Guys been thinking a lot lately about M3s E46

What are they like to live with? Thirsty etc what would I need to look out for

Would have to get rid of my 3 door to get one in not too bothered about that tbh I think lol

Went in my mates one the other day and the instant power is pleaseing lol it's been mapped to 380 so went really well

 

Awesome car mate. Not got the following of cossies but still got the oh shit I'm gonna die feeling when you bury the throttle. Better cars m3s IMO. Although I still have a 3dr

 

Cheers mate I really really want a Pheonix gold car

 

Go for a e90 msport Barry, not as fast but a lot more luxury and still has some beans under the bonnet, I had enough of my Sierra too and picked this 325 msport up yesterday





It's semi auto but even so don't think I'd go back to a ford now, this car has been averaging 22mpg and I'd imagine the e46 m3 will drink even more, if you do go for the m3 look for a low mileage one that hasn't been belted around as I'd imagine almost all of them have

 

Nick that is gorgeous mate love it but I defo want a Pheonix gold m3 always have wanted one

 

Well you have to go for the car you want, just make sure you get a low mileage one, do a full hpi check on it for outstanding finances as when I was looking for this e90 loads had outstanding finance! Check service history etc and being that there's a lot of tech on these cars check it thoroughly for any warning lights on the clocks such as due a service oil levels, check temperatures after the car has been running for a while, it's a lot of money to spend on these cars and there's a lot on them to go wrong that can be expensive so you want one that your not going to have to fix every week like you do with the Sierra

 

Ive had one and could write an essay but best to have a good read on the m3 cutters forum mate, loads of useful info on there about common problems and running costs ect. Be prepared to look at a few as there are lots of crappers out there, and be careful what you buy, for example if you buy one needeing tyres, brakes and a big service its gunna cost you a couple of grand in no time. Great car though, perect for every occasion lol

 

Keep looking at these myself. Two thingsget talked about a lot. Vanos issues and rear subframe issues. Do your research on them. Awesome cars though if you get a good un.

 

M Sports are great cars.
Even though my daily is a diesel power is still around 270bhp

 

I know about rear subframes I have welded one up already but what is the vanos

 

I've had a e46 m3 for a couple of years now. Brilliant car, average about 22mpg in mine but does less when kicking its head in. Ins can be cheap (Ł450 for. Me) on a classic policy but they limit miles. Brakes can be expensive and deffo need upgrading if you do a track day. Check for tearing subframe, they will all do it it's just a matter of when. If you buy one under ten years old, get bmw to check the subframe as with a bit of haggling they should replace the boot floor as a goodwill gesture. Not cheap to tune, two real options csl air box and alpha N remap (expensive but sound awesome) or supercharger (expensive but can make 450 to 550bhp in different stages). I'm saving for the supercharger, 5k plus import tax from the states but should be a reliable 500bhp. Rusting arches are common, front wings are about 170+Vat a side dunno about rears. Build quality apart from that is good. On m3cutters there are three camps -
1)Purists who think all m3's should be left standard and they are the best cars ever built(twats).
2)Manual gearboxes are best.
3)SMG gearboxes are best.

I've got Smg and love it so I'm in no3 camp lol. I apreciate it can cost a bomb when it goes wrong, but fast driving and track days are brilliant fun!

Main thing is buy the best spec and condition that you can buy, apart from the harmon kardon widescreen stereo, option as it's shit and you'll have to spend a fortune upgrading speakers and head unit etc.

 

Don't know about vanos on the e46. It was the e36 that had probs. the e46 just needs filters changing.

 

Cheers rob thanks for typing l that out

I think I want a manual one with black interior painted Pheonix and prob std

 

Phoenix yellow is really nice when clean. Mines a black convertible with black nappa, love it in the summer but wish I had a coupe in winter! Forgot the standard 19's are a nightmare to keep polished but I've had most of my wheels done by custom cars in west London, the guys name is dips and he's mustard with bodywork, wheels etc for bm's

 

I think the only thing I would change is the rims prob go with some 5 spokes like what's on my daily

 

I fancied one till I saw this video totally put me off now
There are 5 videos in total

 

This is not to say that rust would put me off a car, but some of these cars rust on really "dangerous" areas. So take a look for rust and see the vid above.

 

That one in the videos is the worse I have ever seen they normally crack in small places that one has been left and abused so pulled the shit out of it

 

Had a E46 CSL for 18 months and it was an outstanding car, I had the subframe issue but as the car was still carried by BMWs warranty I got the fix for free...

 

Bmw E46's m3's are shite mass produced garbage and alot are showing there age but if I was in the market for one it would have to be a csl they are just awesome

 

Always find M3's with non OE wheels don't look like M3's, does that make sense haha. Just always think replica when I see one on non original rims, 5 spokes are blasphemy on an M3

I do fancy an E46 M3 myself, SMG would be my choice, even though it can be costly if it goes wrong I just like the idea of the paddle change. Phoenix Yellow is a bit marmite but I like it too.

I do like the E90 saloons, love the one above. 335i would do me. I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the saloon look to the coupe on the E90's.

 

My '04 M3 E46 is for sale. Silver Grey coupe SMG, 19"s, full BMW service history & under 62k miles.

 

I've a mate who works at woods in hook Hampshire he is there master tech he laughs and says stay away from them lol. I like the look of them but I would go for an e39 m5 all day long

 

And folk slag of old Fords aswell pmsl

Shocking seeing that video, wonder who the qaulity mechanic was that did the 1st repair ?? Good old ducktape and undersealer for the win

 

Are they that bad? ?

 

Thing with john is he will see the side of them that's rich owners who take them to bmw for service and just pay the bill lol so I dare say that way they look very very expensive! He says they go wrong a lot as well. I've a few mates who have had them. One said his was shit and now has an e39 m5 another who had to have new cam shafts after the hardening wore off them and the alarm system fucked up but all cars have there problems

 

There not even that exciting to drive Glen they go through rear springs and front arms for a pass times and wheel bearings .If you think the smg is a cool thing then think again if the pump dont go the control unit will or both together

There the type of car if you want a nice lease car for your company get it new and give it back after 3 years

But I would have a csl with a ap brake kit and bilstein ps 11's in a heart beat

 

I didnt think they were that bad.

The thing that gets me is people go on about how reliable german cars are. There just the same as any other make of car.

 

Or dear some major faults there.

 

Not at all, the majority of the cheap ones will have been owned but knobheads who want a champagne lifestyle but have bubblegum pockets. If they are well maintained with some sort of history to back it up they should be a solid car to own. They drive great out of the box and build quality pisses all over fords! As for having a e39 m5 over an e46, I think thats a matter of personal choice... all depends if you like wearing cardigans and slippers or not. personally I've not hit 50 yet so don't need a comfy barge!

 

Funny after watching that video they do have the IM GOING TO KILL YOU FEELING

 

I drove a m3 cabbie and the sound when you give them the beans is great but as said above once I found out about the rear subframe that was it for me

 

My Girlfriend has one, black manual couple. Its a really nice car to drive, smooth and well built for the everyday driver, the misses doesnt go over 4k! When you smash the throttle down she doesnt have shift. Great on the limit and a proper beast of a engine and setup. Every so often I get to boot it properly and it really is an amazing car. Would highly recommend one and always listen to the people that own them and the problems they encounter. Hers had a lot of issues when she got it, but that was due to bad buying and was a bit of a ropey rather then mint. Check everything before buying and buy the best you can.

My track car has the older E36 M3 engine in it and that is also a monster, although its a track car so drives completely different.

 

No issues with mine

 

Sound advice I am really tempted now but the only one I can fin that I like is in Bradford bloody miles away too far to go and see it

 

I wouldnt go to Bradford for it matey lol.

 

It's a bloody trek for me if I did Glenn but it's at a dealer

 

Whats the dealer called.

 

WR car sales mate

 

Glenn are you far from Bradford?