E46 M3 CS ....
Discussion
I've had a bit of a crappy year and really need a bit of a lift so want to treat myself to a new car.
Thing is I can't decide what I want. I keep thinking about a Z4M Coupe but the fact it only has 2 seats limits it's use as I won't be able to use it for taking my mrs and baby daughter out.
Then I've come across a M3 CS coupe with SMG with low mileage. I've always fancied a CSL but they stretch the budget too much - car has BMW warranty and is around £15k.
So who wants to tell me a bit about them?
Thing is I can't decide what I want. I keep thinking about a Z4M Coupe but the fact it only has 2 seats limits it's use as I won't be able to use it for taking my mrs and baby daughter out.
Then I've come across a M3 CS coupe with SMG with low mileage. I've always fancied a CSL but they stretch the budget too much - car has BMW warranty and is around £15k.
So who wants to tell me a bit about them?
Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Wednesday 16th October 18:46
Brilliant car and the best all rounder imho of all the E46 M3 variants.
Here's another great article about the CS stacking up against it's rivals ...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6336...
Here's another great article about the CS stacking up against it's rivals ...
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/6336...
I haven't looked at the price differences of CS and standard M3 at the moment but when I bought my 05 M3 a couple of years ago there were far more standards available than CS's.
I wanted cruise control and an AUC car so bought a standard M3, bought the shorter ratio rack and some AP brakes. It doesn't have the CS label but last time I looked the CS didn't demand a premium over a good standard car so houses for courses.
Another point of interest might be that I thought my M3 was a little twitchier, BMW found it had a CSL rack fitted by the previous owner. I now have a ZHP (330i CS) rack which makes the car much pointier. The CSL rack is a minor upgrade and the CSL brakes are rubbish for heavy use anyway.
I wanted cruise control and an AUC car so bought a standard M3, bought the shorter ratio rack and some AP brakes. It doesn't have the CS label but last time I looked the CS didn't demand a premium over a good standard car so houses for courses.
Another point of interest might be that I thought my M3 was a little twitchier, BMW found it had a CSL rack fitted by the previous owner. I now have a ZHP (330i CS) rack which makes the car much pointier. The CSL rack is a minor upgrade and the CSL brakes are rubbish for heavy use anyway.
M3 no contest.
I would go for the standard car. Run one of the last full spec smg cabs since 07. Yes, some scuttle shake but fun in summer. Lots of these full spec last e46 cabs around, good value currently should get cheaper into winter.
Well posted problems include corroded boot floor, defective inlet sensors, usual broken springs. Clunky and outmoded single clutch smg boxes generally tough but very expensive to repair when break and few people able to fix. Tedious auto mode. Check launch control feature gimmick very tough on transmission. Rattling diff in neutral a common feature whether smg or manual.
Early cars often needed new racks and door seals. Not many cars left with original non refurbed wheels. 19 inch wheels no detriment to ride quality. Obviously 1500 mile ri inspection essential, often missed.
Good luck!
I would go for the standard car. Run one of the last full spec smg cabs since 07. Yes, some scuttle shake but fun in summer. Lots of these full spec last e46 cabs around, good value currently should get cheaper into winter.
Well posted problems include corroded boot floor, defective inlet sensors, usual broken springs. Clunky and outmoded single clutch smg boxes generally tough but very expensive to repair when break and few people able to fix. Tedious auto mode. Check launch control feature gimmick very tough on transmission. Rattling diff in neutral a common feature whether smg or manual.
Early cars often needed new racks and door seals. Not many cars left with original non refurbed wheels. 19 inch wheels no detriment to ride quality. Obviously 1500 mile ri inspection essential, often missed.
Good luck!
Some good reviews there then! I called the dealer today and what a disappointment. On the first call I asked the sales chap some standard questions as he said he would get back to me in 10-15mins (09.30hrs). So I waited until 13.00hrs to call back; he was busy and was told he would return the call as soon as he was finished with his customer. So at 17.15 I call bac a third time- apparently the car isn't there as it is being taken in as a px, they think it needs bodywork tidying so it won't be available for at least 1.5weeks to view; oh and it is on a private plate so they have to wait for that to be transferred.
Why oh why do BMW allow the dealerships to have cars that are not ready to view on their website - it is also up in Scotland so you'd think they'd been keen to keep potential customers happy seeing as it is so remote from a lot of potential buyers. This is also part of them; if the car is good then we'd go up by train to collect then have a little road trip back home - but if it is bad we'll have wasted nearly £300 in train fares!
Why oh why do BMW allow the dealerships to have cars that are not ready to view on their website - it is also up in Scotland so you'd think they'd been keen to keep potential customers happy seeing as it is so remote from a lot of potential buyers. This is also part of them; if the car is good then we'd go up by train to collect then have a little road trip back home - but if it is bad we'll have wasted nearly £300 in train fares!
The cs is the best of both worlds.
Buy one and you wont look at standard versions again.
The interlagos blue is the original CS colour and these ones never hang around long
As you cant buy any other e46 m3 in that colour.
Manual versions are rarer than smg versions by about 30 cars but its all down
To preference as its a personal thing and theres less than 200 CS available in this country
As they are rarer than the 1M and the csl.
Buy one and you wont look at standard versions again.
The interlagos blue is the original CS colour and these ones never hang around long
As you cant buy any other e46 m3 in that colour.
Manual versions are rarer than smg versions by about 30 cars but its all down
To preference as its a personal thing and theres less than 200 CS available in this country
As they are rarer than the 1M and the csl.
dasherdiablo1 said:
Yes that is the one. Looks a good spec if not a wee bit over priced
I think the price is ok and possibly cheaper because in Scotland than otherwise would be. But being BMW Individual and the only Estoril Blue I know of makes it very rare .... I would say as long as everything checks out ok .... Go for it .... Plus 15k cheaper than an M3 CSL lol ;-)I would buy a Z4M Coupe all day long... Much rarer and better looking that any M3, including the CSL... Had them both, and the Z4M Coupe felt super special all the time, while my E46 SMG M3 was good, but it never really captured my imagination...
Bought my Z4MC in early 2007, when they had just come out. Took it down to the South of France via Switzerland. Stopped somewhere in France, next to a F355 and 612. No one paid attention to the Ferraris, but were busy snapping the Imola Red Z4MC. It would have never happened if I was in a M3... And lastly, if you are looking for a sports car to treat yourself - the Z4MC is one, while the M3 is a saloon with sporting credentials, but still a 4-seater...
Bought my Z4MC in early 2007, when they had just come out. Took it down to the South of France via Switzerland. Stopped somewhere in France, next to a F355 and 612. No one paid attention to the Ferraris, but were busy snapping the Imola Red Z4MC. It would have never happened if I was in a M3... And lastly, if you are looking for a sports car to treat yourself - the Z4MC is one, while the M3 is a saloon with sporting credentials, but still a 4-seater...
mwstewart said:
The Z4M is no where near as resolved as the E46 M3; the M3 is a much better balanced car.
It's a shame as BMW really tried with the E85 and E86, but surprisingly got it slightly wide of the mark.
It is not about being resolved or not. It is about being special or not... And compared to the Z4MC, the E46 M3 is boring. Also, it just so it happens, the Z4MC is quicker and much more of an occaision to drive. I did 50k miles in my Z4MC and I still have (well, passed it to my dad) an E46 M3 SMG in the garage...It's a shame as BMW really tried with the E85 and E86, but surprisingly got it slightly wide of the mark.
P.S. The original breadvan is utterly rubbish (when standard) compared to the E36 M3, yet it commands very strong following. Ever wondered why? It is exactly the same with the Z4M...
Cheburator mk2 said:
It is not about being resolved or not. It is about being special or not... And compared to the Z4MC, the E46 M3 is boring. Also, it just so it happens, the Z4MC is quicker and much more of an occaision to drive. I did 50k miles in my Z4MC and I still have (well, passed it to my dad) an E46 M3 SMG in the garage...
P.S. The original breadvan is utterly rubbish (when standard) compared to the E36 M3, yet it commands very strong following. Ever wondered why? It is exactly the same with the Z4M...
I think the 'special' definition is very subjective but I do understand your viewpoint. The Z4M does at least purport to be a purpose built sports car, whereas of course the M3 was designed to be a very accomplished everyday car - a mass produced 3 series - with good performance. This does make the M3 special for some but that's all about perspective.P.S. The original breadvan is utterly rubbish (when standard) compared to the E36 M3, yet it commands very strong following. Ever wondered why? It is exactly the same with the Z4M...
The fact remains though that as a drivers car the Z4M really is behind the E46 M3. It's so twitchy on the limit, poorly behaved at lower speeds, and lacks the beautiful fluidity of an M3. I think this is widely accepted.
I can't speak of the breadvan v3 E36 M3 as I have no experience of either, but Tiff Nedell is a reviewer I trust (one of the few who can actually drive), and he seemed to think they were anything but rubbish!
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