E46 M3

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Discussion

bigweb

Original Poster:

827 posts

230 months

Sunday 17th June 2012
quotequote all
After finding out that I couldn't insure a Porsche 911 without a massive hike in my insurance policy I decided to look for an E46 M3.

I had my perfect spec in mind and spent a couple of months looking around. Pretty much every car was an absolute dog in my budget. (Around £9K)

You can pick up one of these cars for any where upwards of £6k now which means that lots of them have fallen into the hands of people who can afford to buy them but not run them properly.

After looking at numerous cars both dealer and private I decided that I wasnt going to find one in my desired spec so decided that I just wanted to find a nice manual one.

I bought this one as it had had around £2k spent on it in the last 6 months all at main dealer including:
Rear Pads and Discs
Front Pads
Rear Subframe Checked
2 New Rear Tyres (Conti's)
Oil Service
2 new Rear Springs
Wheels Refurbed in the correct Chrome.

They guy who I bought it from had just had it machine polished and detailed.

Here are some pics. Its an 03 plate done 83K with full service history.







There are a couple of things I need to get done on it.
I need to find some side repeaters as the current ones are yellowy/misty. Also Need to sort out some way of getting my music on it as although it has Harman Kardon It wont play Mp3's

The Wheels are a pain in the ass. They look awsome but even though they were refurbed only 6 months ago the laquer is peeling near the centres of 2 of them.
Not sure what I want to do with them as for the price of proper refurbs I could have a set of good quality CSL Reps.
Lots of these cars have been modified badly so just not sure I want to mod such a nice standard example.
I was going to look for a Red Leather interior but I have warmed to the Blue now I think. It needs feeding and a bit of dye I think on the Drivers side base bolster.
The car is standard apart from an AC Schnitzer short shift kit. This makes it easier to change gear quickly when hammering it but it is a pain in the ass in traffic when the car is cold.
The car is wonderful to drive. The engine is a master piece. I love the noise of it when above 4k and it is remarkably refined on the journey to work.

I've had lots of BMW's and this is my favourite. Its probably no faster than my 335i but the noise makes me feel like I am about to break to sound barrier.

What you guys think?

bigweb

Original Poster:

827 posts

230 months

Sunday 17th June 2012
quotequote all
Paz565 said:
The blue interior is amazing smile never seen one like it!

If the wheels are in nice nick but peeling, how about a colour change? I pass a silver M3 most days with black wheels as I guess his wheels did the same? How about a high metallic smokey grey? I think the black is maybe a little too popular now and it's a shame as i think in black, it would hide a nice wheel design smile
Not sure what to do about the wheels. Might bite the bullet for a set of CSL's

bigweb

Original Poster:

827 posts

230 months

Tuesday 19th June 2012
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CraigMST said:
An E46 has appeared on my daily drive, not sure if it is you.
Do you live by a Texaco garage?
I drive past one on edge lane most mornings.