Thoughts on an E46 M3

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shadymilkman

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I'm thinking of stepping up to an '02 - '04 M3 in the next couple of months.
This will be my 3rd BMW after my 528i and 735iL. Just wondering if there are any specific or problematic issues i should worry about? Anything prone to breaking? (like the damn power windows in my 5)...

Any help is appreciated, thanks!
 
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Big Daddy

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I am not sure of any specific problems with the 02-04 M3's. One advantage is that on an 03 or newer your going to have a warranty, but I would think most issues have been resolved. There is a thread here about the inside door trim coming off. Good luck!
 
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deutsch100

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The first year the SMG was introduced (not sure if it was 2001 or 2002), there were some problems with reliability. They have now been completely solved, and in fact an SMG tranny should last longer than both an auto and a manual. Love the M3. No regrets at all!!

Good luck, and def. keep us all posted.
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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There weren’t reliability problems. The only main problem they had was the rod bearings. There is a Service Bulletin sent out. All you need to do is have a BMW dealer run the VIN and see if the rod bearings have been done. If it has been the car automatically gets a 6 year 100,000 mile engine warranty. BMW has done so many they have it down pat. They can have the car back to you in 1 day now. There is also a SMG software update too.....
 
Section_8

Section_8

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Only thing I would say is - get ready for a change in ride comfort. Your 5 and 7 are a totally different beast from an M3. The ride will be harsher compared to your 5 and 7 just from the firmer suspension, and low profile tires/larger wheels it comes with. Harsher being - you will feel the road alot more - including the ruts, tramlines, speedbumps, etc.

That and a good heart, you're going to feel it beating when you get on it in an M! [:)]
 
Tom

Tom

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Other than a few minor issues and two recalls, I guess I'm still quite happy with my M3. If you get a '02 M3 with a build date newer than November you should be fine. '03 or newer would be ideal. Keep us posted and welcome aboard.
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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I have a build date of end of " Nov. or Dec. 01" and I haven't had any problems. Just like any model, make, and year. Your going to get some with problems and some without...
 
J

J to the O

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After driving the BMW with SMG and Manual, I would recommend getting the manual since the SMG has had many problems. Test Drive a M3 SMG and you will understand that the paddle shifting is only good for straight aways.
 
codex57

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on an 03 and up, I believe there's nothing really wrong with the M3 specifically. You'll still have the usual 3 series problems like easy to break moonroof shades, power windows (guess it's a BMW prob in general), and interior door trim.
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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J to the O said:
After driving the BMW with SMG and Manual, I would recommend getting the manual since the SMG has had many problems. Test Drive a M3 SMG and you will understand that the paddle shifting is only good for straight aways.
Click to expand...
Welcome to the board Juno. This is a great place for information and discussion. With that said I believe the two points you stated above are wrong. BMW's SMG II gearbox is one of the more reliable gearboxes around. There have not been many problems with it at all. There has been a Service Action on the SMG II, but it was for a software update. This gearbox should last as long if not longer than an automatic or 3-pedal manual.

Your statement about the SMG II gearbox only being good for straight-aways is not even close to the truth. It is the corners where "paddle shifting" shines the brightest. It can shift faster than any human being and not having to worry about a miss-shift is paramount in road courses. These two elements alone make it stands out in cornering. It takes more than a road test or two to fully understand how and when to use/shift, get the feel for, and basically learn the working characteristics of this transmission. However, you cannot go wrong with the traditional 3-pedal manual either. They are both great..... [thumb]
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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codex57 said:
on an 03 and up, I believe there's nothing really wrong with the M3 specifically. You'll still have the usual 3 series problems like easy to break moonroof shades, power windows (guess it's a BMW prob in general), and interior door trim.
Click to expand...
I have a hard time understanding the phantom problems a lot of people tend to believe exist on an"01-02" model M3 or 3 series. There are no major problems that haven't or shouldn't have been addressed already with warranty work. All other problems that may exist are prone to all other model year E46 series.

The only main problem with the "01-02" (and some 03's) were the rod barrings and on the SMG equipped cars there was an update for the transmission. The dealer under warranty fixed these problems and they even extended the engine warranty to 6/100,000. Other than that there is nothing else that hasn't been a known problem for any other model year E46, "05's included....
 
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shadymilkman

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That's for all the comments guys, definitely some great insite!

epj3 - No way i'd get rid of the 7 :) I mean, it's busted and broken, but it still drives amazingly- even after 215,000+ miles of less than "ideal" input from a manical 16 year old who didn't know any better ;)

Section 8 - Personally, I can't wait for the ride change. Granted, I more than appreciate the comfort while sitting in LA traffic, but im in it for the love of the drive. It's all worth it come the weekend cruises down the coast or the sprints through the mountains and down the track. As much as i've tried, the 7 just can't get around a track fast enough for my tastes.

I'm still up in the air as far as the SMG goes. I love it's ability, but still would prefer the 6spd given the choice. However, I think it will really come down to choosing the best car at the best price- regardless of transmission. I'd be more than happy with either
 
codex57

codex57

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I've met idiots who own M3's and didn't take it in for any work. They're basically the ones who bought it cuz it was the highest trim model, and not cuz of what the car can do. Accordingly, the maintenance was atrocious. I'm pretty sure they never took it in for recall fixes. Cars still looked nice tho cuz they had em detailed all the time. Usually rich girls.
 
MrElussive

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Get the 6-speed manual unless you REALLY want the SMG for track days and such. SMG is great because it offers a higher level of performance, never makes any mistakes, lasts longer, and is more practical to boot. But then it brings in all the non-enthusiasts who can't or won't drive stick (like if the car was only a real manual, a lot of people wouldn't even consider buying it). Definitely go with the 6-speed manual because real men drive stick.

I live in Northern NJ/NYC and we have a ton of traffic, but I wouldn't really even consider SMG if I were getting an M3.
 
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