Tell me about E46 M3's...

[widebody911]

I'm in the market for a 'new' car and I'm considering an E46 M3 - I have an E36 M3 now. I've gone and looked at a few so far, but it seems almost everything out there is an SMG, which I don't think I want. I looked at an '03 hardtop with the sport package tonight, and I liked it.

What should I be looking for on these cars?

[ChkbookMechanic]

The typical things w/ almost all BMWs: electrical system, VANOS issues, etc.

The things I remember most from when I was looking at them were the engine issues with the first few model years (up to 2002 I think). Check m3forum.net and of course, get a PPI. And learn how to replace sensors since the M cars seem to like to eat them more than the standard ones.

[SLO-BOB]

Google search is your friend, but as a BMWCCA member I've heard nothing horrible other than the usual BMW maladies such as water pump issues, etc. Of course there is the biggy as outlined in this letter -

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

I will say they go like stink on the track. Much faster than your E36.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by ChkbookMechanic

And learn how to replace sensors since the M cars seem to like to eat them more than the standard ones.

It was not only the Ms. I was averaging $800 - $1K a year in sensors: passenger seat, seatbelt heads, seatbelt rewind - all a year apart. 00 3 series E46.

Ian

[Halm]

I want an E46 M3 too. Real Bad. The 2 things I have found in my research to watch for is make sure the lower engine bearing recall was performed and check out the rear sub-frame.

[Monza_dh]

I have a '02 E46 330, thogh not an M, it has some of the same suspension flaws. Not sure on the E36 but the E46 eats control arms and bushings for lunch. I havent had any window regulaor failures and the engine has been perfect (knock on wood) but I understand another issue for the M is the plastic radiators:


http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9

[MysticLlama]

All of the above, have had mine a year and a half, no big issues, just oil changes, the bushings do need to be done fairly soon though (70k right now and they are starting to tear).

Try the SMG a few times, drive it like a 6sp that just doesn't have a clutch pedal, don't drive it like an auto. Let off a little as you shift, roll back onto the gas, etc. I love mine.

[Hebrewhomeboy]

Although the redline goes up to 8K, I've read in quite a few places that you shouldn't really rev past about 7500, as the engine can't really take repeated redlining. Other than that, they have the typical BMW rock-solid reliability, and they're incredibly sexy luxury sports cars.

[ChkbookMechanic]

When I was looking at the E46s I was looking at the SMGs. I love manual transmissions but for a track car I thought the SMG would be a great choice.

If you intend on tracking the E46 look into re-enforcing the rear suspension subframe and upgrading the oil cooler.

[Oh Haha]

Does this help in making a rational decision?

[David]

Since you already have an M3, you know that all the parts are double+ what they are for a regular 3 series.

The biggest issue I've heard of is the rod bearing recall, but most cars seem to have had them replaced. The other issue is the valve adjustment. Not really a DIY job since the shim kit is almost as much as just having the dealer do it.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by Hebrewhomeboy

Although the redline goes up to 8K, I've read in quite a few places that you shouldn't really rev past about 7500, as the engine can't really take repeated redlining.

I think that depends on the year, and even then I could be wrong. Mike Miller of Bimmer magazines has speculated that the early rod-bearing failure were due to the high redline, partly because the Z3M used the same S54 engine without issue in those early years, but the redline was set to 7800 rpm.

Overall, most of the bases have been covered: get a car from 2003+, plan on replacing the water pump and radiator at around 60k miles, depending on how hard you drive it you'll need to do control arms around that time as well. The valve job is pricey but not too frequent, adn the S54 engine is pretty durable - there are E46 M3s with over 200k miles. In my opinion, it is the last great BMW M division inline 6 engine, and that was a big factor in my choice to buy a Z4 M Coupe (which is essentially a re-bodied E46 M3).

[zosyn]

Buying a used M3 is a gamble. If you are getting one try to get one that is dealer certified with a warranty. I drove ours very hard every day. I flew off the banking at Streets of Willow at 98mph, hit a tire barrier, wife ripped the front bumper off when it caught a parking barrier, field mice chewed thru the wiring harness, it was overheated. When we traded that car in to BMW it was in bad shape. They cleaned it up and sold it the next week for $40K to some poor sole that doesn't know what it has been thru.

My M3 had overheating issues both on the track and in the hot summer weather here. They eat tires, I averaged 5-7K miles per set and that was with the wife daily driving the car.

I really like the SMG tranny. It is as close to a race sequential as you can get.

I traded the M3 for a Z4M Coupe. I think the M3 had a better trans, and was more solidly put together. The Mcoupe is lighter, has better brakes, and the engine is more reliable with a different sump and better cooling. The Mcoupe is a better handling car and has better aerodynamics.

However I think the new Cayman S with PDK will have me going back to Porsche soon.

[widebody911]

my choice to buy a Z4 M Coupe

The dealer had one of those on the lot as well. I'd love to have an S54 or S52 M coupe.

[zosyn]

Originally Posted by widebody911

my choice to buy a Z4 M Coupe

The dealer had one of those on the lot as well. I'd love to have an S54 or S52 M coupe.

You can probably get into a z4M coupe in the mid $40s now. The cars are no longer made and the dealers are trying to clear them out.

I sold my Z3 M coupe when the rear trunk floor started to separate from the chassis. This is a problem with all z3 based cars. If you buy one you either have to buy Randy Forbes reinforcement kit which involves cutting and welding or wait until the trunk floor separates then have to fix and reinforce it anyway.

I also think the Z3s are a little old now and require too much attention for a daily driver. However they are very unique and look great. I wish mine had held together. I would have kept it.

[widebody911]

Anyone know a good shop to do a PPI in the Roseville, CA area? I know a couple shops in the Sacramento area (Schatz & Krum, Franks, Autosport) but that's a ways away.

[gprsh924]

I'll tell you about them: they are amazing...end of story.

Dad has to go into the office tomorrow and prefers to take the 525 when he does that. That means I am left with the M3 for the day to go to the dentist and run errands before I leave for Canada to go skiing on Tuesday. Tomorrow will be a great day. He probably won't be thrilled when those errands burn half a tank of gas.

[serge944]

996 GT3 Theres one on CL for 50k.

[rick-l]

KBB says about $26k (35k miles) for one in excellent condition in my area. Is that abput right?

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by rick-l

KBB says about $26k (35k miles) for one in excellent condition in my area. Is that abput right?

There seems to be an almost $10k spready between 2001 and 2006

In my search, I've also found a 2002 M Coupe (I assume that would be an S54) for $40k - but it only has 5k miles