Discussion
Felix79 said:
Are you going to be going down a kinda CSL+ route with this build Mark?
I am. The only mechanical changes I might make are to fit Schrick cams and a lighter flywheel / uprated clutch but it won't be for a while. I'll stay NA too, as I simply can't afford a supercharger or turbo. It's hardly slow as it is though anyway. I'll definitely be going with lighter seats, rear cage & harnesses eventually too.So far best I've managed is 24mpg I think?
Nunga said:
Of course I man-mathsed a coilover upgrade, 4.1 diff rebuild, underdrive pulleys, CSL bootlid, square set of wheels, upgraded ARBs, poly bushes, short shifter, Bavsound speaker upgrade, engine remap, BBK, roll cage next year, maybe a LW flywheel... it is a slippery slope indeed. You won't find many owners who regret owning one though. Best car I have ever owned.
I did that with my E92 M3 (made a list just like that), goes to show where the weak points of the car are although its weight was the issue more than anything... partly why I sold it. Still regret selling my E92. I watch the market frequently and want a Melbourne red with 18's (DCT) again although I will run my Integra for a bit before I get rid.
Your E46 looks great. Still even all these years later they look fantastic.
Not asking on your own specifics Mark, but in your opinion, what sort of ballpark figure are "good" E46 M3's changing hands at now?
The prices are so all over the place regarding asking price its difficult to gauge what you might need to spend to dip your toes in a half decent one....
I'm referring to manual coupes btw. No personal interest in verts or smg cars.
The prices are so all over the place regarding asking price its difficult to gauge what you might need to spend to dip your toes in a half decent one....
I'm referring to manual coupes btw. No personal interest in verts or smg cars.
MikeGoodwin said:
I did that with my E92 M3 (made a list just like that), goes to show where the weak points of the car are although its weight was the issue more than anything... partly why I sold it.
Your E46 looks great. Still even all these years later they look fantastic.
It was a list like that which made me discount an E46 M3 initially. If I was going to have one, it would mean spending close to the cars purchase price on making it the car I actually wanted, assuming I could find a corrosion free manual in laguna seca blue to start with? I was just incredibly fortunate that a car in my perfect spec' came up for sale and luckier too, that it was near Exeter. In an ideal world it would have had the boot floor done but Reddish inspected it and it's one of the best they've seen. I'm having it done in a few weeks though anyway and am fitting a PSD rear turret brace just to be certain.Your E46 looks great. Still even all these years later they look fantastic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_smpjpJ5NM&fe...
DoubleTime said:
Not asking on your own specifics Mark, but in your opinion, what sort of ballpark figure are "good" E46 M3's changing hands at now?
The prices are so all over the place regarding asking price its difficult to gauge what you might need to spend to dip your toes in a half decent one....
I'm referring to manual coupes btw. No personal interest in verts or smg cars.
I'm sure there are far more knowledgable people than I but, from my own experience, I would say you'd be looking at anywhere between £9k and £11k for a decent manual example with good history. There are a couple of nice cars on the E46 M3 owners UK FaceBook page including one which just needs a little bit of cosmetic love for £8.5k. I think it's just a case of looking at as many cars as you can. Mind you, I bought the first one I saw but mainly because it was highly unlikely I'd find another in the same spec. The prices are so all over the place regarding asking price its difficult to gauge what you might need to spend to dip your toes in a half decent one....
I'm referring to manual coupes btw. No personal interest in verts or smg cars.
e46m3Mark said:
DoubleTime said:
Not asking on your own specifics Mark, but in your opinion, what sort of ballpark figure are "good" E46 M3's changing hands at now?
The prices are so all over the place regarding asking price its difficult to gauge what you might need to spend to dip your toes in a half decent one....
I'm referring to manual coupes btw. No personal interest in verts or smg cars.
I'm sure there are far more knowledgable people than I but, from my own experience, I would say you'd be looking at anywhere between £9k and £11k for a decent manual example with good history. There are a couple of nice cars on the E46 M3 owners UK FaceBook page including one which just needs a little bit of cosmetic love for £8.5k. I think it's just a case of looking at as many cars as you can. Mind you, I bought the first one I saw but mainly because it was highly unlikely I'd find another in the same spec. The prices are so all over the place regarding asking price its difficult to gauge what you might need to spend to dip your toes in a half decent one....
I'm referring to manual coupes btw. No personal interest in verts or smg cars.
Nunga said:
Did I read correctly you’ve got a 4.1 diff? Can you go further with info on the rebuild? It’s probanly the best upgrade, or at least equal to the carbon airbox, for the M3.
It was done by a previous owner but there's plenty of info on Cutters. It's a great mod' though and certainly livens up performance. ETA - Plenty of info here https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/best-place-...
Edited by e46m3Mark on Saturday 22 December 16:46
I have a 4.1 as well, but I had an E36 Evo diff used for the rebuild so it is a true mechanical LSD as opposed to the E46 Torsen M-Diff. Hence why I asked if you could give more details because there are many ways yours might have been done. It’s a hilarious improvement to driving my car, but it just sounds like yours is the perfect car to have bought.
M3 went for boot floor strengthening and new rear subframe bushes today. I’ll most likely go with uprated items and will check brake lines, prop guibo etc whilst the rear subframe is out and on the floor. A lick of paint or powder coat wouldn’t hurt either.
I’ve been offered KW V2 coilover suspension but as said previously, I’d hoped to find some used Intrax in budget. I’ve also secured a Safety Devices rear cage but it’ll need painting in body colour before I fit it. Again it all comes down to cash as I’ll also need race seats and harnesses.
There’s no rush though.
I’ve been offered KW V2 coilover suspension but as said previously, I’d hoped to find some used Intrax in budget. I’ve also secured a Safety Devices rear cage but it’ll need painting in body colour before I fit it. Again it all comes down to cash as I’ll also need race seats and harnesses.
There’s no rush though.
Ha.
That's almost identical to mine! I've got the LSB interior but otherwise v similar. Running 3.9 diff, CSL airbox and genuine bodywork, KWV2, BBK with DS2500s. Mine had a full respray and poly bush before I bought it (belonged to Scoobydoo on Cutters).
Its currently on BBS CH 19s. All I've had to do is the power steering hose, water pump and diff bushes. Its such a lovely thing to own and surprisingly practical with the split fold seats and roof rack.
I've loved owning it for the past few years and they are awesome cars but I'll be chopping it in this year for something with 4 doors as the kids are becoming just a bit too big really now (5 and 6). Plus I've hit middle age and want an auto gearbox.
Lovely cars though and yours looks beautiful.
That's almost identical to mine! I've got the LSB interior but otherwise v similar. Running 3.9 diff, CSL airbox and genuine bodywork, KWV2, BBK with DS2500s. Mine had a full respray and poly bush before I bought it (belonged to Scoobydoo on Cutters).
Its currently on BBS CH 19s. All I've had to do is the power steering hose, water pump and diff bushes. Its such a lovely thing to own and surprisingly practical with the split fold seats and roof rack.
I've loved owning it for the past few years and they are awesome cars but I'll be chopping it in this year for something with 4 doors as the kids are becoming just a bit too big really now (5 and 6). Plus I've hit middle age and want an auto gearbox.
Lovely cars though and yours looks beautiful.
Thanks guys.
It was the spec' that really swung it for me. That and the fact I've always just loved the chunky and aggressive styling of the E46. I was also surprised at just how different it felt to the E36, which really didn't do much for me when I put a few hundred miles on one early last year.
I also think the value of manual E46 M3's are set to continue to rise and it was a kind of 'now or never' scenario for my having one. The only thing lacking on my car was the boot floor strengthening and had anyone asked me, I would have probably said not to buy one that hadn't had the floor issues taken care of. I would have also said to look at as many different cars as you could and to certainly never buy the very first one you see! Clearly all that advice wasn't taken by me though, so I was lucky that it appears to have worked out OK. Well so far anyway. It's in having the boot floor strengthening now and although it's not a cheap job, I think it will reaffirm the value of the car, so it's money well spent. I didn't buy it as an investment though, so it's definitely going to get used as much as possible.
I'll definitely be taking it to Retro Rides this year but imagine it's way too young to make it past the car park. The guys that run the RR events are always great though and usually allow me to park somewhere to make it easier for me because of my dodgy leg. Asking if I can take it up the hill may be pushing my luck but fingers crossed.
I also want to clean and feed the leather trim, as well as swap out the steering wheel for something a bit nicer.
It was the spec' that really swung it for me. That and the fact I've always just loved the chunky and aggressive styling of the E46. I was also surprised at just how different it felt to the E36, which really didn't do much for me when I put a few hundred miles on one early last year.
I also think the value of manual E46 M3's are set to continue to rise and it was a kind of 'now or never' scenario for my having one. The only thing lacking on my car was the boot floor strengthening and had anyone asked me, I would have probably said not to buy one that hadn't had the floor issues taken care of. I would have also said to look at as many different cars as you could and to certainly never buy the very first one you see! Clearly all that advice wasn't taken by me though, so I was lucky that it appears to have worked out OK. Well so far anyway. It's in having the boot floor strengthening now and although it's not a cheap job, I think it will reaffirm the value of the car, so it's money well spent. I didn't buy it as an investment though, so it's definitely going to get used as much as possible.
I'll definitely be taking it to Retro Rides this year but imagine it's way too young to make it past the car park. The guys that run the RR events are always great though and usually allow me to park somewhere to make it easier for me because of my dodgy leg. Asking if I can take it up the hill may be pushing my luck but fingers crossed.
I also want to clean and feed the leather trim, as well as swap out the steering wheel for something a bit nicer.
The devil is in the detail and I treated myself to a new steering wheel. I just need to get a quick release boss.
I also got an induction air scoop from PS Design. They do some nice upgrades for E46 M3 and the quality seems really good.
I also got an induction air scoop from PS Design. They do some nice upgrades for E46 M3 and the quality seems really good.
Edited by e30m3Mark on Saturday 5th January 22:01
Nunga said:
The E46 M3 really isn't that scary to own as a used proposition if you have self control, especially for only two-three years if you just want to scratch an itch. Find one with the right work already done, especially big ticket motor items like a VANOS rebuild and rod bearings, and your outlay will be just oil changes, fuel, and tyres more or less. I reckon a normal car running budget plus an additional £1,000 a year would be my advice; 1k-ish will sort each of the following;
VANOS (every 50-60k miles)
Rod bearings (every 50-60k miles)
RACP strengthening (once)
SMG-related problem solving (buy a manual and avoid it, or upgrade to a Burkhart pump for a start))
Inspection II (every 4th service, mileage dependent)
Of course I man-mathsed a coilover upgrade, 4.1 diff rebuild, underdrive pulleys, CSL bootlid, square set of wheels, upgraded ARBs, poly bushes, short shifter, Bavsound speaker upgrade, engine remap, BBK, roll cage next year, maybe a LW flywheel... it is a slippery slope indeed. You won't find many owners who regret owning one though. Best car I have ever owned.
Surprised nobody else has clocked this but that sounds extremely OTT.VANOS (every 50-60k miles)
Rod bearings (every 50-60k miles)
RACP strengthening (once)
SMG-related problem solving (buy a manual and avoid it, or upgrade to a Burkhart pump for a start))
Inspection II (every 4th service, mileage dependent)
Of course I man-mathsed a coilover upgrade, 4.1 diff rebuild, underdrive pulleys, CSL bootlid, square set of wheels, upgraded ARBs, poly bushes, short shifter, Bavsound speaker upgrade, engine remap, BBK, roll cage next year, maybe a LW flywheel... it is a slippery slope indeed. You won't find many owners who regret owning one though. Best car I have ever owned.
Patrick Bateman said:
Surprised nobody else has clocked this but that sounds extremely OTT.
VANOS and rod bearing replacement can both prove pretty costly I’m sure. I’m still trying to ascertain exactly what engine work mine has had over the years but it’s meant contacting the specific workshops detailed in the service book and some seem more helpful than others. I know the rod bearings were done (under recall) but I’m unsure when or where. Before the whole “data protection” thing I would have got all the previous keeper info from the DVLA but that’s no longer an option. My engine feels strong and for now I’ll just keep giving regular oil and filter changes. I intend having a Millers oil analysis done, which will hopefully mean I can prevent any failures. Well that’s the plan anyway.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff