anyone had a e46 m3 smg

[harvey01]

hi all im thinking of getting an m3 as a 2nd car but dont no much about them ie falt serviceing parts

 

[Oranoco]

My brother has one and they are a ****** awesome car. My only criticism is it's not dramatic in how it delivers the power, but it pulls in top just the same as it pulls in 2nd. I gave my brothers a bit of man foot and was unimpressed then noticed the speedo was at 135mph.

Watch for cracking to the bootfloor, if the car is standard and inside 10 years old and 100k miles BMW will do the repair as good will. The SMG pump can go pear shaped and they are not cheap to replace. Rear tyres only seem to last 12months even with the TCS systems on. Any parts seem to suffer with "M" tax

If you have the cash and make sure you look for a good one (few thrashed and neglected dogs out there) they are a damn fine, well built and quick car.

 

[OFFSKEE]

Well built rocket ship's mate..had me two of them. Try to get a manual version and a late low miler. Boot floor cracking is on the convertible only so no worries if you fancy the coupe. Just make sure the service history is bang on especially the first 1200k one.

 

[Oranoco]

Not true mate, floor cracking is an issue on the coupe too. My brother had his done at the same time another friend had the one done on his M3 CSL just before Christmas. Was chatting to the chap in the BMW body shop doing the work and he reckons they are doing a couple a month of E46 platform cars.

The M3 Cutters forum is a good place for info.

 

[APAutomotive]

Boot floor cracking is on all early M3's I have also seen it on 330d tourers!!

Don't buy SMG!!

Make sure good service history by a specialist as most will have checked valve clearances and put the specific diff oil in to prevent diff knock

 

[sliced]

dont buy smg, get a manual

 

[superkarl]

Dont forget the bluetooth adapter in your ear, a pair of oakleys, some crazy shirt and tie combos, an iphone, ipad, ipod all in holders, and some hint that you enjoy skiing holidays in chamonix

i almost forgot, coldplay cds playing, and maybe some other glastonbury bands that you think is 'propermusic' and shows your cool 'underground' personality.

 

[OFFSKEE]

Servicing isn't too bad these days as there's plenty of specialists around with decent pricing. The E46 was pretty strong if looked after. Mine had over 100k when I sold it and it was still nice and tight. My opinion is try driving one see what you think. If you seriously like it..get it inspected for a few hundred quid and enjoy it.

 

[Danny-boy]

Have driven SMG and manual.

All I can say is, get a manual if you can.

 

[Oranoco]

My brothers is the SMG and it's great. Just had valve clearances done (Sunday) software update, speed delimiter, remap and M Track. He's adding the Evolve auto blip for down shifts.

Seriously considering one myself now after getting dusted on our way home today.

 

[AlexGSi2000]

I was playing about in a friends 330 over the weekend - first time I have driven sideways.
Its made me think about getting one over the past day or so!