What to look for in an E46 M3
Discussion
I'm currently giving a lot of thought to the next car which I should be getting in the new year, if I can that is.
I was looking at the prices of E46 M3s and it went in quite high at the top of my list.
So what should I look out for in an M3 of this era?
Is there a year for example in whihc things were improved, problems sorted out or are they all equal.
Also should I be worried about an older one from 2002 or are they bullet proof if not bomb proof?
Any help useful. Thanks
Mikeyboy.
I was looking at the prices of E46 M3s and it went in quite high at the top of my list.
So what should I look out for in an M3 of this era?
Is there a year for example in whihc things were improved, problems sorted out or are they all equal.
Also should I be worried about an older one from 2002 or are they bullet proof if not bomb proof?
Any help useful. Thanks
Mikeyboy.
Hi Mikey
Lots of info already on here so do a search if you haven't already done so. I have only had the one E46 M3 but my advice would be to take your time as there are loads out there. I had a fully loaded black on black and wish I had kept it longer to be honest. I don't think I appreciated how good a car it was until it had long gone to its new owner.
If I were to buy another one I would go for the 2003+ post facelift. I had the SMGII on mine and loved it when actually driving but it was a bit of a pain for parking/reversing etc. So I would actually go manual if it were me. Less to go wrong and all that.
I actually like the nav unit so would want one with this and updated software and mapping (this is easy to update for little money). Would also go for HK. Heated seats are nice as well. Anything else is a bonus I would say.
Make sure the running in service is done and check that the book is fully stamped up at the right times (double check this if no back up paperwork). It doesn't need to be full BMW history, just make sure a good indi has seen it if not BMW. Make sure any recall work has been done as well (mainly pre facelift problems).
Rear trailing arm bushes tend to go and you can tell as the back end will feel disconnected to the front when pushing on. Very unnerving!
They can have oil leaks (usually minor from a gasket) so have a good poke around the engine.
Lots of info already on here so do a search if you haven't already done so. I have only had the one E46 M3 but my advice would be to take your time as there are loads out there. I had a fully loaded black on black and wish I had kept it longer to be honest. I don't think I appreciated how good a car it was until it had long gone to its new owner.
If I were to buy another one I would go for the 2003+ post facelift. I had the SMGII on mine and loved it when actually driving but it was a bit of a pain for parking/reversing etc. So I would actually go manual if it were me. Less to go wrong and all that.
I actually like the nav unit so would want one with this and updated software and mapping (this is easy to update for little money). Would also go for HK. Heated seats are nice as well. Anything else is a bonus I would say.
Make sure the running in service is done and check that the book is fully stamped up at the right times (double check this if no back up paperwork). It doesn't need to be full BMW history, just make sure a good indi has seen it if not BMW. Make sure any recall work has been done as well (mainly pre facelift problems).
Rear trailing arm bushes tend to go and you can tell as the back end will feel disconnected to the front when pushing on. Very unnerving!
They can have oil leaks (usually minor from a gasket) so have a good poke around the engine.
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=8
All you need is here.
Rear springs snap like carrots, discs last about 40k miles and are quite pricey so factor it in a sale price if required.
See if it selects 1st and reverse when cold (Manual)as the splines can rust making it difficult. Cost me £550, but had a Clutch fitted for that.
SMG units have been known to fail.
There was a recall on 2003 and earlier cars, I think it was something to do with the crankshaft, I checked mine had been done prior to buying it.
Subframes can crack, though not sure exactly how common that is.
Options are a personal thing. Elec heated memory seats, Harmon Kardon, Bluetooth prep and Sat Nav are popular, as are the 19" wheels.
I dont have bluetooth, Harmon Kardon or 19s on the one I have now, but love it. I have an electric rear blind & never use it.
Sunroof was an option, and of course do you want Manual or SMG. Those with SMG say there best, those with Manual say there best. Truth is its your choice.
Later cars get the rear LED lights, but they are available on ebay for £120 if it floats your boat.
Shop around its a buyers market .
All you need is here.
Rear springs snap like carrots, discs last about 40k miles and are quite pricey so factor it in a sale price if required.
See if it selects 1st and reverse when cold (Manual)as the splines can rust making it difficult. Cost me £550, but had a Clutch fitted for that.
SMG units have been known to fail.
There was a recall on 2003 and earlier cars, I think it was something to do with the crankshaft, I checked mine had been done prior to buying it.
Subframes can crack, though not sure exactly how common that is.
Options are a personal thing. Elec heated memory seats, Harmon Kardon, Bluetooth prep and Sat Nav are popular, as are the 19" wheels.
I dont have bluetooth, Harmon Kardon or 19s on the one I have now, but love it. I have an electric rear blind & never use it.
Sunroof was an option, and of course do you want Manual or SMG. Those with SMG say there best, those with Manual say there best. Truth is its your choice.
Later cars get the rear LED lights, but they are available on ebay for £120 if it floats your boat.
Shop around its a buyers market .
Edited by nottyash on Monday 14th November 19:29
As with all performance cars, it pays to be very careful.
I was unlucky.. I bought a 2001 manual M3 with full BMW history and 80k. In great condition cosmetically and drove superbly. After a few months it suddenly had a knocking noise from the top of the engine! Turned out to be a failed small end bearing (the big end bearings had been replaced two years earlier under recall). Despite the fact that this sort of defect on a modern highly engineered car should be unheard of BMW would not admit that there had ever been any problems with their engine bearings and offered no help or goodwill. Solution.. replacement engine! A very costly experience and one that has rather dented my confidence in the reliability of 'M' series engines, although I do accept I was probably just very unlucky.
If it were me I would go for a post 2003 as I believe the bearings were sourced from a different supplier owing to all the problems had with the earlier one. Or, try an Audi RS or AMG as there would seem to be far less instances of major engine failures with these marques.
Good luck in your search... they are very nice cars to drive.
Steve.
I was unlucky.. I bought a 2001 manual M3 with full BMW history and 80k. In great condition cosmetically and drove superbly. After a few months it suddenly had a knocking noise from the top of the engine! Turned out to be a failed small end bearing (the big end bearings had been replaced two years earlier under recall). Despite the fact that this sort of defect on a modern highly engineered car should be unheard of BMW would not admit that there had ever been any problems with their engine bearings and offered no help or goodwill. Solution.. replacement engine! A very costly experience and one that has rather dented my confidence in the reliability of 'M' series engines, although I do accept I was probably just very unlucky.
If it were me I would go for a post 2003 as I believe the bearings were sourced from a different supplier owing to all the problems had with the earlier one. Or, try an Audi RS or AMG as there would seem to be far less instances of major engine failures with these marques.
Good luck in your search... they are very nice cars to drive.
Steve.
Stephen Pook said:
As with all performance cars, it pays to be very careful.
I was unlucky.. I bought a 2001 manual M3 with full BMW history and 80k. In great condition cosmetically and drove superbly. After a few months it suddenly had a knocking noise from the top of the engine! Turned out to be a failed small end bearing (the big end bearings had been replaced two years earlier under recall). Despite the fact that this sort of defect on a modern highly engineered car should be unheard of BMW would not admit that there had ever been any problems with their engine bearings and offered no help or goodwill. Solution.. replacement engine! A very costly experience and one that has rather dented my confidence in the reliability of 'M' series engines, although I do accept I was probably just very unlucky.
If it were me I would go for a post 2003 as I believe the bearings were sourced from a different supplier owing to all the problems had with the earlier one. Or, try an Audi RS or AMG as there would seem to be far less instances of major engine failures with these marques.
Good luck in your search... they are very nice cars to drive.
Steve.
Thanks, I had an RS4 and I would happily get another but the base price is still in the 20s. The M3 looks like a more reasonable purchase price even if keeping it running will be roughly similar.I was unlucky.. I bought a 2001 manual M3 with full BMW history and 80k. In great condition cosmetically and drove superbly. After a few months it suddenly had a knocking noise from the top of the engine! Turned out to be a failed small end bearing (the big end bearings had been replaced two years earlier under recall). Despite the fact that this sort of defect on a modern highly engineered car should be unheard of BMW would not admit that there had ever been any problems with their engine bearings and offered no help or goodwill. Solution.. replacement engine! A very costly experience and one that has rather dented my confidence in the reliability of 'M' series engines, although I do accept I was probably just very unlucky.
If it were me I would go for a post 2003 as I believe the bearings were sourced from a different supplier owing to all the problems had with the earlier one. Or, try an Audi RS or AMG as there would seem to be far less instances of major engine failures with these marques.
Good luck in your search... they are very nice cars to drive.
Steve.
All might be a bit academic now though. Cash I thought was coming in is not so likely anymore. I hate commission based pay.
Im fancying having a punt on one myself, there are literally hundreds for sale and many of them are well loved, enthusiast owned cars. Im tempted to by a 150k miler for pocket money and run it into the ground, I've been reading up on their build quality and they seem to be built like tanks, for the most part?
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