E46 M3
05 October 2015, 08:34 PM
#1
E46 M3
After 11 years of turbo Jap cars I'm tempted to change to a M3 coupe.
I know a few guys here have done similar, so what are the pros and cons?
I've heard they are quick, but not exciting.
I'm only looking at manual coupes, and know about making sure the boot floor has been sorted, but is there anything else to look for?
I know a few guys here have done similar, so what are the pros and cons?
I've heard they are quick, but not exciting.
I'm only looking at manual coupes, and know about making sure the boot floor has been sorted, but is there anything else to look for?
Last edited by Moley; 05 October 2015 at 08:36 PM.
05 October 2015, 09:42 PM
#4
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After 11 years of turbo Jap cars I'm tempted to change to a M3 coupe.
I know a few guys here have done similar, so what are the pros and cons?
I've heard they are quick, but not exciting.
I'm only looking at manual coupes, and know about making sure the boot floor has been sorted, but is there anything else to look for?
I know a few guys here have done similar, so what are the pros and cons?
I've heard they are quick, but not exciting.
I'm only looking at manual coupes, and know about making sure the boot floor has been sorted, but is there anything else to look for?
Skids amazingly well on track unmodified but you need lots of space to drift in 3rd gear and it can be snappy if you are generally inept like me.
They aren't refined. Maybe halfway between an Evo and a Lexus.
Last edited by john banks; 05 October 2015 at 09:45 PM.
05 October 2015, 09:43 PM
#5
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E46 M3
Well having made the switch to the 325 at weekend I can honestly say that I'll never go back to jap. The level refinement is on a different planet. Obviously an E46 M3 will bit more roar than my e92 325 but it is still quick, sounds great and looks the nuts. Plus if you do just want to just sit back and enjoy the drive, you can.
A jap cars idea of that is breaking your spine!
I'll always love the Impreza and Evo but cars have moved in terms of quality and refinement. Yes, it may not do 60 in 4 seconds but who really cares?
Plus like you said, we're getting old mate!
And FYI.....return your bloody messages!
A jap cars idea of that is breaking your spine!
I'll always love the Impreza and Evo but cars have moved in terms of quality and refinement. Yes, it may not do 60 in 4 seconds but who really cares?
Plus like you said, we're getting old mate!
And FYI.....return your bloody messages!
06 October 2015, 07:26 AM
#6
On the 3 m3s I've had I found the rear sub frame prone to crack, rear springs to snap, back box connections rust away, also the tappets have to be adjusted manually on services but is often missed, last one is security. I had my last one stolen without a key so would reccomend a tracker etc
06 October 2015, 09:30 AM
#7
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Been there done that, as you know, lasted 6 months lol i really wouldn't bother mate, you'll get bored very very quickly.
rear subframe cracks as you say, 1000 mile running service is a must on em as well as full history. Watch out for what options it has, some are known as poverty spec lol the fewer the blank buttons the better
Also get ready for big big bills. 3 year service on em will not get you much change from 2k
o also SMG semi auto is fun
rear subframe cracks as you say, 1000 mile running service is a must on em as well as full history. Watch out for what options it has, some are known as poverty spec lol the fewer the blank buttons the better
Also get ready for big big bills. 3 year service on em will not get you much change from 2k
o also SMG semi auto is fun
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11 October 2015, 07:58 AM
#11
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Great road cars . As someone mentioned you can pottle around like in a normal refined car and have a blast on the longer stretch . However it's not a fun car , unless you rev the nuts out of it. But where and how often will that happen in the real world? Coming from Impreza and Evo to such a lazy power delivery will be disappointing (as i have found out ) . It's a great all rounder but not a weekend toy .
On track it shines , it needs more precision and skill to make it fast , rear end feedback is great and controllable , balance in general seemed to be great with the right Geo to eliminate understeer. Once they roll , they don't need all that torque to keep them going , as we Turbo guys always brag about . It's a totally different machine to any Turbo charged jap car IMO. It's deffo an itch to scratch , just maybe not yet , as after a 1.5 year i'm still enjoying my 6 ( when it works
)
On track it shines , it needs more precision and skill to make it fast , rear end feedback is great and controllable , balance in general seemed to be great with the right Geo to eliminate understeer. Once they roll , they don't need all that torque to keep them going , as we Turbo guys always brag about . It's a totally different machine to any Turbo charged jap car IMO. It's deffo an itch to scratch , just maybe not yet , as after a 1.5 year i'm still enjoying my 6 ( when it works
)
11 October 2015, 12:48 PM
#12
I would rather spend the money on something like this below, a quick tune and its running 400bhp something you will struggle on the M3 and a few suspension tweaks and it will handle just as well but look better than the older model
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-335I-S...item419dfa2d6b
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-335I-S...item419dfa2d6b
11 October 2015, 01:04 PM
#13
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Great road cars . As someone mentioned you can pottle around like in a normal refined car and have a blast on the longer stretch . However it's not a fun car , unless you rev the nuts out of it. But where and how often will that happen in the real world? Coming from Impreza and Evo to such a lazy power delivery will be disappointing (as i have found out ) . It's a great all rounder but not a weekend toy .
11 October 2015, 01:05 PM
#14
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I would rather spend the money on something like this below, a quick tune and its running 400bhp something you will struggle on the M3 and a few suspension tweaks and it will handle just as well but look better than the older model
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-335I-S...item419dfa2d6b
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-335I-S...item419dfa2d6b
11 October 2015, 02:23 PM
#15
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It doesn't have lsd either , only as an optional if i remember right. It won't be faster than e46 M3 . It's heavier , softer , even @ 400 it won't be much in front. I had a go against one at Brands hatch in my 330 vf35 classic , it wasn't going no where even on the straight which really surprised me. These number are just numbers and the real world outcome might not be in favor of a more powerful car , it's more down to the whole package than just power.
12 October 2015, 10:22 PM
#17
Cheers for the feedback guys.
It'd appear that the M3 is great day to day car, but not special enough to be a weekend toy.
And after giving the Evo a good hammering over the weekend and today I think I'll be keeping it for a while yet.
It'd appear that the M3 is great day to day car, but not special enough to be a weekend toy.
And after giving the Evo a good hammering over the weekend and today I think I'll be keeping it for a while yet.
16 October 2015, 08:42 AM
#19
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I suppose it depends how you drive.
SDB had one of these and still states it's one of the best cars he has had. Every time I went out in it with him, it was always fun. Perhaps due to us going sideways all the time.
SDB had one of these and still states it's one of the best cars he has had. Every time I went out in it with him, it was always fun. Perhaps due to us going sideways all the time.
16 October 2015, 05:11 PM
#20
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Uber capable car in the hands of someone who can really pedal it, and the prices are steadily rising and likely wont ever come back down again.
Kenny (my business partner) still has one to this day. Ride quality is too harsh for me though... I like to waft around nowadays.
That said, my diesel is a lot faster than his M3 (And my M5 in fact) but the E46 isnt about just outright speed... its typical "M" hardware... its a full package.
Kenny (my business partner) still has one to this day. Ride quality is too harsh for me though... I like to waft around nowadays.
That said, my diesel is a lot faster than his M3 (And my M5 in fact) but the E46 isnt about just outright speed... its typical "M" hardware... its a full package.
16 October 2015, 08:34 PM
#22
Uber capable car in the hands of someone who can really pedal it, and the prices are steadily rising and likely wont ever come back down again.
Kenny (my business partner) still has one to this day. Ride quality is too harsh for me though... I like to waft around nowadays.
That said, my diesel is a lot faster than his M3 (And my M5 in fact) but the E46 isnt about just outright speed... its typical "M" hardware... its a full package.
Kenny (my business partner) still has one to this day. Ride quality is too harsh for me though... I like to waft around nowadays.
That said, my diesel is a lot faster than his M3 (And my M5 in fact) but the E46 isnt about just outright speed... its typical "M" hardware... its a full package.
Stu, do you do custom maps to 530d's or is it just a generic map ? I want my BMW mapped but everyone just offers an out the box rom where as I want a proper map.
16 October 2015, 08:43 PM
#23
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Uber capable car in the hands of someone who can really pedal it, and the prices are steadily rising and likely wont ever come back down again.
Kenny (my business partner) still has one to this day. Ride quality is too harsh for me though... I like to waft around nowadays.
That said, my diesel is a lot faster than his M3 (And my M5 in fact) but the E46 isnt about just outright speed... its typical "M" hardware... its a full package.
Kenny (my business partner) still has one to this day. Ride quality is too harsh for me though... I like to waft around nowadays.
That said, my diesel is a lot faster than his M3 (And my M5 in fact) but the E46 isnt about just outright speed... its typical "M" hardware... its a full package.
18 October 2015, 11:31 AM
#25
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18 October 2015, 12:15 PM
#26
I couldn't rate the E46 M3 high enough, 340bhp out of factory, luxury and comfort... Reliable like a Big Honda Vtec, some say they are expensive to repair, but the 2 manuals I had and 3 e36 m3s I had I only put an alternator on the e46, and a rubber breather pipe on one of the e36's.. Alternator cost me 150 to buy new,rubber pipe was 7 lol...
They are better on fuel aswell as a regular driver, plus you get to have some tail out fun lol..
Brakes I found would struggle on track days do, so be careful if track days are in your mind..
They are better on fuel aswell as a regular driver, plus you get to have some tail out fun lol..
Brakes I found would struggle on track days do, so be careful if track days are in your mind..