[matt711]

Aigel,

Im sure that the amount of maintenance I do is far beyond what is called for by BMW.

The transmision on the E46 is made by GM and (accoring to the BMW sites I visit) is a weak link. That is what prompted the fluid and filter change at 45,000 miles. BMW says that it's sealed for life.
I do the PS fluid resevior every 25K. The resevior contains an internal filter that cannot be changed by itself. The part is only $20 and it only holds about a pint of fluid. $30 every couple of years just seems like no big deal to me. I do the fuel filter at the same interval, this is a $40part. I can do both jobs in less than an hour.
Did rear diff at 45K and probably won't ever touch it again. Same for plugs, they are probably good for 75,000 more miles now.
Next job is a brake system flush. I try to do that every year.

All in all I probably do 2 oil changes a year at around 4-5,000 mile between each. So the 45,000 service would be considered a major service. Regular maintenace is just change oil and filter, clean air filter and check all the fluids. Just like any car.

I think the issue with an M3 is that its darn near a super car and is likely to be driven as such. Parts for the M3 are also a lot more expensive than the every day 3 series. An M3 is a much more complex piece of machinery than my inline 3.0 E46.

It seems like a lot of the comments that have been made don't center around maintenance cost as much as they do on "repair" costs. For me maintenance is to prevent things from turning into repair costs. If a $120 DIY transmision service extends the life of a $4,000 transmision then Im all for incuring the $120 bucks.

I will be the first to admit that I do more maintenance than is called for by BMW AG. The "sealed for life" transmision is a prime example. My E46 is a fun car, and has been reliable thus far. Tomorrow is another day and it could burn to the ground.