E46 M3 Advice?

[Chocaholic]

Well...sold the 911 after the passion wore off. Seems she’d get taken out for a 20 mile drive each month more out of obligation than enthusiasm. Time to go. But, there’s a hole in the garage now. We’re moving later in the spring so won’t likely pull the trigger on another hobby car until after we get settled...unless the irresistible comes along.

Soooo. Thinking about an E46 M3 convertible, ideally with a manual. Will be a weekend toy for the mountains and weekends away with Mrs Choco, so a ragtop is a must.

Joined the M3 forum but looking for feedback, good, bad, ugly from the brain trust. 300+ hp would be welcomed and a few creature comforts too.

[Roswell]

hmmm.....I love the E46 M3. I would highly recommend only buying a 2005 or 2006.

Pre-Owned E46 M3 for sale for sale at Enthusiast Auto

[asphaltgambler]

You'd want to look for meticulous service records, low # of owners. Cream puff in other words. The M cars can be very needy. One issue is the rear diff upper mounting point on the lower sheet metal. In stick shift cars that have been subjected to too many holeshots, the mount will literally tear off of the subfloor

[Chocaholic]

That is a beauty...and a lot of $. I see people calling SMG trans “manual” in many ads. But it’s not. There is no clarity on this in the lengthy description. Maybe it’s my tablet but can’t tell in the pics if it’s got two pedals or three.

Why 05 or 06? We’re there significant changes? Hopefully not another IMS-like issue.

[MysticLlama]

Convertibles are significantly heavier, so be sure you test drive one vs test driving a couple and then getting a vert somewhere else to be sure you still like it. I originally looked at one but the coupe was quite a bit faster.

Would be a bonus if the rear subframe is already reinforced and welded up, that's about a $2500 job, I believe they will all need it eventually. It's even starting to crop up on 330s, time and mileage can cause it as well as abuse, just takes longer.

Vanos hubs have two teeth that can break, I don't think it's super common, mine was inspected at 105k and was perfectly fine.

Depending on mileage, there are a few little things that might need to be done, I've had to do the oil level sensor, another sensor I don't recall, have a new blower motor resistor I haven't got around to installing yet, etc. None of this is stuff is too expensive though. Also, the rear diff needs very specific fluid, about $200 from the dealer, you'll start getting bad noises without it, and oddly lots of shops have a hard time diagnosing this one, fluid fixes it right up.

As far as overall reliability, outside of these issues, I've had mine for about 60k miles and 10-12 years, and it's never been on a tow truck, and haven't done too much other than oil and tires.

Competition package is nice, bigger brakes and a few other things, they were impossible to find when I picked mine up.

I'm thinking about selling my 2002 this spring, but it's not a vert, so that doesn't help you one bit.

[livi]

I am beginning to feel the same about my Carrera. Never gets used. Was all set on an E46 as an update to my E36 DD but now I am looking at the E90 coupe. 325 or 330. Enough ponies for old me.

[Roswell]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

That is a beauty...and a lot of $. I see people calling SMG trans “manual” in many ads. But it’s not. There is no clarity on this in the lengthy description. Maybe it’s my tablet but can’t tell in the pics if it’s got two pedals or three.

Why 05 or 06? We’re there significant changes? Hopefully not another IMS-like issue.

It is a manual. SMG has a chrome trim ring around the gear shift. Enthusiast Auto Is one of a very few shops I would buy from.

Multiple problems with E46 in the early years, especially 2002 & 2003. Rear subframe is a big problem and should have been addressed in any car you consider. 2005 / 2006 is preferred.

[CurtEgerer]

I bought an 04 new. Coupe with SMG. I specifically bought the car for the SMG. Loved the SMG - well, when in full manual mode with all nanny controls turned off! It does these awesome double blips of the throttle on downshifts. If you expect to ever drive the SMG in auto mode (I can't imagine why anyone would do this in a friggin M3 but to each his own), it will be one of the worst transmissions you've ever experienced. Very quick car, easy to drive very fast. Like most modern performance cars, no fun at all until you are double or triple the speed limit.

Had a number of weird electrical glitches that occasionally stranded me Dumped it before the warranty ran out.

[Halm]

I had an E46 M3. Very nice car. I now have an E92 335i. Absolutely love it. Almost the same power as the M3 but over all a much better all around car.

Something to consider. YMMV.

[dewolf]

I've had one as well. My advice....don't do it. Get an E92 M3 instead. The E46 M3 was / is a great car but it is flawed in so many ways. My SMG pump failed at 150,000kms in the middle of an intersection with traffic bearing down on me at 80kmh. No warnings whatsoever, just shifted itself into neutral and that was it. Subframe is a matter of when, not if. There are reports now of guys that have had the subframe replaced by BMW that the new replacement is starting to crack as well and those that have had reinforcements done are seeing stress fractures in different areas now. Then you have vanos issues, big end issues, SMG issues.

[Jeff Higgins]

My son has had one (a manual coupe) for several years now. Wonderful car, and a whole different driving experience than a 911. If you've got the itch, scratch it. His has proven to be no more problematic than any other 10-15 year old enthusiasts' car - they all have quirks and known problems. This vintage M3 appears to be no better or worse than any other.

That rev-happy straight six is worth the price of admission all by itself. What a wonderful motor to run up and down through the gears. A whole different feel and sound than a 911, but equally wonderful. Any car guy owes himself the experience.

We did the repair on the tub where the rear sub frame mounts. I won't lie, it was an awful lot of work. A long weekend for three guys who are used to working together and turning wrenches. Straightforward, just a lot to do to gain access. Try to find one that has had that done, and have someone who knows what it should look like check it out. I wouldn't want to wish that job on you.

So, yeah - have fun. Why not? We're car guys, this is what we do. Fix the problems as they come up, just like on your 911, and try something different. I suspect you will have a lot of fun.

[CurtEgerer]

Originally Posted by dewolf

.... My SMG pump failed at 150,000kms in the middle of an intersection with traffic bearing down on me at 80kmh. No warnings whatsoever, just shifted itself into neutral and that was it. ....

What happened with mine was an electrical short in the driver's door sensor. Basically, it made the transmission think the door was open which automatically shifted the SMG into neutral. Dead in the water in traffic twice.

[widebody911]

I'm on my second E46 M3; the first was a 2002 6MT and this one is a 2003 SMG. I was apprehensive about the SMG at first, but now I love it, especially for a commuter car. My 2003 has just a little over 126k on it. Last summer I had to do the cooling system, and the water pump had some much play that the fan was almost going to hit the radiator. A few weeks ago I did the rear wheel bearings, as one of them was starting to make a little noise. The next big project will be new suspension busings, as the originals are shot.

Like any car, get the best one you can afford.

[gduke2010]

A newer 335i with M sport package might be an alternative. See a lot on Car Gurus. Not sure how they compare to an M3, though. There are lots of videos on You Tube, and the 335i has great performance numbers. My 2011 335d is a great car, but, a bit slower on the track.

[widebody911]

[Chocaholic]

Great info, thanks. Another contender might be a Z3 convertible. There’s an 01 with a 3.0 locally that looks interesting. Same bugs as M3? Would consider the newer Z4 but man, that’s one ugly Bangled up body style. Thoughts?

[Jandrews]

It's pretty much all been said above, and I will concur. I had one for just a year, a Carbon Schwarz Metallic 6MT Coupe 2001. I sold it because my son turned 16 and was daily driving it. Nothing good was going to come from that, so he is now driving a Camry, LOL!

But I will say, that S54 motor is truly special...even legendary. I was shocked how fast these cars are, and they do it effortlessly and enjoyably. Mine had Dinan exhaust, which sounded absolutely incredible. I absolutely loved the car, and would say that they are possibly the MOST bang for your buck of any real enthusiast car.

JA

I bought a low mile e36 M3. The day I sold the POS was a good day.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

, and would say that they are possibly the MOST bang for your buck of any real enthusiast car.

JA

Yeh...I agree...when they go 'bang' there goes your bucks!

[rattlsnak]

I had a nice one in a rare sought after color. It just never did it for me. I really liked my e36 M3 much better. I have an e46 330i with the sport package now and like it the best of those three. Cheaper and not much different than the M.