E46 M3 - Anything to watch for?
Discussion
I am considering an E46 M3 as the replacement for my Cerbera.
Is there anything in particular to watch out for? I'm test driving the SMG version this evening and I will (following reading the various posts) give it time before I judge what I think of it.
Also I've heard that cars without sat nav and 19'' alloys are difficult to sell (the one I'm looking at has neither of these options), is this the case and do the 19'' wheels adversely effect the handling?
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
Is there anything in particular to watch out for? I'm test driving the SMG version this evening and I will (following reading the various posts) give it time before I judge what I think of it.
Also I've heard that cars without sat nav and 19'' alloys are difficult to sell (the one I'm looking at has neither of these options), is this the case and do the 19'' wheels adversely effect the handling?
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
pdavison said:
I am considering an E46 M3 as the replacement for my Cerbera.
Is there anything in particular to watch out for? I'm test driving the SMG version this evening and I will (following reading the various posts) give it time before I judge what I think of it.
Also I've heard that cars without sat nav and 19'' alloys are difficult to sell (the one I'm looking at has neither of these options), is this the case and do the 19'' wheels adversely effect the handling?
Any pointers would be much appreciated.
Hey mate,
I'm moving from the Tuscan S to the M3 SMG version and test driving car on Saturday...so would be great to here your views in advance post your drive this evening!
If all goes well I am placing my despoit Monday with delivery mid-Sept...already seen car already fully spec'd...
Alan.
Rights guys here are my impressions and a few other questions...
First of all the car looks great, I like the fact it's understated yet subtly aggressive (if that's possible).
The interior was well laid out with an execitive feel to it, but a little dull in the black leather (not sure if another colour would brighten things up a bit). The seats are one of the most comfortable I've sat in with just about every adjustment you could wish for (and a few that you wouldn't!).
And onto the bit that I thought would make me hate the car ... the gearbox. I did the usual learner driver changes to start with, but after about 5 minutes (and yes I was surprised too), I got the hang of it. A little lift off between changes and it was as smooth as a normal manual. The best bit was the amount of adjustment you can make to it by playing through the different modes. With it on it's fastest setting I do believe that it can change faster than you could in a manual. The best bit it when you take it to the next level by selecting sport mode. The car responds so much quicker and feels more aggressive.
Also, I approached a long road with speed humps, so I selected auto mode and drifted along with very little effort, somthing that would be very handy for sitting in traffic.
My only query is why you would drive it in anything below the 4-6 setting (near the highest) because that's what the car is all about. The auto shift is very poor when you're pushing it, but then if you're pushing it you probably wouldn't select auto!
Overall (as you can probably tell) I'm very impressed. I just have a couple of questions, how much does it cost to renew the BMW warantee (it's up in March '05)? How long do the clutches tend to last on these SMG's (this car had 11k between services so I guess it hasn't been driven too hard)?
The big question is should I go for this or an early 996??
First of all the car looks great, I like the fact it's understated yet subtly aggressive (if that's possible).
The interior was well laid out with an execitive feel to it, but a little dull in the black leather (not sure if another colour would brighten things up a bit). The seats are one of the most comfortable I've sat in with just about every adjustment you could wish for (and a few that you wouldn't!).
And onto the bit that I thought would make me hate the car ... the gearbox. I did the usual learner driver changes to start with, but after about 5 minutes (and yes I was surprised too), I got the hang of it. A little lift off between changes and it was as smooth as a normal manual. The best bit was the amount of adjustment you can make to it by playing through the different modes. With it on it's fastest setting I do believe that it can change faster than you could in a manual. The best bit it when you take it to the next level by selecting sport mode. The car responds so much quicker and feels more aggressive.
Also, I approached a long road with speed humps, so I selected auto mode and drifted along with very little effort, somthing that would be very handy for sitting in traffic.
My only query is why you would drive it in anything below the 4-6 setting (near the highest) because that's what the car is all about. The auto shift is very poor when you're pushing it, but then if you're pushing it you probably wouldn't select auto!
Overall (as you can probably tell) I'm very impressed. I just have a couple of questions, how much does it cost to renew the BMW warantee (it's up in March '05)? How long do the clutches tend to last on these SMG's (this car had 11k between services so I guess it hasn't been driven too hard)?
The big question is should I go for this or an early 996??
James,
Interesting point. It's a while since going in your E36 and owning mine. I would say one of the biggest differences is the rev limit, one it's higher and two it feels as though it gets there so much quicker. It certainly feels quicker and I know that on paper it's quicker but in the real world I still think it would be a closely run thing.
From the relatively brief run I've had in the E46, I think the biggest difference will be when you get to the higher speeds (i.e. 70mph+ on a private road). I believe the E46 would be quite a bit faster at these speeds.
If I go ahead with the purchase I'll let you know and you can see what you think!
Interesting point. It's a while since going in your E36 and owning mine. I would say one of the biggest differences is the rev limit, one it's higher and two it feels as though it gets there so much quicker. It certainly feels quicker and I know that on paper it's quicker but in the real world I still think it would be a closely run thing.
From the relatively brief run I've had in the E46, I think the biggest difference will be when you get to the higher speeds (i.e. 70mph+ on a private road). I believe the E46 would be quite a bit faster at these speeds.
If I go ahead with the purchase I'll let you know and you can see what you think!
I bought my M3 SMG convertible just over a month ago and am delighted with it.
I was hesitant about the SMG gearbox, but am now very glad I chose it. The automatic mode is good if you are on the phone or in motorway type traffic jams. One disadvantage of mine is that being LHD, you can't fondle a passenger at the same time as changing up the gears. The car shifts down automatically as you decelerate, so you don't need access to the downshift.
I have the 19" wheels, but took the insurance package tha the garage offered which covers wheels and tyres for three years for $350. Definitely worth it if I have so much as one puncture.
Go fo rthe SMG if you want something a bit out of the ordinary, and a bit more fun. After a bit of practice the gear chanegs can be silky smooth, and if nothing else it's cool to have your hands on the steering wheel for change-ups.
I didn't think the car was that fast when I test drove it, but now that I've had some fun with it I'm pretty impressed. It's a bit lurchy in first and second, and especially in sports mode, but I had it over 130 last weekend for several miles and it wanted to go faster.
I was hesitant about the SMG gearbox, but am now very glad I chose it. The automatic mode is good if you are on the phone or in motorway type traffic jams. One disadvantage of mine is that being LHD, you can't fondle a passenger at the same time as changing up the gears. The car shifts down automatically as you decelerate, so you don't need access to the downshift.
I have the 19" wheels, but took the insurance package tha the garage offered which covers wheels and tyres for three years for $350. Definitely worth it if I have so much as one puncture.
Go fo rthe SMG if you want something a bit out of the ordinary, and a bit more fun. After a bit of practice the gear chanegs can be silky smooth, and if nothing else it's cool to have your hands on the steering wheel for change-ups.
I didn't think the car was that fast when I test drove it, but now that I've had some fun with it I'm pretty impressed. It's a bit lurchy in first and second, and especially in sports mode, but I had it over 130 last weekend for several miles and it wanted to go faster.
ok well I test drove the car this morning and was very impressed with it (that coming from a Tuscan S driver!) who said he would never own a BM! lol
The SMG was great fun and would need more time to get used to it but have to say I was hooked! The car was great fun in sport mode....
So was able to get a spec in for Mid-Sept'54 delivery
Spec as follows;
Titanium Silver with Black Nappa Leather
Elec fold exterior mirrors
front centre arm rest
front seat heating
nav system professional + tv
bluetooth
6 disc cd
harman kardon hi-fi
19 spoke wheels
SMG
Got tracker horizon thrown in also...
Can't wait for Sept and now just need to get rid of the Tuscan S and Peugeot 206gti. lol
Alan.
>> Edited by Alf Essex on Saturday 31st July 15:49
The SMG was great fun and would need more time to get used to it but have to say I was hooked! The car was great fun in sport mode....
So was able to get a spec in for Mid-Sept'54 delivery
Spec as follows; Titanium Silver with Black Nappa Leather
Elec fold exterior mirrors
front centre arm rest
front seat heating
nav system professional + tv
bluetooth
6 disc cd
harman kardon hi-fi
19 spoke wheels
SMG
Got tracker horizon thrown in also...
Can't wait for Sept and now just need to get rid of the Tuscan S and Peugeot 206gti. lol
Alan.
>> Edited by Alf Essex on Saturday 31st July 15:49
douglasr said:
Wrong colour inmho. Collegue at work has carbon black and Imola red interior. Carbon black is not available on the other models in the range, and every BM you see seems to be silver these days.
My initial car was going to be the carbon black but then I saw the car in flesh and it didn't show all the lines on the car...so thats why I chose Silver. I might now be thinking of going for the blue leather interior on the silver just as its different...what people think of the blue leather as opposed to the black?
Alan.
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