E46 M3 SMG at high miles, any reason not to?
Discussion
Further to a thread I currently have running, I am considering an M3 next. I *think* I want an SMG. It will see track days and a Euro trip and my Mrs would find a car with no clutch pedal a bit easier due to a chronic joint/muscle pain condition that flares up now and then.
I think an SMG M3 could feel really special as something very different to my current Impreza.
I've been reading up a bit today and it sounds as though the SMG is fairly solid in the E46, although it's not unknown to go wrong. As it stands now, with many cars reaching the 100k mark, how are SMG boxes faring? Is there anything significant to be aware of at high mileage?Any reason to expect a failure etc.?
I think an SMG M3 could feel really special as something very different to my current Impreza.
I've been reading up a bit today and it sounds as though the SMG is fairly solid in the E46, although it's not unknown to go wrong. As it stands now, with many cars reaching the 100k mark, how are SMG boxes faring? Is there anything significant to be aware of at high mileage?Any reason to expect a failure etc.?
My 2004 SMG E46 M3 is now on 111k miles.
To date, I've had no issues with it at all (touches wood).
To give that some context, the car has been serviced on the button as per schedule, and under my ownership has had interim changes of Castrol 10W60 at 7500 mile intervals. Oil is the key to maintaining a healthy S54.
In terms of usage, it is not tracked but is used as a daily driver. My driving style is generally very relaxed with the occasional burst of foaming at the mouth here and there.
I keep a salmon coloured relay (costs about a tenner) in the glove compartment just in case - a known SMG weak point.
Of course you just never know but for what it's worth, my has been an absolute gem.
To date, I've had no issues with it at all (touches wood).
To give that some context, the car has been serviced on the button as per schedule, and under my ownership has had interim changes of Castrol 10W60 at 7500 mile intervals. Oil is the key to maintaining a healthy S54.
In terms of usage, it is not tracked but is used as a daily driver. My driving style is generally very relaxed with the occasional burst of foaming at the mouth here and there.
I keep a salmon coloured relay (costs about a tenner) in the glove compartment just in case - a known SMG weak point.
Of course you just never know but for what it's worth, my has been an absolute gem.
Krupp Stahl said:
My 2004 SMG E46 M3 is now on 111k miles.
To date, I've had no issues with it at all (touches wood).
To give that some context, the car has been serviced on the button as per schedule, and under my ownership has had interim changes of Castrol 10W60 at 7500 mile intervals. Oil is the key to maintaining a healthy S54.
In terms of usage, it is not tracked but is used as a daily driver. My driving style is generally very relaxed with the occasional burst of foaming at the mouth here and there.
I keep a salmon coloured relay (costs about a tenner) in the glove compartment just in case - a known SMG weak point.
Of course you just never know but for what it's worth, my has been an absolute gem.
Interesting, how many clutched have you used to get to 111k ?To date, I've had no issues with it at all (touches wood).
To give that some context, the car has been serviced on the button as per schedule, and under my ownership has had interim changes of Castrol 10W60 at 7500 mile intervals. Oil is the key to maintaining a healthy S54.
In terms of usage, it is not tracked but is used as a daily driver. My driving style is generally very relaxed with the occasional burst of foaming at the mouth here and there.
I keep a salmon coloured relay (costs about a tenner) in the glove compartment just in case - a known SMG weak point.
Of course you just never know but for what it's worth, my has been an absolute gem.
Mines on 125K and the only thing changed during its life is the gear position sensor.
The gearbox itself is bullet-proof, the pump is the weakest point.
The clutch is original and I'm not expecting to have to change it. There are reports of people changing clutches because the engine is out for other work and finding them less than half worn at 100K+ You can get all the values from the gearbox very easily with a laptop and £20 cable from ebay.
The gearbox itself is bullet-proof, the pump is the weakest point.
The clutch is original and I'm not expecting to have to change it. There are reports of people changing clutches because the engine is out for other work and finding them less than half worn at 100K+ You can get all the values from the gearbox very easily with a laptop and £20 cable from ebay.
Ian_sUK said:
Mines on 125K and the only thing changed during its life is the gear position sensor.
The gearbox itself is bullet-proof, the pump is the weakest point.
The clutch is original and I'm not expecting to have to change it. There are reports of people changing clutches because the engine is out for other work and finding them less than half worn at 100K+ You can get all the values from the gearbox very easily with a laptop and £20 cable from ebay.
Thanks for that, i will look for it.The gearbox itself is bullet-proof, the pump is the weakest point.
The clutch is original and I'm not expecting to have to change it. There are reports of people changing clutches because the engine is out for other work and finding them less than half worn at 100K+ You can get all the values from the gearbox very easily with a laptop and £20 cable from ebay.
the pump itself is bulletproof (the steel gears don't wear out and the seals are good). What fails are the electrical components
I just went through all the troubleshooting to fix the error/limpmode on mine.
1. the salmon relay where the DME is located - cheap fix
2. pump temp sensor - located on the pump unit, a nightmare to get to - cheap part, expensive to change
3. pump electrical motor - usually fails above 120k miles, wears out and cannot maintain the pressure (all depends on how the car has been driven - if only motorway miles it can last 200k miles, if stop and go traffic it can fail at as low as 80k miles). BMW does not sell the motor as a separate part (like they do for the M5 which has common problem). There is a guy selling brand new units on the german ebay for 320 GBP and they work great. Another option is to rebuild your electrical motor but at the end won't be much cheaper. To install it you need to completely remove the pump and once you put it back in you need INPA or GT1 to reset/reteach the gearbox.
I had a manual M3 convertible which I just sold and I still have the manual supercharged m3 drift car. However the SMG coupe has always been the most fun and easy to drive.
I just went through all the troubleshooting to fix the error/limpmode on mine.
1. the salmon relay where the DME is located - cheap fix
2. pump temp sensor - located on the pump unit, a nightmare to get to - cheap part, expensive to change
3. pump electrical motor - usually fails above 120k miles, wears out and cannot maintain the pressure (all depends on how the car has been driven - if only motorway miles it can last 200k miles, if stop and go traffic it can fail at as low as 80k miles). BMW does not sell the motor as a separate part (like they do for the M5 which has common problem). There is a guy selling brand new units on the german ebay for 320 GBP and they work great. Another option is to rebuild your electrical motor but at the end won't be much cheaper. To install it you need to completely remove the pump and once you put it back in you need INPA or GT1 to reset/reteach the gearbox.
I had a manual M3 convertible which I just sold and I still have the manual supercharged m3 drift car. However the SMG coupe has always been the most fun and easy to drive.
123k miles here. I got the clutched changed at 85k as part of a general 'refresh' of the car shortly after purchase....probably didn't need it. Spent thousands on numerous big jobs....because i was silly and "because i could".
I have had the gear position sensor break (requiring a tow) and the salmon relay packed up recently. Otherwise, fine.
I justify the cost SMG brings over a manual with the generally higher purchase prices of non-SMG CS cars...so it all 'works out'.
Go into it with your eyes open and SMG will reward you. Amazing on track and B road blasts. Also useful on M25 traffic to not have to keep actuating the clutch.
I hate the newer dual clutch systems...they are somehow 'too smooth'. I love the violence of an SMG 1st to 2nd change at full speed....awesome!
I have had the gear position sensor break (requiring a tow) and the salmon relay packed up recently. Otherwise, fine.
I justify the cost SMG brings over a manual with the generally higher purchase prices of non-SMG CS cars...so it all 'works out'.
Go into it with your eyes open and SMG will reward you. Amazing on track and B road blasts. Also useful on M25 traffic to not have to keep actuating the clutch.
I hate the newer dual clutch systems...they are somehow 'too smooth'. I love the violence of an SMG 1st to 2nd change at full speed....awesome!
Edited by M3CS on Thursday 25th December 18:28
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