Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...

Saw this on yt today, it's a 2021 video and the first time I've seen something so detailed and informative and clearly shown about bearing shells. Really worthwhile and all the more important the job is done by a specialist.


In other news my Saleri water pump has been in for a few weeks now and everything is running perfectly.

Interesting to note too in that video he says oil change every 3-5000 miles. I knew people changed oil mid-services but 5000 miles is pretty frequent! I might just get oil change every MOT time regardless now. Keep an eye on ECP offer codes and just stock up on the oil ready.
 
Oil? For the bearing shells lifespan as the guy (and countless other specialists) says based on their experience with this engine. Redish also mentioned it as a bit of advice when I had the donor engine installed by them way back. It's probably more valid for the UK where it's kept on a driveway and the vast majority of our weather is cold so the oil remains colder for longer.
 
mrk said:
It's probably more valid for the UK where it's kept on a driveway and the vast majority of our weather is cold so the oil remains colder for longer.
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First time I've ever heard very frequent oil changes being 'more valid' for the UK than the USA?!
 
The US vs UK oil interval thing is hilarious. For mine the official oil change interval in the US is 5000 miles or 12 months (manufacturer literature).

UK - condition based up to 24 months or 20k(!) miles.

Never did quite get to the bottom of the disparity, much of the US has a broadly similar climate to that of the U.K.
 
Maybe it has something to do with this: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/oil-change-truths/

But condition based driving factors more it seems. Those who infrequently drive their cars, especially these sorts of engines should ideally be doing more frequent oil changes going by that whilst those who regularly pile on the miles can stick to the book?

Good thing I suppose is the instrucment cluster mileage countdown to the next service is condition based on these cars so I guess this whole debate is less important lol.
 
Jez said:
The US vs UK oil interval thing is hilarious. For mine the official oil change interval in the US is 5000 miles or 12 months (manufacturer literature).

UK - condition based up to 24 months or 20k(!) miles.

Never did quite get to the bottom of the disparity, much of the US has a broadly similar climate to that of the U.K.
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Culture not climate is likely to be the reason.
 
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale...myDsyBESjwPcQNksk3ZvznXkA6ALbuwJGwWhb4xQnqehg

Look what these are going for lately, a prefacelift tatty one that is in serious need of a interior refresh and bodywork and a concoction of tyre brands fitted goes for nearly £15k, and that's the average... WeBuyAnyCar have been offering North of £14k too to a number of people on the E46 FB group.

The E46 M3 with manual box bubble has begun....
 
Wbac offered about £11k according to the website, mine has 100k miles 2004 Maunal cab, but remember they do often walk down the price once applied their inspection criteria etc.

There will be decent money paid for cars below 80k miles as they are pretty thin on the ground.
 
I'm looking at selling the z4m as I fancy a change after 7 years of Z4s and they are going for 17kish for 60k miles. So 1500 less then I got mine for with 28k miles on it 6 years ago. Just mental. Prices for coupes are even more mad.

No idea if they are selling for that or if its just people trying there luck.
 
mrk said:
Saw this on yt today, it's a 2021 video and the first time I've seen something so detailed and informative and clearly shown about bearing shells. Really worthwhile and all the more important the job is done by a specialist.


In other news my Saleri water pump has been in for a few weeks now and everything is running perfectly.

Interesting to note too in that video he says oil change every 3-5000 miles. I knew people changed oil mid-services but 5000 miles is pretty frequent! I might just get oil change every MOT time regardless now. Keep an eye on ECP offer codes and just stock up on the oil ready.
Click to expand...

Oddly my water pump randonly started to get a bit noisy and I caved in and went for OEM (£357 for the pump, a bit for the themostat housing etc), all in I think it was around £540 fitted, I had it done 3 weeks ago when it was in for an Inspection I (laughably the car has only done 12K miles in 5 years but had 2 oil services and an inspection I)..

DRneocortez said:
Wbac offered about £11k according to the website, mine has 100k miles 2004 Maunal cab, but remember they do often walk down the price once applied their inspection criteria etc.

There will be decent money paid for cars below 80k miles as they are pretty thin on the ground.
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Jeez , just checked mine, £11,800 (Manual cab).. The first car I've owned that might actually have appreciated!

I see 2 on M3C with 50K Miles @ a firm £20K!
 
Yeah the OEM waterpump I didn't go for because BMW reduced the quality (plastic impeller vs metal) and increased the cost for some reason. The Saleri was £120 ish delivered direct from Italy and came with all the gaskets and bits needed. I'm sure the "revised" OEM pump would last no problems but the thought of a lesser quality item for more money I wasn't going to stand for that when a higher quality Saleri one is so cheap and all metal components with the same water flow rate as the OEM one.
 
Yeah, I winced at the price but as you do when suddenly faced with a garage with the car mid way through service, I had to make a decision! :)

nice to see you are still keeping yours in good condition and using it!
 
Had a great week away exploring Wales this past week. The M3 was absolutely superb in every right. There were 16+ of us visiting and a bunch swapped around in my car each day as we drove to each destination with kin who have never been to area of such awe before (I have done NC500 and always wanted to do Wales too). The roads were totally epic and everyone had such a great time, it helped the weather was sunny and hot the whole time. A mix of roof up (with windows all down for pano side views) and down.

The induction noise echoing off the rocks each side :D


Not far off 700 miles total and £217 in fuel. Not bad all things considered with a full occupancy and boot packed. No V Power anywhere nearby there where we stayed, There was a Shell 7 miles away but even when I reached that it had only unleaded and V power diesel which IMO is absolutely pointless. What a waste of space lol.

BP regular however was absolutely fine.
 
It sounds superb (engine and trip), I love driving in Wales aswell, this last year is the first year in quite a few I haven't been back into Gwynedd actually. Obvious the way you were driving matters but ouch 700 miles at £217 ...that would cost me about £65in the 2 series coupe diesel ...however it sounds like a tractor and doesn't inspire you to want to rev it much at all so ...yea, different kettle of fish entirely.
 
Thankfully the fuel bill was split two ways so that was quite nice, but yep 24MPG ish is what I averaged and mostly did drive safe for the conditions, I don't think I ever went above 5000rpm for example, all shifts were between 3000 and 5000 rpm where the bulk of the induction noise and smoothness is as well as ideal fuel economy. Even still, this is the way it is I guess with relatively short driving and the regular slowing down and speeding back up as you move between NSL A roads and small villages that drop to 30 for a few miles at a time.

All part of the experience though I suppose!

One of the 5 cars in our group was an Audi A4 diesel 2018 model. They mentioned that they were likely going to do the whole round trip on one tank. I was slightly jealous until the following day when the roof was down again :D

I think once EVs get long range solid state batteries things will be quite neat. I'd be tempted to hire one for a trip to Wales and experience another side of driving on those roads in total silence. Needs to be a convertible EV though and just whisk through the mountain air soaking it all in without any noises to distract.
 
£217 for 700 miles in an M3 in North Wales doesn't sound bad at all. I regularly pop over the border (one of the benefits of living 30 mins away I suppose!) and I'm lucky to see much more than 15mpg. Tho these days Llanberis pass etc are so chock full of tourists and appallingly parked cars you can barely move most of the time.
 
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