Reply With QuoteThere aren't any others of note apart from the occasional useful thread on Pistonheads. I trust you know all about the subframe/boot floor issue?
I know if m3 cutters site
However, are there any other specialist sites for M3?
Want it as a summer car
There aren't any others of note apart from the occasional useful thread on Pistonheads. I trust you know all about the subframe/boot floor issue?
I had one about 6 years ago and started a thread.
Have a look and see if you can find it mate as there was lots of good info on there!
Cracking cars by the way! I sold it and bought a v10 m5 and wished I'd kept the m3!
Yes buddyOriginally Posted by benny.c
I need to think long and hard as had bad experience with an auto TT in the past
Smg are plentiful
Would prefer a manual
A chat with Munich legends would be time well spent, found them quite helpful once.
I loved mine, 2003 SMG Cab. Replaced the SMG pump and clutch myself, not a big job. Changed the Vanos seals (not a big job) and traded after 18 months when I noticed a little crack around the rear subframe mountings.
2003 onwards were less susceptible to head gasket failures irrc.
They like Castrol Edge 10/60 and lots of super unleaded!
This was always my go-to thread on M3 cutters for bodging support..
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showth...t=52144&page=2
I had a Manuel on an 2002 ,loved it,the only money I spent on it was when it dropped a coil ,wasn't expensive to fix,the most I spent was on an inspection 2 service at £900 from Bmw but it equals itself out as the next one is an oil service and there only about £120,try and get as many extras as possible but I was told to stay away from smg as they can be very costly if it goes wrong,if I was looking now I'd look for a 2005 ,still cheap tax
Best M3 ever but needs to be manual rather than the SMG, and coupe rather than convertible. Let me know if you find one you like and I will check the warranty claims if that is helpful.
A very bold claim!
I assume you work for BMW, have you ever driven an e30 version?!
There's CSL Register if you're looking for a CSL.
Although the Forum is not M3 specific, two members have recently purchased and both will offer opinion/advice if required. Good guys on M3Cutters too.
http://www.bmwenthusiasts.co.uk/foru...forum.php?f=52
It's quiet but there is also www.ubermpower.co.uk where I frequent.
I've owned both in the past (stock e46 M3, a CSL and an EvoII).
To my mind, the e46 M3 is a better, complete package.
I've had a couple too. Best advice imo is to buy the best you can get, it is a false economy to buy cheap as they can be money pits. The high initial price will also be a high selling price when it is time to move it on, you might even make a few bob as good ones seem to be appreciating. Having driven both I think a manual is preferable. Estoril blue is also a favourite of mine :)
Can't seem to find anything half decent at 10k or below
They are shooting up in price
I've had 5 X E46 M3's and 2 X CSL's so what would you like to know?!
You might get a nice one for around £10k but it will take some time and will need to be from an experienced M car owner that has cherished it.
I paid £6.5K for mine at 117K, full BMW history with two owners. Ran it as a daily driver for three years to just under 150K and sold it to a mate for £6K last year. It had the subframe issue sorted free by BMW and other than a corroded brake pipe it only needed discs and pads.
It had a Geoff Steel Carbon airbox on it which sounded so nice. Kind of wish I hadn't sold it really but there's always something new to try (and I've still got an E30).
I was going to go the E46 route a few years ago, I have a E30 M3 and when the prices started to go up I thought wow I can get one of those now if I sell the E30 and add a few ££££ but it was like a seesaw the E30 started shooting up and the E46 was coming down plus I have had the E30 for 18 years so I'm attached to it too much.
But in the grand scheme of things the E46 blows the E30 away if outright speed is your thing, also howls like banshee on revs, I have mellowed a bit so prefer the E30's balance..Here she is -
Good luck in your search and once you go M Power it's hard to look at anything else
I was going to go the E46 route a few years ago, I have a E30 M3 and when the prices started to go up I thought wow I can get one of those now if I sell the E30 and add a few ££££ but it was like a seesaw the E30 started shooting up and the E46 was coming down plus I have had the E30 for 18 years so I'm attached to it too much.
But in the grand scheme of things the E46 blows the E30 away if outright speed is your thing, also howls like banshee on revs, I have mellowed a bit so prefer the E30's balance..Here she is -
Good luck in your search and once you go M Power it's hard to look at anything elseWow...
Love how you've kept it all original and in such good condition. Amazing car...
Another is
http://totalmcars.com
I had an SMG E46 M3 back in the day and it was a fantastic machine; one of the best cars I've had. If you have your pick get one with the Harmon Kardon as the standard stereo is bobbins!
Prices are going up for low mileage manual coupes so don't wait too long. Ideally buy a face lift or 2004 onwards. They come with a 12 year anti corrosion warranty, which I have used because the rear arches started rusting.
You'd make a few quid if you were to sell it,but it would be hard to replace if you ever fancied another,a true classicI was going to go the E46 route a few years ago, I have a E30 M3 and when the prices started to go up I thought wow I can get one of those now if I sell the E30 and add a few ££££ but it was like a seesaw the E30 started shooting up and the E46 was coming down plus I have had the E30 for 18 years so I'm attached to it too much.
But in the grand scheme of things the E46 blows the E30 away if outright speed is your thing, also howls like banshee on revs, I have mellowed a bit so prefer the E30's balance..Here she is -
Good luck in your search and once you go M Power it's hard to look at anything else
This 100%.
Good luck in your search and once you go M Power it's hard to look at anything else
i had two, carbon black with kiwi interior and oem csl wheels and silver grey with black interior
god i loved those cars
I remember them both from the good old days on BMW driver (before the Canadians took over and ruined it)!
i know how times have changed :(
What did you replace it with day to day Benny?
I had a bit of a funny year to be honest. First I purchased a 2003 Dodge Ram (5.7 Hemi version) which lasted about six months before being replaced with a 2004 Audi S4 Avant. That lasted about four months and I've ended up with a 2005 Clio Trophy, which is an absolute hoot to drive. I do such little mileage nowadays that I just wanted something to run the kids to school in with the odd track day thrown in.
Mmmmm, Kiwi. It doesn't have many fans but it can look cool on the right coloured car.
Last edited by benny.c; 14th January 2016 at 18:36.
its at home with carbon black IMO, which is effectively a dark navy, the lime works
on almost any other colour it didnt, esp phoenix yellow which it seemed to be paired with a lot
I had carbon with red leather,mint
Loved my E46 M3. I had SMGII but would go manual if I bought another. Mine was carbon black with black leather and pretty much all the options had been ticked including the rear sun blind. Also had genuine CSLs fitted. I think those alloys are a serious contender for best alloy design ever.
Buy a good one and you won't regret it and go for a facelift as others have said. But do go in with your eyes open - if they go wrong they can be costly to put right. Oh and I don't know if anyone has mentioned rear trailing arm bushes which are a weak point. Floor the car in second and if the rear shimmies, feels disconnected from the front of the car and you feel the handling is dreadful it will almost certainly need new RTABs.
Might like this..?. http://hexagonclassics.com/cars/2005-bmw-m3-e46-smg-2/
Excellent colour choice
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