E46 m3?

[turbogarrett]

Anybody have one here? Opinions? What are problem areas to watch out for etc.
If my car goes I am considering one, but really don't know a whole lot about them.

[British_Ben]

I had a 2000 (e46) 328ci. The rear subframe was falling out of it... literally.
So if you look at one, absolutely make sure you look at the rear subframe where it's connected to the body of the car and check for cracks and metal actually pealing from where it's bolted to the subframe. A lot of people don't know, but this was a recall in Europe and completely ignored here in the states.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=195602
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=679669

I told BMW of North America that I knew about the recalls in Europe and they fixed the car at 0 cost to me. As in, they welded a brand new subframe into the car for free through a dealer, who had to send it to a BMW approved body shop. ($$$$$$$$$$$$$) The car had over 100k miles on it at the time.

Also, the blower motor may have a mind of it's own, needs a capacitor pack replaced if it does.

Other than that the car had 120k on it when I traded it in. Nothing really wrong with it. Needed shocks and brakes, that's about it.

E46 M3 is one of the best looking BMWs to date if you ask me. The E39 M5 is a very close runner up.

Edit: In case you don't know..... If you are looking to track it a lot and not street drive. You might want to look for an E46 M3 CSL. It's lightened and doesn't come with a radio or A/C.

[British_Ben]

Subframe video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8362789948066992482#

I don't want to scare you away from an E46, but I don't want you to buy something that has damage like this. :thumbsup

[nismodave]

http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=172617

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=260046

[Andy6789]

In case you don't know..... If you are looking to track it a lot and not street drive. You might want to look for an E46 M3 CSL. It's lightened and doesn't come with a radio or A/C.

They never made a CSL for the U.S. only made 14 or 1500 total. I would look for one with the Competiton Package (ZCP) if you plan on tracking it.

[team beater]

http://brewcitymuscle.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27468

I had the same problem with my e46, also their is an issue the DTS systems as well as the modules that control the door locking systems. Pain in the ass shit, but outside of these issues I enjoyed my e46

[shoooo32]

My friend has an '04 coupe. Amazing car. Handles well, stops fantastic and sounds great @8400 rpm. You can hit a track day in the morning, hose it off and take your lady to dinner that evening with no drama. Also, e46fanatics.com is a nice resource for any and all things 3-series. I have yet to buy a bentley manual for my 330xi because any part I've replaced, fixed or modded had a nice diy write-up on that site.

[British_Ben]

They never made a CSL for the U.S. only made 14 or 1500 total. I would look for one with the Competiton Package (ZCP) if you plan on tracking it.

Shit, forgot about that. I've been watching too much Top Gear, haha.

[FoxStang]

Get the fully manual 6-speed, the smg is kind of unrefined in the e46, at least with the city driving I've done with it.

[turbogarrett]

Get the fully manual 6-speed, the smg is kind of unrefined in the e46, at least with the city driving I've done with it.

Yeah, I've heard the smg is a pita for city driving.

[BeesTwinEG]

If your looking into M3s...
I'd rather have cls amg. same price, luxury and fast :)

[turbogarrett]

If your looking into M3s...
I'd rather have cls amg. same price, luxury and fast :)

I'd rather have a cls amg too, but I can get a m3 for around 15k:) Haven't seen a cls55 anywhere near that.

[BeesTwinEG]

I'd rather have a cls amg too, but I can get a m3 for around 15k:) Haven't seen a cls55 anywhere near that.
in chicago land area i seen few around 20-25k with 80k miles.
which isn't bad at all for m. benz.
but LS430 is what i want for daily. I understand it is over priced toyota but its very smooth ride. :headbang

[Flicktitty]

in chicago land area i seen few around 20-25k with 80k miles.
which isn't bad at all for m. benz.
but LS430 is what i want for daily. I understand it is over priced toyota but its very smooth ride. :headbang

Benz's without a warrenty better have deep pockets. those things are littered with problems.

[WhatsADSM]

Benz's without a warrenty better have deep pockets. those things are littered with problems.

x2 I would love to drive around a CLS55 AMG, but the second the thing had to get fixed I'd have to get a second mortgage.

[BeesTwinEG]

Benz's without a warrenty better have deep pockets. those things are littered with problems.

oh without a doubt. but who buys bwm, lexus, benz, etc.. without maintenance money? lol
you gotta pay to play.
I'd love to have s550-600 but that is way over priced for me. just ls430 will do the justice. heated/ac seats and massage seats FTW lol

garrett, have you looked into any acuras??
like 05+ acura tl type s. those are nice too

[TURTLE]

oh without a doubt. but who buys bwm, lexus, benz, etc.. without maintenance money? lol
you gotta pay to play.
I'd love to have s550-600 but that is way over priced for me. just ls430 will do the justice. heated/ac seats and massage seats FTW lol

garrett, have you looked into any acuras??
like 05+ acura tl type s. those are nice too

if he's looking at m3's, good chance is he's looking for something to track on the weekends as well(if i think i know garrett... :goof )
so a tl would be a boat next to the m3 going through t1 at 65:punch:

[WhatsADSM]

if he's looking at m3's, good chance is he's looking for something to track on the weekends as well(if i think i know garrett... :goof )
so a tl would be a boat next to the m3 going through t1 at 65:punch:

agreed 100%

TL-S is in a totally different league as opposed to the M3.

Maybe a 2-3 year old WRX? (One that is untouched)

P.S. Yea the rear subframe issue is a HUGE problem with the e46. However IIRC there is a weld in kit available that is pretty cheap and you could have one of the local fab shops put in for you.

[Cryptic]

I think your crazy for getting rid of the 7.

/Thread