The E46 M3 is the best car I have ever owned

The E46 M3 is the best car I have ever owned

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HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
I am 32 years of age, so hopefully I will own a fair few other cars. However, having owned this car I can categorically state that for ME this is a brilliant car for anyone who can appreciate a brilliant feat in car evolution.
I can't believe it was released in 2001, it was way ahead of its time. Yes its dated to fk now probably,but that engine. Christ on a bike and what an engine it is, just the snarl up to 5k+ and it keeps going and going.

Yes there are newer cars, and 2.0 hot hatches which could beat it in a straight line. But I have to give the M Division their dues. Since having this car I no longer yearn for a different car, or am bored. Ask me in a year maybe...who knows
Yes the are dated, cheap, high maintenance and owned by nefarious individuals. But don't knock it until you have tried one. Mines the manual version..

I have spent 1.5k on mine so far in two months. Suspension overhaul and other odds and sods, but the car is 100% now. Its very important to keep on top of maintenance. Regardless, the car is worth it.

Great cars. fking brilliant.



Edited by HannsG on Sunday 20th April 22:38

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Certainly a very hard car to beat if you want something fun to drive which isn't hugely expensive to buy but need four proper seats. Such a shame they never made a touring version.

Herman Toothrot

6,702 posts

197 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
kambites said:
Such a shame they never made a touring version.
Never a more true word spoken.

ILoveMondeo

9,614 posts

225 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Is yours the smg or manual? I really don't like that box. I really don't like the smg. Manual is ace though, handles like a car half it's size and an absolute hoot to thrash that engine!

TorqueVR

1,838 posts

198 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Herman Toothrot said:
Never a more true word spoken.
Thank god they didn't or I'd be knocking up 27,000 miles a year in it instead of the diesel! It suits me just fine as the weekend car.

slash79

127 posts

123 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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I've always thought BMW missed a trick not making an M3 Touring.
Audi do the RS4, Merc the C63. I reckon it would sell quite well.

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
ILoveMondeo said:
Is yours the smg or manual? I really don't like that box. I really don't like the smg. Manual is ace though, handles like a car half it's size and an absolute hoot to thrash that engine!
Mines a manual. Specifically was on the lookout for a Silver/Grey with Imola interior and a manual gearbox.

Its a clonky thing shifts 1 through to 2 in the cold are stiff. But once warmed up its a great solid box, I have been mulling over whether to change the oil to royal purple. I think the gearbox is made by Gertrag (sp?).

Test driver

348 posts

123 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Lovely motor, would consider one next. What are the main issues to look out for and cost of fixing?

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Test driver said:
Lovely motor, would consider one next. What are the main issues to look out for and cost of fixing?
Vanos and rear sub-frame failure seem to be the biggest issues. Some consumables (such as brakes) seem to be pretty expensive, too.

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
Test driver said:
Lovely motor, would consider one next. What are the main issues to look out for and cost of fixing?
Everything is fixable. My suspension needed overhaul purely due to wear and tear. New top mounts, shocks and Eibachs sorted it out.

Subframe is a big one. But its fixable if out of warranty for around 1.5k or less. Depends where you go. Also I have very very slight rust on front wings. BMW are sorting the repair under warranty. Other than that I have nothing else really thats gone wrong.

Get on M3Cutters and start researching. There are some good unmolested examples out there.


Burrito

1,705 posts

219 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Completely agree. I miss mine every time I start my new car.

That said, my back is pleased that I bought something with rear doors now that I have to haul my daughter and car seat onto the rear seats!

It's also prompted thoughts of a weekend car, so not all bad.

Heathwood

2,523 posts

201 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Lovely car. I toyed with an e46 5 years ago, but ended up getting a 130i. I don't regret it as such but I still badly need to scratch that m3 itch.

Buff Mchugelarge

3,316 posts

149 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Although the BMW I had wasn't an M3, merely an e36 323i and also the most unreliable car I've ever owned, I still loved it and can only imagine how good an M3 would be.
Your not the first to say it's the best car they've ever owned either, and that can't be a coincidence.

Troubleatmill

10,210 posts

158 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Great car.

Try something else though.

There are many great cars out there - and life is very very short.

whoami

13,151 posts

239 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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HannsG said:
Mines a manual. Specifically was on the lookout for a Silver/Grey with Imola interior and a manual gearbox.
I had an SMG one in exactly the same colour combination as yours.

Brilliant car and probably the one I miss most.

Enjoy. smile

aspirated

2,539 posts

145 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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This seems like great VFM..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...


Although nothing about the subframe mentioned, maybe it may still be within the 10 year grace period for repair...

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,031 posts

133 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
aspirated said:
This seems like great VFM..

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...


Although nothing about the subframe mentioned, maybe it may still be within the 10 year grace period for repair...
Excellent spec, great combination on colour, reasonable mileage and priced very keenly. If it has FSH whats to hate?

Buy it and if the subframe aint been checked, budget for it and enjoy regardless! Priced very keenly though....if all the receipts and repairs check out its a bargain. Hopefuly not a cat D.

Terminator X

14,920 posts

203 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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kambites said:
Vanos and rear sub-frame failure seem to be the biggest issues. Some consumables (such as brakes) seem to be pretty expensive, too.
M Tax wink super cars, want one myself one day.

TX.

sebhaque

6,402 posts

180 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
quotequote all
I really miss my M3. To this day I kick myself for having got rid of it, even if it ended up being a good thing in terms of car progression.

Shameless - if any PHer is selling an E46 M3 for a reasonable price then please PM me as I'd love to buy it from you.

Leins

9,415 posts

147 months

Sunday 20th April 2014
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Watch out for the interior mirror leaking, especially if being left out on a hot day. Worth a preventative fix

Also, I would always encourage a potential buyer to drive an SMGII before dismissing them