BGG

iTrader: (1)

Thinking about selling my car and picking up a Vortech supercharged e46 M3. It has super low miles and is in mint condition. Ive been doing a little research and apparently the M's were well built. Like any car, there are some small precautionary things to look out for, but for the most part the car is pretty solid. Anyone have any experience with BMW's? Ive always owned Euro's for the most part, but never a BMW. I love the reliability of my GS and the fact that I can do all of the work on it myself, but I am really needing some speed in my life

Thoughts? Oppositions?

jkeifer3

The M3 would be fun. Just make sure your wallet's stuffed full.

polozlx

BMW fan here. Is it an SMG car? Regardless, the cars are fantastic. E46 is my favorite of the 3 series, by far. Awesome cars but not without flaws. The VANOS can be.....aggravating. Seat motors can be prone to failure and if the A/C quits it's most likely the "hedgehog". Not a big deal to change, as long as you can bend around the seat and dash. Brakes are tip top, handling is fantastic, a properly working SMG is a dream to drive. Makes me feel like Andretti. If you are a DIY Guy, I say run it. If you pay for services, the "M" stands for multiply. They respond well to mods, the 6 cyl can handle large amounts of power. I like blowers, as I have on my Mustang, but the M's really do work well with a turbo. There's 2 right here in my small town that make over 1K to the rollers. There's my spill.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if it's smg, start having goose bumps coz' it's matter of time. if it's the 6mt, then yes the factory drivetrain is a very solid setup (i can't say much on the supercharger).

Texas Taco

Are these models notorious for subframe damage?

alSpeed2k

Fuel pump failure?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

HPFP? that's on e9x and only on the 335. m3 has (had) always been NA

Simmsled

Not M3. E46 323 and early 328 had subframe flaws.

This is a direct injection issue for the most part, that does not affect the M3 like it does with say a 335i or 135i.



The E46 M3 is not an apples to apples comparison with a 3GS. ANY 3GS is more reliable, with much lower running costs. The M3 takes a ton of specially formulated oil, the valve adjustments can get pricey as you have to complete this service every 30k miles or so.

They require a lot, they give a lot. I own an E46 ZHP 330i 6M because the M3 is more of a pain than it is worth to me. I will say... the E46 M3 is a bad *** car, and if you're up to take care of her, she will reward you. Just don't expect it to be cheap.

xMJx

iTrader: (1)

I've still got my e46 M and I still love driving it since the day I bought it 10 yrs ago. It's always a sense of occasion every time you fire up that motor. It's a completely different car than the GS but since you're looking for speed in your life, the M is a good choice. Like everything else, there's good and bad that comes with the car. The bad- cost of ownership, reliability not what your used to, firm ride for DD, and $$$$ to mod. The good- everything about how it drives, a ton of DIYs at m3forum.net and timeless looks.

Go for it! You won't regret it.

BGG

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the inputs.. The car is a 6sp that has been well taken care of. I have been reading up on the Vanos and valve adjustments. Most have stated that as long as you take care of it, things will be good. Im a DIY guy for the most part. Ive really never taken any of my cars to the dealership for anything other than recalls and warranty work. Fortunately I work at a dealership around very experienced technicians, unfortunately its Acura :/

ISFjimmy

iTrader: (5)

NSX it is then :P

Simmsled

+1

agreeeeed

rominl

iTrader: (4)

*cough* i have to agree (look at my garage)