E46 M3 preventative maintenance...

E46 M3 preventative maintenance...

Author
Discussion

MiloD

Original Poster:

253 posts

201 months

Tuesday 2nd June 2015
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Hi guys, I've got a 2005 E46 M3 in Carbon Black that's just tipped the 60k miles mark. I recently took it to the local car wash - it had been neglected for a few months (most unlike me) given work and moving house I e simply not had the time. Having had it all cleaned up I noticed a small amount of lacquer peel on the bonnet. It's booked in on Thursday to a great local Indy spray shop to be sorted... All in time for Le Mans. Anyway, that and a chat with a mate of mine got me thinking about whether it would be good idea to refresh a few. Bits now and stay on top of things. I've kept full main dealer history on it, so the question is what else should I start thinking about? Perhaps replacing all the bushes, then would you go OEM or update. It's a road car only I've got something else for sts and giggles on track. When do shocks and springs tend to need refurb/replacement. What else should I think about?

bosshog

1,574 posts

275 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2015
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There are a ton of things you could do, but are they really necessary? I just replace things as they wear out (like bushes etc), I don't think changing them early would make other components wear out less (unless it was bad). Some people like to get the subframe foam injection done to limit the chance of the subframe cracks appearing - thats the only one that springs to mind above normal maintenance stuff.

mark.c

1,090 posts

179 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2015
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I have to agree with Bosshog, it is easy to get carried away and change things just for the sake of changing things. I would tend to change as required and keep it regularly serviced on time. At that mileage i would be probably looking at your rear springs which have a habit of breaking and possibly refresh front and rear bushes if it feels a bit sketchy, also throw in a Vanos filter to make yourself feel better but other than that just drive and enjoy and repair as neccesary.

One caveat I would have is to check the boot floor periodically in case it cracks, better to find a small crack that can be repaired than a hoofing one that cant.

jz325i

269 posts

175 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2015
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I believe there are some bolts in the vanos unit on the S54 that like to come undone over time.

Please don't quote me on that, but it's something I think you should research.

Babw

886 posts

145 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2015
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At the peak of my love for my old M3 I had the same idea and carried on spending thousands on "preventative maintenance". Eventually when it was time to sell as I fancied something else my enthusiasm for keeping it in perfect condition was emulated by buyers but where it was worth 1000's to me it was only worth 100's to them.

Do what it needs now and save the money towards your next fun car.

MiloD

Original Poster:

253 posts

201 months

Thursday 4th June 2015
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All valid points well made, I'm going to do the bushes to freshen it all up. I just drove a mates 330 MSport with similar age and mileage to mine with all bushes recently replaced and it was like a new car, so tight and responsive. Made me think mine could do with being done. I've had the subframe checked at Redish with a clean bill of health (no idea if post 04 cars had a different subfrmae there seems to be polarised opinion on this point) Good point on rear springs too.
Finally, the vanos bolts I always thought was a problem on the E36 but not E46 - though I may be wrong? If I am then I will check that out as it's got an Insp 1, then Oil, before the Insp 11.

stevie777777

127 posts

174 months

Thursday 4th June 2015
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I agree with the main replies as well. I had an 05 M3 until a year ago (owned it 2 1/2 years). The main preventative maintenance was the Inspection 2 and brake fluid change. I also changed the rear hand brake shoes - when we removed the part worn rear discs, I noticed the shoes were rusty and tired - really improved the (rubbish) handbrake action !.
6 months later, decided to get an additional oil change - didn't really need it, but so cheap to do with the correct oil - why not ?
Check the rear springs...both of mine had cracks.
On the other hand, get an E60 M5 like me - then you get to spend £££ all the time...

Panthro

678 posts

217 months

Friday 5th June 2015
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I've recently bought an E46 M3 CS which was in need of a great deal of attention, however you'd not know it by looking over it. It's taken me a few weeks to work out exactly everything that needed looking at. After getting it up to par I am just going to repair and maintain as and when required as preventative maintenance is great, but the money can always be used elsewhere in the event of something cropping up unexpectedly.

fin911

14 posts

115 months

Friday 5th June 2015
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Preventive maintenance with E46 M3 would be rod bearings, vanos rebuild, cam timing, suspension parts, upgrade brakes and the most important frequent oil changes!!!!

Neil_M

694 posts

183 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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MiloD said:
Hi guys, I've got a 2005 E46 M3 in Carbon Black that's just tipped the 60k miles mark. I recently took it to the local car wash - it had been neglected for a few months (most unlike me) given work and moving house I e simply not had the time. Having had it all cleaned up I noticed a small amount of lacquer peel on the bonnet. It's booked in on Thursday to a great local Indy spray shop to be sorted... All in time for Le Mans. Anyway, that and a chat with a mate of mine got me thinking about whether it would be good idea to refresh a few. Bits now and stay on top of things. I've kept full main dealer history on it, so the question is what else should I start thinking about? Perhaps replacing all the bushes, then would you go OEM or update. It's a road car only I've got something else for sts and giggles on track. When do shocks and springs tend to need refurb/replacement. What else should I think about?
Absolutely right, preventative maintenance is key.

The main problem areas shouldn't be too expensive to fix before they completely fail. It also means you can avoid any unexpected issues.

I'd suggest an inspection by a good independent garage that knows the cars. Build up a little list and start working through them.

Shocks and springs, RTAB's, subframe inspections, front/rear arch rust, vanos service (filter), rear diff oil change, a good service etc...

jackd87

8 posts

166 months

Monday 27th July 2015
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I'd also say local car washes are best avoided as they rely on harsh chemicals and aggressive pressure washers to get the job done quickly rather than properly.
Have a look over on detailing world and learn about the best ways to clean the car and keep the paint looking its best, with no lacquer peel!

neutral 3

6,356 posts

169 months

Monday 27th July 2015
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Get it up on a ramp and thoroughly inspect the underside for rust !

jackd87

8 posts

166 months

Monday 27th July 2015
quotequote all
I'd also say local car washes are best avoided as they rely on harsh chemicals and aggressive pressure washers to get the job done quickly rather than properly.
Have a look over on detailing world and learn about the best ways to clean the car and keep the paint looking its best, with no lacquer peel!

bass2rez

558 posts

191 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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You should make a point of cleaning out the back wheel arches, dirt collects there and will eventually cause rust.

MiloD

Original Poster:

253 posts

201 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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bass2rez said:
You should make a point of cleaning out the back wheel arches, dirt collects there and will eventually cause rust.
I didn't know that one, good heads up!

R8Steve

4,150 posts

174 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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fin911 said:
Preventive maintenance with E46 M3 would be rod bearings, vanos rebuild, cam timing, suspension parts, upgrade brakes and the most important frequent oil changes!!!!
Seems a bit extreme to do the rod bearings and a vanos rebuild as preventive maintenance surely?

The 01-03's were recalled for defective rod bearings but i have heard of very few cases of post 04 cars having issues with rod bearings.

Leins

9,418 posts

147 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Where I'm up to on preventative stuff in the last couple of thousand miles on my E46 CSL (currently on 57k miles):

1) Sub-frame reinforcement - plates & resin injection (no cracks found)
2) Bottom-end refresh - new oil pump, conrod bolts and shells
3) Vanos - old unit was getting noisy and didn't want to risk it. I know they can be rebuilt cheaper, but preferred to go the new from BMW route
4) Rear-view mirror gel replacement - didn't fancy having it spew its contents all over the centre console
5) Compression & leak-down tests to ensure everything is healthy

Other than that, various new belts, filters, bushings and fluids to ensure everything is ticking along nicely. And an oil change every 12 months regardless of mileage

rev-erend

21,404 posts

283 months

Wednesday 12th August 2015
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Best thing to do is give it a good clear out.

A dam good thrashing.

Go on drive it like you stole it.

biggrin

Ian_sUK

733 posts

179 months

Thursday 13th August 2015
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R8Steve said:
fin911 said:
Preventive maintenance with E46 M3 would be rod bearings, vanos rebuild, cam timing, suspension parts, upgrade brakes and the most important frequent oil changes!!!!
Seems a bit extreme to do the rod bearings and a vanos rebuild as preventive maintenance surely?

The 01-03's were recalled for defective rod bearings but i have heard of very few cases of post 04 cars having issues with rod bearings.
My 54 plate spun a rod bearing and so did another on cutters at the same time.