I'm going to sell my M3...

[petrolhead76]

Seriously thinking of selling my M3 after about 3 weeks of ownership. I have zero confidence in the car. I've been having issues with the car and the back end as per my other thread - namely upon acceleration the car would move from side to side, but it seems this is getting worse.

Just an hour ago, I was doing 70mph along on the motorway and starting to overtake a truck and as I was accelerating past the whole car swung violently from side-to-side. Now this was GENTLE acceleration and on a virtually dry road. When I swing side to side I mean 'the drivers side' went from the middle lane into the outside lane and back again.

Now I know you'll get those who will want to post snide remarks but I'm extremely competent driver and my acceleration was way less hard than I used to do on my 325i which never had this issue. I was being extremely light with acceleration, the pedal was just being feathered.

I had kids in the car so there was no sports mode switched on and gear changes were occuring every 2-3k revs at a max.

Jeez could have had a major accident, just so grateful the motorway was virtually empty and I managed to keep the car under control.

I think thats it - time to sell it and move onto something else like a 911 (996) to see if that gives me a more predicatable driving experience when driving "normally".

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 14:12

[zmrjason]

Sounds like the car is in need of some attention. That is not representative of an M3's handling characteristic.....
My suggestion is fix the problem i.e. bushes etc will cost much less than the loss you will make buy reselling! More importantly will give you your confidence back in the car and reassure you of its abilities.
Good luck....
Jason

[petrolhead76]

Thanks for your reply.

How much do you reckon it would cost to fix and is this a common problem ? Some of the other knowledagbly PHers on my other thread mentioned RTABs as well.

If I do get it fixed how long would it be before I'd have to get it fixed again (i.e. is this a reoccuring problem)?

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 14:31

[stuthemong]

Well somethings shagged in the car, isn't it?

Stop being melodramatic, take it to a garage who knows what they are doing (where are you based?) and get it sorted. I had a couple of things go on mine, siezed calliper, broken wheel speed sensor (so no abs/tc/cbc) and a few other things like that. Luckily I didnt have to worry about any drivetrain issues though.

No one can give you a realistic esitimate of cost of this fault as there is no way of knowing what it really is. I would be surprised if it cost more than a couple K to sort, probably only a few hundred quid for some RTABs or the like and a geo. Once sorted you should have 60K trouble free unless you track (lots and lots) in which case you may need RTABs circa 20K.

If it has suddenly become much worse I'd just get it trailered into the garage. If you have a suspension bolt about to fall off, its a lot cheaper to sort if they find that before your wheel collapses and takes the wheel/hub/disk/bumper/skirt/hedge with you - only you can make the call as to how badly it is deteriorating, I'd probably not drive it, and just limp in on monday.

(you could jack it and see how much play the rears have, if they wobble like buggery, dont drive it)

Stu

Edited by stuthemong on Saturday 15th December 14:38

[paoloh]

petrolhead76 said:

Seriously thinking of selling my M3 after about 3 weeks of ownership. I have zero confidence in the car. I've been having issues with the car and the back end as per my other thread - namely upon acceleration the car would move from side to side, but it seems this is getting worse.

Just an hour ago, I was doing 70mph along on the motorway and starting to overtake a truck and as I was accelerating past the whole car swung violently from side-to-side. Now this was GENTLE acceleration and on a virtually dry road. When I swing side to side I mean 'the drivers side' went from the middle lane into the outside lane and back again.

Now I know you'll get those who will want to post snide remarks but I'm extremely competent driver and my acceleration was way less hard than I used to do on my 325i which never had this issue. I was being extremely light with acceleration, the pedal was just being feathered.

I had kids in the car so there was no sports mode switched on and gear changes were occuring every 2-3k revs at a max.

Jeez could have had a major accident, just so grateful the motorway was virtually empty and I managed to keep the car under control.

I think thats it - time to sell it and move onto something else like a 911 (996) to see if that gives me a more predicatable driving experience when driving "normally".

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 14:12

Is this an e46?

Bushes are about £20 each and about 2 hours to fit. The difference is fantastic!!! Rear trailing arm bushes is what you are after. We had it recently on a sales car and it solved all the issues you are talking about!

HTH

[d1bble]

paoloh said:

petrolhead76 said:

Seriously thinking of selling my M3 after about 3 weeks of ownership. I have zero confidence in the car. I've been having issues with the car and the back end as per my other thread - namely upon acceleration the car would move from side to side, but it seems this is getting worse.

Just an hour ago, I was doing 70mph along on the motorway and starting to overtake a truck and as I was accelerating past the whole car swung violently from side-to-side. Now this was GENTLE acceleration and on a virtually dry road. When I swing side to side I mean 'the drivers side' went from the middle lane into the outside lane and back again.

Now I know you'll get those who will want to post snide remarks but I'm extremely competent driver and my acceleration was way less hard than I used to do on my 325i which never had this issue. I was being extremely light with acceleration, the pedal was just being feathered.

I had kids in the car so there was no sports mode switched on and gear changes were occuring every 2-3k revs at a max.

Jeez could have had a major accident, just so grateful the motorway was virtually empty and I managed to keep the car under control.

I think thats it - time to sell it and move onto something else like a 911 (996) to see if that gives me a more predicatable driving experience when driving "normally".

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 14:12

Is this an e46?

Bushes are about £20 each and about 2 hours to fit. The difference is fantastic!!! Rear trailing arm bushes is what you are after. We had it recently on a sales car and it solved all the issues you are talking about!

HTH

Paolo is right. Get it sorted and enjoy the car. You're not going to sell the car in its present condition (knowing that it could catch someone out with its sideward'ness and potentially (hate to say it) kill them))

My shitter skips sideways every so often, but its brought back in line electronically.

[sjp63]

"gear changes at 2k - 3k rpm each time...."

An M3 couldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding at those revs, so it not power sliding....its just f8cked

[djohnson]

I think there must be a problem with your car. My E46 M3 was a very stable and planted beast. Get it checked out.

As for changing it for a 911 I went from a M3 to a 996 C4S. The 911 is great but especially on bumpy roads and in high winds it is much less 'planted' than a E46 M3.

[zmrjason]

Speak to Imran at.......evolveyourcar.com
Very good guys in the Midlands area...If thats no use just get a good reputable specialist BUT do get it fixed before you have an accident!
Then enjoy what is a phenomenal car.
Jason

Edited by zmrjason on Saturday 15th December 17:25

[naetype]

petrolhead76 said:

..................

Just an hour ago, I was doing 70mph along on the motorway and starting to overtake a truck and as I was accelerating past the whole car swung violently from side-to-side. Now this was GENTLE acceleration and on a virtually dry road. When I swing side to side I mean 'the drivers side' went from the middle lane into the outside lane and back again.

...........

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 14:12

TBH I think passing the truck was/is more of a factor than your RTAB's. I'll let Von' or RUL fill in the details as they would explain it far clearer than I could. I know Reg' lurks about here so I'm sure you'll get a reply soon.

[petrolhead76]

Thanks guys - definately iffy. I know how to push a car and I know when the car is at it limits and this was nowhere near.

Definately something is stuffed - Paoloh I'll get those brushes looked at that you mentioned, its reassuring that its not majorly expensive - so hopefully its that.

Driving it REALLY slowly at the moment just to be on the safe side, but will get it booked in on Monday at my local BMW specialist (Luton is a bit far from me - I live near birmingham).

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 18:56

[paoloh]

petrolhead76 said:

Thanks guys - definately iffy. I know how to push a car and I know when the car is at it limits and this was nowhere near.

Definately something is stuffed - Paoloh I'll get those brushes looked at that you mentioned, its reassuring that its not majorly expensive - so hopefully its that.

Should be no more than £120-£150 all in from a good independant garage.

The difference is amazing, it will honestly feel like a different car!

[petrolhead76]

Fingers crossed - hopefully it will sort it !! Thanks for you reply btw.

[waremark]

I am yet another E46 owner who can tell you categorically that an E46 is a well planted car, so what you are experiencing indicates that there is something wrong with yours.

I cannot remember how you bought the car, but surely the seller should be your first port of call?

[Frik]

Give Onkar at OSC a call pronto!

[paoloh]

waremark said:

I am yet another E46 owner who can tell you categorically that an E46 is a well planted car, so what you are experiencing indicates that there is something wrong with yours.

I cannot remember how you bought the car, but surely the seller should be your first port of call?

They are bushes, not covered by any after market warranty and definitely not by a 2nd hand dealer.

[DavidCane]

Presumably that'll be O.S.C Motorsport Ltd
22-23 Arches Business Centre, Mill Rd, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1QW
Tel: [phone]

[whoami]

petrolhead76 said:

Seriously thinking of selling my M3 after about 3 weeks of ownership. I have zero confidence in the car. I've been having issues with the car and the back end as per my other thread - namely upon acceleration the car would move from side to side, but it seems this is getting worse.

Just an hour ago, I was doing 70mph along on the motorway and starting to overtake a truck and as I was accelerating past the whole car swung violently from side-to-side. Now this was GENTLE acceleration and on a virtually dry road. When I swing side to side I mean 'the drivers side' went from the middle lane into the outside lane and back again.

Now I know you'll get those who will want to post snide remarks but I'm extremely competent driver and my acceleration was way less hard than I used to do on my 325i which never had this issue. I was being extremely light with acceleration, the pedal was just being feathered.

I had kids in the car so there was no sports mode switched on and gear changes were occuring every 2-3k revs at a max.

Jeez could have had a major accident, just so grateful the motorway was virtually empty and I managed to keep the car under control.

I think thats it - time to sell it and move onto something else like a 911 (996) to see if that gives me a more predicatable driving experience when driving "normally".

Edited by petrolhead76 on Saturday 15th December 14:12

You were given very good advice on your other thread.

If you want to sell it then just do it.

Otherwise get it sorted

[Frik]

DavidCane said:

Presumably that'll be O.S.C Motorsport Ltd
22-23 Arches Business Centre, Mill Rd, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 1QW
Tel: [phone]

The very same. Was down there this afternoon to pick my car up and they were having a open day to say thank you to all their customers. Didn't spot my car at first - they'd cleaned the bloody thing so I didn't recognise it!

I didn't post the details for petrolhead76 as he was the one who recommended them to me in the first place! Top people.

Edited by Frik on Saturday 15th December 20:43

[Rich H]

Did you get it as an AUC from BMW?