Jimbo's E46 M3 LSB
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Traded the RB5 in against another of my dream cars (got a big list of dream cars I can realistically afford!) - An E46 M3. 102K miles but with loads of history (inc. running in 1200 mile service!) and importantly, a reinforced rear subframe.
So, met the previous owner halfway at Lancaster, my old RB5 on the left
I need to get some clean pictures of her, these are from driving back after I picked it up (first hour in the car and decided to go across a snowy snake pass - brave or stupid?) however made it out unscathed.
A few pictures from when the previous owner refurbed the wheels for me - they're shadow chrome, I was tempted by the OEM diamond cut finish but they're virtually impossible to maintain
First impressions: Miles between the two cars. The Impreza was loud, quick point to point and very chuck-able. The M3 is a LOT better cruiser, lot more comfy, way more toys and generally a step up in every way. It's got a noisy Milltek exhaust on that I'm not too keen on the 2-2.5K Rpm drone, so will probably ditch it for an OE system. I'll seal the wheels to keep them looking spanking clean, and I'm picking up some heated seats this weekend, the only option I wanted that the car didn't have. Also I want a full size front plate and original plinth, the trimmed down one just doesn't sit right with me.
All in I'm over the moon with it. This view is nice as well (makes filling up that little bit less painful!)
Traded the RB5 in against another of my dream cars (got a big list of dream cars I can realistically afford!) - An E46 M3. 102K miles but with loads of history (inc. running in 1200 mile service!) and importantly, a reinforced rear subframe.
So, met the previous owner halfway at Lancaster, my old RB5 on the left
I need to get some clean pictures of her, these are from driving back after I picked it up (first hour in the car and decided to go across a snowy snake pass - brave or stupid?) however made it out unscathed.
A few pictures from when the previous owner refurbed the wheels for me - they're shadow chrome, I was tempted by the OEM diamond cut finish but they're virtually impossible to maintain
First impressions: Miles between the two cars. The Impreza was loud, quick point to point and very chuck-able. The M3 is a LOT better cruiser, lot more comfy, way more toys and generally a step up in every way. It's got a noisy Milltek exhaust on that I'm not too keen on the 2-2.5K Rpm drone, so will probably ditch it for an OE system. I'll seal the wheels to keep them looking spanking clean, and I'm picking up some heated seats this weekend, the only option I wanted that the car didn't have. Also I want a full size front plate and original plinth, the trimmed down one just doesn't sit right with me.
All in I'm over the moon with it. This view is nice as well (makes filling up that little bit less painful!)
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th February 15:04
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th February 15:06
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:21
one of the best colours too.
Great colour, I was originally looking for an LSB or Imola Red coupe when I was searching for mine.. but eventually ended up going Carbon Black, that was far more discreet, which was both a good and bad thing really.
It sits quite low at the back, is it on intrax springs??
Cheers,
Grant
It sits quite low at the back, is it on intrax springs??
Cheers,
Grant
Difficult to say really, as they're quite chalk and cheese. E46 seems very playful on these tyres at least (and it's pretty greasy round here). RB5 was a bit more raw, louder, felt everything through, well, everything in the cab. The M3 seems a better compromise, a bit more insulated, certainly more comfortable (I think due to more adjustment, nicer control surfaces etc) - gear throw is a bit longer as the WR Sport RB5 has a short shift.
RB5 pushed more in corners, especially chucking it in low speed, and obviously the M3 is a LOT more sideways if provoked, however it's very manageable, I've never driven a RWD car that I've felt so comfortable approaching the limit of adhesion in. (Modern RWD cars I've driven tend to be a lot more grabby and let go quite sharply imo)
A nice upgrade, all things considered. We occasionally go further afield so the M3 being better on Mway/cruising is appreciated. Fuel is a bit better, 27ish MPG on my commute as opposed 24/25 in the Impreza, however the 30-33 you can achieve on the motorway is far better than the Impreza, which was at it's worst (in terms of comfort, noise etc) on the Mway I feel.
Also - I was really pleasantly surprised how torquey the M3 is, quite often find myself crawling round in 3rd without realising, whereas the Impreza was quite easy to stall to be honest.
RB5 pushed more in corners, especially chucking it in low speed, and obviously the M3 is a LOT more sideways if provoked, however it's very manageable, I've never driven a RWD car that I've felt so comfortable approaching the limit of adhesion in. (Modern RWD cars I've driven tend to be a lot more grabby and let go quite sharply imo)
A nice upgrade, all things considered. We occasionally go further afield so the M3 being better on Mway/cruising is appreciated. Fuel is a bit better, 27ish MPG on my commute as opposed 24/25 in the Impreza, however the 30-33 you can achieve on the motorway is far better than the Impreza, which was at it's worst (in terms of comfort, noise etc) on the Mway I feel.
Also - I was really pleasantly surprised how torquey the M3 is, quite often find myself crawling round in 3rd without realising, whereas the Impreza was quite easy to stall to be honest.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th February 21:04
TheAllSeeingPie said:
I keep toying with the idea of an E46 as a daily driver, you're not making it any easier it keep ignoring them. I had a 330ci club sport a while back and loved it, always wanted to see what I was missing.
To make things worse, not much man maths was really needed! I have a 20 mile round trip commute every day and fuel consumption is erring towards the Impreza but shouldn't be any worse. Tyres etc are all more but you've got to live a little.I can't talk personally between this and a 330Ci (even less the M sport) but Dad used to have an M-Sport 330 and besides being quicker, he said it felt a bit more raw (his was an Auto as well though, to be fair)
I only drove that car once and the M3 does feel sharper, but it was many years ago now.
Insurance, surprisingly, was less than the Impreza, which I wasn't expecting being (just) 26.
James
Mr.Jimbo said:
To make things worse, not much man maths was really needed!
No man maths at play here, I'm allowed 1 car since our son was born and currently it's a 650+bhp E55. While I know the M3 would be more fun in the twisties, the E55 is more fun at cruising and cheap thrills e.g. Booting it and having that "omfg wtf have I done" moments. Once the novelty wears off I think an M3 is on the cards, might be a year or two though 
If you're used to the power of the C63, not sure you'd think the E46 is quick enough (I know the power difference is huge) but it's the way the power is delivered in the M3, perhaps its just me coming from the boosted Impreza but before the VANOS the M3 seems a bit hesitant. It's when you wind it out and look down you realise that you're going bloody fast!!
Anyway, a bit more about the car, I think it'll need some new rears soon, these Falken's seem quite a handful in the greasy weather we've got (thank god for TC!) and there's a knock from the front that I've semi convinced myself is ARB bushes. Will get it up in the air this weekend hopefully and investigate. Polybushes for replacement I think. My wheel sealant also arrived from carbon collective, they promise a 2 year life which suits me fine! If the M badges for the wheels turn up before Sunday I'll get the wheels off and sealed.
Also found out tonight the car has heated mirrors (standard I think but nice to confirm) and auto-wipers, which is a nice touch!
Anyway, a bit more about the car, I think it'll need some new rears soon, these Falken's seem quite a handful in the greasy weather we've got (thank god for TC!) and there's a knock from the front that I've semi convinced myself is ARB bushes. Will get it up in the air this weekend hopefully and investigate. Polybushes for replacement I think. My wheel sealant also arrived from carbon collective, they promise a 2 year life which suits me fine! If the M badges for the wheels turn up before Sunday I'll get the wheels off and sealed.
Also found out tonight the car has heated mirrors (standard I think but nice to confirm) and auto-wipers, which is a nice touch!
Quick update - first hiccup of ownership. Done 6-700 miles in this car since I bought it, and on Friday night I heard a whine, definitely PAS related. Only on long right handers though, strange.
Checked the reservoir and yep, no ATF, b
d.
The following day I'd arranged to collect some new seats for it (same as before just heated and better condition) so we toddled off in my mates E46, as his is diesel and no-way near 3.2 litres, plus I doubt you'd get front seats in the M3 certainly without a hernia. 2 hours to Guidlford, sweet as a nut, 5 hours almost getting back due to the M1 AND M40 being closed, arse.
Anyway, threw the seats in (and forgot pictures) but it smartened the front up no end. When I get the control panel and loom from BMW they'll also be heated, but that's on the back burner now.
Anyway, after topping up the steering and checking it all seemed well. It started whining though after a 30 mile round trip so something wasn't right. I suspected the steering rack had failed, as my old E30 did this but didn't go through ATF in quite the same fashion.
Today dawned bright and early (which is rare for me to see on a Sunday!) and I set about taking the undertray off to assess. Found loads of ATF (now soaked nicely into the drive) and to my surprise (and relief in hindsight) the high pressure hose from the pump to rack was to blame. Basically the bushes that retain the HP pipe to the rack had sheared (old perished rubber) and this allowed the HP hose to move around (I suspect contacting the ARB under right hand cornering), but the crimped unions presumable also couldn't cope with the increased movement and fatigued (weeping also)
So, after just one week of ownership, she's up on axle stands waiting for BMW to quote me most certainly unhappy tomorrow for a new set of steering hoses.
- these are what took most of my time - they're 'quick' connectors where you push the plastic detent ring in, the pipe releases and all is well. Not today, they took about 2 hours each of buggering about basically manually retracting the locking tabs, with little to no access/visibility. Of course the only one I needed to remove was the back one, which is completely obscured by the front! Great!
- Access is, to be polite, fking limited.
- the offending items
So all in, an expensive weekend. Still, plus sides are, my GF is a teacher (and a saint considering I was gone all of Valentines day, and spent all day on the car today!) so I can use her car to get to work/BMW etc as its half term here, and I don't mind getting stuck in, so apart from the connectors to the cooler, today was quite enjoyable. Of course I wish the car was working, but silver linings and all that.
Also ordered some polyflex front ARB bushes whilst I'm at it, see if I can cure this knock.
Checked the reservoir and yep, no ATF, b
d.The following day I'd arranged to collect some new seats for it (same as before just heated and better condition) so we toddled off in my mates E46, as his is diesel and no-way near 3.2 litres, plus I doubt you'd get front seats in the M3 certainly without a hernia. 2 hours to Guidlford, sweet as a nut, 5 hours almost getting back due to the M1 AND M40 being closed, arse.
Anyway, threw the seats in (and forgot pictures) but it smartened the front up no end. When I get the control panel and loom from BMW they'll also be heated, but that's on the back burner now.
Anyway, after topping up the steering and checking it all seemed well. It started whining though after a 30 mile round trip so something wasn't right. I suspected the steering rack had failed, as my old E30 did this but didn't go through ATF in quite the same fashion.
Today dawned bright and early (which is rare for me to see on a Sunday!) and I set about taking the undertray off to assess. Found loads of ATF (now soaked nicely into the drive) and to my surprise (and relief in hindsight) the high pressure hose from the pump to rack was to blame. Basically the bushes that retain the HP pipe to the rack had sheared (old perished rubber) and this allowed the HP hose to move around (I suspect contacting the ARB under right hand cornering), but the crimped unions presumable also couldn't cope with the increased movement and fatigued (weeping also)
So, after just one week of ownership, she's up on axle stands waiting for BMW to quote me most certainly unhappy tomorrow for a new set of steering hoses.
- these are what took most of my time - they're 'quick' connectors where you push the plastic detent ring in, the pipe releases and all is well. Not today, they took about 2 hours each of buggering about basically manually retracting the locking tabs, with little to no access/visibility. Of course the only one I needed to remove was the back one, which is completely obscured by the front! Great!
- Access is, to be polite, f
king limited.- the offending items
So all in, an expensive weekend. Still, plus sides are, my GF is a teacher (and a saint considering I was gone all of Valentines day, and spent all day on the car today!) so I can use her car to get to work/BMW etc as its half term here, and I don't mind getting stuck in, so apart from the connectors to the cooler, today was quite enjoyable. Of course I wish the car was working, but silver linings and all that.
Also ordered some polyflex front ARB bushes whilst I'm at it, see if I can cure this knock.
Edited by Mr.Jimbo on Tuesday 10th October 09:23
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