Seeking advice on used E46 M3

GuidoDoc · 04-19-2014, 06:32 AM

What do you think about E46 M3 with over 100k miles as a second toy car? Not for use as a daily driver. Any specific problems with that kind of mileage? I don't mind if it needs work like seals, etc. but I am worried about things along the line of some e90 problems.

I know it is not turbo, does it use VANOS?

RoamPT · 04-19-2014, 06:53 AM

Ofc it has vanos, and it's one of the problems with those engines, but it's easy to fix.

AddictedToBavarian · 04-19-2014, 06:55 AM

If it's a well maintained car and reasonably priced I say go for it! That is my dream car. I'd be in one now if I had found the right one.

You hit the nail on the head though there are VANOS problems. Just do a proper PPI. AT 100k a lot of times the previous owner already has addressed it.

Manoah · 04-19-2014, 07:32 AM

love those cars, if i could find the right color combo for the right price, and it wouldn't be a daily driver, yeah, id get it.

e92_enthusiast_1 · 04-19-2014, 12:47 PM

PPI it, lots of gremlins with a e46 ///m3 that old. Bushings (ever been replaced?), valve adjustment (how long ago? Recommended checked every 30k), depending on the year there's the rod bearing recall. Just a few things to keep in mind.

If it's a weekend warrior I'd definitely consider it.

Mardio · 04-19-2014, 01:12 PM

I am considering one as well, probably one of the best looking cars imo.

MGT81 · 04-19-2014, 04:17 PM

SMG or 6MT? I wouldn't even consider looking at a used SMG. They're a money pit/time bomb waiting to happen

04-19-2014, 06:32 AM	#1
GuidoDoc GuidoDoc 17 Rep 211 Posts Drives: Jeep Wrangler JKU Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xdriv ... [0.00]	Seeking advice on used E46 M3 What do you think about E46 M3 with over 100k miles as a second toy car? Not for use as a daily driver. Any specific problems with that kind of mileage? I don't mind if it needs work like seals, etc. but I am worried about things along the line of some e90 problems. I know it is not turbo, does it use VANOS? __________________ '11 335i xdrive Performance Edition BSM/Black
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04-19-2014, 06:53 AM	#2
RoamPT First Lieutenant 27 Rep 333 Posts Drives: 2016 Dodge Charger SRT 392 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Dodge Charger ... [9.00]	Ofc it has vanos, and it's one of the problems with those engines, but it's easy to fix.
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04-19-2014, 06:55 AM	#3
AddictedToBavarian My other ride is a Bianchi Infinito 96 Rep 2,767 Posts Drives: Miss my E92 but love my E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (2)	If it's a well maintained car and reasonably priced I say go for it! That is my dream car. I'd be in one now if I had found the right one. You hit the nail on the head though there are VANOS problems. Just do a proper PPI. AT 100k a lot of times the previous owner already has addressed it.
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04-19-2014, 07:32 AM	#4
Manoah Captain 10 Rep 639 Posts Drives: 335i, LE R1 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: San Antonio, TX iTrader: (0)	love those cars, if i could find the right color combo for the right price, and it wouldn't be a daily driver, yeah, id get it. __________________
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04-19-2014, 12:47 PM	#5
e92_enthusiast_1 Lieutenant Colonel 35 Rep 1,652 Posts Drives: '10 AW/CR e92 6mt 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00]	PPI it, lots of gremlins with a e46 ///m3 that old. Bushings (ever been replaced?), valve adjustment (how long ago? Recommended checked every 30k), depending on the year there's the rod bearing recall. Just a few things to keep in mind. If it's a weekend warrior I'd definitely consider it.
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04-19-2014, 01:12 PM	#6
Mardio Brigadier General 197 Rep 3,211 Posts Drives: 2017 X5 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nashville iTrader: (0)	I am considering one as well, probably one of the best looking cars imo.
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04-19-2014, 04:17 PM	#7
MGT81 Lieutenant 101 Rep 535 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	SMG or 6MT? I wouldn't even consider looking at a used SMG. They're a money pit/time bomb waiting to happen
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