Thinking of a e46 m3... advice needed
Mar 22, 2012 | 04:01 PM
#13
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,658
From: LA
the dude.. i am in the market as well. actually, i have been for about 5 years so i don't know wtf that means anymore. but i will buy one.
the s54 block is very stout. the weak points are: vanos cam bolts (cheap part, but a few hours to get in there), vanos exhaust hub tabs (this is the WORST problem.. you can look to drvanos and on m3forum a guy named turbotoy is making a custom chromoly piece but it does not have enough miles to be "proven" yet), the subframe ($1200 for a TMS reinforcement kit to be welded in), and differential bolts (cheap and easy fix). vanos solenoids sometimes go out as well but Beisan Systems has a new and improved piece that should last much longer (forever?) and is not that expensive. i guess that includes problems other than with the block. cast iron is no problem, it's the other components that can be.
these cares are not issue-free, but if you know what you're getting into, what to look out for, and are prepared for some prevantive maintenance, then it should not scare you away.
i have wanted this car since 2001. it will be mine someday. and when i am done DD'ing it, it will be garaged next to my dad's and granddads's collectors... thunderbirds, more thunderbirds, a morgan, and an m3.. should fit right in.
SMG is a whole separate issue but it seems like you and me both are avoiding that. salmon relays (cheap and easy) fix most of the problems. but sometimes the pumps go out which can be $2K in parts and labor.
enthusiastauto cars are always clean. they prep them up nicely before sale, only stock 6MT cars... but they do command a premium. perhaps worth it if you want the cream of the crop and piece of mind.
and IMO, 45K is nothing. as long as the car has been cared for (looks clean) and the oil has been changed TWICE as often as the computer tells you to (so, every 6-8K miles) with inspection 1/2 on time, then you should be good. 45K is even before inspection 2 so there's really not much to worry about. as you get closer to 80-90K you will have the next set of maintenance which can be bushings and cooling system. but at 45k, you will only have oil changes and inspection2 on the horizon and there isn't much time for the previous owner to really neglect much.
the s54 block is very stout. the weak points are: vanos cam bolts (cheap part, but a few hours to get in there), vanos exhaust hub tabs (this is the WORST problem.. you can look to drvanos and on m3forum a guy named turbotoy is making a custom chromoly piece but it does not have enough miles to be "proven" yet), the subframe ($1200 for a TMS reinforcement kit to be welded in), and differential bolts (cheap and easy fix). vanos solenoids sometimes go out as well but Beisan Systems has a new and improved piece that should last much longer (forever?) and is not that expensive. i guess that includes problems other than with the block. cast iron is no problem, it's the other components that can be.
these cares are not issue-free, but if you know what you're getting into, what to look out for, and are prepared for some prevantive maintenance, then it should not scare you away.
i have wanted this car since 2001. it will be mine someday. and when i am done DD'ing it, it will be garaged next to my dad's and granddads's collectors... thunderbirds, more thunderbirds, a morgan, and an m3.. should fit right in.
SMG is a whole separate issue but it seems like you and me both are avoiding that. salmon relays (cheap and easy) fix most of the problems. but sometimes the pumps go out which can be $2K in parts and labor.
enthusiastauto cars are always clean. they prep them up nicely before sale, only stock 6MT cars... but they do command a premium. perhaps worth it if you want the cream of the crop and piece of mind.
and IMO, 45K is nothing. as long as the car has been cared for (looks clean) and the oil has been changed TWICE as often as the computer tells you to (so, every 6-8K miles) with inspection 1/2 on time, then you should be good. 45K is even before inspection 2 so there's really not much to worry about. as you get closer to 80-90K you will have the next set of maintenance which can be bushings and cooling system. but at 45k, you will only have oil changes and inspection2 on the horizon and there isn't much time for the previous owner to really neglect much.
Last edited by wyatth; Mar 22, 2012 at 04:12 PM.
Mar 22, 2012 | 05:10 PM
#14
Teamspeed Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 48
From: Baltimore
Why is the e90 a disappointment? I have heard nothing but good things about them. I definitely think the e46 looks better.
Mar 22, 2012 | 05:30 PM
#15
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,443
From: The Shire
the dude.. i am in the market as well. actually, i have been for about 5 years so i don't know wtf that means anymore. but i will buy one.
the s54 block is very stout. the weak points are: vanos cam bolts (cheap part, but a few hours to get in there), vanos exhaust hub tabs (this is the WORST problem.. you can look to drvanos and on m3forum a guy named turbotoy is making a custom chromoly piece but it does not have enough miles to be "proven" yet), the subframe ($1200 for a TMS reinforcement kit to be welded in), and differential bolts (cheap and easy fix). vanos solenoids sometimes go out as well but Beisan Systems has a new and improved piece that should last much longer (forever?) and is not that expensive. i guess that includes problems other than with the block. cast iron is no problem, it's the other components that can be.
these cares are not issue-free, but if you know what you're getting into, what to look out for, and are prepared for some prevantive maintenance, then it should not scare you away.
i have wanted this car since 2001. it will be mine someday. and when i am done DD'ing it, it will be garaged next to my dad's and granddads's collectors... thunderbirds, more thunderbirds, a morgan, and an m3.. should fit right in.
SMG is a whole separate issue but it seems like you and me both are avoiding that. salmon relays (cheap and easy) fix most of the problems. but sometimes the pumps go out which can be $2K in parts and labor.
enthusiastauto cars are always clean. they prep them up nicely before sale, only stock 6MT cars... but they do command a premium. perhaps worth it if you want the cream of the crop and piece of mind.
and IMO, 45K is nothing. as long as the car has been cared for (looks clean) and the oil has been changed TWICE as often as the computer tells you to (so, every 6-8K miles) with inspection 1/2 on time, then you should be good. 45K is even before inspection 2 so there's really not much to worry about. as you get closer to 80-90K you will have the next set of maintenance which can be bushings and cooling system. but at 45k, you will only have oil changes and inspection2 on the horizon and there isn't much time for the previous owner to really neglect much.
the s54 block is very stout. the weak points are: vanos cam bolts (cheap part, but a few hours to get in there), vanos exhaust hub tabs (this is the WORST problem.. you can look to drvanos and on m3forum a guy named turbotoy is making a custom chromoly piece but it does not have enough miles to be "proven" yet), the subframe ($1200 for a TMS reinforcement kit to be welded in), and differential bolts (cheap and easy fix). vanos solenoids sometimes go out as well but Beisan Systems has a new and improved piece that should last much longer (forever?) and is not that expensive. i guess that includes problems other than with the block. cast iron is no problem, it's the other components that can be.
these cares are not issue-free, but if you know what you're getting into, what to look out for, and are prepared for some prevantive maintenance, then it should not scare you away.
i have wanted this car since 2001. it will be mine someday. and when i am done DD'ing it, it will be garaged next to my dad's and granddads's collectors... thunderbirds, more thunderbirds, a morgan, and an m3.. should fit right in.
SMG is a whole separate issue but it seems like you and me both are avoiding that. salmon relays (cheap and easy) fix most of the problems. but sometimes the pumps go out which can be $2K in parts and labor.
enthusiastauto cars are always clean. they prep them up nicely before sale, only stock 6MT cars... but they do command a premium. perhaps worth it if you want the cream of the crop and piece of mind.
and IMO, 45K is nothing. as long as the car has been cared for (looks clean) and the oil has been changed TWICE as often as the computer tells you to (so, every 6-8K miles) with inspection 1/2 on time, then you should be good. 45K is even before inspection 2 so there's really not much to worry about. as you get closer to 80-90K you will have the next set of maintenance which can be bushings and cooling system. but at 45k, you will only have oil changes and inspection2 on the horizon and there isn't much time for the previous owner to really neglect much.
Looks like I know who to talk to when I'm worrying about the maintenance.So yeah, I love the e46 I posted in this thread. I always liked the cloth inserts seats and gray was the color on my 2001... I'm just missing the BBS CH's I was rocking back then
I would immediately throw on a csl trunk lid and comp package steering wheel. Man, I'm already starting to mod...
Mar 22, 2012 | 09:51 PM
#17
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,658
From: LA
Regarding the specific car you posted - TCK DA suspension is considered a top choice, but does tend to "clunk" which can be annoying for a DD. You might also want to inquire about the specific spring rates currently equipped (though these can be changed out). I am sure you know about Dinan stuff - not bad, not great, overpriced for the original owner.
It's also a different shade of gray than your 01, though you probably know this. 01-03 had Steel Gray (love it!!) and TiAG. 03.5-06 had TiAg but Steel was replaced with Silver Gray.
It's also a different shade of gray than your 01, though you probably know this. 01-03 had Steel Gray (love it!!) and TiAG. 03.5-06 had TiAg but Steel was replaced with Silver Gray.
Mar 22, 2012 | 09:54 PM
#18
The black sheep of the family.
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,322
We put 90k +/- on a '03.5 with no issue whatsoever besides interior niggles.
They are extremely variable between examples, pick a few, and test drive them. There is usually a distinct difference, with the better ones still feeling "tight".
I love them, still the best packaged BMW ever, especially for the money these days.
They are extremely variable between examples, pick a few, and test drive them. There is usually a distinct difference, with the better ones still feeling "tight".
I love them, still the best packaged BMW ever, especially for the money these days.
Last edited by vtgts300kw; Mar 22, 2012 at 09:55 PM.
Mar 22, 2012 | 10:03 PM
#19
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 263
From: On the glideslope
45K miles wouldn't scare me in the slightest. I bought my E39 M5 with 97K, and went right to work with all the mechanical tasks. She runs like a swiss watch and still hauls a serious amount of rear-end!
Do the maintenance, and these cars in general will serve you well. I also have an 89' E30 325i with 120K miles and it runs like the day it was built!
Do the maintenance, and these cars in general will serve you well. I also have an 89' E30 325i with 120K miles and it runs like the day it was built!
Mar 23, 2012 | 01:32 PM
#20
Thread Starter
| Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,443
From: The Shire
Regarding the specific car you posted - TCK DA suspension is considered a top choice, but does tend to "clunk" which can be annoying for a DD. You might also want to inquire about the specific spring rates currently equipped (though these can be changed out). I am sure you know about Dinan stuff - not bad, not great, overpriced for the original owner.
It's also a different shade of gray than your 01, though you probably know this. 01-03 had Steel Gray (love it!!) and TiAG. 03.5-06 had TiAg but Steel was replaced with Silver Gray.
It's also a different shade of gray than your 01, though you probably know this. 01-03 had Steel Gray (love it!!) and TiAG. 03.5-06 had TiAg but Steel was replaced with Silver Gray.
If anybody else sees a nice e46, please post em up
