What should I look for on a used E46 M3? - M5POST

guardianangel3290 · 04-15-2012, 12:52 PM

I'm looking at an 04 E46 'vert later today and I would like some input on what I should look for. It's got 75k miles.

hks786 · 04-15-2012, 03:48 PM

Here's a few similar threads from other forums:

http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/e46-m3...m3-issues.html
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=4889
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1303884

Good luck

b0bab0i · 04-15-2012, 04:25 PM

Check records or ask owner to see if they did the rear subframe recall/inspection.

Also get a PPI.

HermanL · 04-15-2012, 08:25 PM

get 6mt, check record for valve adjustment

JoosyJoos · 04-15-2012, 09:13 PM

A lot of different things...

1) subframe
2) Vanos
3) rear trailing arm bushings
4) guibo
5) shocks/struts
6) all other bushings

I guess that's really the usual but any car with above 75K is gonna need all of that stuff most likely. Service history is huge... you don't want to own an S54 that wasn't well taken care of. Repairs on these cars add up fast... I have an e36 I bought for 7 grand and it's already a 20K car... granted I turned it into a weekend racer. Just know that things add up quickly and if you aren't capable of doing the work yourself it only gets worse.

import36 · 04-17-2012, 01:40 PM

ensure service 1 and 2 were done already...

Seminole · 04-17-2012, 01:50 PM

Make sure it has wheels.

SixBanger · 04-17-2012, 02:51 PM

Rod bearing recall...Get the second genre E46 M3

KingOfJericho · 04-17-2012, 03:06 PM

http://www.enthusiastauto.com/

Those guys have some of the finest examples in the country. I called them just to ask what their story was and was shocked by the amount of time they spend locating their cars. In fact, they invest so much time that they ask that they are offered first right of refusal is you choose to sell down the road.

lcrain · 04-17-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

http://www.enthusiastauto.com/

Those guys have some of the finest examples in the country. I called them just to ask what their story was and was shocked by the amount of time they spend locating their cars. In fact, they invest so much time that they ask that they are offered first right of refusal is you choose to sell down the road.

This place is legit. I get on their site regularly just to lust after the cars they have. One day (when I am loaded) I would love to take a trip up there just to see what I would leave with...Maybe a nice e46 m3...maybe an s54 m coupe...

TK-421 · 04-18-2012, 11:26 PM

They have an E30 M3 cabrio?!?!?!

FUCK ME SIDEWAYS

Precision · 04-19-2012, 10:40 AM

Make sure it has an engine

gary88 · 04-19-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

http://www.enthusiastauto.com/

Those guys have some of the finest examples in the country. I called them just to ask what their story was and was shocked by the amount of time they spend locating their cars. In fact, they invest so much time that they ask that they are offered first right of refusal is you choose to sell down the road.

I've been looking for E46 M3s recently and these guys always have the best ones.

b0bab0i · 04-19-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK-421

They have an E30 M3 cabrio?!?!?!

FUCK ME SIDEWAYS

It was imported from Europe. So badass

04-15-2012, 12:52 PM	#1
guardianangel3290 Free at last Drives: 2006 Audi S-line Quattro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 988 iTrader: (0)	What should I look for on a used E46 M3? I'm looking at an 04 E46 'vert later today and I would like some input on what I should look for. It's got 75k miles. __________________ If the possibility exists that you may have "failed" in either a normal or "epic" fashion, please follow this link.
	Tweet

04-15-2012, 03:48 PM	#2
hks786 Major General Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK Posts: 5,311 iTrader: (0)	Here's a few similar threads from other forums: http://www.dtmpower.net/forum/e46-m3...m3-issues.html http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=4889 http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1303884 Good luck __________________

04-15-2012, 09:13 PM	#5
JoosyJoos Major Drives: 2008 335i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 1,271 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	A lot of different things... 1) subframe 2) Vanos 3) rear trailing arm bushings 4) guibo 5) shocks/struts 6) all other bushings I guess that's really the usual but any car with above 75K is gonna need all of that stuff most likely. Service history is huge... you don't want to own an S54 that wasn't well taken care of. Repairs on these cars add up fast... I have an e36 I bought for 7 grand and it's already a 20K car... granted I turned it into a weekend racer. Just know that things add up quickly and if you aren't capable of doing the work yourself it only gets worse. __________________ Active Autowerkes Tuned 335i 1995 M3 - Work in progress track toy

04-17-2012, 01:40 PM	#6
import36 Burrito bowl connoisseur Drives: E92 335i MT, E46 M3 SMG Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Seven Cities Posts: 3,318 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2005 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 BMW 335i Coupe [0.00]	ensure service 1 and 2 were done already... __________________ Mods: Procede Rev3 9-10\|AE Catless Dual Exhaust\|AR Design Catless DPs\|AMS FMIC\|Stett Charge Pipe w/Tial BOV\|Stett CAI\|BMS OCC\|BMS CDV\|Volk TE37 SLs + Varrstoen ES7s\|KW V2 Coilovers\|Cusco OS Strut Brace\|Macht Schnell Stud Conversion\|Work RS-R Lugnuts\|Gloss Black Roof\|Matte Black Kidney Grills\|UED Lower Bumper Grills\|OEM Aero Lip and Painted Reflectors\|M3 Sideskirts\| VRS Decklid Aero Spoiler\|Gloss Black Roof\|M Peformance Alcantara Steering Wheel(blue)\|OSS V2.0 LED Angel Eyes\|8000k HID Fog Lights\|8000k MTEC Xenons

04-17-2012, 01:50 PM	#7
Seminole Lieutenant Colonel Drives: Red Flyer Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: 38.8977° N, 77.0366° W Posts: 1,986 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 E90 328i [3.50]	Make sure it has wheels. __________________

04-15-2012, 04:25 PM	#3
b0bab0i Captain Drives: 03 TiAG z4 3.0i w/ hardtop Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 769 iTrader: (0)	Check records or ask owner to see if they did the rear subframe recall/inspection. Also get a PPI.

04-15-2012, 08:25 PM	#4
HermanL First Lieutenant Drives: e92 6mt 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Columbia MO Posts: 318 iTrader: (3)	get 6mt, check record for valve adjustment

04-17-2012, 02:51 PM	#8
SixBanger First Lieutenant Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 353 iTrader: (0)	Rod bearing recall...Get the second genre E46 M3

04-17-2012, 03:06 PM	#9
KingOfJericho Brigadier General Drives: Yes Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CT Posts: 4,224 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 135i Coupe [4.50]	http://www.enthusiastauto.com/ Those guys have some of the finest examples in the country. I called them just to ask what their story was and was shocked by the amount of time they spend locating their cars. In fact, they invest so much time that they ask that they are offered first right of refusal is you choose to sell down the road. __________________ The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Bimmerpost. 2010 S4 Current \| 2010 BMW 135i GONE \| 2008 VW GTI SOLD \| 2006 Lotus Exige SOLD

04-18-2012, 11:26 PM	#11
TK-421 Registered Sex Offender Drives: E30 \| E46 M3 \| S13 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 4,682 iTrader: (0)	They have an E30 M3 cabrio?!?!?! FUCK ME SIDEWAYS

04-19-2012, 10:40 AM	#12
Precision Private First Class Drives: 2002 BMW 330CI Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New England Posts: 181 iTrader: (0)	Make sure it has an engine __________________ Thirty Past Three

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search