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      10-17-2012, 05:18 PM   #1
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Should I buy this E46 M3?

Was browsing the internet yesterday, and came across this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1182

It is almost too CLEAN to me to pass up. He's local to me as well which helps big time.

What do you guys think? I had an E46 M3 for a very short period of time eight years ago, I don't remember how it felt.

What do you guys think between this and an E90 M3 as a daily driver? I know some of you have E46's.

If I buy it I will flash the euro SMG and tune it within the first hour of ownership

I know this is an impulse buy- but so was the the E90 M3 and I have never regretted this decision.

Help me please!
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Last edited by BPMSport; 10-17-2012 at 06:43 PM..
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      10-17-2012, 05:30 PM   #2
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SMG FTL!
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      10-17-2012, 05:32 PM   #3
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Quote:
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SMG FTL!


Despite it being SMG, I would still buy it, yes.
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      10-17-2012, 05:35 PM   #4
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Looks clean - mileage is nice. Not a fan of used black cars though - they tend to look swirly over time. Of course this depends on how it was taken care of.
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      10-17-2012, 05:35 PM   #5
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Do it! Drive it like you stole it and have a great time with it.
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      10-17-2012, 05:39 PM   #6
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Make it a dedicated track car!
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      10-17-2012, 05:43 PM   #7
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Make it a dedicated track car!
I wouldn't do that... No time for the track these days.

I will potentially make the E90 a track car in 2015 though, when all of the Maintenance, Extended Warranty, etc.. run out.

It is SMG but the Euro software flash will make that tolerable..

I'm so on the fence about this... One part of me is like "just get it" and the other side says "insurance, taxes, and possessions are burdens".

I'm at war with myself!
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      10-17-2012, 06:04 PM   #8
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This is just my personal opinion, but that particular car doesn't get my blood flowing. While the price is excellent for the mileage, the SMG and color combo doesn't really cut it for me (plus you already have a Jerez Black).

The E46 is already a basketcase in terms of maintenance, so an MT would have to be an absolute must. Secondly, I'd go for a crazy color like Imola Red or LSB, although I realize that's not for everyone.

Personally, I'm deciding to skip the E46 M3 (had a regular one) due to reliability of S54.
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      10-17-2012, 06:08 PM   #9
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If i bought another e46M it would be to go HPF with it
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      10-17-2012, 06:17 PM   #10
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I would say no just because of the SMG. I am not even talking about feel or a more significant connection to the car ect. The first gen SMG had serious problems.
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      10-17-2012, 06:24 PM   #11
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I wouldn't buy it. If you want that engine go with a 2006-2008 Z4MC. I had a 2007 Z4MC and my E92 M3 at one time. Loved them both but needed a daily practical car so with with the newer style X5.
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      10-17-2012, 06:26 PM   #12
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Okay, pass on the E46 and get a blower for your E90. Just think of all the money you'll be saving!
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      10-17-2012, 06:28 PM   #13
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Lol seller says "never hit redline". Sounds pretty pointless to own an M3 if that's the case.

Nice car though, great engine for dd.
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      10-17-2012, 06:40 PM   #14
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Too much cash for an E46 M3, regardless of condition. Not worth it IMO.
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      10-17-2012, 06:42 PM   #15
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When I originally talked to the owner, I asked him if it was ok if I plugged in and checked the car out. He didn't seem to have an issue with that. I asked him to check my name online to make him feel comfortable plugging into the car.

I wanted to look at max REV's, max speed, launch control activations, and adaptations (I can tell what fuel quality he has been using by looking at that). He didn't seem to have a problem with it.

A few minutes ago he called me and said that he didn't want me to plug into the car, and sounded a bit paranoid. I told him that it sort of seemed like he was trying to hide something, and he replied "Then don't buy the car".

So I think given that plus your comments about S54 reliability are making me reconsider.

I think the SMG unit is fairly reliable other than the hydraulic pump which is known to fail. This was replaced on my E60 M5 as a recall. Being that it's a 2003, I think it's past both the rod bearing and oil pump issues that plagued the earlier E46's... He told me that the car had been sitting for a couple years and that concerned me too, as these cars go to hell when you don't regularly drive them.
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      10-17-2012, 06:47 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Benvo View Post
When I originally talked to the owner, I asked him if it was ok if I plugged in and checked the car out. He didn't seem to have an issue with that. I asked him to check my name online to make him feel comfortable plugging into the car.

I wanted to look at max REV's, max speed, launch control activations, and adaptations (I can tell what fuel quality he has been using by looking at that). He didn't seem to have a problem with it.

A few minutes ago he called me and said that he didn't want me to plug into the car, and sounded a bit paranoid. I told him that it sort of seemed like he was trying to hide something, and he replied "Then don't buy the car".

So I think given that plus your comments about S54 reliability are making me reconsider.

I think the SMG unit is fairly reliable other than the hydraulic pump which is known to fail. This was replaced on my E60 M5 as a recall. Being that it's a 2003, I think it's past both the rod bearing and oil pump issues that plagued the earlier E46's... He told me that the car had been sitting for a couple years and that concerned me too, as these cars go to hell when you don't regularly drive them.
He has to be hiding something when he says then Dont buy my car. Stay away!
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      10-17-2012, 06:52 PM   #17
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I don't know why people hate SMG... I loved mine. I actually liked it more then current DCT. SMG was more like manual... Yeah the pump can be a bitch to replace once goes out, but that's once every 130k miles. Just my 2 cents.
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      10-17-2012, 06:55 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bimmerjph View Post
I would say no just because of the SMG. I am not even talking about feel or a more significant connection to the car ect. The first gen SMG had serious problems.
+1
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      10-17-2012, 06:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Benvo View Post
A few minutes ago he called me and said that he didn't want me to plug into the car, and sounded a bit paranoid. I told him that it sort of seemed like he was trying to hide something, and he replied "Then don't buy the car".
Sounds to me like a red light pulsing here...
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      10-17-2012, 07:16 PM   #20
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$20k seems like a lot to me for a 10 year old car, but i guess thats the going price?
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      10-17-2012, 07:22 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Benvo View Post
When I originally talked to the owner, I asked him if it was ok if I plugged in and checked the car out. He didn't seem to have an issue with that. I asked him to check my name online to make him feel comfortable plugging into the car.

I wanted to look at max REV's, max speed, launch control activations, and adaptations (I can tell what fuel quality he has been using by looking at that). He didn't seem to have a problem with it.

A few minutes ago he called me and said that he didn't want me to plug into the car, and sounded a bit paranoid. I told him that it sort of seemed like he was trying to hide something, and he replied "Then don't buy the car".

So I think given that plus your comments about S54 reliability are making me reconsider.

I think the SMG unit is fairly reliable other than the hydraulic pump which is known to fail. This was replaced on my E60 M5 as a recall. Being that it's a 2003, I think it's past both the rod bearing and oil pump issues that plagued the earlier E46's... He told me that the car had been sitting for a couple years and that concerned me too, as these cars go to hell when you don't regularly drive them.
Time to walk away I think.

Plus don't forget about the VANOS hub issues, which was the biggest concern for me. Not to mention subframe issues.

This is why I went with the E92. The E46 makes the current M3 look as reliable as a Hyundai
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      10-17-2012, 07:24 PM   #22
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for that price I would just get a 335! a lot more fun. The S54 has to similar of a power band to the s65 imo just with a lot less power. Get a used 335 and tune it for almost the same price
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