[bmwkenm4]

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[arco2008]

Here is my e46. I miss it.[IMG][/IMG]

[MParallel]

Perfect chassis? Well looking through pink glasses makes everything look perfect. Let's not forget about cracking subframes.

I mean every model has its problems of course, but that was pretty bad. And a Vanos that turned out even more problematic than the previous (which is in the end, just bad seals). Breaking oil driver tabs and cam gear sprocket bolts shearing.

Design wise it's a great car. Very "out there". Maybe a little too much for my personal taste. I guess that's why I bought an E36 M in the end instead of the E46 (and I wanted a cabrio and I don't like the E46 in cabrio shape).

However I do recall that when I first saw the concept pics of the E46 M3 way back when I didn't own a BMW or any car for that matter myself, I found it the best looking car ever.

[den525]

E46 is one of the best then e30 then f80 then unfortunately e9x m3 the most disappointing one for me

[TigOn.]

I got to pick one well kept e46 M3 before its too late

[bemami]

M3 is one if the GOAT.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Perfect chassis? Well looking through pink glasses makes everything look perfect. Let's not forget about cracking subframes.

e36 owners are in no position to get judgey about subframe mount point tears, with the e36's front shock tower failure, rear shock tower failure, RTAB pocket failure, sway bar mount point failures, and subframe (itself, not mount point) failure.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

There will never be another.

This was my dad's stable back in 2004-ish. He's still got the M Roadster, but god damn did BMW make some PURE drivers cars back then.



His e46 vert was a little heavy, but there was NOTHING like it on the road!!

My current fleet is pretty similar (just sadly with an e91 instead of a Z3M... not my choice, but not my car (wife's)):



next car is almost certainly an e38 750iL (want a V12 before the world stops making them).

Then... my wife is going to kill me if we don't get a Z3 M coupe as her fun car/

One day we'll have to get a Z8, just so we can have one of everything they made in 2001

[NYAWE60]

Originally Posted by greekcs

Still miss mine every day.
Attachment 1339355

What in the hell compelled you to get rid of that gem for a 435i? I'm guessing the only thing was xDrive.

[psuibmw]

Originally Posted by greekcs

Still miss mine every day.
Attachment 1339355

What a nice car ... I see why u miss it every minute

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by greekcs

Still miss mine every day.
Attachment 1339355

BECAUSE CSL!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by den525

E46 is one of the best then e30 then f80 then unfortunately e9x m3 the most disappointing one for me

Sounds like the e36 you didn't mention is the most disappointing for you

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by MParallel

Perfect chassis? Well looking through pink glasses makes everything look perfect. Let's not forget about cracking subframes.

I mean every model has its problems of course, but that was pretty bad. And a Vanos that turned out even more problematic than the previous (which is in the end, just bad seals). Breaking oil driver tabs and cam gear sprocket bolts shearing.

Design wise it's a great car. Very "out there". Maybe a little too much for my personal taste. I guess that's why I bought an E36 M in the end instead of the E46 (and I wanted a cabrio and I don't like the E46 in cabrio shape).

However I do recall that when I first saw the concept pics of the E46 M3 way back when I didn't own a BMW or any car for that matter myself, I found it the best looking car ever.

And the oil pump issue that caused them to extend the warranty.... Agree. Each version of the M3 thus far has had many issues. I'm starting to feel that the original e30 had the least actually ..

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

And the oil pump issue that caused them to extend the warranty.... Agree. Each version of the M3 thus far has had many issues. I'm starting to feel that the original e30 had the least actually ..

S14 (e30 engine) needs a rebuild every ~100,000 miles, if driven like an M3 :P

e30 chassis is a tank, though. It was the last of "test it till it breaks, then make it stronger" instead of "computer model is to be theoretically good"... which was a process they didn't get entirely right till the e9X (with the e36, especially in Z3 form, being the first, getting the worst of it, as seen in all the chassis mount points I mentioned above).

S54 (e46) has no oil pump issue... are you thinking of the oil pump nut on the S52 (e36 M3 US)?

[bigjae1976]

Loved the video.

I have an E46 and E90...love them both for different reasons.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

And the oil pump issue that caused them to extend the warranty.... Agree. Each version of the M3 thus far has had many issues. I'm starting to feel that the original e30 had the least actually ..

The E9X chassis had been relatively trouble free. The occasional rod bearing, PCV, and creaky door seal issues. Then the DCTs seem to be a bit leaky.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Obioban

S14 (e30 engine) needs a rebuild every ~100,000 miles, if driven like an M3 :P

e30 chassis is a tank, though. It was the last of "test it till it breaks, then make it stronger" instead of "computer model is to be theoretically good"... which was a process they didn't get entirely right till the e9X (with the e36, especially in Z3 form, being the first, getting the worst of it, as seen in all the chassis mount points I mentioned above).

S54 (e46) has no oil pump issue... are you thinking of the oil pump nut on the S52 (e36 M3 US)?

Agree with all above , and the classic knock on the S14 engine is where you went, however that's not true of a stock S14, but *very* typical of a Modded S14.... Ask me how I know ?!

Control arms on the E30 M3 were a little bit of a weak point for racing but agree none of the chassis issues that plagued E36,E46 and MINI models for a decade or so.


Of course, the E90 M3 V8 is also proving to be just as "fragile" as the S14 with respect to not making it 100k miles before a rod bearing failure.


What was the issue on the E46M3 that causes them to extend the warranty on the S54 ?


I searched briefly and found this.

01-02 M3 will automatically got it. For 03 models, it's VIN specific.

[cncmastr]

I love that M-Texture Alcantara interior in the Silver Gray M3 at the end.

[Obioban]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

Agree with all above , and the classic knock on the S14 engine is where you went, however that's not true of a stock S14, but *very* typical of a Modded S14.... Ask me how I know ?!

Control arms on the E30 M3 were a little bit of a weak point for racing but agree none of the chassis issues that plagued E36,E46 and MINI models for a decade or so.


Of course, the E90 M3 V8 is also proving to be just as "fragile" as the S14 with respect to not making it 100k miles before a rod bearing failure.


What was the issue on the E46M3 that causes them to extend the warranty on the S54 ?


I searched briefly and found this.

01-02 M3 will automatically got it. For 03 models, it's VIN specific.

01 and 02 M3's originally came with incorrectly manufactured rod bearings (not to BMW's spec) in 2002 they realized what the issue was, recalled the cars with the bad bearings, and extended the engine warranty to 100,000 miles for 01-03 cars. 03 and later cars all came with correctly manufactured bearings from new.

Beyond that, the S54 has two failure points that can bite you , though you can fix both of them in an afternoon for dirt cheap:
1) cam bolts loosen. This is fixed by installing new ones to the factory torque spec with loctite blue. If the originals never loosened you can reuse them, but they cheap enough that nobody does.
2) vanos oil pump drive tabs sheer. This is caused by too large of holes in the oil pump disk. You can get a redrilled oil pump disk for $150 post core return, which is drilled to S50B32 tollerances, and solve the issue.

Once addressed, they're forever fixed (as in, you're fixing the design fault, not resetting the clock on a wear item). I've done 50+ cars for forum members at this point-- it's a 4-5 hour job once you're done it a couple times. First time you do it, set a day aside for it (you do have to retime the engine when done, so don't want to rush).

[hrf]

Here is my 04 e36 M3. I have kept it and has only 8000 miles on it. Will continue to keep this car as it is one of the most gorgeous BMWs ever made. Still engine and driving is very excited.

[M3Bimmer77]

Originally Posted by aka_phox

Can't wait for the E9x ?

Keep on waiting.... aaaand it's gone!!! Sorry

Love the E46s. My next toy

[M3Bimmer77]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

The E9X chassis had been relatively trouble free. The occasional rod bearing, PCV, and creaky door seal issues. Then the DCTs seem to be a bit leaky.

Actually there is a big issue with the rear shock subframe on the chassis. They will start to crack and a big noise will appear. Chassis needs to be reinforced.