Looking at E46 M3

[yellow ss]

hi guys looking at upgrading the mrs mazda 3 mps been looking at different cars but the bmw e46 m3 is coming on top of the list has anyone had any experience with ownership or any issues, we are looking at 04 models with the smg, regards george

[NickS]

hi guys looking at upgrading the mrs mazda 3 mps been looking at different cars but the bmw e46 m3 is coming on top of the list has anyone had any experience with ownership or any issues, we are looking at 04 models with the smg, regards george

Make sure you test drive one first ... I drove one with the SMG box for half a day once, if anyone ever offered again I'd say no thanks!

Seriously ... that box makes the Holden 4 speed feel refined, how BMW ever put that thing into production is beyond me, it's atrocious. The delay between brake and 1st gear engaging is enough to have the car roll backwards, MASSIVE pause between 1st and 2nd, slow and clunky gear changes everywhere else.

If you stick it in "manual" it's a bit better but still awful ... if you're flogging the guts out of the car it finally makes sense. Driven HARD it works, on a track it would probably be great. Daily driven ... no thanks.

I wanted an M3 more than any other car, I have lusted after them since the late 80's when I first started to really follow cars. 20+ years of desire was pretty much destroyed in half a day.

:cry:

[yellow ss]

its been a while since i drove one, i drove a competition pack a few years ago didnt seem that bad also u can adjust the agresivenes of gear changes through 6 settings ill take 1 for a drive but it didnt seem that bad,

[NickS]

its been a while since i drove one, i drove a competition pack a few years ago didnt seem that bad also u can adjust the agresivenes of gear changes through 6 settings ill take 1 for a drive but it didnt seem that bad,

Yep ... I tried every setting.

You might not mind it as much as I did ... as long as you're aware that the box has some flaws it's all good. Every review I have ever read on the SMG (M3 or M5) hated the box, so it's not just me or the car I drove, but there are shit loads of them on the road so plenty of people are clearly happy to live with it!

Good luck ... besides the box it's an awesome car.

[yellow ss]

yeah i know what u mean about the reaction to engage 1st gear, it will be the run around car and part time track car

[seldo]

My son has an E46 M3 SMG that I've driven a fair bit. My first reaction was like Nick's - I hated it - but the more I drive it more I like it, as I've got used to it. As a driver's car it's just awesome and the handling is just amazing.

[R100 Sports Sedan]

When you look at buying one make sure you take out the boot carpet and trims, look at the boot floor welds to the rear rails and where the rear suspension bolts to the floor they crack on the welds and give away. Have seen 6 of them that have the floor torn away, I know of one that BMWdone under warranty that needed a new boot floor and rear rails and beaver cost of $11,000 and another will be going in very soon.

[yellow ss]

Yeah I will give it a good look thanks, it's either a m3 or a 08 sit

[Muncha]

When you look at buying one make sure you take out the boot carpet and trims, look at the boot floor welds to the rear rails and where the rear suspension bolts to the floor they crack on the welds and give away. Have seen 6 of them that have the floor torn away, I know of one that BMWdone under warranty that needed a new boot floor and rear rails and beaver cost of $11,000 and another will be going in very soon.

I have seen that a few times as well actually. Make sure you check all the mounting points underneath for the suspension and rear sub frame.

[Munroman]

Here's one out of left field. How about my wife's E46 Convertible? Proper manual. Proper Red and Caramel leather. Classic colours and possible future classic I reckon one day. Loaded from factory. Its not a cheapie but its NICE. $49k

[Febs]

I wanted an M3 more than any other car, I have lusted after them since the late 80's when I first started to really follow cars. 20+ years of desire was pretty much destroyed in half a day.

Tried an E92 with the DCT? Had one for a week last year and absolutely loved it. Very liveable. :)

Mind you, if I had a choice I'd probably go the route you did too (C63). :)

Cheers,
- Febs.

[seldo]

If you want some inside info on BM's have squizz at e46fanatics.com.au

[yellow ss]

That's I'll have a look it's between a 08" sti, 03 m3 and a maserati 3200gt all under 55k

[Kyle]

Three very different vehicles there...

A different angle of approach, your servicing costs will be a fair bit cheaper with the little Japanese car :)

[yellow ss]

Not too concerned about servicing got a good mate that takes care of that also not going to be everyday car only used on weekends

[Kyle]

KK cool :)

Let me know how that goes for you when the mazza needs a rebuild :D

[yellow ss]

Yeah that's the only thing I'm worried about if I go with the mazza but I'm still a bit spectical about the m3 but I've always wanted 1 prob end up being shattered dream

[sleeper]

The 08 Sti is grouped with the bug eyes in the looks department so are cheaper as not popular at all.

May not be the best resale as a result.

As a comparison speed wise, the brand new wrx is $40k and is as quick as the current STi and all previous models. (straight line)
It doesn't have the brembos and 6 speed of course but is $20k cheaper.
The current wrx is same power as the STi but lighter.
I also hear the CS10 wrx is dropped to $45k drive away at my mates work as he is the manager. Leather and sat nav etc.

Just a thought....

[sleeper]

With the BMW servicing- years ago my old girlfriends Dad asked about Holden service prices as his BMW 5 series cost $2500 for a basic service with no repairs!

[SeldoJnr]

That's I'll have a look it's between a 08" sti, 03 m3 and a maserati 3200gt all under 55k

Gday,

Yep I have a an M3 e46 02 SMG. At first if you are not explained how to drive it the smg box can be a little uncomfortable, but you need to remember it’s not an Auto Box. It’s a Manual Box with an electronically controlled clutch which is why you will roll backwards at the lights if your pointing up a hill and don’t use a handbrake.
The SMG box has several settings and I must say I don’t like to Auto setting. I find the best setting is Manual with 4 bars on the gear change speed adjustment. Once you learn how to drive it you can drive it just as smoothly as any other car.

The E46 series mainly Coupes had some manufacture defects with the Sub frame where the rear suspension mounts to the Floor, cracks can develop in the floor. This affected only certain chassis numbers. BMW have acknowledged this and will repair cars which show this problem free of charge as long as the car not more than 10 years old.

Things to look at are ensure that the Factory servicing has been completed. Specifically the Inspection 1 and inspection 2 services as they are the Expensive ones. usually around 2- 3k. Tyres will cost you about $700 each for the rears 19" and $600 each for the fronts. You should get around 25- 30klms per set.

Check the Brakes. They do go through discs and pads at the same time and this will cost approx $700 per corner.

Oil service (every 25klms)will cost you approx $500 if you supply the oil. BMW will try and charge $220 for them to supply the oil.....

Oh I would stay away from the maserati 3200 Mate of mine has one which he bought with 20,klms on it and it costs him a fortune, things like the aircon compressor has $hit itself 3 times in 3 years and cost him $4k each time. I reckon he might even pay you to take it off his hands :)


In summery I really like the M3 and it’s a great compromise between a daily driver and a track car which you can still put the baby seat in the back if need be.

Let me know if you need any more info

SeldoJnr

[Delft Maloo]

I found a nice m3 manual on the net for good money but when i checked out insurance geez, more than double a brand new sti and over $2600, i could insure an 2002 911 996 Carrera for that(i did check). The sti for myself comes to about $1200yr, im seriously looking at getting a new my11 sti sedan when they are released later in the year but it is hard to justify the extra cost over the wrx we currently have due to the closeness of specs besides the 6spd manual.
brand new wrx for $45k or brand new sti for $60k, our current 09 rwx hatch is awesome but my wife wont let me take it to the track yet or modify it to much.
Our 09 wrx cost us about $830yr full comp insurance vs an sti at $1260yr.

I would love a bmw m3 but ownership cost is what would keep me out of it.

[SeldoJnr]

I found a nice m3 manual on the net for good money but when i checked out insurance geez, more than double a brand new sti and over $2600, i could insure an 2002 911 996 Carrera for that(i did check). The sti for myself comes to about $1200yr, im seriously looking at getting a new my11 sti sedan when they are released later in the year but it is hard to justify the extra cost over the wrx we currently have due to the closeness of specs besides the 6spd manual.
brand new wrx for $45k or brand new sti for $60k, our current 09 rwx hatch is awesome but my wife wont let me take it to the track yet or modify it to much.
Our 09 wrx cost us about $830yr full comp insurance vs an sti at $1260yr.

I would love a bmw m3 but ownership cost is what would keep me out of it.
Try RYNO insurance or Comminsure (commonwealth bank iinsurance) Or if you have to AAMI I pay $1700 per annum to insure mine for $66k.
Ther running costs are not that bad as long as the car has been looked after previously. Mine has cost me 1 set of tyres an alternator and a battery im the last 2 years Totaling $3,200( $2500 was Tyres only)

[Kyle]

Lol at the Mazza!

[sleeper]

I found a nice m3 manual on the net for good money but when i checked out insurance geez, more than double a brand new sti and over $2600, i could insure an 2002 911 996 Carrera for that(i did check). The sti for myself comes to about $1200yr, im seriously looking at getting a new my11 sti sedan when they are released later in the year but it is hard to justify the extra cost over the wrx we currently have due to the closeness of specs besides the 6spd manual.
brand new wrx for $45k or brand new sti for $60k, our current 09 rwx hatch is awesome but my wife wont let me take it to the track yet or modify it to much.
Our 09 wrx cost us about $830yr full comp insurance vs an sti at $1260yr.

I would love a bmw m3 but ownership cost is what would keep me out of it.

The new my11 STi is wide body as well....

[Delft Maloo]

The sti always was widebody in this shape but the base wrx will now sport the widebody aswell now, probably easier to justify the extra cost for the metal work if sharing it on 4 cars.

[yellow ss]

I'm 100% towards the m3 after doing some research, just need to get a house then the mps is forsale thanks for the advice seldojnr

[yellow ss]

Just did a quote through aami 1900 but can only get cheaper

[SeldoJnr]

I'm 100% towards the m3 after doing some research, just need to get a house then the mps is forsale thanks for the advice seldojnr

No worries anytime !

[NickS]

Interesting feedback on the SMG box ... coming from Seldo I'm sure it's accurate.

Hopefully I'll be able to see how these things are supposed to work one day!

Good luck with the search YellowSS ... it's an awesome car, no doubt about it ... be picky when looking, it'll be worth it!

[sleeper]

The sti always was widebody in this shape but the base wrx will now sport the widebody aswell now, probably easier to justify the extra cost for the metal work if sharing it on 4 cars.
Ah yes that would be it!
Is all the talk on the subaru forums as everyone has disliked the 08's on onwards or ugly betty as they are known.
They are saying at least with the new wide body it looks better now.