Thinkign of buying a M3 (e46)
Discussion
Hi All,
Needed some advise as i am thinking of buying a e46 M3, between 2001 and 2003 with near 80k on the clock, full service.
I have had 2 e39 M5's and tatally loved them, wrote one off, the other i could not afford to run due to the fule hikes 2 years back!
Have been driving around in A4 2.7tdi, which i have now sold.
My requirements were a nice sports car, that will not be driven often as i comute to work and back on a bike.
What are the main differences between a 2001, 2002 and a 2003 models? as i believe one was a face lift?
Should i be looking for a manual or a SMG? i have heard smgs couse issues?
what is the repair costs for when things go wrong? (on my audi my clutch cost me £1400, alternator & vbelt £900) all within the 7 months of ownership!
Does the convertable have 3 seats in the rear? (i have 3 kids) if not then i will need to consider a coupe.
Any other thinks i should look out for such as vanos etc..i recall the e36's had a huge vanos issue!
Thanks in advance..
Needed some advise as i am thinking of buying a e46 M3, between 2001 and 2003 with near 80k on the clock, full service.
I have had 2 e39 M5's and tatally loved them, wrote one off, the other i could not afford to run due to the fule hikes 2 years back!
Have been driving around in A4 2.7tdi, which i have now sold.
My requirements were a nice sports car, that will not be driven often as i comute to work and back on a bike.
What are the main differences between a 2001, 2002 and a 2003 models? as i believe one was a face lift?
Should i be looking for a manual or a SMG? i have heard smgs couse issues?
what is the repair costs for when things go wrong? (on my audi my clutch cost me £1400, alternator & vbelt £900) all within the 7 months of ownership!
Does the convertable have 3 seats in the rear? (i have 3 kids) if not then i will need to consider a coupe.
Any other thinks i should look out for such as vanos etc..i recall the e36's had a huge vanos issue!
Thanks in advance..
Yeah the convertable only has 2 rear seats. Personnally ive always prefered the smg gearbox to the manual, but they can be pain to drive and do take time to get used to driving as they have a different style unlike a automatic gearboxs.
Cant give you price of parts but you will be looking at 5 hours labour to remove normal manual box or 6.25 for smg. Gives a sort of guide to cost for a clutch, dealers are around 100 ex VAT per hour.
Vanos can* be expensive if it goes wrong (* well IS is probably a better word). Just make sure you listen to front of the engine when cold, it shouldnt rattle for more than a second. There are a few companies around that repair the units so you dont have to pay the thousands BMW charge for a new unit.
Other things that can go wrong are rear springs snapping but that is fairly normal on all E46 and power steering pipes leaking on the M3.
Cant give you price of parts but you will be looking at 5 hours labour to remove normal manual box or 6.25 for smg. Gives a sort of guide to cost for a clutch, dealers are around 100 ex VAT per hour.
Vanos can* be expensive if it goes wrong (* well IS is probably a better word). Just make sure you listen to front of the engine when cold, it shouldnt rattle for more than a second. There are a few companies around that repair the units so you dont have to pay the thousands BMW charge for a new unit.
Other things that can go wrong are rear springs snapping but that is fairly normal on all E46 and power steering pipes leaking on the M3.
Edited by twgautomotive on Wednesday 29th June 10:17
The E 46 M3 wansn't facelifted to the extent of the rest of the E 46 range.The only difference was the rear LED lights and a couple of interior mods.This came about in 2003.
Vanos issues are very rare and according to most smg owners problems with this are not as bad as made out,though at that age and mileage i would still go for a manual.
The main thing to look at is the condition of the car and the state of tyres and brakes as these can easily set you back a couple of grand to replace the lot.
Rear springs usually break after about 50k and front and rear suspension arm bushes would be very tired by now so check to see if/when these were done.
Also check which and when the next service is due as insp 1+2 are not cheap.
Vanos issues are very rare and according to most smg owners problems with this are not as bad as made out,though at that age and mileage i would still go for a manual.
The main thing to look at is the condition of the car and the state of tyres and brakes as these can easily set you back a couple of grand to replace the lot.
Rear springs usually break after about 50k and front and rear suspension arm bushes would be very tired by now so check to see if/when these were done.
Also check which and when the next service is due as insp 1+2 are not cheap.
how about the fuel consumption?
around town and if driven on the motorway at say 80mph?
Have noticed they start at like £7k, where the average milleage is 80k, then from £9k you can get one with near 50-60k on the clock..but some make me think as can you have 60k on the clock with 4 or 5 previous owners...without clocking back??
around town and if driven on the motorway at say 80mph?
Have noticed they start at like £7k, where the average milleage is 80k, then from £9k you can get one with near 50-60k on the clock..but some make me think as can you have 60k on the clock with 4 or 5 previous owners...without clocking back??
Mine is a convertible so a little heavier than a coupe though i doubt it makes much difference to consumption.I get 21mpg around town and id say 30mpg at 80mph. You will get 35ish on the motorway at 65-70ish if you want.I also run on shell v power which i have found returns the same number of miles for the equivilent in cost of the cheap stuff despite getting less.
I wouldnt think low mileage/multi owner cars have necessarily been clocked.Mine is only insured to do 5k miles a year.
I wouldnt think low mileage/multi owner cars have necessarily been clocked.Mine is only insured to do 5k miles a year.
As said, only 2 seats in the back of the convertible. I had SMG in mine and loved it, not one problem in the 20 months I owned it, however I do believe they are expensive when they go wrong. The actual gearbox is exactly the same, it's the pump and various other bits that seem to fail.
I got a combined mpg of 23 over the time I had it, best was 27 on a motorway run, worst was 12mpg the day before it was going for part exchange.
Great cars, you'll certainly enjoy it.
I got a combined mpg of 23 over the time I had it, best was 27 on a motorway run, worst was 12mpg the day before it was going for part exchange.
Great cars, you'll certainly enjoy it.
samuk said:
how about the fuel consumption?
around town and if driven on the motorway at say 80mph?
Have noticed they start at like £7k, where the average milleage is 80k, then from £9k you can get one with near 50-60k on the clock..but some make me think as can you have 60k on the clock with 4 or 5 previous owners...without clocking back??
Buy the best you can afford, in terms of running costs it is still a £40k+ sports car, however mine hasnt missed a beat and has 70k miles. around town and if driven on the motorway at say 80mph?
Have noticed they start at like £7k, where the average milleage is 80k, then from £9k you can get one with near 50-60k on the clock..but some make me think as can you have 60k on the clock with 4 or 5 previous owners...without clocking back??
samuk said:
I spoke to my insurance company..its £150 cheaper for me to keep the M3 on my drive then it is to keep it in my garage over night...??
Why do some M3's have smaller wheels and others 19"? i have seen some 2002 with the smaller M3 wheels?
Yeah, that insurance thing is just nuts.Why do some M3's have smaller wheels and others 19"? i have seen some 2002 with the smaller M3 wheels?
18" wheels were the standard fit wheels, the 19" wheels were a factory option. IMO they ride better on 18's but look better on the 19's.
samuk said:
How tunable are the M3's? if at all?
They are not.There are various supercharger kits (ESS etc) and induction kits such as Gruppe M which deliver a nice CSL noise.
The S54 is the finest straight 6 engine ever made, and probably always will be now that everything is going forced induction to meet mpg targets.
samuk said:
How tunable are the M3's? if at all?
As poster says, not much gain and agreed is a great engine. A remap is the cheapest option but this only adds around 20BHP max.Even the carbon CSL airbox - talking close to £2k (if you can get one!) makes a great noise but again adds little power. Even the limited aftermarket ones are close to 1.5k.
From what i've read the supercharge kits only make a real difference over 100mph so pretty pointless unless your tracking it for the cost it/fitting.
To quote an old PH thread:
Mar-01
• E46 Introduced to the UK
• Brushed Titanium replaced by Titan Shadow
• Business Radio with MD added (Europe)
Jun-01
• SMG-II Option Added (Europe)
• 19” Wheels Made Available (Europe)
Jul-01
• 19” Wheels made available (UK)
September 2001 (Model Year 2002)
• SMG-II Option Added (UK Only)
• Seat Width Adjustment Made Standard (UK Spec)
• SatNav Screen replaced with Wide Screen Model
• Auto-On Lights Added as Standard (UK)
• Individual Options permitted (UK)
• Standard Xenon lights upgraded to Bi-Xenon
• Black Gloss Interior trim discontinued (Replaced by Titanium shadow)
• Minidisc Option Added (UK)
Oct-01
• SMG Paddles Changed (Size & Colour of + and -)
Jan-02
• Minidisc / CD option combined with Nav/TV made possible.
February 2002 Changes
• M Racing Strut added to Coupe & Cab
March 2002 Changes
• Brushed Aluminium Interior Trim Added.
• M Rear Wing Spoiler option added (As on 330Ci Clubsport)
September 02 (Model year 2003)
• Cab Central Brake light made clear
• SatNav Control unit upgraded to DVD player.
• Bluetooth Phone Kit added.
• Interior buttons changed from printed to embossing.
• AUX Connections added to TV Unit
April 2003 Changes
• New LED Rear Lights Added
• Silver Grey Paint Added
• Mystic Blue Paint Added
• Steel Grey Discontinued
• Topaz Blue Discontinued
• SMG Logo removed
• Cabs now get "convenience opening"
• Climate Control Buttons changed
• Brushed Aluminium Interior trim added (UK)
• Boot lid handle changed
September 2003 (Model year 2004)
• SatNav CD replaced with DVD including TMC
• Le Mans blue added to Individual range of colours (UK)
September 2004 (Model year 2005)
• TV Module upgraded to digital
• Business CD Head Unit upgraded to play MP3
September 2004 (Model year 2005)
• M3 CS Model Added (Europe)
• Interlagos Blue Paint Added
April 2005 Changes
• Phoenix Yellow dropped
• Laguna Seca Blue dropped
• M3 CS model introduced (UK)
• Interlagos Blue Paint Added (UK)
• 3rd Point seat belt and headrest added
September 2005 (Model year 2006)
• CD Changer upgraded to play MP3
Mar-01
• E46 Introduced to the UK
• Brushed Titanium replaced by Titan Shadow
• Business Radio with MD added (Europe)
Jun-01
• SMG-II Option Added (Europe)
• 19” Wheels Made Available (Europe)
Jul-01
• 19” Wheels made available (UK)
September 2001 (Model Year 2002)
• SMG-II Option Added (UK Only)
• Seat Width Adjustment Made Standard (UK Spec)
• SatNav Screen replaced with Wide Screen Model
• Auto-On Lights Added as Standard (UK)
• Individual Options permitted (UK)
• Standard Xenon lights upgraded to Bi-Xenon
• Black Gloss Interior trim discontinued (Replaced by Titanium shadow)
• Minidisc Option Added (UK)
Oct-01
• SMG Paddles Changed (Size & Colour of + and -)
Jan-02
• Minidisc / CD option combined with Nav/TV made possible.
February 2002 Changes
• M Racing Strut added to Coupe & Cab
March 2002 Changes
• Brushed Aluminium Interior Trim Added.
• M Rear Wing Spoiler option added (As on 330Ci Clubsport)
September 02 (Model year 2003)
• Cab Central Brake light made clear
• SatNav Control unit upgraded to DVD player.
• Bluetooth Phone Kit added.
• Interior buttons changed from printed to embossing.
• AUX Connections added to TV Unit
April 2003 Changes
• New LED Rear Lights Added
• Silver Grey Paint Added
• Mystic Blue Paint Added
• Steel Grey Discontinued
• Topaz Blue Discontinued
• SMG Logo removed
• Cabs now get "convenience opening"
• Climate Control Buttons changed
• Brushed Aluminium Interior trim added (UK)
• Boot lid handle changed
September 2003 (Model year 2004)
• SatNav CD replaced with DVD including TMC
• Le Mans blue added to Individual range of colours (UK)
September 2004 (Model year 2005)
• TV Module upgraded to digital
• Business CD Head Unit upgraded to play MP3
September 2004 (Model year 2005)
• M3 CS Model Added (Europe)
• Interlagos Blue Paint Added
April 2005 Changes
• Phoenix Yellow dropped
• Laguna Seca Blue dropped
• M3 CS model introduced (UK)
• Interlagos Blue Paint Added (UK)
• 3rd Point seat belt and headrest added
September 2005 (Model year 2006)
• CD Changer upgraded to play MP3
My M3 (SMG coupe) is showing an average of 27.6mpg since I bought it 18 months ago, running on super unleaded with mixed driving. It will do 30mpg on the motorway or more if you drive at 60mph..
I really like SMG but as said you need to learn how to get the best out of it. The automatic mode is great when you're not in the mood although some people don't rate it. I've never tried a manual but would like to. Perhaps just go for the best car regardless of gearbox.
They are reliable cars if looked after and serviced properly. Convertibles seem to be cheaper but they are a fair bit heavier than the coupe and apparently don't handle very well.
Hope that helps.
I really like SMG but as said you need to learn how to get the best out of it. The automatic mode is great when you're not in the mood although some people don't rate it. I've never tried a manual but would like to. Perhaps just go for the best car regardless of gearbox.
They are reliable cars if looked after and serviced properly. Convertibles seem to be cheaper but they are a fair bit heavier than the coupe and apparently don't handle very well.
Hope that helps.
Edited by Sidewindow on Friday 1st July 13:28
pilchardthecat said:
Sidewindow said:
It's designed to run on super, I think you can use normal unleaded as the ECU adjusts the timing to compensate.
You can, but you lose a lot of the top-end, maybe 20-30bhp betwwn 5k and the red line, and it sounds rough on the ordinary stuff
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