M3 E46 as new sensible toy?

[Lars87]

Besides my VW diesel daily beater, I have Lamborghini Diablo and Corvette Grand Sport as my toys.
Good news is we have a baby on its way, sad news is that none of the fun cars allow for 3 people or a baby carriage. Actually none of our cars, Fiat500 and Lupo 3L can propperly fit a baby carriage.

So I have had some serius thoughts about replacing the Corvette with a E46 M3, as I like to track my cars a bit too, and this could act both as a "family car" and toy car.

What is the current options with SMGII rebuild parts and repairs?
How does the SMG E46 shift, uo and down. Is same kinda of fast as the 355F1 system? I would really hate if the down and up changes was note done promte as the gear is selected.
Besides the conrods recall, what should I look for on E46 M3, all years included?

[Windymiller]

Personally, I'd avoid the SMG for track work. I had an immaculate 20,000 mile one that did thousands of fast miles over Europe.

Then, the first trackday I took it too, and it started to 'miss' 3rd-4th and so the nightmare began. Plenty of other people have had similar experiences that I know of. It may just be a bad bunch, but when they go they're not cheap to fix.

Though in fairness the CSL's seem to cope fairly well? This is just my experience and opinion though.

[chriscoates]

What's your budget? If you can stretch to a CSL, I would definitely go for it because strangely the gearbox seems to cope better with abuse and the residual values only appear to be increasing - the amount sold in the classifieds shows how in-demand they are at the moment.

[Porscheplayer]

chriscoates said:

What's your budget? If you can stretch to a CSL, I would definitely go for it because strangely the gearbox seems to cope better with abuse and the residual values only appear to be increasing - the amount sold in the classifieds shows how in-demand they are at the moment.

+1

I have a CSL, considered standard M3, it didn't feel that special, sure it's fast and pratical. The CSL offers a bit more and is only slightly less friendly day to day.

[Lars87]

My idea was to get a low priced M3, 8-10000 pound, and run it way it is. This will be a sinsible toy, and I belive the e46 m3 to be quite a performance bargin right now.
I have worked on all my cars myself, and i dont mind it. Thats way would take chance with a 8-10k M3. CSL is 20k + I belive.

Is there any rebuild parts avalible for the SMGII gearbox? Like a rebuild pump, and compression spring?

[rev-erend]

Why not get the 6 speed manual and avoid the SMG problem..

Cracks on the rear subframe chassis area is the main issue.

[chriscoates]

rev-erend said:

Why not get the 6 speed manual and avoid the SMG problem..

Cracks on the rear subframe chassis area is the main issue.

If you're aiming for the lower end of the market, chances are these are higher-mileage cars that may not have been brilliantly maintained, and for that reason I would seriously consider the manual over the SMG. Gearboxes have come a long way since then (remember these were first produced ten years ago) so it eliminates a lot of risk involved in buying a high-mileage SMG car.

[rev-erend]

I bought a high miler older M3 with manual box and it has been great.

[don logan]

I had a CSL and only sold it because of the SMG gearbox, not because it went wrong but because I got sidetracked by the novelty and thought I may grow to appreciate it but ended up hating it, it was a real shame because I actually loved the rest of the car!

It`s put me off owning V10 M5s and M6s despite their bargain prices!

[rev-erend]

I did not for a blat in my mates M3 with SMG and thought the gear change
was brutal..

Think he had it set on some launch mode or other.

[rash_decision]

For track work, the SMG is excellent in my opinion. You can change up the gears with no lift off, so the car stays perfectly settled. The change is so quick!! For the road, Manual is the better option. This is purely my opinion in having a few of both versions.

[Thorny]

How often are you going to use it as a family car? Would not 4 doors be better?

[Lars87]

Maybe 6-8 weekends a year or so.

I know a RS4 or something would be more pratical, but I cant imagine having a car that big. The M3 boot and rear seat would be just fine.


I was out in a M3, 2004 maunal today. Great car, but I want to try and SMG too before I decide.

[Windymiller]

I would try the SMG just to see - that's what sold me on mine. However it's what made me sell it in the end. The novelty had worn off, and it wasn't coping with track days too well.

[Onetrackmind]

If you are wondering about practicality, they're easily big enough with one kid. We've found the boot huge.

[fourspoons]

Having a manual M3 is no guarantee you won't have gearbox problems, mine had to have a complete 'box replacement after it lunched on its 6th gear. Aside from the actuator and the electronics, the actual gearbox is the same, so I don't see how the SMG box is any less reliable. All the electronics and gubbins might be though........

[Windymiller]

It's not the box reliability we're on about or we obviously wouldn't be suggesting to avoid SMG — we all know the SMG box is just a manual with a load of electronics and hydraulics doing the changes.

It's these extra bits that can cause all the troubles...