure that all other required maintenance was done on schedule - brake fluid, anti-freeze, etc., changed per schedule.
5. If all service was done at Dealer, arrange to get a print out of this, as it can be traced through the Keyfob at any Dealer, and the maintenance history pulled up on their computer and printed out for you.
6. Any modifications done, you would want to see all paperwork.
Did you want a 6-speed or SMG?? I would always take the manual tranny over the SMG, but that is just me.
7. For a few years after the introduction of that beautiful S54 Inline 6, there were factory problems with bad rod bearings, and the factory replaced alot of blown engines and tried to replace all the rest of these engine's rod bearings. Make sure you know where this particular engine stands on this issue. I heard different versions of this story, and it seems that those that were rev'd to the redline alot had the problems the most, while those that didnt rev to 8000 rpm didnt have the issue. You really want to know the history of these internal parts - the factory fixed and guaranteed them for I believe 6 years or 100k miles,, something like that..
Do you want Nav ? It is a great feature if you learn to use it.
What about Satellite Radio, Bluetooth for your cellphone, etc., and MP3/Ipod connection, all working through the steering wheel controls..
Needs to have as new a tires as you can get - if it has the 19" wheels, the ride will definitely be harder depending on the surfaces you travel on..
8. Harmon Kardon stereo is NOT going to sound like a Lexus stereo.. You can, however, modify it to sound better, and there is a company in the Roundel Magazine that sells direct replacement speakers that help alot.. I found this same stereo in several other bimmers to be "ok" to listen to, but if you really value the quality of your music, then you want to listen to a few of them before you get your expectations set..

If you want to look at the BMWCCA website under "Member" tab, see if you can get into the classified ads there. as one place to find really nice ones.
Try www.bmwcca.org

Or here in Bellevue, WA.,here is a nice one -- http://www.parkplaceltd.com/inventor...rent=1&size=50

Another place to look for them is www.Roadfly.com. Used to have alot of them, but after the economy started tanking, there are less and less of them for sale. Looks like people are pulling back on selling the E46 and getting a new M3 V8 for now..

There is also Craigslist, but you really have to be careful there too..

Let me know if you want me to look at any down here for you, or do any research through the BMWCCA website.. Been a member since year 2000..

Any E46 with the Sport Pkg is an awesome driving car that you can drive for hours and not get tired. Their Sport Seats are the best. I once drove a new 2001 E46 3 series 1400 miles straight through, before I stopped to get some rest and I wasnt even tired.

They dont call them "The Ultimate Driving Machine" for nothing !

Good luck with your search !
DanF

[bitkahuna]

spoke to someone with one the other day. he got it with 55k mi. on it. shortly after purchase he had to replace the clutch and brakes. i guess the car was taken to the track.

other than that he said the car is awesome. sure looked it!

[Faymester]

I've decided on the 6-speed coupe. I have a guy that will track down the car for me, where he will get it from = who knows but he will get all/any records available.

Good to know about the Harman Kardon as I do value good sound. Might be an after market consideration later; I'm a huge B&O and Focal fan.

I don't care about the Satellite Radio, Bluetooth or MP3/Ipod connection. I'm iPod free & generally prefer CDs still but I might consider wiring the car for my phone later on providing the car is everything I expect it to be (I refuse to wear the Bluetooth ear piece)

Question on the Sport Package: are the sport seats the fully electronic adjustable w. adjustable bolstering ones? I want my seats to hug me and being 5'10" @ ~125lbs I need to be able to adjust (my car can love me back lol) - just want to make sure I 'order' the correct seats. Also, does anyone know what else is in the Sport Pkg?

I am aware of the engine issue, so I'm only considering cars newer than 2004 that have had the warranty work already done.

[92 SC400]

Rod bearing recall was for MY 2002-2003.5; starting with 10/02 production dates IIRC. Make sure the car has had Inspections I and II and you can verify this via service history records. Also, look for subframe issues (cracking/tearing), and later model cars seemed to have more VANOS failure issues. Those are the major things I'd watch out for.

You should check out m3post or e46fanatics and there is a plethora of information there. Google "Mad Russian M3" and you'll find a great site that is also very informative.

I did lots of research and shopped for one of these for a long, long time (over 8 months) and never really found the "right" one.

You might try to get your hands on a 2006 lease return as I am sure those that were leased are starting to be returned and you could probably get it under a CPO warranty with some residual left on the original. It's a great car on paper IMO and even better when you're behind the wheel of one!

[I8ABMR]

good luck with the purchase. I wonder if the dealers are still tacking on extra on top of the sticker

[Stokdgs]

Good to hear you want a 6 speed. Good to find out if the clutch, flywheel pressure plate and throw out bearing have been replaced, etc.. Good drivers can go way longer with the original one than people who dont know how to do it and abuse it racing, etc..
These transmissions will never be good at doing a 1st to 2nd powershift, and will grind into 2nd if this has been done alot, because it hurts the 2nd gear synchronizer.. If the tranny has been changed with something like Redline MTL, it will be in better shape most of the time..
Yeah, if you are used to Bang and Olufsen, etc., then Harmon Kardon will probably be hard on your ears. See if you can find one close by, and give it a listen, so you are not too disappointed, etc..
The Sport Seats are very good at holding you in, and the only other adjustment is the thigh bolster which really helps on long drives. I cant remember how many adjustments they do, but they are pretty adjustable in all directions. I dont know anyone except really tall over 6.5" or so, that would have problems cause they cant get the seat back far enough. Everyone has a different shape length, torso and leg length, but I have never heard anyone in your height/weight have a problem..
Regarding Bluetooth, I will check with some older factory brochures, and tell you exactly what is there, and believe at some point they went to hands free bluetooth, so you dont have to wear anything and the phone links up without any intervention - let me check that out later today and will get back to you.
And has been said, any higher mileage cars will probably need brakes, clutch, etc., unless it has already been done.. And repeating, the oil change frequency is important and using the correct oil very important as well.. It should only be the BMW/Castrol european 10w/60 which is available from the Dealer and sometimes you can find it on Ebay.. Liter bottles, way higher price than normal synthetic, but worth it.
And you many start searching for CPO versions too, as they will have to be re-certified, and will come with the remaining factory warranty, etc..
Good luck with this, sounds like fun!! Did you look at the one here in Bellevue ?? It sure looks nice !! I have to stay away from there, cause if I get around it, I might have to buy it!
I know, I need therapy..
DanF

[kt22cliff]

Some incorrect informations.....

Originally Posted by Stokdgs

Been around alot of them but didnt own that model.
Have also been toying with the idea of buying one too.
Things to look for:

2. If possible, insure break-in speed was adhered to before the 1200 mile change.

There is no way you can "insure" this. Dealer can't tell whether engine was reved past 5500rpm during breakin period or not and the seller of course won't say it if he/she did over-rev not to mention that seller might not even be the first owner where he/she can't tell one way or the other.

3. Insure that only BMWCastrol 10w-60 oil was used for every oil change and that they were frequent. This oil is made in Europe and used to cost me up to $19.00/liter and you need 7 liters each oil change..

It's $10-$11 per liter at the stealers before BMWCCA discount and you need 6 liters - more likely slightly less than 6 liters as you will never get all the oil out - not 7. If you overfill it - and 7 would be way beyond overfilling - you will have big problems.

6. Any modifications done, you would want to see all paperwork.

Similar to over-revving, hard to check the fact and confirm. Alot of owners will take off the modified parts put the stock parts back on and sell the mods separate.

Any E46 with the Sport Pkg is an awesome driving car that you can drive for hours and not get tired. Their Sport Seats are the best. I once drove a new 2001 E46 3 series 1400 miles straight through, before I stopped to get some rest and I wasnt even tired.

There is no "sports package" for M3. You can however get seats with power adjustable seats with or without lumbar support. And you had to stop for gas during that 1400mile trip......

[rominl]

Originally Posted by I8ABMR

good luck with the purchase. I wonder if the dealers are still tacking on extra on top of the sticker

you obviously have no idea on bmw model generations...

[92 SC400]

^^^ haha I didn't want to be the a'hole to point that out but I'm glad someone did! Obviously, he didn't read prior posts before posting either.

Also a "point" mentioned above about the engine being revved too high causing engine failure. I am pretty sure that it doesn't have a whole lot to do with the engine being revved too high it's mostly due to faulty parts which led BMW to the rod bearing recall.

[rominl]

Originally Posted by 92 SC400

^^^ haha I didn't want to be the a'hole to point that out but I'm glad someone did! Obviously, he didn't read prior posts before posting either.

Also a "point" mentioned above about the engine being revved too high causing engine failure. I am pretty sure that it doesn't have a whole lot to do with the engine being revved too high it's mostly due to faulty parts which led BMW to the rod bearing recall.

yeah i also think it's very hard to find a "good" e46 m3 on the drive trains. i looked at a few before, they are really so-so. back in 2004 when i was shopping for e46 m3 it was a lot different, but now over the years, prices of m3 have dropped a lot and unfortunately the group of owners on the e46 m3 have gotten younger and younger, which might not be a good sign

i have seen quite a few e46 driven very "incorrectly", specially on stick shifts. when i see those people driving the car, i wanted to ask them if they knew what they were doing...

[bagwell]

I'd pay extra to find a BMW-certified car.

6-speed

19's

[DASHOCKER]

LOL at this thread. Fay is looking BMW is looking for an E46 M3? Say it ain't so

If you can get past the engines blowing up & electrical fires, I would look into an 04-06 M3 or the good ol' Lexus IS300 stick if all else fails..

[rominl]

the is300 stick is very SLOW....... ok, let's stay on topic, e46 m3

[Coco-bun]

sweet thread!! subscribed!!
I always wanted one too, preferablly with the Comp pkg.