E46 M3 problems?

[Nagra]

Hi guys, I don't normally venture into your forum (sorry for trespassing but I am thinking of buying an E46 M3 and I was wondering if you could give me some quick 5 minute bullet points on what to look out for please.

I have done a search on this forum but I cant find much and I was hoping to get a brain dump from you knowledgeable guys with some simple highlights on pitfalls and problems these cars can encounter.

I am looking for a coupe with SMG and I noticed that private sales are considerably cheaper than dealers. With a limited budget of around £16-£18k I just want the best I can afford.

I assume the worst case scenario for this car would be an engine blowing up, can anyone give me an idea on how much a new engine would be? Also, am I correct in budgeting around £2k a year for service and maintenance?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[SPORTSTER]

Kiddha paji, £15k for a new engine for an E46 m3, (got quoted by Sytner BMW, told them ''ardios amigos'') havent really heard any stories of them blowing up in this country but out in the US a few have been flame grilled.
Generally very strong engines.

General check, brakes, tyres, service history a must incl 1200 service.

Service for these cars are not cheap ie for example, tyres £1000, brakes minimum £600, SMG Pump (if fails) £1500.
Oil Service up to £260, Insp 1 £400-500, Inspc 2 anything up to £1200, again this will all depend on where you go, dealer or specialist.

For £18k you can pick up a nice 05/06 plater, loads of SMGs one on PH geez.

Find one if you can from an enthusiast who has looked after it, note also as most likely some have been thrashed too & also alot of people buy them, and then realise they cant afford to run them thats why you get loads with a few owners.

Are you looking private or trade?

Ps iL be selling my black 2003 CSL soon, only done 137,000, Full BMW s/h

Good luck

Edited by SPORTSTER on Thursday 1st April 12:13

Edited by SPORTSTER on Thursday 1st April 12:20

[AngryApples]

SPORTSTER said:

Ps iL be selling my black 2003 CSL soon, only done 137,000, Full BMW s/h

Good luck

137k? now THATS commitment!

[SPORTSTER]

Cheers mate, i bought it when it was brand new (loved that day.. still remember it lol), pretty much evertyhing has been changed (not modified) the car just goes on and on and on. Spent many thousands on it.

These cars are for driving, not being kept in a garage & polished. I drive my cars hard (not abused) and its also been to the 'nurburgring' a few times.

Thinking of turning it into a track car, and getting the E90 M3.. WHO KNOWS..

[RobM]

Hi Chaps.
I too am in the market for an m3 and was wondering if I can pick a few knowledable brains?

I recently test drove an 03 plat smg ( very nice indeed ). The worrying things which stood out were..

exhaust rattly/reverb type sound around 2k rpm. Dealer says 'they all do that sir'

with the smg gearchange smoothness setting on 'as quick as possible' there's a noticeable thud from the back when changing up on full acceleration. Sounds a bit like someone dropping a bag of sugar into the boot from about 3 foot. I kind of assume this is ok I'll ask anyway

1st service done at 5500 miles. ( The service book recomends aroudn 1200 ). Is this a big deal?

Thanks in advance

Rob

[NickXX]

RobM said:

Hi Chaps.
I too am in the market for an m3 and was wondering if I can pick a few knowledable brains?

I recently test drove an 03 plat smg ( very nice indeed ). The worrying things which stood out were..

exhaust rattly/reverb type sound around 2k rpm. Dealer says 'they all do that sir'

with the smg gearchange smoothness setting on 'as quick as possible' there's a noticeable thud from the back when changing up on full acceleration. Sounds a bit like someone dropping a bag of sugar into the boot from about 3 foot. I kind of assume this is ok I'll ask anyway

1st service done at 5500 miles. ( The service book recomends aroudn 1200 ). Is this a big deal?

- Exhaust rattle: they do have a bit of a rasp to them from 2-3k when cold, but it shouldn't be too loud. It was a particularly loud rattle on my M3 which I found to be a loose nut on the end exhaust collar. Tightened it up and it has been fine since.

- The thud is normal and not indicative of a problem. Over time you might try lifting very slightly on hard gear changes and it will smooth out the change (and lose the thud).

- You're right, the service should be done at 1,200 miles as running in fluids are used from the factory. It would put me off, but the issue often stirs up a lot of debate - a lot of people wouldn't be too bothered. It may be an issue if you need to offload the car quickly for any reason.

[jontysafe]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-BMW-M3-RED_W0QQitemZ290...

looks a nice one, great colour. Not mine I might add!!

[n boost]

[quote=RobM]Hi Chaps.
I too am in the market for an m3 and was wondering if I can pick a few knowledable brains?

I recently test drove an 03 plat smg ( very nice indeed ). The worrying things which stood out were..

exhaust rattly/reverb type sound around 2k rpm. Dealer says 'they all do that sir'

with the smg gearchange smoothness setting on 'as quick as possible' there's a noticeable thud from the back when changing up on full acceleration. Sounds a bit like someone dropping a bag of sugar into the boot from about 3 foot. I kind of assume this is ok I'll ask anyway

1st service done at 5500 miles. ( The service book recomends aroudn 1200 ). Is this a big deal?

Thanks in advance

Rob

Dealers are knobs when it comes to diagnosing any problems/sounds.
What your on about around 2k might be pinking/detting and is a sign of headgasket failure...........trust me in know!
The rasp starts a bit later but if it sounds like metallicy/pebels being shaken in a glass jar type sound, then sounds like headgasket has cracked between cyclinders and is causing it to pink.

The Thud is pretty normal and all do it.

First service should be around 1200 miles but can go up to 2k................5.5k on the other hand is a bit tooo much.

[Nagra]

RobM said:

First service should be around 1200 miles but can go up to 2k................5.5k on the other hand is a bit tooo much.

I was of the understanding that the 1200 mile service is VERY important as at that point they change the 'running in' fluids to something else and if the 1200 mile service is NOT done then any warranty is invalid.

<pure speculation>

If they have been driving the car with the running in fluids for 5500 miles then that could explain the possible early head gasket failure.

<pure speculation>

[ortontom]

wifes e46 m3 does that exhaust thing when cold, sounds great......but can bang around....

what to watch for -
brake calipers seizing.....
low number of owners, these cars can draw a certain breed....and multiple owners are a sign of a carefree life - good point many may agree on - not sure
18" wheels for better ride
HK stereo is a must, sat nav is old and a tom tom is better...
manual prefered
service costs my end, DIY on oil change (buy 10-60 edge online at £8 per litre not bmw £18) and use a specialist between £200-£300 including inspections, i did have a discussion once with a man in charge of servicing for BMW uk saying "why the hell do bmw check the valve clearances on an inps 2??, its rubbish (i said) you cant change anything with that" He said the vanos can over compensate if the valves are out which can cause vanos failure.....which i didnt know, still think its balls.....never mind an inps 2 at bmw will cost 2 days and £800.
suspension - low arms go, i had a rear go.
torq is a little low on an m3, it needs revs....
makes a lovely noise esp with the roof off........oh never buy a convert, i wish id bought a coupe (fixed) but in dec 2008, a one owner, 2003, 60k blue m3, with 1 year warranty only cost me £12k - with 3 new tyres, new front discs and pads, and a service..and yes its worth more today - thank the lord for the recession..from a jag dealer...
other than that - its one of the greatest all round cars, and worth every penny...

Edited by ortontom on Wednesday 21st April 22:05