Need advice, brand new M3 E46 Convertible Owner

[Jimbo'09]

Come Tuesday 27th April I will be the proud owner of my 1st M3 E46 (Convertible). Having had a quick blast in my brothers Coupe, it was a must...1 week later I put a deposit down with a main BMW dealer. I cant wait for Tuesday!!

Any tips on getting used to driving the car, I currently drive a 323Ci so not really comparable, this would be my 1st seriously quick car. I want to make sure I do not do "daft" things that are bad for the car. I heard someone metioning never drive in Auto mode?.

Any tips on the SMG set up, sport mode, auto mode, anything else, I am really green & wet behind the ears, so any small info in idiots english would be most welcome.

Also any do's & dont's with M3 Convertibles.

Thanks

[///M3]

Jimbo'09 said:

Come Tuesday 27th April I will be the proud owner of my 1st M3 E46 (Convertible). Having had a quick blast in my brothers Coupe, it was a must...1 week later I put a deposit down with a main BMW dealer. I cant wait for Tuesday!!

Any tips on getting used to driving the car, I currently drive a 323Ci so not really comparable, this would be my 1st seriously quick car. I want to make sure I do not do "daft" things that are bad for the car. I heard someone metioning never drive in Auto mode?.

Any tips on the SMG set up, sport mode, auto mode, anything else, I am really green & wet behind the ears, so any small info in idiots english would be most welcome.

Also any do's & dont's with M3 Convertibles.

Thanks

It's a fantastic car, quick, seats 4 adults and you can have the roof down. You'll enjoy it

You can drive the car in auto mode but it won't be as slushy smooth as a true auto with a torque converter (there is a clutch disc in SMG but no clutch pedal). I enjoy controlling the shifts myself, so never use auto really (I did once and found it was best in setting 2 for smoothness, setting 1 was too slow).

In sequential mode, I use setting 5, which produces the fastest shifts (if you put DSC off, you can get setting 6 shifts but I heard this hurts the gearbox in some way) but you want to ease/let off the throttle as you shift up if you want smoothness and gearbox longevity. It will redline if you don't give it the order to shift up. The downshifts are very good (rev-matches so you don't get a kick in the back and it makes a glorious noise!) and it will shift down for you if you are at too slow an engine speed to prevent too much load on the engine.

Because SMG has a clutch disc and is essentially a manual gearbox, you'll find it will roll back on hills, so remember the handbrake! Also get to know the biting point.

Also when you get in the car, you can only start it in Neutral and foot on the brake. When you park, leave it in gear.

If your SMG has problems, you can reset the software/memory by hold both paddles back (I think!)

The sport mode button only gives you sharper throttle response and no power/suspension changes.

The suspension will be harder than the 323 but it's not overly harsh round bumpy town streets and the car corners quite flat which is good.

Make sure you don't kerb the alloys as well!

[M3CD]

^ Hill start can be achieved by holding the left paddle for 1 second on an incline. You should hear the engine rev up a bit and this will stop you rolling backwards - care though it doesn't always work.

Setting 3 on auto mode. Setting 1 will make you start of in 2nd gear from a standstill so avoid.

When you get the car reset the SMG by building speed up over 40mph, flick into neutral and hold both paddles together. It will then adapt to your driving style over time.

The BIGGY is that the car will have a twitchy back end compared to a 323i - so when you put the power down squeeze the throttle otherwise you could be snaking a bit.

The other thing is that if the back end is unduly twitchy get the RTABS checked - they always get quite worn on these cars and it REALLY does effect handling.

Other than that - get over to Mtorque where the M enthusiast reside in the main.

Edited by M3CD on Thursday 23 April 19:13

[Jimbo'09]

Thanks for all the information, interesting reading indeed, I am beginning to understand that these are not just cars, but machines. Serious kit.

[Pork]

Jimbo'09 said:

Thanks for all the information, interesting reading indeed, I am beginning to understand that these are not just cars, but machines. Serious kit.

Well said. They're awesome and now is a great time to own a cab.

As mentioned above, pop over to Mtorque and read up there - there's loads to learn - then pop back with specific questions.

Posers tip - on the cab, press and HOLD the unlock button and the roof will fold down all the way

Other than that, take it easy in the first few weeks - they really are fast little things.

Enjoy.

[john_p]

When you pick the car up go to the parts dept and buy some silicone lubricant - I think it's teflon based, the parts department will know about it.

If you notice any squeaks from the roof when it's up, don't be concerned, just lubricate the roof seals where they touch the windows (then wait for them to dry before putting the windows down, or it'll smear). That'll cure most of the squeaks/rattles.

Enjoy

Edited by john_p on Thursday 23 April 20:36

[Pork]

john_p said:

When you pick the car up go to the parts dept and buy some silicone lubricant - I think it's teflon based, the parts department will know about it.

If you notice any squeaks from the roof when it's up, don't be concerned, just lubricate the roof seals where they touch the windows (then wait for them to dry before putting the windows down, or it'll smear). That'll cure most of the squeaks/rattles.

Enjoy

Edited by john_p on Thursday 23 April 20:36

Well bugger me. I just had all my windows aquapelled and all the seals replaced as it was squeeking a bit...and it didnt fix it!

I'll be off to get some silicon, then!

[duckson]

Gummi Pfledge sounds like its the same stuff, google it or look on ebay. People on the Audi and Focus ST forums use it to stop squeeking rubber door seals.

[Jimbo'09]

Thanks again all,

Given the car is to be delivered on Tuesday from a main BMW dealer, should I ask for any noises to be resolved before signing for the car, or is it safe to take the car, & have them follow up at a later date, I assume BMW main dealers can be trusted to put the car in satisfactory order, ie: no noises?.

I will head over to mtorque now to pick up more info. Appreciate all the advice, rest assured I will be taking the 1st few weeks easy to get the feel / handle of the car.

[Martin W]

john_p said:

When you pick the car up go to the parts dept and buy some silicone lubricant - I think it's teflon based, the parts department will know about it.

If you notice any squeaks from the roof when it's up, don't be concerned, just lubricate the roof seals where they touch the windows (then wait for them to dry before putting the windows down, or it'll smear). That'll cure most of the squeaks/rattles.

Enjoy

Edited by john_p on Thursday 23 April 20:36

Good call!!!!

The sound's been driving me mad; sounded like a cage full of budgies chirping at me!

Bought a 300ml aerosol of Gummi Pflege for £5 at my local BMW dealer, applied right into the seals with a rag and a finger and the results are brilliant!

Thank you!

(Part #83 12 0 301 480)

[Not Ideal]

Good luck for today and pics as well please!

[Jimbo'09]

Would you believe it,

BMW Edinburgh called me yesterday, upon final inspection they found tiny blemishes near the centre of the alloy wheels 19" spec. According to the sales contact, there are only a few machines in the UK that are able to re-furb this type of blemish. They have advised me all 4 wheels have been couriered from Scotland to Gillingham, where such a machine exists (these machines cost in excess of £100k?). Note the refurb is not being done by a BMW workshop, but an independent specialist.

Add to this the fact that my 323Ci is due MOT, Tax & Insurance in the next few days, partly the reason for me jumping in & comitting to buy a car from a main dealer in Scotland, without having actually driven or seen the car in the flesh, (I would say I have bought several Used approved BMWs from main dealers & have complete faith once the car finally arrives, it will look perfect, also anything Im not happy with, the local Dealer will put right until I am satisfied).

The sales person on Scotland is now pressuring me to get my 323Ci MOT'd, so that its valid once they deliver the car, likely next Wednesday now (missing the UK bank Holiday). However I did specifically state prior to signing the paperwork that I was having an operation on my foot last Wednesday & would not be able to drive the 323Ci, the response was it was no issue as long as I sent over a scan of the current MOT, which I did, & everything was agreed on this basis.

Would you agree I should tell BMW Im not willing to take the risk / hassle of getting a company to collect & drop off the car for MOT, what if it was in a prang en route.

Slightly dissapointed that they even suggested it was down to me, given its their issue causing the delay, not mine.

Thoughts welcome on this, am I being unreasonable, or are BMW?.

Thanks

[sjj84]

You signed a deal with them, if they've changed it I don't see why you should be expected to go out of your way. Personnally I wouldn't do anything. I take it they've taken the wheels to Lepsons? Surely there must be other companies that can do it closer? Anyway, I've had a couple of wheels done with them and they've always been really good.

[Jimbo'09]

Thats good to know, he didnt mention the independent that was doing the work, but he did mention the sweetener of the deal was all 4 wheels would come back looking brand new, so if thats the case, a short delay is not the end of the world.

He is due to call me to discuss today, Im just going to stick to my guns & insist its BMW's issue, not mine.

[Jimbo'09]

OK BMW came back to me, they agreed it was their responsibility to sort out the MOT on my p/x 323ci, they managed to underwrite as is.

Also they confirmed the wheels have been sent to Pristine, I looked them up online, looks like a good independent outfit, based in Milton Keynes.

May be worth noting, this particular company offer a nationwide exchange programme, where they will replace your wheels like for like, whilst they are sent away for repair / refurb, as such you remain mobile, & get your wheels back from a local agent once they are made to look as new.

http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/exchange-prog...

Check it out, again thanks for the advice all.

The car is now due to arrive on Thursday, assuming Pristine get the wheels back to BMW in good time. Not ideal, but if the wheels really do look brand new (Im confident they will), then it would all have been worthwhile.

[968CSReading]

My local wheel man fits tyres and refurbs wheels for the local AM, Jaguar and RR dealer. He uses Pristine so they must be good.

[M3CD]

I've heard a lot of positive things about Pristine.