Tell me about E46 M3's...

[zosyn]

Early cars had an engine issue.

As communicated to you in December 2002, BMW was in the process of conducting an investigation concerning cases of damage to the connecting rod bearings leading to engine failure on S54 engines in E46 M3 and M roadster/coupe cars.

We have completed our investigation and identified that E46 M3 cars with S54 engines produced from October 2001 - February 2002 require engine modifications to be performed as part of a service action. This action will consist of replacing the engine oil pump and connecting rod bearings. At the same time the engine control module will be reprogrammed to improve cold start characteristics, etc.

Service Information B11 02 03 has been issued containing all information required to perform this action. This action is not necessary for M roadster/coupe cars with S54 engines, or E46 M3 vehicles which had their engine replaced.

Notification letters to all customers will be mailed shortly.

To maintain customer confidence the 6-year or 100,000 miles extended engine warranty will continue for all M3 coupe/convertible and M roadster/coupe with S54 engines including entire MY 2003.

We have prepared a list of Questions and Answers, which should address most inquiries our customer may have. Please provide and discuss this information with your staff.


Thank you for your cooperation.

BMW of North America, LLC

BMW Service Action on M3 S54 Engines March 2003
March 28, 2003

[widebody911]

Yup, I found that in my research. You can call the service department of any BMW dealer, give them the VIN, and they can tell you when/if the car had the recall work done.

I drove an '03 with 64k yesterday, wow that's a nice car! I'm ready to pull the trigger on a PPI, but one tiny thing is bugging me about the car: it has a boomin' sound system in it: 1200W amp, 2 10" subs, etc. I don't have a problem getting in touch with my inner thug, but given the demographic that would put that kind of sound system in a car, I wonder how much they beat on it. OTOH, there are significant barrier$ to entry for these cars, so maybe it was a more mature example of this demo.

[poorsche930]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Yup, I found that in my research. You can call the service department of any BMW dealer, give them the VIN, and they can tell you when/if the car had the recall work done.

I drove an '03 with 64k yesterday, wow that's a nice car! I'm ready to pull the trigger on a PPI, but one tiny thing is bugging me about the car: it has a boomin' sound system in it: 1200W amp, 2 10" subs, etc. I don't have a problem getting in touch with my inner thug, but given the demographic that would put that kind of sound system in a car, I wonder how much they beat on it. OTOH, there are significant barrier$ to entry for these cars, so maybe it was a more mature example of this demo.

Or a young high rolla' son'


j/k

[GG Allin]

Some would argue that the Euro spec. E36 M3 is the better car. Unfortunately, those are next to impossible to legalize in the U.S.

[widebody911]

Had the PPI today. This is an '03 with 64k

• prior damage to RR as evidenced by replaced suspension pieces & axle shaft, and paint overspray on the wheel well liners
• fan belts are in bad shape
• seepage from power steering pump
• motor mounts badly worn
• brake rotors and pads almost worn out
• weird extra wiring around the headlights; looks like they added 'angel eyes'?
• rear tires shot
• a few small dings and scratches here and there
• cabin filter and air filter were pretty dirty

They're asking $24k; they offered to either fix the belts and replace the rear tires, or knock $1k off the price. I offered $20k, and they told me (politely) to pound sand. On top of that, he tried to convince me that used M3 prices are trending upwards, and that this was an exceptional deal right now. And, of course, he had someone else coming to look at the car if I didn't buy it. I should have stuffed a copy of the PPI in the glove compartment

Am I being too picky at this price point?

Oh, and there was an envelope in the glove compartment with the (I'm assuming) PO's AIDS test results.

[the]

$20K is a more than fair price to the buyer for what you describe, IMO. $23K is high.

[Big Ed]

In this market, you are not being too picky. If the seller doesn't call back to take your offer, find another example.

[krichard]

Overpriced! The market is soft for the cars right now. I owned an '02 but ditched it when everyones engines were grenading and BMW wouldn't acknowledge there was a problem. Not too long after I sold it they admitted there actually was a problem Great cars but like all BMWs they have gremlins.

http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/986891855.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/986184092.html
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/978056689.html

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Had the PPI today. This is an '03 with 64k

• prior damage to RR as evidenced by replaced suspension pieces & axle shaft, and paint overspray on the wheel well liners
• fan belts are in bad shape
• seepage from power steering pump
• motor mounts badly worn
• brake rotors and pads almost worn out
• weird extra wiring around the headlights; looks like they added 'angel eyes'?
• rear tires shot
• a few small dings and scratches here and there
• cabin filter and air filter were pretty dirty

They're asking $24k; they offered to either fix the belts and replace the rear tires, or knock $1k off the price. I offered $20k, and they told me (politely) to pound sand. On top of that, he tried to convince me that used M3 prices are trending upwards, and that this was an exceptional deal right now. And, of course, he had someone else coming to look at the car if I didn't buy it. I should have stuffed a copy of the PPI in the glove compartment

Am I being too picky at this price point?

Oh, and there was an envelope in the glove compartment with the (I'm assuming) PO's AIDS test results.

Run! I would take their advice and go pound the sand. Lots of sweetheart deals out there. Don't buy on emotion, or be prepared to dance with the "devil of remorse". I could help by chuckling at the AID's blood test result in the glove box.

Yasin

[ChkbookMechanic]

Originally Posted by widebody911

Had the PPI today. This is an '03 with 64k

• prior damage to RR as evidenced by replaced suspension pieces & axle shaft, and paint overspray on the wheel well liners
• fan belts are in bad shape
• seepage from power steering pump
• motor mounts badly worn
• brake rotors and pads almost worn out
• weird extra wiring around the headlights; looks like they added 'angel eyes'?
• rear tires shot
• a few small dings and scratches here and there
• cabin filter and air filter were pretty dirty

Seepage from the power steering pump is pretty common... it is the hoses 99% of the time that need to be replaced.
Angel eyes were standard on the e46 m3s the entire time. They might have gotten higher powered ones.

The brake pads and rotors would bother me the most because they are $$$ to replace.

They're asking $24k; they offered to either fix the belts and replace the rear tires, or knock $1k off the price. I offered $20k, and they told me (politely) to pound sand. On top of that, he tried to convince me that used M3 prices are trending upwards, and that this was an exceptional deal right now. And, of course, he had someone else coming to look at the car if I didn't buy it. I should have stuffed a copy of the PPI in the glove compartment

Am I being too picky at this price point?

Oh, and there was an envelope in the glove compartment with the (I'm assuming) PO's AIDS test results.

$24K is too high, I think you could find a great example for $22k and a decent to very good one for $20 - $21k. But at this price point you could probably also find a very clean E39 M5 as well.

[Porsche virgin]

I've been watching the prices for e36 M3s. They are simply not selling. You can pick up a well cared for example for 10k-12k. Higher mileage cars are not moving, and the owners are dropping the prices.

[vash]

what the heck are "angel eyes"???

i see the reference in another forum...yup mazda forum. i dont want to be the geezer and ask them.

[VincentVega]

Variations of this