Would you by a E46 M3 SMG out of warranty?

[997c2scab]

Guy's

I was looking for some advice as per the title of the discussion.

I have been thinking about purchasing a E46 M3, This will only be a 3rd car so was looking to do this on the cheap as a bit of fun..... Up to £15,000

With this in mind I am expecting the car to be 2001 to 2004 (if lucky) with higher mileage. (40 - 70k)

Has anyone any experince e46 of this age? Typical faults or things to look out for when buying? and if Coupe or Cab is better?

I get the impression that the SMG Gearbox has had major faults and may be worth avoiding if looking for low maintenance costs? Shame if the case as do like the idea of a Auto....

Any indication as to what to expect on maiteance i.e Tyres & Servicing, Exteneded Warranty if worth it?


Thanks in advance.

[997c2scab]

Sorry for the spelling mistakes and missing letters.....trying to type to quick in excitement

[Slippydiff]

On the basis of 20K miles (now at 58K miles) in my CSL over the past 16 months, categorically not !

[john_p]

997c2scab said:

I get the impression that the SMG Gearbox has had major faults and may be worth avoiding if looking for low maintenance costs? Shame if the case as do like the idea of a Auto....

Have you driven one yet? It's not smooth like an automatic, think of it as a manual with no clutch. I loved both my M3s with SMG, but they weren't for everyone.

[Noel]

I had a terible time with a 52 plate SMG, you may get lucky. If I was offering advice to a friend I'd say get a manual.

Aside from the gearbox I think they're well put together. Tyres, pads and disks will cost but that is to be expected. Inspection II cost the previous owner of my car over £1K so try and buy one that has just had it.

There are plenty about so you should be able to find one without impending costs.

[997c2scab]

Thanks for the replies so far. I havent Driven the SMG so will have to give it a go however the idea of big bills to replace does put me off.

[andye30m3]

I think the SMG box in the E46 is a lot better than the first attempt in the E36 which I suspect is were the idea that it's unreliable comes from. At the end of the day it is another thing which could go wrong but I don't think it's anywhere near a common as it was on the earlier cars.

I'd have a manual anyway (unless buying a CSL) because of the type of driving I do. If I did a lot of town driving I'd be more tempted to try SMG

[Chessers]

I have the SMG in my 04 Cab and I love it. Have always driven manual cars historically and when SMG was recommended by the dealer I had a chuckle and said not for me.

Hour later and I loved it, just feather the accelerator just before you change up and it is smooth as you like.

They can be jerky for the first mile in the morning on ocassion but are also a real driving experience.

When you drop down a couple of gears and get the engine blip it sounds great.

With regards to reliability, I know four SMG cars ranging from 20,000 to 80,000 and all have had no problems whatsoever.

I know others had had nightmares, but that is my personal experience. It's worth spending a bit to have your local Indy give it the once over.

[custardkid]

SMG > manual in full attack mode
SMG < manual in town

custard

[Rawhide]

I will be selling my Individual M3 (Carbon Black, Champagne nappa leather) shortly. I't under full comprehsive BMW warranty.

I've had not reason to use the warranty with the exception of a motor in the seat going wrong.

The SMG system is very good and reliable on the whole.

let me know if interested in the car.

[0836whimper]

Yes. I would and I did.

I think you could write a 'should I buy ?' thread on any car and mention a specific issue and people will reply saying that they had that happen to them.

I had a 330d before the M3 and the consensus on forums was that the swirl flaps were about to be fatally ingested at any point.

My SMG box hasn't vapourised yet either.
With the car on it's toes, I love the added drama of SMG.