E46 M3 Real World Costs?
Discussion
Have had my E46 330ci for around a year now and always wished
I had held out for an M3, but now I am in the position to own one.
Just got a few questions regarding running cost between the two, have found the 330 very cheap to run really, gets anywhere from 25-35mpg about 300-350 miles to a tank on average (roughly the same as an M3 from what I have read?). Parts haven't been to bad either. Changed the whole front brake set up for around £400 including the calipers.
I understand that tyers etc will be more expensive on the M3, and the parts will probably be slightly dearer, but is it really twice the running costs as everyone keeps saying on the net?
I am looking at ones with other 100k miles on them (always buy higher mileage cars that have been looked after) so with over 100k it seems pointless keeping all the history with BMW or even paying a good Indy to do the work. I am handy with a spanner and not afraid to do jobs myself, have changed gearboxes etc on past cars. And always service my cars myself.
So if you are going to DIY as many jobs as you can yourself is there really that much difference between the 330 and M running costs? Have looked in to the price of certain things, and it doesn't seem so, but everyone on the net is saying its at least 2times the costs to run.
Am I missing something....?
I had held out for an M3, but now I am in the position to own one.
Just got a few questions regarding running cost between the two, have found the 330 very cheap to run really, gets anywhere from 25-35mpg about 300-350 miles to a tank on average (roughly the same as an M3 from what I have read?). Parts haven't been to bad either. Changed the whole front brake set up for around £400 including the calipers.
I understand that tyers etc will be more expensive on the M3, and the parts will probably be slightly dearer, but is it really twice the running costs as everyone keeps saying on the net?
I am looking at ones with other 100k miles on them (always buy higher mileage cars that have been looked after) so with over 100k it seems pointless keeping all the history with BMW or even paying a good Indy to do the work. I am handy with a spanner and not afraid to do jobs myself, have changed gearboxes etc on past cars. And always service my cars myself.
So if you are going to DIY as many jobs as you can yourself is there really that much difference between the 330 and M running costs? Have looked in to the price of certain things, and it doesn't seem so, but everyone on the net is saying its at least 2times the costs to run.
Am I missing something....?
Had both and I would say it was slightly more than double, cost of parts is probably double for the M specific bits, suspension parts, brakes, differentials etc. plus some jobs take a lot longer so if you are using a garage the labor is higher. Things like checking the valve shims from cold with the head off, taking off the strut brace to get access etc.
I bought a 2002 vert with 112k on it and full History.
It had recently had a new boot floor and re-inforced cross member fitted along with all new discs and pads.
I like you bought higher mileage becuase all the big jobs had been done as mentioned above, i shall also be getting it serviced with a local guy that ive used for years £25 per hour !! to be fair when it needs an inspection 2 ill take it in for the tappet check ( not a head off job ) but everything else ill get done myself or by me mechanic.
Using euro car-parts and buying all premium brand filters, plugs and oil cost very little.
So good luck and enjoy.
Matt
It had recently had a new boot floor and re-inforced cross member fitted along with all new discs and pads.
I like you bought higher mileage becuase all the big jobs had been done as mentioned above, i shall also be getting it serviced with a local guy that ive used for years £25 per hour !! to be fair when it needs an inspection 2 ill take it in for the tappet check ( not a head off job ) but everything else ill get done myself or by me mechanic.
Using euro car-parts and buying all premium brand filters, plugs and oil cost very little.
So good luck and enjoy.
Matt
Expect mid teens MPG round town - 25 on the motorway if you're babying it.
Boot floors crack - make sure it's been done or less than 10 years from build date so you can get BMW do it under goodwill.
Servicing isn't too expensive but yes all the parts have the M tax on them.
I also bought 'high mileage' (120k+) but have had no issues. I suggest getting rid of the clutch delay valve it drove me mad when I first got the M3.
HK stereo is awful and so is the 15 year old sat nav. Other than that great cars.
Boot floors crack - make sure it's been done or less than 10 years from build date so you can get BMW do it under goodwill.
Servicing isn't too expensive but yes all the parts have the M tax on them.
I also bought 'high mileage' (120k+) but have had no issues. I suggest getting rid of the clutch delay valve it drove me mad when I first got the M3.
HK stereo is awful and so is the 15 year old sat nav. Other than that great cars.
VWAUDI said:
Expect mid teens MPG round town - 25 on the motorway if you're babying it.
Boot floors crack - make sure it's been done or less than 10 years from build date so you can get BMW do it under goodwill.
Servicing isn't too expensive but yes all the parts have the M tax on them.
I also bought 'high mileage' (120k+) but have had no issues. I suggest getting rid of the clutch delay valve it drove me mad when I first got the M3.
HK stereo is awful and so is the 15 year old sat nav. Other than that great cars.
Does the clutch delay valve make much of a difference when removed then ? and i agree the stereo is pretty naff did you replace the stereo in yours ?Boot floors crack - make sure it's been done or less than 10 years from build date so you can get BMW do it under goodwill.
Servicing isn't too expensive but yes all the parts have the M tax on them.
I also bought 'high mileage' (120k+) but have had no issues. I suggest getting rid of the clutch delay valve it drove me mad when I first got the M3.
HK stereo is awful and so is the 15 year old sat nav. Other than that great cars.
Matt
As a rough guide:
Servicing is every 12,000 miles so this will vary but based on 6k per year it's approx £250, double if you do 12k per year.
Tyres for 19" wheels can be had for £700 fitted or as low as £550.
Brakes are approx £900-£1k fitted (on a Z4M these last approx 40/45k and pads approx half that not sure for an M3).
Petrol on a run can be upto 30mpg but around town high teens.
Servicing is every 12,000 miles so this will vary but based on 6k per year it's approx £250, double if you do 12k per year.
Tyres for 19" wheels can be had for £700 fitted or as low as £550.
Brakes are approx £900-£1k fitted (on a Z4M these last approx 40/45k and pads approx half that not sure for an M3).
Petrol on a run can be upto 30mpg but around town high teens.
I have got a E90 330i and had a E92 M3 and the running costs on the M3 are pretty much double for servicing/fuel/tax/insurance in my experience anyway and it opened my eyes to how much you get ripped off for servicing on a M car its shocking really when they are both still a 3 series when all said and done.
Obviously the M3 has a far higher feel good factor with its lovely chassis and bespoke engine but you certainly pay for the pleasure of it.
Obviously the M3 has a far higher feel good factor with its lovely chassis and bespoke engine but you certainly pay for the pleasure of it.
VWAUDI said:
Expect mid teens MPG round town - 25 on the motorway if you're babying it.
.
I had mine for 40k, 30-32 mpg on a motorway at 70-80mph, low 20's the rest of the tim. Servicing is expensive but find a good indie that you can trust and its not too bad. They are fantastic cars and I miss mine, if you have the chance to own one, do so as it will make you smile..
These were my "real world" costs for the first year:
I bought a 2002 Convertible with 98k miles for just under £7k.
7,898 miles
21.87 average mpg
£2,235 on petrol
28 pence per mile
Oil service and general check over when I bought it (£110)
2 new windscreen wipers (£30)
2 new (front) tyres (£380)
2 new brake pad/discs (£400)
1 SMG gearbox refurb (inc new clutch and flywheel) (£1980)
2 new coil packs (£50)
1 new auto headlight level bracket (£15)
2 new fog/reversing light units (£120)
10 litres of oil (£120)
Which makes a total of £5440 spent in the first year.
Just after the anniversary I also needed two new rear tyres (£400) and it will need it's Insp2 service in the next few months, which is anywhere between £600 and £900.
I bought a 2002 Convertible with 98k miles for just under £7k.
7,898 miles
21.87 average mpg
£2,235 on petrol
28 pence per mile
Oil service and general check over when I bought it (£110)
2 new windscreen wipers (£30)
2 new (front) tyres (£380)
2 new brake pad/discs (£400)
1 SMG gearbox refurb (inc new clutch and flywheel) (£1980)
2 new coil packs (£50)
1 new auto headlight level bracket (£15)
2 new fog/reversing light units (£120)
10 litres of oil (£120)
Which makes a total of £5440 spent in the first year.
Just after the anniversary I also needed two new rear tyres (£400) and it will need it's Insp2 service in the next few months, which is anywhere between £600 and £900.
PJS917 said:
VWAUDI said:
Expect mid teens MPG round town - 25 on the motorway if you're babying it.
.
I had mine for 40k, 30-32 mpg on a motorway at 70-80mph, low 20's the rest of the tim. Servicing is expensive but find a good indie that you can trust and its not too bad. They are fantastic cars and I miss mine, if you have the chance to own one, do so as it will make you smile..
I avearged low 20's overall on each of the 3 E46 M3's I had.
I was lucky enough to get all mine after they'd had an inspection 2 so for me other then fuel it was pretty cheap motoring!
I went from a 53 plate 330MSport to an 06 M3vert in Dec 13 and the running costs are at least double but what no one has mentioned is the fun and pleasure you will have in the M3 is significantly more than double over a 330, so if you can stomach the costs (regular and unexpected) get it bought, lots of good stuff on M3Cutters too if you haven't looked yet
wiggycerb said:
Does the clutch delay valve make much of a difference when removed then ?
Matt
Yes, it's made a big difference to mine. Matt
Lighter clutch and a more positive gearchange. Mine used to stick a bit when changing up from 2nd to 3rd and took some of the momentum away, which I found very annoying.
Removing the CDV has eradicated the issue. Also, look at other gearbox oil options if the gearchange is a notchy, there are plenty of options out there, I went with Royal Purple, which worked wonders really.
Thank for your opinions guys!
Mpg isn't really an issue, it's more the fact that am doing 15 up 20,000 miles a year, which makes it quite off putting with the cost of the maintenance side of things,, as I won't get to use the extra preformance most of the time to make It worth it I don't think...
But I am wanting a new car and really struggling with finding a replacement for the 330 with an £8000 budget, but willing to go to £10000 for the right car... M3 suits the bill perfectly!!
Mpg isn't really an issue, it's more the fact that am doing 15 up 20,000 miles a year, which makes it quite off putting with the cost of the maintenance side of things,, as I won't get to use the extra preformance most of the time to make It worth it I don't think...
But I am wanting a new car and really struggling with finding a replacement for the 330 with an £8000 budget, but willing to go to £10000 for the right car... M3 suits the bill perfectly!!
I did love mine and, like you, I use to cover roughly 20,000 miles per year but I can't say it was a trouble free experience...
From memory I covered about 70,000 miles but ended up having the gearbox replaced, rear diff replaced (twice), vanos replaced and various sensors replaced.
However this was over ten years ago, thankfully under warranty but maintained by a BMW main dealership.
Today there are plenty of specialists out there and an assortment of aftermarket / refurbished parts options.
From memory I covered about 70,000 miles but ended up having the gearbox replaced, rear diff replaced (twice), vanos replaced and various sensors replaced.
However this was over ten years ago, thankfully under warranty but maintained by a BMW main dealership.
Today there are plenty of specialists out there and an assortment of aftermarket / refurbished parts options.
Wise said:
Thank for your opinions guys!
Mpg isn't really an issue, it's more the fact that am doing 15 up 20,000 miles a year, which makes it quite off putting with the cost of the maintenance side of things,, as I won't get to use the extra preformance most of the time to make It worth it I don't think...
But I am wanting a new car and really struggling with finding a replacement for the 330 with an £8000 budget, but willing to go to £10000 for the right car... M3 suits the bill perfectly!!
Buy an M3, ignore servicing costs and enjoy it, it will put a smile on your face every journey. Mpg isn't really an issue, it's more the fact that am doing 15 up 20,000 miles a year, which makes it quite off putting with the cost of the maintenance side of things,, as I won't get to use the extra preformance most of the time to make It worth it I don't think...
But I am wanting a new car and really struggling with finding a replacement for the 330 with an £8000 budget, but willing to go to £10000 for the right car... M3 suits the bill perfectly!!
They needn't be expensive to run if you're fairly handy with the spanners.
Not long after buying mine, it developed a knocking noise at the rear. I feared the dreaded boot floor cracking, but it turned out to be a rear top mount (diagnosed for nowt at an Indy.)
I bought some from GSF for a tenner each and fitted them myself, an easy job.
It had an Inspection 1 the other week, which came in at only £350 at an Indy. This was due to me not wanting the gearbox oil changed, as I'm happy with the Royal Purple I put in there about 3000 miles ago, but also included the CDV delete. The rear pads also need changing, but I will do them myself. I can get Ferodo pads for under £30 at the local motor factors.
It's never going to see a track whilst it's in my ownership (which will be for another good few years yet), so I just run it from a practical point of view, and it's really quite affordable.
Edited (again) because I really should learn to proof-read.
Not long after buying mine, it developed a knocking noise at the rear. I feared the dreaded boot floor cracking, but it turned out to be a rear top mount (diagnosed for nowt at an Indy.)
I bought some from GSF for a tenner each and fitted them myself, an easy job.
It had an Inspection 1 the other week, which came in at only £350 at an Indy. This was due to me not wanting the gearbox oil changed, as I'm happy with the Royal Purple I put in there about 3000 miles ago, but also included the CDV delete. The rear pads also need changing, but I will do them myself. I can get Ferodo pads for under £30 at the local motor factors.
It's never going to see a track whilst it's in my ownership (which will be for another good few years yet), so I just run it from a practical point of view, and it's really quite affordable.
Edited (again) because I really should learn to proof-read.
Edited by Baz Tench on Saturday 24th January 12:01
Edited by Baz Tench on Saturday 24th January 12:05
Thanks again guys, some real food for thought...
My main reason for wanting an M3 is for a car that does everything well, that I could track a few times a year. But the situation with the boot floor on these is really off putting, even more so when considering putting one on a track...
But just now I would consider the 330 very cheap to run considering, so maybe an M3 wouldn't really be to bad, I don't use the car for commuting as such (use my van for work), but would use it from time to time when going to see jobs/meetings and the like.
Or the other option I have is get a mx5, e30 or e36 as a project/track car and keep the 330 as well. But can see that being more costly then just running an M3
My main reason for wanting an M3 is for a car that does everything well, that I could track a few times a year. But the situation with the boot floor on these is really off putting, even more so when considering putting one on a track...
But just now I would consider the 330 very cheap to run considering, so maybe an M3 wouldn't really be to bad, I don't use the car for commuting as such (use my van for work), but would use it from time to time when going to see jobs/meetings and the like.
Or the other option I have is get a mx5, e30 or e36 as a project/track car and keep the 330 as well. But can see that being more costly then just running an M3
I had an E46 330 for two years, now got a Z4 M which shares many parts with the E46 M3. I would say double is a fair assessment of the costs.
I believe the standard 18" M wheels are basically the same size as the 330 sport rims, but nearly every M3 has 19s on. My Z4 wheels are considerably cheaper than the ones on my 645!!
The cars are old enough most people aren't too fussed about main dealer history, plenty of specialists and good indies around.
Fuel consumption definitely worse to the tune of about 4-5 mpg, but I have not put many miles on my Z4 M yet so most have been thoroughly enjoyed
I believe the standard 18" M wheels are basically the same size as the 330 sport rims, but nearly every M3 has 19s on. My Z4 wheels are considerably cheaper than the ones on my 645!!
The cars are old enough most people aren't too fussed about main dealer history, plenty of specialists and good indies around.
Fuel consumption definitely worse to the tune of about 4-5 mpg, but I have not put many miles on my Z4 M yet so most have been thoroughly enjoyed
FAO those that have had the CDV removed: did you simply take it out and refit the fluid line or did you buy a kit?
WRT to the boot floor I would budget for getting it reinforced with injected resin. My local indy quoted me £355 to do this. There are enough M3s for sale to allow you to choose one that has at least had a recent documented subframe inspection, if not a reinforced one already.
WRT to the boot floor I would budget for getting it reinforced with injected resin. My local indy quoted me £355 to do this. There are enough M3s for sale to allow you to choose one that has at least had a recent documented subframe inspection, if not a reinforced one already.
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff