BMW m3s
#1
BMW m3s
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
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
#2
Advanced PassionFord User
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
#4
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
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
#6
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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
#7
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
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
Trending Topics
#8
Regular Contributor
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.
#9
PassionFord Post Whore!!
#11
PassionFord Regular
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.
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.
#14
PassionFord Regular
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
#21
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.
#23
cossie fan (unluckerly)
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
#24
PassionFord Post Whore!!
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
Shocking seeing that video, wonder who the qaulity mechanic was that did the 1st repair ?? Good old ducktape and undersealer for the win
#26
cossie fan (unluckerly)
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
Last edited by ajamesc; 24-06-2014 at 09:06 PM.
#27
Sponsor
iTrader: (4)
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
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
#29
Glennvestite
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Darlington county durham
Posts: 62,763
Received 1,044 Likes
on
998 Posts
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
Or dear some major faults there.
#30
PassionFord Regular
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!
#31
PassionFord Post Whore!!
#33
If in Doubt Flat Out...
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.
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.