RE: BMW M3 (E46): You Know You Want To
Discussion
Leins said:
I only put 9k miles on mine in 5 years, although changed the oil every 12 months regardless
Sometimes I wonder if I didn't drive it enough, and that was certainly true of my old E34 M5. Feckin thing would hate me if I left it alone for a while!
Mine are more like 2 or 300 miles a year Sometimes I wonder if I didn't drive it enough, and that was certainly true of my old E34 M5. Feckin thing would hate me if I left it alone for a while!
TheAngryDog said:
SidewaysSi said:
Depends what you are used to and what you want from a car. I had just stepped out of an Integra R and in comparison, the M3 was a fast cruiser. Nice engine but again, probably not a patch on the Honda's.
My main gripe with the M3 was it was a bit too accomplished as standard. I don't want electric seats or a fancy radio which all add mass. I like my cars simple and light (I am a Caterham and Elise type). Also the weight of the engine made itself felt which I didn't like either. Steering was quite poor as was the gearchange and it required more commitment than I am willing to give on the road to make it move underneath me.
Hence the lighter, less grippy (skinny 15" tyres) 328i.
Saying that as standard, it needs some (going to be a lot!) of upgrades but these are cheaper than on the M3 and will make for a more fun and focused car. Hopefully what I will be left with is a great road car which I can push hard and enjoy on road without costing the earth. Low grip, less mass fun which is what I prefer.
You like to slide cars around on public roads then?My main gripe with the M3 was it was a bit too accomplished as standard. I don't want electric seats or a fancy radio which all add mass. I like my cars simple and light (I am a Caterham and Elise type). Also the weight of the engine made itself felt which I didn't like either. Steering was quite poor as was the gearchange and it required more commitment than I am willing to give on the road to make it move underneath me.
Hence the lighter, less grippy (skinny 15" tyres) 328i.
Saying that as standard, it needs some (going to be a lot!) of upgrades but these are cheaper than on the M3 and will make for a more fun and focused car. Hopefully what I will be left with is a great road car which I can push hard and enjoy on road without costing the earth. Low grip, less mass fun which is what I prefer.
culpz said:
Funk said:
culpz said:
Yupp, definitely. Just running a non-M BMW can be expensive. Obviously, the price of parts are more than would be on something like a Ford but that's to be expected really.
I can, in no way, afford an M3. A 330ci has been considered multiple times but it's just keeping them in decent working condition.
At the end of the day, the M3 is a 40k car with running costs to match. Just because they can be had much cheaper than that now doesn't affect the maintenance and running costs.
I looked at E46 M3s and decided against at the moment. I went for a tidy 330Ci instead and after sorting out a few niggles it's been fine but I'm still not quite bonding with it the same way I did with my E36 328i. For now though, the 330Ci is a great daily and enough fun to chuck about a bit when the mood takes me but I've got my eye on something with a V8 later this year...I can, in no way, afford an M3. A 330ci has been considered multiple times but it's just keeping them in decent working condition.
At the end of the day, the M3 is a 40k car with running costs to match. Just because they can be had much cheaper than that now doesn't affect the maintenance and running costs.
I'm not sure that's what i'm after right now and i'm also not sure, in my current financial state, that i could put up/keep up with the maintenance and common issue on them.
[b]
I do keep looking at 325ti's as the rust issues on them seem to be alot less widespread and generally not as bad. But, then again, alot of the common issue on the 330 will be the same for that too.[/b]
I've had two E46 M3's, both have been an absolute pleasure to own and drive.
First was an '04 Carbon Black run on 18"s for track use and 19"'s for everyday driving. Bought used just out of warranty so opted for the extended BMW warranty, which I used twice, for a rear parking sensor and a piece of interior trim. Put over 30k glorious miles on it, serviced very regularly, and it never missed a beat. It was a BMW AUC car which helped, knowing that it had been well cared for.
Second, and current weekend warrior, is an'02 Imola Red, on CSL's with just over 90k.
Didn't bother with a warranty as the first one was all but wasted....
I think, if you do a bit of research and drive as many cars as possible, it's fairly easy to get a good feel for the cars which have been well cared for.
The E46 M3, and more particularly the S54 stove, is an engineering marvel and an absolue joy for the senses. I truely believe that if either car had catastrophically failed, I would've been happy enough to have even experienced the sonorous symphony of that six at full noise.
I once travelled to the nurburgring, ended up blowing an engine and had to pay to have a car shipped home and rebuilt. I always said that if the same were to happen, I'd do it again for the experience.
Same applies for the E46 M3.
First was an '04 Carbon Black run on 18"s for track use and 19"'s for everyday driving. Bought used just out of warranty so opted for the extended BMW warranty, which I used twice, for a rear parking sensor and a piece of interior trim. Put over 30k glorious miles on it, serviced very regularly, and it never missed a beat. It was a BMW AUC car which helped, knowing that it had been well cared for.
Second, and current weekend warrior, is an'02 Imola Red, on CSL's with just over 90k.
Didn't bother with a warranty as the first one was all but wasted....
I think, if you do a bit of research and drive as many cars as possible, it's fairly easy to get a good feel for the cars which have been well cared for.
The E46 M3, and more particularly the S54 stove, is an engineering marvel and an absolue joy for the senses. I truely believe that if either car had catastrophically failed, I would've been happy enough to have even experienced the sonorous symphony of that six at full noise.
I once travelled to the nurburgring, ended up blowing an engine and had to pay to have a car shipped home and rebuilt. I always said that if the same were to happen, I'd do it again for the experience.
Same applies for the E46 M3.
s m said:
Try and get a go in some - I've had a few 6-pot threes over the last 30 years starting with the E21 323i, then going through the E30, E36 328i, E46 330 and a 325ti which is a great little car out the box.The ti was a bargain a few years back compared to the bigger shell E46 6-pots, not so much now that some 330s have become budget bangers/sheds. E46 you can still do loads of stuff yourself maintenance wise. Chris Harris is/was a big E46 M3 fan and he really rated the ti if you can't/don't want to stretch to an M car. Certainly he did say the steering was better. Plenty on here will disagree but I think Leins ( on the thread here with his CSL experiences ) quite liked his ti too
+1 for trying a 325ti 
On the original topic I'm not brave enough to buy an M3, but keep getting drawn to threads about them!
Mr Tidy said:
+1 for trying a 325ti
On the original topic I'm not brave enough to buy an M3, but keep getting drawn to threads about them!
Honestly, if you're thinking about it, buy one. Even if it goes horribly wrong, I don't think you'll ever regret ownership. On the original topic I'm not brave enough to buy an M3, but keep getting drawn to threads about them!
As someone said earlier, even an '02 with 170k on the clock and a cooked engine would probably break for a reasonable return....
s m said:
Try and get a go in some - I've had a few 6-pot threes over the last 30 years starting with the E21 323i, then going through the E30, E36 328i, E46 330 and a 325ti which is a great little car out the box.The ti was a bargain a few years back compared to the bigger shell E46 6-pots, not so much now that some 330s have become budget bangers/sheds. E46 you can still do loads of stuff yourself maintenance wise. Chris Harris is/was a big E46 M3 fan and he really rated the ti if you can't/don't want to stretch to an M car. Certainly he did say the steering was better. Plenty on here will disagree but I think Leins ( on the thread here with his CSL experiences ) quite liked his ti too
I certainly did! Still maintain the 325ti is the sweet-spot of the E46 range (and I ran both ends of that range too over a 10 year spell)I love mine. It was always a "bucket list" car and I'm really glad I decided to take the plunge. Maybe it'll cost me a fortune, maybe it won't. At least I'm not spending a lot on depreciation.
Don't ignore the SMG, it's a lot cheaper to fix than it used to be and it's now very easy to download the CSL rev matching software onto it which completely transforms it.
The important thing is to accept it for what it is, it's not some ultra-lightweight stripped out car in the caterham mould, it's one of the world's best ever engines in a sweet handling road car which happens to be very capable on track if that's your thing.
Don't ignore the SMG, it's a lot cheaper to fix than it used to be and it's now very easy to download the CSL rev matching software onto it which completely transforms it.
The important thing is to accept it for what it is, it's not some ultra-lightweight stripped out car in the caterham mould, it's one of the world's best ever engines in a sweet handling road car which happens to be very capable on track if that's your thing.
KMA880 said:
A recent listing for a Blue E46 CS manual with less than 8000 miles on the clock went for upwards of £60K.
I called asking the POA price, expecting it to be in the mid 20's....
Not sure when this bubble will burst, but most of the good ones are already becoming harder to find!
I thought that was advertised for £40k or near offer on car and classic ????I called asking the POA price, expecting it to be in the mid 20's....
Not sure when this bubble will burst, but most of the good ones are already becoming harder to find!
A good while ago I almost bought one of these with an ACS suspension kit. Was going to it after a 2.5L turbo six in a Jap saloon and I just ended up feeling massively underwhelmed. Incredibly dull, lazy feeling (as I'd just come from a turbo) and un-engaging at slow speeds with an absolutely appalling gearbox. Didn't think it sounded very nice either. At the time I'd have rather just had another JZX100, it was the far more interesting car going back to back (but unfortunately it was written off in a rear-ender).
I don't understand some of BMW's design choices. Why mate such a numb, agricultural gearbox to this engine? It needed a nice short positive throw and shorter gearing.
Left feeling quite disappointed. That said, a lot of the ingredients are there so I can see why these are so liked. With the right mods I can see how they'd be great on a track.
I don't understand some of BMW's design choices. Why mate such a numb, agricultural gearbox to this engine? It needed a nice short positive throw and shorter gearing.
Left feeling quite disappointed. That said, a lot of the ingredients are there so I can see why these are so liked. With the right mods I can see how they'd be great on a track.
Edited by Andy S15 on Friday 16th June 07:54
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff