What's the 'right' M3 to buy?

This won't be of much help, but might be of interest: http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/driven/1101_the_bmw_m3s_we_never_got/index.html

 

2003.5+ (yes - E46).

The 'right' M3, IMO, is the 2005 ZCP 6-speed, no options, cloth seats.

www.m3forum.net

 

I love the E46 M3 CSL. I would settle with a E46 M3 still though

 

this one
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I have an (2001) E46 M3 and I love it.

My best friend has an E92 (2009) M3, and another friend of mine has an E36 (1997) M3.

If you have any questions or need someone to discuss this with, feel free to let me know

 

Make sure whatever car you buy has well-documented service history. These cars need their valves adjusted every 30k miles or so. This is a $1,000 - $1,500 job, so make sure the purchase price is adjusted accordingly. Also, brakes and rubber are another huge expense on these things so make sure the brake pads are not worn and the tires have considerable tread left on them.

In terms of options, I don't think there are any "must-haves" aside from the ZCP package (which was only available on 2005's and 2006's). ZCP package includes:

- 19-inch BBS spin-cast (flow formed) alloy wheels (marketed as "forged"); 19"x8"front, 19"x9.5"rear: weigh 26 lb (12 kg).
- Specially tuned spring rates for the Competition Package; this was carried over to all M3 production from 12/04 on.
- CSL steering rack: More direct steering ratio of 14.5:1 (vs. standard M3's 15.4:1)
- CSL's M-Track Mode DSC with a button mounted on the steering wheel (deletion of cruise control and steering wheel mounted radio/phone controls)
- CSL's Compound cross-drilled rotors; larger front rotor of 13.6 inches (from 12.6 inches) with black painted calipers
- Alcantara steering wheel, gear lever and hand brake

 

If you are handy with a wrench, the E46 is probably the better bang for the buck ///M. However, the maintenance schedule and valve adjustments might deter the average joe. If you get one with moderate miles, try to find one that is well documented and preferably with the schedule II performed (IIRC near 70k miles). A PPI might not be a bad idea either. With the price of them lately, I fear they are falling into hands of people not willing to keep an ///M car running properly.

I cross-shopped an E46 M3 and a 335i until a local posted up a 135i for a price too good to pass up. For me the 335i had great power but it just seemed too tame and didn't have the edge/ visceral experience of the E46 M3. The E46 was spectacular but my 20-25k+ a year commute kept me looking, that and I couldn't justify paying a premium for a low mileager only to load it with miles.

The 135i and the N54 (HPFP issues aside) offers a load of horsepower and aftermarket suspension adjustments to make it a real screamer. Size-wise they are just a tiny bit smaller then a 335i and the bloated E9x 3-series and seem to be a step backward towards what a true 3-series used to be. The car is worth a look as you can find 2008-2010 low mileage and CPO options (with 100k) warranty in the same price range as a clean E46 M3. You lose the NA 333-hp engine but you gain modern comforts and technology on a car that is 5 years newer.

Here is my Sparkling Graphite/ Coral Red 135i with the Sport Package: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ducky_xti/sets/72157625502631361/

That being said, the 1M is just around the corner.

 

I don't blame you. You wont have to dig deep to find plenty of threads on almost every car forum where people consider an E46 M3. They are relatively cheap good fun. Especially since they perform wonderfully as a daily driver (not for everyone) or but are worthy for most to hide in the garage as a weekend warrior... That said, you will certainly come across some real world experiences where people are surprised, often disgruntled, by the costs. For instance: http://tinyurl.com/27p6hx6

The other problem I ran into was the selection of E46's seemed to be fairly slim pickin's, especially if you want a manual. The SMG's appear to be more readily available, but like you, it was simply not an option for me.

 

I also prefer with the E46 M3 CSL...

 

Unfortunately you cannot get it here in the states or in NA for that matter. Although the ZCP (Competition Package) has some CSL parts.

 

YES! I would love to drive it on the street! What a great DD!

 

Valve inspection and adjustment occurs every Inspection 2. If you follow the BMW service interval, it goes something like this:

oil change
inspection 1 (includes oil change)
oil change
inspection 2 (includes oil change)
oil change
inspection 1
oil change
inspection 2
...

So the valve inspection is more like every 50k-ish miles. It may vary a bit because oil interval is detemined by the mileage to consume 666 gallons of fuel (per Bentley Manual, IIRC). There's a DIY thread on m3forum.net.

I had a 2002.5 (had the front strut tower brace). Great car, no worries whatsoever. I bought ZCP wheels and ZCP brake rotors for it (the fronts require ZCP brake carriers).

Remember getbmwparts.com. Best place for parts, even the expensive 10W-60 oil.

Also got an E36 M3. More fun to drive than the E46, but more stuff requires regular servicing. My g/f calls it the black hole money pit, LOL.

Michael.

 

Funny that's what I call my wife.

 

If I was in your shoes I would go this route, I'm kinda 'old school' so forgive me.
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This.

 

???

Sorry I'm alittle slow so need to ask lol.

 

From what I remember, I'd stay far away from anything pre 2003.5, especially SMG cars.

Go for an '06 E46 with the ZCP as the other fellas mentioned.

Be prepared for a hunt though: ZCPs are rare and the E46 is in the attainable and horrifically modified price range.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

It means he "agrees with this"...

 

06's are just leftover 05's... FYI.

 

If you can somehow get your hands on a euro e36 M3 with the S50B32 I think you'll be a very happy guy

The euro e36 M3 is what the M3 SHOULD have been in the USA, but instead what we got was a slightly tuned M52/M50 (Bump from 200hp to 240hp for the M3 variant, Larger Pistons 86mm vs 84mm, different crankshaft and larger camshafts, heads are still the exact same between all US M52/M50/S50/S52 Engines, and a more restrictive intake manifold) Now if you find a euro car you'll have 320 bhp and the lovely six individual throttle bodies, that engine is a beauty.

 

Agreed, really wish the more powerful Euro version would've come here. Last year I sold my e46 3-series and was going to buy a e36 Dinan supercharged M3 but it was sold the day before I could drive down to see it. I spoke to the owner a number of times on the phone and we were both car enthusiasts and he knew I was a serious buyer. For some reason he sold it to another guy who only bought it to flip it (three weeks later he had it for sale asking ~$3k more).