Anyone owned an M3?

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: jasonp

ORIGINAL: andy watson

Thanks Gents, keep them coming very interesting just to clear a couple of things up.

I am not changing the 44' for an M3 or any other car ever!
The M3 impressed me for what I want
I am not out to pretend I am a racing driver or track expert on the open road (as I am neither)
Unfourtunately the M3 is not an auto only model, have toyed with a 330 Ci sport but it's just not the same for me
Between Lin and I we have owned 8 BMW's and had no issues with any
Image well that's down to the individual, we own a Porsche what do some think of us?


The SMG has a few issues I know having done a lot of research it appears as long as one buys a car that has already had the SMG pump (2k) the clutch & flywheel (1500) and a Salmon relay (25) changed and most have by now and the updated SMG software then it is a pretty bullet proof car.

Oh and I loved that sound..........

Only looked at 1 so far with interest, but I am looking[8D]

hiya all, andy, have you thought about a 125i or 135i, having to change wifes daily drive later on this year and was set on a mk5 r32, but she loves the 1 series coupe and as decided thats what she would prefer, 125i seemed to have plenty of power ,really well built[imho], and could be really good fun, although few a few quid more can go for 135i but might be a bit of an overkill and havent driving that yet, just throwing my tuppence worth in , i like the m3 and have heard that some people have gone back to there e46m3s after owning the newer model, good luck what ever you go with, i like the m3 e46 in the mystic blue, regards jason p

Hi Jason,
Thanks mate for your input, just don,t like the look of the 1 series, Mystic is a really nice colour agree with that.
Drove a 2004 SMG today loved it but Estoril Blue is not me.

 

[Andre]

I've owned my Manual E46 M3 Coupe for two years and apart from being one of the best all rounders i've ever owned its also proving reliable and relatively (apart from fuel of course) cheap to run.

It carries four adults in comfort, its fast, safe and handles extremely well. Its also, for a car that weighs 1500Kgs, fairly nimble.

The engine is wonderfully smooth and sounds awesome, though it lacks a little low down torque - It does however rev to 8K and its more powerful than a current 3.4 litre Cayman.... (though not as torquey)... Not bad for a car that was current 10 years ago..

Around town I get 20-22mpg and touring can be 28-30.

After all that, Im thinking of selling and buying a 944 Turbo!!

Hope this helps!

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: Andre


It carries four adults in comfort, its fast, safe and handles extremely well.

The engine is wonderfully smooth and sounds awesome,

Thanks Andre,

I was surprised yesterday when we went out for the test drive, we had the sales guy in the back who was getting on for 6' and he was quite comfortable in the back.

Oh yes that sound and as you say very smooth, I don't seem to be having any trouble with using the SMG in fact I would say it's the easiest manual I've ever driven.

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

Only BMW I could see myself ever buying would be the M635CSi from the 80's. Used to see one local to where I worked a couple of years back, another german car to fall in love with it seems.[]

Edd

Hi Edd,

My Uncle had the 1st one of these in the country it ended up being brought and shipped out to Australia, he also had one of the 1st M5's a red one - great cars

 

[Andre]

You wont regret buying one, awesome car.

 

[andy watson]

Bought one yesterday...yippee [8D]

Although I will never learn as I,ve gone and got another black car, well Carbon black 74k on the clock 2 owners and every conceivable extra that was available

Pick her up Friday the wheels are being refurbed and a couple of other minor items...can't wait

 

[ed325i]

make sure you get some pics up.

Ed

 

[Hairyarse]

Nice one Andy, look forward to drooling over some pics [8D]

 

[andy watson]

Here you go Andy.........

More here http://s442.photobucket.com/albums/qq141/alw4y/M3/ if you want to look

 

[Hairyarse]

Thanks Andy, looksvery nice [8D] I take it you're pleased with it? Ive always liked the E46, quite a stocky looking car. Are you pleased with your gearbox choice?

 

[andy watson]

Very pleased......love the Rasp [8D] SMG for me this only way - great bit of kit

 

[Joss Walker]

I have exhaust envy!

 

[POR1983]

Drove an M3 for 3 months, very capable car, too capable, 150mph feels like 70mph, give me my old 944 any day where the reverse is true,...... that said I drove an EVO 8 for a couple of weeks (got a wealthy mate that lends me his cars, not managed to borrow his Scuderia yet though!), the EVO 8 is a truly fantastic car, ridiculously fast on country lanes........ it depends what your looking for, I found the M3 too civilised.

 

[AndrewS]

ORIGINAL: andy watson

Very pleased......love the Rasp [8D] SMG for me this only way - great bit of kit

Hi Andy,

Congratulations on acquiring an E46 M3. I too have been looking at them for some time, but have yet to purchase one (I have a brace of other BMWs including a 330i M-Sport - which is 110bhp short of an M3, but close).

What is the SMG like in slow traffic and on wet roads? What about the Sat Nav TV? Does it receive Freeview? Looks very good condition in the pictures and great colour combo also.

My preference is also to find one with SMG, SatNav & Harmon Kardon - preferably a 2003 too. I've looked at quite a few so far, but those that I have seen were tatty / tired looking (lower end of the price spectrum 2001/2002 models).

For the money; they are awesome and no cam belts to worry about. The E46 M3 has a very strong engine & transmission and I think they still look very purposeful.

To find a really good 944 Turbo these days is getting very hard (as so many have issues with corrosion) and I still keep thinking about another one possibly (as they are such capable track cars). The E46 M3 seems like a modern and practical alternative (for me) as Porsche never really replaced the 944 Turbo with something of equal ability (the 968 was close, but no turbo [the Turbo S doesn't qualify as they are not terribly easy to find or affordable]).

My 330i M-Sport will be doing some track duty in the mean time (including Goldtrack evenings). Next outing at Oulton Park on May 29th

Enjoy that M3

Regards,
Andrew

 

[andy watson]

Hi Andrew,

The car is absolutely brillant, been out in her all day today to answer your questions best I can....

SMG in traffic, to be fair I have as yet to experience major traffic as I leave early and return late from the station during the week, and today been out on the "open" road so I am having no problems and at the moment I am only using the car in manual mode, last Friday when I drove her home from Guildford a couple of times on the M25 & A12 I hit traffic jams stuck her in auto mode and it was easy peasy, when I test drove the first few I only used the in auto mode to start with while they are cold they are very notchy but also the gearbox maybe trying to learn your driving style and as this may differ from the previous owner or test drivers this will make the operation of SMG auto mode far from ideal.

Sat Nav TV can receive Freeview, I think mine needs an additional receiver not sure as our Z4 does, if you get a later car usally 03 onwards the Sat Nav is DVD based not CD rom and can be easily updated

March 2003 onwards are the facelift cars and most have better specs, high spec car is really what you want in my opinion far more desirable and will be easier on resale as they get older without doubt, all cars pre 04 need to have had an engine recall - check that it has and that the running in service was carried out on time - if not walk away

From what I have seen, budget wise a decent car will be 9k upwards

Log onto www.m3cutters.co.uk loads of info, very helpful buyers guide, cars for sale,

Hope that helps....