[RickE46M3]

Alright well I have been set on my next significant performance car being an E46 M3, I even find it more appealing than the E92 for some reason. Some hate the exhaust note and some times I question weather I like it, or weather it sounds like a retarded lawnmower... but after watching a few videos the WOT note is F1 like... mmm. Well besides all it's awesome performance credentials, looks and material feel... I have heard alot of things that make me want to run farrr, farrr... away. The things I hear are coming from people who owned them... or there friends did, or they knew a guy. Are they true? I need to be filled in on the COLD...HARD...TRUTH of owning an E46 M3.

-I hear they have issues that inevitably result in a blown motor, and it happens often

-Sub frame issues... I don't know what it's called but they posted a vid on it, it wasn't even together anymore!

-SMG failure up the a$$! Expensive fix

-Toasted clutches for no reason, at low low miles (sub 20k)

-Overheating problems even under minor track use... no dip stick either


I need to know what problems happen, how severe they are... how often they happen and why or why not should I let it bother me when considering to buy the car... People seem straight scared to own this car out of warranty... to me a car that is intimidating to own out of warranty isn't worth my coin but that's just me. Some say these cars are great and can take abuse and last 160k or more with regular maint... others say "my m3 was in the shop 6 times in 6 months... oh this broke... new motor bla bla"

HELP! I love this car but I don't know for how much longer!

Also, maint... how much is expected to be paid out to keep it going... how often to brake pads go, and all that other basic stuff, how expensive is it to replace too. What years are bad and why? Would I be better off with a 993 C2? I hear the 996 has that crazy awful RMS problem (porsche motors arent cheap)

[LOLrance]

You can pm a member named "Jasonn". He had bought a CPO m3 and after 2 years, the engine blew. After the engine was replaced, he tradded it in for a 335.

[hotrod182]

They have a dip stick. And the M3 is much less likely to overheat than a 335i. Under moderate usage, the oil temp rarely gets above 210F. I was tracking in 106F weather, and after about 3 laps at buttonwillow the temp got to about 260F so I slowed down. The E39 M5 fared far worse. The 335i probably would have been in limp mode. The 335i does better at high elevations. My quickest times in the M3 (at sea level), are a tiny bit better than the 335i. The highest 1/4 mile trap on the 335i is in the 105mph range, the M3 is over 107mph. But the 335i is easier to launch with its low end torque (steptronic).

[wrickem]

My 2004 6 speed e46 M3 was 100% reliable for 36K miles and I am pretty confidant that the new owner will have the same good fortune with it that I had. The only issues with it were typical e46 issues...stuck door handles, drooping interior trim and the Harmon Karden speaker rattle. Mechanically, this car was great. Before I sold it, I had the whole thing looked over and even the brakes were at 75% good.

[lvwirelessguy]

I picked up an 05 ZCP M3 in March and absolutely love it. ZERO problems with the car and once you get an M3 you will never regret your decision at all.

I also have an 06 E60 M5 and while I do love it as well, The M3 is my favorite car

[Excellence]

My buddies have been driving their M3's for awhile now. Up to 100k with no problems so far. As long as you don't trash your car, its fine.
I've never heard of blown motors, but the M3 is not an everyday driver well it is but people who by that type of car really push it!.. So you should becareful when purchasing one, get a certified bmw mechanic to take a look at it when you see it in person if anything.

[epbrown]

This is the internet. It's mostly good for complaining and pornography, and in both cases things tend to be somewhat overblown. Research any car model and you'll be flooded with examples of every possible component failure it can have. Not even the Honda and Toyota forums are full of posts titled "Another trouble-free day of driving - anyone else?" This information is good for knowing what's out there and what to look for, but 90% of the time the car will have none of those problems.

The new model is likely going to be pre-sold for the next year. Either we've got a lot of rich clueless newbies ordering cars that don't know what they're getting into, or a lot of E46 M3 owners were content enough with the last model to give the new one a go.

If you're nervous, get a CPO example from a local dealer. You'll pay a bit more, but the peace of mind might be worth it to you.

Originally Posted by RickE46M3

Alright well I have been set on my next significant performance car being an E46 M3, I even find it more appealing than the E92 for some reason. Some hate the exhaust note and some times I question weather I like it, or weather it sounds like a retarded lawnmower... but after watching a few videos the WOT note is F1 like... mmm. Well besides all it's awesome performance credentials, looks and material feel... I have heard alot of things that make me want to run farrr, farrr... away. The things I hear are coming from people who owned them... or there friends did, or they knew a guy. Are they true? I need to be filled in on the COLD...HARD...TRUTH of owning an E46 M3. )

[derryck]

I have an 03 M3 that is getting ready to turn 75K miles and it's putting down about 320RWHP. I can't speak on the SMG issues as it didn't take me more than a month to trade my SMG M3 for a 6MT. I have had zero issues with the car and my clutch is fine and it's the original. Some of the maintenance can be pricey such as the Inspections but other than that I think it all depends on how well it was taken care of. I don't track my car other than the occassional quarter mile but I have had no over-heating issues. It does run hotter than my 335 when sitting in traffic on hot days but nothing to be concerned about. After you replace the headers the rasp is gone and it sounds like a beast turning 8,500 RPM's.

[wikiedickie]

what up guy i would like to know what are some good headers i can get for this car that sound quiet and have excellent proformance issues?
thanks
sam