BMW 1-Series Forum (F20) 135i - 1Addicts.com > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > Classic BMW (Pre-2005 Models) > Buying an E46 M3 as a garage mate?
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-27-2022, 09:15 PM   #1
spooni
Lieutenant
spooni's Avatar
481
Rep
493
Posts

Drives: '11 E92 comp
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Sacramento CA

iTrader: (0)

Buying an E46 M3 as a garage mate?

As my current E92 track build is getting more and more hardcore, and less street-friendly; I've tempted the ideas of an E46 M3 as a weekend/occasional DD. A friend of a friend is selling an 05 w/172k but very clean and sorted..

Would I be disappointed with this as my other garage option for a street car? I know the S54 and S65 share the smol torque character, but the E46 is a bit lighter and more classic BMW.

My other option is to keep saving and get a 991.2 GT3 down the road. Yes, very different animals and wildly different price gap, but it's a dream car that I want to make happen for me.
__________________
IG: @M3spooni
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2022, 10:33 PM   #2
DanG
Major General
DanG's Avatar
United_States
10444
Rep
6,877
Posts

Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2018 BMW M2  [7.68]
The biggest problem with an E46 M3 is the valves. They need to be manually shimmied like a motorcycle. It is a very expensive maintenance that needs to be done fairly frequently. You also need to check the rear subframe for cracks.
__________________
BMWCCA member Puget Sound Chapter
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2022, 04:00 AM   #3
KevinC
your average JAMF
KevinC's Avatar
United_States
3076
Rep
4,082
Posts

Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Cochise County, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
S54 valves need to be done about every 30k. And yeah it's not cheap, but find a good indy shop and it will be way less than a dealership would charge. Part of the price of having solid lifters which in turn helps enable the 8k redline.
__________________
'21 M2 Comp
'19 Golf R
Appreciate 1
WolfGTI688.50
      09-28-2022, 01:07 PM   #4
Darth One
drunk poster
Darth One's Avatar
United_States
6613
Rep
3,649
Posts

Drives: M4 GTS | E46 M3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

It’s slow by today’s standards, high maintenance, and not a great DD with the notchy transmission and low torque.

It’s a car that really has to mean something special to you, for you to own. Which to me…it is. The most beautiful BMW made in my lifetime and the purest evolution of the classic BMW formula. I’ve already sold all of my other BMW’s but never this one.
Appreciate 2
happyjack1657.00
Llarry14473.00
      09-28-2022, 02:19 PM   #5
TboneS54
YNWA
TboneS54's Avatar
United_States
990
Rep
791
Posts

Drives: 2004 M3 6spd & 2011 M3 DCT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Holy mis-information batman.

S54 is very punchy, plenty of torque for the car's weight and displacement, especially if you relocate the cats to sect 1.

Valve adjustment doesn't NEED to be done that often, though you may choose to because of how easy and cheap it is to do. Gone are the days of $500 shim kits and $1400 jobs by dealers. You can do it yourself very easily. It's not hard if you can do basic arithmetic.

Go to nam3forums.com for the latest info on these cars.

RBs are not a big issue for the 2003+ models or those that had the service bulletin done. They'll do 100k and more easily.

Vanos is the only thing that I'd say is very critical, the tabs on the exh side hub.

RACP cracks do happen, but seldom is it so horrible you have to spend thousands on a new floorpan. You can have cracks stop drilled and plates welded for about $1000.

E46 is special because it's the most elegant yet muscular design, a nice middle ground between analogue and digital, very "feelsome" small and light by today's standards etc.

120+hp per liter in a 3300lb car? Yes please.

I like having both. Ofc the e90 is "better" on paper and at most things, but I'd be very disappointed if I no longer had my e46.

I agree it's not the best DD, esp today. I think my situation is better, the e46 being the heavily modded one and my e90 being the daily.
__________________
/// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options
/// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
Appreciate 9
happyjack1657.00
spooni480.50
86Zed924.50
3798j11167.00
WolfGTI688.50
M3WC3639.00
      09-28-2022, 06:39 PM   #6
clutchdj
Colonel
1852
Rep
2,383
Posts

Drives: a few cars
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NY

iTrader: (6)

get the 991.2 gt3 w/ extended range fuel tank. don't settle if its your dream and it'll hold its value better in the long run.
Appreciate 1
spooni480.50
      10-05-2022, 07:12 AM   #7
mwat
Second Lieutenant
122
Rep
271
Posts

Drives: E46 M3 & LCI X3 35i M Sport
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: South Florida

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2016 BMW X3 35i  [0.00]
2001 BMW M3  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by TboneS54 View Post
Holy mis-information batman.

S54 is very punchy, plenty of torque for the car's weight and displacement, especially if you relocate the cats to sect 1.

Valve adjustment doesn't NEED to be done that often, though you may choose to because of how easy and cheap it is to do. Gone are the days of $500 shim kits and $1400 jobs by dealers. You can do it yourself very easily. It's not hard if you can do basic arithmetic.

Go to nam3forums.com for the latest info on these cars.

RBs are not a big issue for the 2003+ models or those that had the service bulletin done. They'll do 100k and more easily.

Vanos is the only thing that I'd say is very critical, the tabs on the exh side hub.

RACP cracks do happen, but seldom is it so horrible you have to spend thousands on a new floorpan. You can have cracks stop drilled and plates welded for about $1000.

E46 is special because it's the most elegant yet muscular design, a nice middle ground between analogue and digital, very "feelsome" small and light by today's standards etc.

120+hp per liter in a 3300lb car? Yes please.

I like having both. Ofc the e90 is "better" on paper and at most things, but I'd be very disappointed if I no longer had my e46.

I agree it's not the best DD, esp today. I think my situation is better, the e46 being the heavily modded one and my e90 being the daily.
Thanks for clearing this up... the valve adjustment thing is the least of your worries on an E46 M3 lol...

Love mine, lot's of people prefer the E9x and that's okay too.
It's a very unique car (more than 100hp/Ltr, high revving inline 6) Very few other cars like it.

Having said that, I've bought my car 3x over in the 10 year's I've owned it between subframe issues, vanos, alternators (probably replaced like 5x no joke) etc. Wouldn't have it any other way. I would say I DIY'd about 80% of my issues too.
Appreciate 1
TboneS54989.50
      10-07-2022, 04:55 PM   #8
DB_Cooper
Second Lieutenant
United_States
586
Rep
292
Posts

Drives: F87
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by spooni View Post
As my current E92 track build is getting more and more hardcore, and less street-friendly; I've tempted the ideas of an E46 M3 as a weekend/occasional DD. A friend of a friend is selling an 05 w/172k but very clean and sorted..

Would I be disappointed with this as my other garage option for a street car? I know the S54 and S65 share the smol torque character, but the E46 is a bit lighter and more classic BMW.

My other option is to keep saving and get a 991.2 GT3 down the road. Yes, very different animals and wildly different price gap, but it's a dream car that I want to make happen for me.
E36>>E46 IMO.

Try one out if you can. I was almost certain on buying an e46, until I drove one. It was just ok. Prob bc I expected to be blown away by it. Also I felt it was a redundant car having an m2 in the garage.

Drove an E36 on a whim and thought it was amazing. Great car, very analog, cheaper to maintain, interior quality is crappier, but overall a fun alternative if you've got an e9x in the garage.
Appreciate 1
Hagasan41261.50
      10-07-2022, 07:16 PM   #9
Hagasan41
First Lieutenant
Hagasan41's Avatar
United_States
262
Rep
344
Posts

Drives: 2013 E92 ///M3, 1999 E36 ///M3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Florida

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DB_Cooper View Post
E36>>E46 IMO.

Try one out if you can. I was almost certain on buying an e46, until I drove one. It was just ok. Prob bc I expected to be blown away by it. Also I felt it was a redundant car having an m2 in the garage.

Drove an E36 on a whim and thought it was amazing. Great car, very analog, cheaper to maintain, interior quality is crappier, but overall a fun alternative if you've got an e9x in the garage.
I agree and felt the E46 looks wise was close to the E92 compared to the E36. Either one would make a great stable mate to the E92 but I pulled the trigger on an E36 and have no regrets.
Appreciate 1
DB_Cooper585.50
      10-07-2022, 07:26 PM   #10
Housekeeping
Lieutenant
596
Rep
469
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW M5
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Earth

iTrader: (0)

I found the e46 undepowered. Brilliant chassis but needs 80 more hp and bags of torque. Plus the sound is meh….relatively speaking.
Appreciate 1
tdott3930.50
      10-07-2022, 09:07 PM   #11
to_riffic
Lieutenant General
to_riffic's Avatar
United_States
3010
Rep
13,743
Posts

Drives: rwd
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (38)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sy1616 View Post
I found the e46 undepowered. Brilliant chassis but needs 80 more hp and bags of torque. Plus the sound is meh….relatively speaking.
It is underpowered, but that's why I appreciate it. In this day and age, I'm not in a rush to get anywhere, ring out the NA and enjoy the noise.

__________________
~loud noises~

Appreciate 9
3798j11167.00
DB_Cooper585.50
P111541.50
GERMAN M34176.50
EdM53852.50
W///7434.00
phoenx331.50
      10-08-2022, 10:47 PM   #12
clutchdj
Colonel
1852
Rep
2,383
Posts

Drives: a few cars
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NY

iTrader: (6)

there is no substitute for NA sound.
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2022, 12:00 PM   #13
OG Shark
OG Shark's Avatar
4655
Rep
2,516
Posts

Drives: Angry
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Spring Branch, TX

iTrader: (5)

I love the E46 on the street. I would have no qualms about picking it as a stablemate either. A bit more power would be nice but isn’t necessary in my opinion.
Appreciate 0
      10-11-2022, 05:48 AM   #14
Imran@Evolve
Imran@Evolve's Avatar
United Kingdom
5360
Rep
3,788
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Bedfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

We have an E46 M3 albeit and CSL and its actually refreshing ringing its neck out and looking down at the speedo and not doing crazy speeds that could land you in jail.
Appreciate 3
WolfGTI688.50
GERMAN M34176.50
Cos270608.50
      10-15-2022, 02:32 AM   #15
NealfromNZ
Lieutenant
NealfromNZ's Avatar
New Zealand
494
Rep
467
Posts

Drives: 2016 F80 M3
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: New Zealand

iTrader: (0)

Had one 2011 to 2022. Drove it daily and sold it at 120,000 miles. Great car and better road feedback than f80. Do the usual csl mods end you end up with a car that does “The Ring” in the same time as a F80. Far better and controllable on the edge as well.

Power level is good as you are able to explore traction to the max without overwhelming rear tyres the the F80 can easily do.

With mine I didn’t have to do the bearings, subframes vanos or smg pump. Items that I did do though was coil packs , alternator , vicious fan , water pump (pm @at 100,000 ) and smg relay. No shiming was required and within tolerance in the entire time .

At the 120,000 mark however it could have done with a suspension component refresh and I was thinking about getting rod bearings as a precaution, although oil analysis was still ok.

It you like twisty roads the e46 m3 feels like it’s on rails. Not a bad choice of car.
Appreciate 2
EdM53852.50
      10-25-2022, 06:55 PM   #16
TboneS54
YNWA
TboneS54's Avatar
United_States
990
Rep
791
Posts

Drives: 2004 M3 6spd & 2011 M3 DCT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Car with 106hp per liter and only 3300lbs from 2000 is "underpowered."

Good grief.

Viva la E46!
Attached Images
 
__________________
/// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options
/// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
Appreciate 7
Davil6332.00
spooni480.50
3798j11167.00
phoenx331.50
GERMAN M34176.50
      10-25-2022, 08:23 PM   #17
Malek@MRF
Brigadier General
Malek@MRF's Avatar
United_States
719
Rep
3,735
Posts

Drives: E92 M3, E46 M3, G82 M4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Irvine, California

iTrader: (5)

While by modern standards it may be considered "slow", I would not undermine the character of the E46 by any means. It is truly a sublime drivers car, timeless design and another epic piece of BMW M history. My E46 will forever be my E92's stablemate they belong next to each other

Specs:
2006 Imola Red
M-Cloth Alcantara
6-Speed Manual
Slicktop
31k miles
Attached Images
 
__________________
BMW PERFORMANCE SPECIALISTS. Race Engines. Suspension. F/I. Brakes. Race Preparation. Factory Service. Alignments.
OFFICIAL PARTNERS: KW. MOTON. Brembo. AP Racing. BBS Motorsport. iND. HRE. Turner Motorsport. VAC. BMW Motorsport.

Facebook | Instagram | Yelp! | Flikr
Phone: 949-233-0448 | E-Mail: info@mrfengineering.com
Appreciate 4
spooni480.50
3798j11167.00
GERMAN M34176.50
      11-03-2022, 08:36 AM   #18
Obioban
Emperor
Obioban's Avatar
1611
Rep
2,753
Posts

Drives: M3, M3, M5, M5
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: West Chester, PA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2008 BMW M5  [0.00]
2017 BMW i3  [0.00]
2005 BMW M3 Coupe  [0.00]
2001 BMW M5  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by DanG View Post
The biggest problem with an E46 M3 is the valves. They need to be manually shimmied like a motorcycle. It is a very expensive maintenance that needs to be done fairly frequently.
Lol, what are you smoking? Valve adjustment needs to be done ever 30k if you're anal or 60k per BMW, and takes a couple hours to DIY.
__________________

2005 M3 Coupe, 2004 M3 Wagon, 2001 M5 Sedan, 2008 M5 6MT Sedan, 2012 128i M sport
Appreciate 0
      11-03-2022, 11:17 AM   #19
TboneS54
YNWA
TboneS54's Avatar
United_States
990
Rep
791
Posts

Drives: 2004 M3 6spd & 2011 M3 DCT
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SoCal

iTrader: (2)

Lol

The valve adjustment was a little scary when you're a 20 year old in 2010 and shops are quoting $1400. But it's actually very simple, with basic arithmetic and with a $20 schwaben pick up tool and $50 wiseco shim pack.
__________________
/// 2004 Silvergrey M3 · Coupe · 6MT · Slicktop · zero options
/// 2011 Jerez/Bamboo E90 M3 · DCT · Slicktop · IG: @na.s54
Appreciate 1
Cos270608.50
      11-03-2022, 12:06 PM   #20
phoenx
Lieutenant
332
Rep
470
Posts

Drives: E46 M3, F80 M3, Tacoma, GT4 RS
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA

iTrader: (0)

As much as I love my F80, the E46 just wins me over every time I get a chance to drive mine. Great car to wring out and have fun in.
Appreciate 1
TboneS54989.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:57 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST