Another E46: M3
Discussion
Hello everyone,
Those of you who have read my other BMW thread in this section know that in December 2012 I bought a 330 Ci M Sport to run over the winter. I'm not new to this era of 3 series by any means so this has been a trip along memory lane for me, a trip which has been surprisingly pleasant! It's been refreshing to drive something with such enthusiast-biased geometry that caters well for many occasions. What I've not been so keen on however is the 330 as a model; the engine is smooth enough, the M Sport exhaust makes a few nice noises, but ultimately the level of performance and relatively low average MPG (22) doesn't to me really seem to stack up anymore.
Well, roll forward to today and I have bought another one! This time a December 2002 M3. Let me start by saying that never ever in a million years would I have set out to buy a Phoenix car but secretly I have always loved them, it's just such a fun colour that only he M3 could pull off. I must have looked at 50 ads before this and if anyone has ever looked for an M3 you'll know that there is a real mixed bag out there - the image of these cars in this country is probably justified in a lot of respects so cutting the wheat from the chaff can take a couple of hours of searching. The condition of this car won me over and its always a good start when the ad doesn't list the spec in capital letters and the owner makes the effort to clean the car before taking some decent photos. I didn't view the car but purchased over the Internet based on the advert and a quick call to the owner.
I collect the car in the morning and I'm actually looking forward to it because I'm hopeful this will make a better package than the 330. The MPG is the same, insurance roughly the same cost, the purchase price wasn't a whole lot more, but the performance difference is marked. The spec is pretty basic so I'm going to swap over the nav, HK, heated seats etc. etc. from the 330. I've also got my eye on some genuine CSL wheels, but more of that after I actually get the thing home
Those of you who have read my other BMW thread in this section know that in December 2012 I bought a 330 Ci M Sport to run over the winter. I'm not new to this era of 3 series by any means so this has been a trip along memory lane for me, a trip which has been surprisingly pleasant! It's been refreshing to drive something with such enthusiast-biased geometry that caters well for many occasions. What I've not been so keen on however is the 330 as a model; the engine is smooth enough, the M Sport exhaust makes a few nice noises, but ultimately the level of performance and relatively low average MPG (22) doesn't to me really seem to stack up anymore.
Well, roll forward to today and I have bought another one! This time a December 2002 M3. Let me start by saying that never ever in a million years would I have set out to buy a Phoenix car but secretly I have always loved them, it's just such a fun colour that only he M3 could pull off. I must have looked at 50 ads before this and if anyone has ever looked for an M3 you'll know that there is a real mixed bag out there - the image of these cars in this country is probably justified in a lot of respects so cutting the wheat from the chaff can take a couple of hours of searching. The condition of this car won me over and its always a good start when the ad doesn't list the spec in capital letters and the owner makes the effort to clean the car before taking some decent photos. I didn't view the car but purchased over the Internet based on the advert and a quick call to the owner.
I collect the car in the morning and I'm actually looking forward to it because I'm hopeful this will make a better package than the 330. The MPG is the same, insurance roughly the same cost, the purchase price wasn't a whole lot more, but the performance difference is marked. The spec is pretty basic so I'm going to swap over the nav, HK, heated seats etc. etc. from the 330. I've also got my eye on some genuine CSL wheels, but more of that after I actually get the thing home
The E46 M3 is one car I am having one day. The more I see Phoenix yellow, the more I think that, if the right spec/mileage/price example came up when I'm buying and it was Phoenix - I think I would. And I'm not the sort to have a yellow car at all.
Any interior pics or specification (over standard) details?
Any interior pics or specification (over standard) details?
This is exactly what I've been pining after for a long time now. In this colour they really are stunning in my opinion. Personally, I would remove those rear mud guards as to me, they spoil the look of those wheels and the bumper line. Otherwise, they really are lovely and like you, I've had my fair share of the E46 over the last 5 years and just love them.
Fun Bus said:
The E46 M3 is one car I am having one day. The more I see Phoenix yellow, the more I think that, if the right spec/mileage/price example came up when I'm buying and it was Phoenix - I think I would. And I'm not the sort to have a yellow car at all.
Any interior pics or specification (over standard) details?
You sound exactly like me, but I'm now glad I went for it. I'll get some interior shots after I get it home though I think it's pretty basic i.e. black leather and single CD.Any interior pics or specification (over standard) details?
CypherP said:
This is exactly what I've been pining after for a long time now. In this colour they really are stunning in my opinion. Personally, I would remove those rear mud guards as to me, they spoil the look of those wheels and the bumper line. Otherwise, they really are lovely and like you, I've had my fair share of the E46 over the last 5 years and just love them.
I will probably do that and swap the rear lights for LEDs.MoelyCrio said:
My first thought was - that must be a quiet road to be able to park in the middle and get a few shots off!
Lovely colour. I remember thinking 19 inch wheels looked massive when the e46 came out, but they just look normal sized now.
The photos are from the advert Lovely colour. I remember thinking 19 inch wheels looked massive when the e46 came out, but they just look normal sized now.
I know what you mean about the wheels, but conversely I actually like the 18's now whereas when I last had one of these I wouldn't even consider them.FlashBastd said:
Looks lovely, always a good sign when the performance car you are looking at is still running proper tyres!
I cannot believe how many ads I found with these running some unknown brand of tyre.Looks very nice OP, with regards to you swapping the extras from your 330, it is really worth it, as wont the spec of the 330 then be ruined?
From what I hear these are meant to be a very good alternative to the factory sat nav
http://www.dynavin.com/products/product_dnv_e46.ph...
From what I hear these are meant to be a very good alternative to the factory sat nav
http://www.dynavin.com/products/product_dnv_e46.ph...
crazy about cars said:
That's one nice colour! You will definitely notice the difference from a 330
I would've thought the E46 M3 came with LED rear lights though?
Only the 'facelift' ones which are pre mid 2003. Not a lot else was altered though lol.I would've thought the E46 M3 came with LED rear lights though?
Good choice on colour! I also was never the sort to own a yellow car until December until the perfect spec M3 convertible came up which was also PY, so I also own one now!
Should have got my Boxster in Speed Yellow not Seal Grey.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff