just Bought an E46 M3

[Sashak87]

Hi People,

Bought my first M3 this weekend, put a deposit down on an immaculate M3 SMG Individual Cabrio in Purple with Champagne leather.

I was after a manual at first but have to admit I love the SMG gearbox. My question is, how reliable are they?

The car is a 2004 on 87k and has been exceptionally maintained. I'm buying it from James Paul in Surrey who have a great reputation and check things very thoroughly pre-sale so I'm happy with the car.

I guess my question is what are the failure rates on the pumps? And what cost to fix? Obv you only ever hear -ves on forums but are they like Audi RS6 gearboxes which are nearly guaranteed to go? Or is it only a handful?

Thanks

Sash

[Sashak87]

64k? Wow! Is that 'normal'?

[Sashak87]

Yeah it's about £2k more than I wanted to spend, but has near new tyres (all conti's), brakes are recent, fresh service (inc valve clearances) and fresh MOT so should need nothing doing. Looked at a fair few that morning and that was by far the best to drive even though others all around 60k and Manual Coupes.

Just thought about the SMG box now and whether I should find a different one for the price but if most are good then that hopefully should be too.

[Sashak87]

goldblum said:

Mine didn't,my friends didn't,and the only person I know it happened to had his Audi up at 550 bhp and 600lb/ft.

Ok, that was a stupid point and exaggerated. When I was researching/considering one it was something that seemed more common than I would be comfortable with.