My day breaking an M3 CS

My day breaking an M3 CS

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jh1806

Original Poster:

6 posts

133 months

Wednesday 26th November 2014
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After 171k miles, my M3 CS developed an engine fault (rocker arm failure) and it was time to say goodbye. It had been a very enjoyable 4.5-year relationship, with time spent at various racetracks, the Nurburgring (lap videos here https://www.youtube.com/user/jh1806/videos), speeds north of 155 and even more time spent at high RPM.

I've been an owner of an E46 M3 in different guises for around 7 years now so feel free to ask questions about anything on the car. I've dealt with a lot of stuff in my time - programming electronics, retrofitting systems (I was the creator of the almost-gone-viral "CS Cruise Control Mod", http://www.m3torque.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1827), loads of home servicing, SMG stuff. Please just fire away.

http://imgur.com/a/POR4B here are the pictures of the breaking, with an M3 in various states of undress.

Some points of note:

  • Wheel arch rust on the E46 is awful
  • Rusting/corroding of the wing mirror mounts on the E46 is absolutely appalling and I can't believe it isn't covered under the body warranty
  • Your E46 likely has rust under trim panels. More than you could ever imagine
  • My car had zero subframe cracks, despite 171k miles and an extremely hard life
  • German engineering is wonderful
Lastly, my chassis was sold and who knows what will happen to it.

For all you record keepers out there, the identifiers for my CS are PP87870 and OY55 WCG (OY55WCG).

Edited by jh1806 on Monday 8th December 08:35

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Hi J. I recognise the location and the car. A certain ex-M5 owner might have told me a few bits about the breaking of your car too. Out of interest, what did you replace the CS with?

jh1806

Original Poster:

6 posts

133 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
quotequote all
bennyboysvuk said:
Hi J. I recognise the location and the car. A certain ex-M5 owner might have told me a few bits about the breaking of your car too. Out of interest, what did you replace the CS with?
He had a hand in the whole affair smile

I've replaced it with a MY15 GT86, I took delivery of it on Monday. It's extremely good.

jon-

16,496 posts

215 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Best "m3 parts for sale" thread ever wink

Totally with you on the trim and arch rust, very poor quality.

rusticm3

68 posts

115 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Do the cs's have the quicker steering rack like the csls? could be interested

Cemesis

771 posts

161 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Not much left now. Wheels, rack, engine and interior gone. The CS wheel is on ebay with some minor bits left.

It is not acceptable that BMW charge so much when their rust protection is so poor. I'm not sure any manufacturer is actually worse anymore.

161BMW

1,697 posts

164 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Can't believe they rust ?

161BMW

1,697 posts

164 months

Thursday 27th November 2014
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Can't believe they rust ?

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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jh1806 said:
He had a hand in the whole affair smile

I've replaced it with a MY15 GT86, I took delivery of it on Monday. It's extremely good.
Awesome, that was on my shortlist too, but I needed more practicality, hence an M135i. I sat in the GT86 at Goodwood last year and love how right it feels from the driving seat.

I was amazed at how bad the rust was on your M3. Did it live by the sea in a former life? wink

jh1806

Original Poster:

6 posts

133 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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bennyboysvuk said:
Did it live by the sea in a former life? wink
It wasn't actually *that* bad until I left it to sit for 3 months, before breaking it. Cars really don't like setting still frown

ToonShark

50 posts

113 months

Friday 28th November 2014
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Don't still have the CS rear spoiler by chance ????

AndyHyde

1 posts

109 months

Tuesday 17th February 2015
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On the very small off chase ... Is the CSL bumper still available? If so, let me know and I'll buy immediately. Thanks.