Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...
- Thread starter mrk
- Start date
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
[TW]Fox;29039934 said:Oh right. Weird sig then I guess.
(actually unless it's an M5, its hard to tell from the picture. Infact it is an M5).
So same question then
I just like the look of it.
As you'd know, what kind of bills can an E46 M3 throw up? I doubt I'd enjoy owning one if it was costing thousands a year, it'd probably be cheaper to get a newer one (long term).
It will only immediately cost thousands for a year if you get an SMG and the pump goes 
Other than that, don't get rear ended is my biggest advice.
The DSC pressure sensors can fail, get those replaced the moment an error code flags up for them. Leave them and your DSC unit will be next, you don't want that going. There are 2x sensors, a BMW only part at ~£90 each. Replace both ideally as once one raises a flag, it's only a matter of time until the other does too. My car initially flagged up sensor 1, had it replaced and then days later 2 flagged up.
Battery health. Check to make sure the battery is of the correct spec and is healthy. A weak battery will throw up DSC/ABS warnings.
The rear brake lines do corrode over time, though does depend how the car has been kept over the years. The best way to check properly is to drop the fuel tank out.
The wheel speed sensors have been known to get dirty and throw up DSC warning lights.
The famous subframe cracking. Complete lottery on this one, you might have a car that never cracks.. It's all luck with this. £700 to reinforce with ETA Motorsport doing the work using their own fabricated plates.
The exhaust flange brackets that attach the midpipe to the backbox will corrode on every single car with the stock exhaust system installed. You can pay the ~£700 BMW want to replace the mid pipe which has the clamps attached, or cut off the corroded brackets and fit aftermarket stainless steel ones which cost £25 for the whole set (+£8-£10 for the gasket rings from BMW). Guess which option most people choose.
The thermostat will fail at some point, usually around the 70-80k mileage range. I replaced mine as a preventative measure during an oil service. It's not an expensive part really. The water temp needle won't always be dead centre though just to note, it may sit slightly below the middle. This is normal.
Suspension coils will crack every few years, not M3 specific as all E46 with Sport suspension has this issue. You want these replacing in axle pairs.
VANOS seals are known to fail on earlier model years, your garage can check these anyway.
The S54 is very vocal. You'll get acclimated to how it sounds when it's happy and when it's not. You'll also notice when something doesn't sound right. It is grumpy in the mornings, and you don't want to be working the revs beyond 3k until the oil is at full operating temp. Don't go by the lights on the rpm dial unless you've had the lights coded to reflect the actual oil temp.
There isn't anything else that's majorly M3 specific really, everything else is E46 common faults such as door actuator failing (murderous DIY), hedgehog (murderous DIY), window regulator in the case of the convertible and so on. All of those E46 things are cheap fixes, they're just utterly annoying to do. Expect stuff to break, it is a 10yr+ old car after all.
Providing the seats and cabin trim aren't abused, then a simple £150 steering wheel re-trim and gear knob swap (along with gaiters) will result in a cabin transformation. The bolsters will almost certainly be worn on the driver side. You can buy a colourant kit from furniture clinic for £40 which will see that sorted. It seems nobody takes care getting in and out of their cars during ownership!
Other than that, don't get rear ended is my biggest advice.
The DSC pressure sensors can fail, get those replaced the moment an error code flags up for them. Leave them and your DSC unit will be next, you don't want that going. There are 2x sensors, a BMW only part at ~£90 each. Replace both ideally as once one raises a flag, it's only a matter of time until the other does too. My car initially flagged up sensor 1, had it replaced and then days later 2 flagged up.
Battery health. Check to make sure the battery is of the correct spec and is healthy. A weak battery will throw up DSC/ABS warnings.
The rear brake lines do corrode over time, though does depend how the car has been kept over the years. The best way to check properly is to drop the fuel tank out.
The wheel speed sensors have been known to get dirty and throw up DSC warning lights.
The famous subframe cracking. Complete lottery on this one, you might have a car that never cracks.. It's all luck with this. £700 to reinforce with ETA Motorsport doing the work using their own fabricated plates.
The exhaust flange brackets that attach the midpipe to the backbox will corrode on every single car with the stock exhaust system installed. You can pay the ~£700 BMW want to replace the mid pipe which has the clamps attached, or cut off the corroded brackets and fit aftermarket stainless steel ones which cost £25 for the whole set (+£8-£10 for the gasket rings from BMW). Guess which option most people choose.
The thermostat will fail at some point, usually around the 70-80k mileage range. I replaced mine as a preventative measure during an oil service. It's not an expensive part really. The water temp needle won't always be dead centre though just to note, it may sit slightly below the middle. This is normal.
Suspension coils will crack every few years, not M3 specific as all E46 with Sport suspension has this issue. You want these replacing in axle pairs.
VANOS seals are known to fail on earlier model years, your garage can check these anyway.
The S54 is very vocal. You'll get acclimated to how it sounds when it's happy and when it's not. You'll also notice when something doesn't sound right. It is grumpy in the mornings, and you don't want to be working the revs beyond 3k until the oil is at full operating temp. Don't go by the lights on the rpm dial unless you've had the lights coded to reflect the actual oil temp.
There isn't anything else that's majorly M3 specific really, everything else is E46 common faults such as door actuator failing (murderous DIY), hedgehog (murderous DIY), window regulator in the case of the convertible and so on. All of those E46 things are cheap fixes, they're just utterly annoying to do. Expect stuff to break, it is a 10yr+ old car after all.
Providing the seats and cabin trim aren't abused, then a simple £150 steering wheel re-trim and gear knob swap (along with gaiters) will result in a cabin transformation. The bolsters will almost certainly be worn on the driver side. You can buy a colourant kit from furniture clinic for £40 which will see that sorted. It seems nobody takes care getting in and out of their cars during ownership!
Thanks for that mrk. I'd expect issues due to the age of the car, and thankfully it doesn't sound like anything is massively expensive.
I've heard a lot about SMG pumps. I don't know a great deal about SMG but people seem to think (normal) manual is the one to go for. I'm currently using an Auto F31 without the sports transmission and I assume when you knock the gear lever to the side, that operates similarly to SMG with the shifting up and down. I'd have to try out SMG but I think I'd prefer manual based on what I've read...
I'd also have to try out the cabriolet and coupe to see the differences. Having had a cabriolet in the past, I know there tends to be more flex in the chassis so it probably drives quite a bit differently? I only wish there were more tunnels in England...
As for mileage, to me around 80k seems reasonable if its an 04/05 model, being over 100k would put me off, rightly or wrongly... though I'd much rather have a higher mileage one that's been looked after, obviously.
I had a quick look at one for sale at a local garage the other day, it's a cabriolet with the hard top on, and they're advertising it as a 'saloon', I don't think they've realised... It was a right shed anyway, the interior was trashed and they wanted well over top book for it considering the condition and mileage.
I hope you get yours sorted out and I think you've done the right thing with regards to the repair as you clearly think a lot of the car and it does look excellent. In the unlikely event you sell it, your careful documentation of the repair would likely help the sale too.
I've heard a lot about SMG pumps. I don't know a great deal about SMG but people seem to think (normal) manual is the one to go for. I'm currently using an Auto F31 without the sports transmission and I assume when you knock the gear lever to the side, that operates similarly to SMG with the shifting up and down. I'd have to try out SMG but I think I'd prefer manual based on what I've read...
I'd also have to try out the cabriolet and coupe to see the differences. Having had a cabriolet in the past, I know there tends to be more flex in the chassis so it probably drives quite a bit differently? I only wish there were more tunnels in England...
As for mileage, to me around 80k seems reasonable if its an 04/05 model, being over 100k would put me off, rightly or wrongly... though I'd much rather have a higher mileage one that's been looked after, obviously.
I had a quick look at one for sale at a local garage the other day, it's a cabriolet with the hard top on, and they're advertising it as a 'saloon', I don't think they've realised... It was a right shed anyway, the interior was trashed and they wanted well over top book for it considering the condition and mileage.
I hope you get yours sorted out and I think you've done the right thing with regards to the repair as you clearly think a lot of the car and it does look excellent. In the unlikely event you sell it, your careful documentation of the repair would likely help the sale too.
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There are quite a few tunnels here and there, though nothing quite like the ones you see in videos around Europe 
Am planning a Hindhead tunnel run on PH soon for Hampshire peeps soon enough. I drive to London and back often, so the Hindhead tunnel is one I always look forward to.
SMG essentially works the same way yeah. It's a bit sloppy and annoying around town though as expected of a 15yr old system, but ultimately feels its best when pushing on in mode S5/S6. I've never driven on a track, but from what everyone says, it's the best option if you intend to track the car often and want to compete lap times and stuff like that.
As for coupe vs convertible. For obvious reasons the coupe is the more precise instrument. That's not to say the convertible isn't precise either. Both will be lots of fun. There is some scuttle on rough road surfaces, but on well maintained tarmac it's solid and well planted. The softtop is very well insulated and doesn't let in any excess noise from around the car at speed. A motorway cruise is comfortable, quiet and pleasant for all occupants.
The hardtop costs about £500 used. I sold mine for that figure a month after buying the car. The hardtop makes the car look more like the coupe,. but with all 4 windows down gives that panoramic opening which looks and feels nice in motion. It adds an additional 30.6KG of weight though.
The engine is quietest at around 90MPH. I have CSL tyre sizes so my road noise levels will likely be different to standard tyre sizes. At a needle indicated 70 you can hear the engine a bit and the stock exhaust is audible too. Sit at 80 to 90 and it's only tyre noise you will find most audible. From inside the car you'd never guess it was a convertible until you floor it and hear the exhaust note and induction noise fill the cabin more than in the coupe.
For me the convertible made most sense. We have some smashing roads down here to blast around on during nice evenings or on a nice Sunday. I'd always driven them in the coupe and thought to myself "this would be amazing in a convertible"... And now I do just that. With passengers it's such a blast. Aside from friends I've made through these forums, 90% of my irl friends/family have no idea what to expect and it's always a joy seeing their faces at 8000rpm jaunts with the roof down
I still don't think I'll ever be selling this car though, but of course have to account for any inevitable thing happening.
Am planning a Hindhead tunnel run on PH soon for Hampshire peeps soon enough. I drive to London and back often, so the Hindhead tunnel is one I always look forward to.
SMG essentially works the same way yeah. It's a bit sloppy and annoying around town though as expected of a 15yr old system, but ultimately feels its best when pushing on in mode S5/S6. I've never driven on a track, but from what everyone says, it's the best option if you intend to track the car often and want to compete lap times and stuff like that.
As for coupe vs convertible. For obvious reasons the coupe is the more precise instrument. That's not to say the convertible isn't precise either. Both will be lots of fun. There is some scuttle on rough road surfaces, but on well maintained tarmac it's solid and well planted. The softtop is very well insulated and doesn't let in any excess noise from around the car at speed. A motorway cruise is comfortable, quiet and pleasant for all occupants.
The hardtop costs about £500 used. I sold mine for that figure a month after buying the car. The hardtop makes the car look more like the coupe,. but with all 4 windows down gives that panoramic opening which looks and feels nice in motion. It adds an additional 30.6KG of weight though.
The engine is quietest at around 90MPH. I have CSL tyre sizes so my road noise levels will likely be different to standard tyre sizes. At a needle indicated 70 you can hear the engine a bit and the stock exhaust is audible too. Sit at 80 to 90 and it's only tyre noise you will find most audible. From inside the car you'd never guess it was a convertible until you floor it and hear the exhaust note and induction noise fill the cabin more than in the coupe.
For me the convertible made most sense. We have some smashing roads down here to blast around on during nice evenings or on a nice Sunday. I'd always driven them in the coupe and thought to myself "this would be amazing in a convertible"... And now I do just that. With passengers it's such a blast. Aside from friends I've made through these forums, 90% of my irl friends/family have no idea what to expect and it's always a joy seeing their faces at 8000rpm jaunts with the roof down
I still don't think I'll ever be selling this car though, but of course have to account for any inevitable thing happening.
A Europe road trip is planned for this year, so far it's only planned in mind though.
At least one will be had either way
I have a euro road trip planned for this year as well, not in detail yet though... Still, I very much doubt you'd want to convoy with an Acme in a Toyota, accompanied by his mental friend
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The one that's almost certainly going ahead (we just need to plan a route and stop points) is with my good pal with his XF-R. We both shoot together so plenty of time dedicated to driving and stopping for landscape photographs at ungodly hours.
Can't wait
Can't wait