Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

The e46 M3 thread

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 12:21 AM
  #46  
92 SC400's Avatar
92 SC400
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 5
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Faymester
Yes, after much consideration to all car options I have decided I want the E46 M3; the blowing up was an 01 - 03.5 SMG specific issue (I'm looking at 04 & newer, and not SMG so I'm in the clear on that). I've got an excellent shop and other cars I can drive, so I'm not too concerned about that either. The Rover (which everyone likes to tell me is the least reliable vehicle out there) is proving to be the most reliable thing in the stable right now (yea, it's doing better than my IS300) so when people tell me my M3 will spend a lot of time in the shop I just shrug and say I'm ok w. that.
It's not MY 2001 that is the issue, its 10/'01 build dates sold as '02s through '03.5 build dates that are the issue. Either way since you're looking for '04+ it a moot point.

Keep lookin' my co-worker found one recently and he's working out the details of buying and shipping it right now. I've started to sort of look again, albeit not too intensively, but don't see anything I like.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2009 | 03:06 PM
  #47  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Dave you have a PM
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 07:00 PM
  #48  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Ok, I'm pursuing 3 different M3s (2 that are on this side of the country and the one Dave & Mike know about) ... I'll keep everyone in the loop.

It's exciting
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 07:08 PM
  #49  
pbm317's Avatar
pbm317
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Default

Very jealous...
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 08:45 PM
  #50  
ViniZaoD's Avatar
ViniZaoD
Rookie
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: IL
Default

I was considering getting one over the IS350 a few months ago but the IS won because of better practicality. My neighbor's dad had one. Got it new in 04 and sold it half a year ago. His tranny imploded twice, once at 60K miles and again at 85K. Both times the fix cost almost $10K. I'd be careful when buying one. Just because you buy it for 20K doesn't mean it will be cheap. You're still paying maintenance on a high strung top of the line German performance sedan.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:34 PM
  #51  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

QUESTION!!!

Do Bimmers (specifically E46 M3s) down there come with DRLs?

& do the guage clusters have both english & metric on them or not?
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 10:15 PM
  #52  
pbm317's Avatar
pbm317
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 14
From: Virginia
Default

I believe the E46's have DRL's, might be a dealer programmable feature...

pic of the instrument panel
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 10:45 PM
  #53  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Originally Posted by pbm317
I believe the E46's have DRL's, might be a dealer programmable feature...

pic of the instrument panel
^SWEET! then I shouldn't have to change that ... excellent

& hopefully the DRLs will be a small deal or no deal at all ...
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 06:27 AM
  #54  
kt22cliff's Avatar
kt22cliff
Pole Position
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Default

DRL is dealer programmable. As to how much stealer will charge you to turn it off or on depends on stealer/SA. Some - if you know them etc - might do it for free specially if you are already in for other services whereas other jackasses will charge 1hr labour even though it would take no more than 20 seconds.

Originally Posted by Faymester
QUESTION!!!

Do Bimmers (specifically E46 M3s) down there come with DRLs?

& do the guage clusters have both english & metric on them or not?
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2009 | 11:35 PM
  #55  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

so, this guy ... turns out he has TWO silver on blk M3s and it's some dealership and is using the same pix for both cars ... not cool, I don't trust him now. I'm still going to follow up (mostly for comparisson & relative information at this point)


On the DRLs: I think I have a couple people that can just do it for me.

So now if the bumpers don't need anything I think I'm in the clear on required modifications
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2009 | 12:11 AM
  #56  
Amini9's Avatar
Amini9
Lexus Test Driver
CL Folding 200,000
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 0
From: San Mateo. California
Default

Originally Posted by Faymester
so, this guy ... turns out he has TWO silver on blk M3s and it's some dealership and is using the same pix for both cars ... not cool, I don't trust him now. I'm still going to follow up (mostly for comparisson & relative information at this point)


On the DRLs: I think I have a couple people that can just do it for me.

So now if the bumpers don't need anything I think I'm in the clear on required modifications
dealership..

craigslist should be your good friend though (just do BY OWNER).
competition package looks so bomb, look for one of those
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2009 | 12:16 AM
  #57  
92 SC400's Avatar
92 SC400
Lead Lap
20 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 5
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Faymester
so, this guy ... turns out he has TWO silver on blk M3s and it's some dealership and is using the same pix for both cars ... not cool, I don't trust him now. I'm still going to follow up (mostly for comparisson & relative information at this point)


On the DRLs: I think I have a couple people that can just do it for me.

So now if the bumpers don't need anything I think I'm in the clear on required modifications
That would be a decent price for a car with ZCP (Competition Package) if the car is legit and has a good service history.

The seller of the one my co-worker was looking at backed out on him so now he's back to looking again.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2009 | 09:46 AM
  #58  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

Originally Posted by 92 SC400
That would be a decent price for a car with ZCP (Competition Package) if the car is legit and has a good service history.

The seller of the one my co-worker was looking at backed out on him so now he's back to looking again.
He's welcome to that silver one; I just can't trust that guy now regardless of how good a shape it seems to be in.

At this point, the two (well, one now) on this side of the country are more for comparasson than anything.
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2009 | 10:39 AM
  #59  
Amini9's Avatar
Amini9
Lexus Test Driver
CL Folding 200,000
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,585
Likes: 0
From: San Mateo. California
Default

How low in the US are you planning to go?
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2009 | 01:49 PM
  #60  
Faymester's Avatar
Faymester
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
Default

I don't want to get too ahead of my self here but the one DaveGS4 mentioned is looking VERY good ... it's ~3000miles away
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:59 PM.