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      07-17-2014, 10:45 AM   #1
wildwestm3
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e46 experience?

OK so first off, I love this car. However, I can't help but admit that I really like the e46 body style. Everytime I see an e46 M car it just calls to me. I've never driven one, so I have no idea how it compares to my 2008. I'm thinking I won't be happy until I buy one. Of course, I'm looking for the "unicorn", LSB/black leather/6-speed coupe. I just can't seem to get over it. I know people on here have had, or do have, e46 M cars. I've read about problems with the rear unibody rust, SMG, plastic water pump impeller(?), but I just can't get over the lines of that car. I'd like to hear your opinions on it, good and bad...
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      07-17-2014, 11:33 AM   #2
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Beautiful lines, I will agree with you there. I lust after them as well. The e46 has it's fair share of weaknesses and potential failure points. The good thing is the car has been around long enough that not only are the issues incredibly well known/documented, but there are great solutions available for these issues. The vanos can be made to be bullet proof. The sub-frame will need to be reinforced for peace of mind at the very least. Most cars in the used market could use a thorough bushing refresh to get back to the factory feel.

The engine is intoxicating. Similar to the s65 in that it just wants to rev for days and makes most of it's power at the top end. Again, I think it is the best looking M3 BMW has ever made and find the e46 body style with the aggression of the fender flares and other body work the M3 has to be a timeless look. I will never tire of looking at clean e46s.

Do A LOT of research as you look for your e46. You need to know what you are getting yourself into. Go onto m3forum, there is a lot of useful information. There are also a TON of stancebros and morons who buy these cars and post threads about how unreliable it is, how expensive it is to maintain etc. Take all of that with a grain of salt. If you can't do at least some of your own work, this may not be the car for you. It can add up very quickly if you are paying someone else to do your work.

LSB/black in good shape will be nearly impossible to find, especially one that has been cared for. If you do find one, be prepared to move quickly. Stay away from SMG, fun transmission but they haven't aged well and it just adds another potential area of concern.
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      07-17-2014, 11:45 AM   #3
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Great car that I miss all the time.
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      07-17-2014, 11:46 AM   #4
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I think of E46s as Civics.
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      07-17-2014, 12:36 PM   #5
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I loved my e46. Styling cues were on point. I'm a shorter guy, and the driver seat felt a little more catered to my size than my e92. Inline 6, while others complain of its rasp, I found it to be very responsive, great sound with the Meistershaft TI exahust I had. Best part would probably be the handling. The e46 didn't feel like a boat. It was very nimble and light, yet felt planted to the ground. You felt connected to the road, and no false sense of comfort modes, sensors, dampening, etc etc. Just like its predecessors, the e30 and e36 , the e46 is a driver's car.

Downsides to the e46 as some have mentioned, but all have preventative maintenance would be VANOS, rear sub frame issues, cooling and the dreaded SMG issues which ultimately is what led to the demise of my e46 M3. Higher mileage and non-existant warranties make the e46 a hard car to keep around because of this. The inline 6, years down the road especially compared to the V8 we have now seems underpowered.
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      07-17-2014, 01:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wildwestm3 View Post
OK so first off, I love this car. However, I can't help but admit that I really like the e46 body style. Everytime I see an e46 M car it just calls to me. I've never driven one, so I have no idea how it compares to my 2008. I'm thinking I won't be happy until I buy one. Of course, I'm looking for the "unicorn", LSB/black leather/6-speed coupe. I just can't seem to get over it. I know people on here have had, or do have, e46 M cars. I've read about problems with the rear unibody rust, SMG, plastic water pump impeller(?), but I just can't get over the lines of that car. I'd like to hear your opinions on it, good and bad...
Always been a fan of the way they look and drive. This is what it'll come down to IMO:
Are you comfortable DIY'ing, or at least willing to learn? If not, skip this car. IMHO, it's more of a maintenance hog than other M3's, which is why I didn't get one and went for an E36 instead.

There's a few guys that upgraded to an E92 and went back to an E46. There's also guys that "downgraded" to an E46 and ended up missing the S65 and came back.

Personally, I've driven a Dinan S3 E46 M3. It was nice, but I wouldn't trade my then more or less stock E92 M3 for it, but that's all personal of course.
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      07-17-2014, 01:05 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
I think of E46s as Civics.


Would that make the e9X the accord?
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      07-17-2014, 01:13 PM   #8
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e46 m3s are amazing in so many ways.

Don't get an SMG, otherwise you will be very happy with any other choices you make!
The E46 had to turn into a 'weekend' car for me because it doesn't have the tech the E92 has.

E46 is lighter, has an amazing engine and sound, mods are cheap and fun, the looks are amazing
However, the nav sucks, the seats aren't as good IMO, stereo not as good, etc... As you can see it makes the E92 amazing for a daily and E46 amazing for weekend driving
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      07-17-2014, 01:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amirsm3 View Post


Would that make the e9X the accord?
The E9X would be corollas since they are far more common than the E46es.
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      07-17-2014, 01:27 PM   #10
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I still think the e46M looks awesome in certain colors. white, red, Lsb..


I had an SMG for 2 years and 10k miles. Beat on it like it owed me money. I had not one day of warranty. Car never let me down..

It's up in NY now where i'm sure it will or has died..
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      07-17-2014, 01:32 PM   #11
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The E46 design is timeless. I still miss it so much.
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      07-17-2014, 01:32 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W/// View Post
Always been a fan of the way they look and drive. This is what it'll come down to IMO:
Are you comfortable DIY'ing, or at least willing to learn? If not, skip this car. IMHO, it's more of a maintenance hog than other M3's, which is why I didn't get one and went for an E36 instead.

There's a few guys that upgraded to an E92 and went back to an E46. There's also guys that "downgraded" to an E46 and ended up missing the S65 and came back.

Personally, I've driven a Dinan S3 E46 M3. It was nice, but I wouldn't trade my then more or less stock E92 M3 for it, but that's all personal of course.
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      07-17-2014, 01:33 PM   #13
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Didn't read other replies so not sure if already got covered, but I can tell you from my personal experience and ownership of two E46 M3's (one was ZCP) both were 6spd manual, never had a single issue in a total 5-6 years of ownership! Both cars, especially the ZCP were a blast to drive. Sold the ZCP, which was babied had (39k miles, '05) last Novemeber and I have a feeling I will never regret that decision.

If you are willing to pay premium, google enthusiast auto in Cincinnati, OH, they have some amazing samples. Honestly, not their fan as they snatched a few cars before I had a chance to buy them from private parties, but they do indeed have an amazing inventory.

Also, lately seems like the prices of clean sub 60k miles ZCP cars have gone up!
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      07-17-2014, 01:56 PM   #14
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I miss my old e46. I don't miss SMG.
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      07-17-2014, 02:28 PM   #15
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Mine e46 m3 was slower, sounded worse, was alot more fragile and the electronics were very dated. I prefer the E90 and E92 I have owned to my E46.
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      07-17-2014, 02:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The HACK View Post
The E9X would be corollas since they are far more common than the E46es.
There were a good bit more E46s sold in the states than the E9x if I recall correctly.
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      07-17-2014, 02:58 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
I think of E46s as Civics.
Lol.

OP, I had a 03 AW/Cinnamon M3, but purchased it after selling my 09 M3 as I was trying to save some money. Some people are die hard fans of the E46, but I didn't really like it. All I would say is pay a little more and definitely get a car that was cared for and inspections performed on time. GL!

Stay away from SMG though.
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      07-17-2014, 03:31 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmk08 View Post
There were a good bit more E46s sold in the states than the E9x if I recall correctly.
The economy was better when the E46s hit the market.
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      07-17-2014, 03:34 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by checkmate View Post
The economy was better when the E46s hit the market.
E46 M is/was a fine car but usually when I see them now they are all riced out. Thats where my Civic comment comes from. I'm sure E9x will be just as bad soon. I mean we already have a dude with glowing brakes.
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      07-17-2014, 03:50 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WCM3 View Post
Lol.

OP, I had a 03 AW/Cinnamon M3, but purchased it after selling my 09 M3 as I was trying to save some money. Some people are die hard fans of the E46, but I didn't really like it. All I would say is pay a little more and definitely get a car that was cared for and inspections performed on time. GL!

Stay away from SMG though.
Damn, I just saw you have an E36 too. We have the same combo in our garage!

Honestly, I didn't even like E36's. Design wise, they are the worst out of all M3's. But my goodness they are fun!! I'd say I on average drive the E36 to work 3 out of the 5 week days.
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      07-17-2014, 06:33 PM   #21
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Agree that the E46 ///M was the best looking, hands down. I loved mine but sold it when I got a 911. I still miss it. Folks have already highlighted SOME of the known issues, but I'll make you a little consolidated list which made my decision to sell easier:

1. Vanos issues
2. Rear subframe tearing
3. Exploding water pump impeller
4. In earlier cars, rod bearing issues
5. Plastic end tanks on radiator prone to failure
6. Bad glue (across E46 range) on headliner trim, looked terrible if it fell
7. Window regulator failure
8. Eventually bad quarter window seals (they went to fixed windows on E92 ///M.)

I'm certain I've forgotten a few.
Would still love to buy one cherry and just do some preventative maintenance. I agree that the prices have now gotten low enough that you see younger folks with Monster hats on backwards cocked to the side driving them and making them look like shite.
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      07-17-2014, 06:40 PM   #22
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