E46 M3 Early vs' Late

[Ed FM]

Hi all,

i'm sure this is going over old ground for you but the search facility has been down for ages.

I was looking to keep a Cooper S as daily driver and get possibly an Escort Cosworth as a weekend toy. The other option is to get rid of the Mini and get an M3 as a daily driver. I am leaning towards the last option now and wondered what the pre 2003/2004 models missed out on. There is a nice 2001 model for sale close to me and was considering giving it a look. I know the back lights are different, I presume these could be changed for the later style if I wanted to?

Thanks,

Ed

[nottyash]

54 plates had LED rear lights and there were Sat Nav changes (if fitted)
Thats all I can remember.

[lazy surf]

this is a good site that tells you the differences: http://m3.madrussian.net/modelchanges.shtml

[thehos]

nottyash said:

54 plates had LED rear lights and there were Sat Nav changes (if fitted)
Thats all I can remember.

53 plates

[aaronc]

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

hope this helps!

(source: scutch)

[Ed FM]

Thanks for the info. Just need to find one with the right spec and mileage now.

Cheers,

Ed

[Davidonly]

....But remember a daily driver M3 will be dear to run. I keep mine for weekends and holidays. It's tyres and servicing that are the killers

Fantastic car tho, and will last me for years to come so lost all interest in depreciation etc as not relevant to me now....I think even high milage they will be pretty strong, but there are some potentially big bill horrors there too...So for me, the only tricky bit is warranty. Keeping the BMW one going for now but in 3 years approx will hit 60K (I do drive it a fair bit still) and then the cost is too high. I hear you can go onto a monthly renewal to avoid that too now