2003 E46 ASC3 Touring
Discussion
Long time lurker!
I have enjoyed reading the various cars you all write up about and thought it was the right time for me to add to the list.
Recently we have added to our family with our first child and as everyone warned me it would change your life - how true - truth is she's awesome and so far only improved my life.
However I have been a car fanatic and always loved my cars irrelevant of value, age or performance. Sadly back in 2009 I was made redundant, could only find work a long way away and had to down trade to a 320td in pistachio green - which was shocking for maintenance. Because this car and the 4.5 hour daily commute was destroying my sole I decided I would look at getting my 18 year old poster car - an E36 M3 as a weekend car to try and restore some balance.
Paid circa £4k for the car below - owned it for 4 years - cleaned it probably for more hours than the miles I drove in her. As stated the new addition meant that my partner banned her from travelling in it "ever" - ever meaning never! With this in mind and the fact we did use the car as a couple every weekend to head to Goodwood and various other car shows and alike, I realised I had to embrace change. Pics of the sadly missed M3 below:
Anyways - now to the point - embracing that change and the "family man" attitude I found an "estate" (as my partner see's it) which seems to fit the weekend fun and investment bill perfectly. It needs some love and will be cleaned and cared for as I did with the M3 and its got my missus seal of approval to have the little one in the back - perfect all round then.
The Schnitzer has the factory fitted kit as you would expect - however its also has the C30 supercharger upgrade. Makes a lovely whine and in all honesty is much slower than the M3 but far easier to extract - the M3 you really had to drive it - the torque the supercharger provides makes it easy to go quick.
I have emailed Schnitzer to ask some question about maintenance and parts since I cant find any information out there - things such as brake discs, oil changes, air filters - are they standard E46 330i stuff or bespoke? If any of you have any experience of running one of these or know anyone who might be able to assist that would be brilliant since Schnitzer are yet to get back to me.
I will try to get some better pictures taken, once shes been cleaned as well as some engine shots and keep the post updated as I go if anyone is interested.
Also I would appreciate opinion on the Schnitzer stickers on the rear doors - think they look too much - as my Mother keeps saying to me - you look like a sales man! Thoughts on whether to remove them or keep them as is - I don't want to look like a mid life crisis, big wheels and silly stickers type chap!
Happy Driving.
Big Al
I have enjoyed reading the various cars you all write up about and thought it was the right time for me to add to the list.
Recently we have added to our family with our first child and as everyone warned me it would change your life - how true - truth is she's awesome and so far only improved my life.
However I have been a car fanatic and always loved my cars irrelevant of value, age or performance. Sadly back in 2009 I was made redundant, could only find work a long way away and had to down trade to a 320td in pistachio green - which was shocking for maintenance. Because this car and the 4.5 hour daily commute was destroying my sole I decided I would look at getting my 18 year old poster car - an E36 M3 as a weekend car to try and restore some balance.
Paid circa £4k for the car below - owned it for 4 years - cleaned it probably for more hours than the miles I drove in her. As stated the new addition meant that my partner banned her from travelling in it "ever" - ever meaning never! With this in mind and the fact we did use the car as a couple every weekend to head to Goodwood and various other car shows and alike, I realised I had to embrace change. Pics of the sadly missed M3 below:
Anyways - now to the point - embracing that change and the "family man" attitude I found an "estate" (as my partner see's it) which seems to fit the weekend fun and investment bill perfectly. It needs some love and will be cleaned and cared for as I did with the M3 and its got my missus seal of approval to have the little one in the back - perfect all round then.
The Schnitzer has the factory fitted kit as you would expect - however its also has the C30 supercharger upgrade. Makes a lovely whine and in all honesty is much slower than the M3 but far easier to extract - the M3 you really had to drive it - the torque the supercharger provides makes it easy to go quick.
I have emailed Schnitzer to ask some question about maintenance and parts since I cant find any information out there - things such as brake discs, oil changes, air filters - are they standard E46 330i stuff or bespoke? If any of you have any experience of running one of these or know anyone who might be able to assist that would be brilliant since Schnitzer are yet to get back to me.
I will try to get some better pictures taken, once shes been cleaned as well as some engine shots and keep the post updated as I go if anyone is interested.
Also I would appreciate opinion on the Schnitzer stickers on the rear doors - think they look too much - as my Mother keeps saying to me - you look like a sales man! Thoughts on whether to remove them or keep them as is - I don't want to look like a mid life crisis, big wheels and silly stickers type chap!
Happy Driving.
Big Al
Very nice indeed, didn't even know these existed! Proper ACS car too rather than just styling that you seen on a lot of them. Pictures of engine bay pleaaaase
As for the stickers are they original fit or aftermarket? I'm actually not a fan, I think the ACS pinstriping looks great and really sets the cars off but the lower decals are a bit much
As for the stickers are they original fit or aftermarket? I'm actually not a fan, I think the ACS pinstriping looks great and really sets the cars off but the lower decals are a bit much
Sorry about he delay in getting engine pics - been so busy with work and family and enjoying the car.
In the pouring rain last night I was trying to find the part number of the belt which dives the supercharger for a fellow PHer whose belt has perished - but didn't have any success since its all pretty tight in there and I have sausage fingers which doesn't help - however the good news is I remembered to get some quick pics.
I haven't given the engine a detail of any sort so its quite dirty but for those asking enjoy.
Also note that sadly the information decal on the air box has worn a little - long shot but have to ask - does any one know where to get a replacement - Schnitzer when I have spoken to them or emailed are useless...
In the pouring rain last night I was trying to find the part number of the belt which dives the supercharger for a fellow PHer whose belt has perished - but didn't have any success since its all pretty tight in there and I have sausage fingers which doesn't help - however the good news is I remembered to get some quick pics.
I haven't given the engine a detail of any sort so its quite dirty but for those asking enjoy.
Also note that sadly the information decal on the air box has worn a little - long shot but have to ask - does any one know where to get a replacement - Schnitzer when I have spoken to them or emailed are useless...
Nunga said:
Over ten years old now and the E46 wagon still looks excellent. An ACS Touring must be rarer than hen's teeth, too; any way of knowing how many were made? Do they appear as their own model on the register?
Keep all the stickers please!
I have been told only 15 were made but that may have been the coupe, which was an auto box only. From the little I can find, by all accounts the super charger was £15k fitted from BMW when they came out plus other accessories on top - hence why I think people just thought they'd go straight for an M3...Keep all the stickers please!
The wheels are apparently pretty rare and are type 2, 3 piece split rims - trying to source a new outer rim at the rear since its been repaired but not that well - didn't really think about the fact the car is pretty rare and therefore finding parts looks to be troublesome - would like a new air filter but have been told they don't exist and I need to clean and oil the old one...
I don't think they appear as their own model since for insurance purposes its deemed as customised - but of a shock when I found out the cost compared to the E36 M3 insurance!.
skylarking808 said:
Good choice of motor OP.
Had no idea it existed of course, but I usually lean towards Alpina stuff.
Any spec on the engine, suspension, short shift etc as am now very curious.
Engine wise its a standard 330i engine apart from the supercharger. Takes power up to 295 bhp. The super charger is only at 0.35 Bar so not highly stressed and doesn't need any intercooler. Other than that it looks like all they have done is relocate the power steering fluid housing. Obviously theres a large carbon airbox and a bespoke air filter and additional belts for the supercharger pulley.Had no idea it existed of course, but I usually lean towards Alpina stuff.
Any spec on the engine, suspension, short shift etc as am now very curious.
Its a 5 speed manual, but really does want for a 6th gear - about 75mph and 3k rpm. I would say at about 70mph on a run it will get 32-34 mpg - but for my normal driving which is sat in traffic its getting about 26mpg. However compared to the m3 where you really had to wring it out its effortless and probably faster when pushing on in my less than capable hands. To be fair for me driving quick isn't really my thing - the noise is what's floats my boat and like the M3 I replaced this for they both sound lovely in my opinion. This is a second car for me so also no depreciation or if any appreciation is appealing and also the missus saying yes to our 5 month old being allowed in it is a must.
What's difficult is its got such an awesome exhaust note and super charger wine that the windows have to be down!
Everyone else thank you for the kind comments - the M3 was quite delicate and I tended to drive it wary of those big bills - this is the same to be honest but equally what's the fun in something boring that doesn't give you the odd headache...
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