9+ Years of BMW E46 M3 Ownership
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- #e46m3 #bmwm3 #e46m3maintenance
Next year will mark 10 years since I got my BMW E46 M3. Time flies when you're having fun! I feel like I get to know the car a little better each year, but that I've barely scratched the surface.
I wanted to share with you here what I can about the experience so far...in particular the work that's been done on it since new, along with some number-crunching that surprised even me what a reliable car this is to look after.
To ensure I didn't miss anything, I went through every record I have on the car going back to 2009 - the year after my brother bought it. From BMW, I have the records of my E46 M3's first three years...nearly completing the car's 16 years maintenance history.
Finally, I mentioned the video I made about replacing the E46 BMW M3's rod bearings this summer. You can watch it here: • BMW E46 M3: Replacing ...
Chapters:
0:00 - 0:41 Looking back on 10 years of BMW E46 M3 ownership
0:41 - 1:44 2009 to 2011 basic maintenance
1:44 - 2:09 2013 Front Brakes / 2014 Ignition Coils & Battery
2:09 - 2:20 2015 Maintenance & NJMP Track Weekend
2:20 - 2:43 2016 Rear Brakes & Diff / 2017-2019 maintenance
2:43 - 2:59 2020 Rod Bearings & other maintenance
2:59 - 5:16 My overall maintenance experience
5:16 - 5:34 Issues to address next
5:34 - 6:28 Maintaining it is cheaper than depreciation on a new one
6:28 - 6:55 What's an E46 M3 worth?
6:55 - 7:58 My total E46 M3 costs
7:58 - 8:38 Better to buy new or maintain an old one?
8:38 - 8:49 What's next - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
I love these cars; it’s not too advanced just the right amount of tech, horsepower is adequate for daily driving, but the best part is that it still handles better then newer cars today.
Summed it up perfectly, Hardip!
I'm celebrating 20 years with my bought-new 2004 M3 (ordered custom and received October, 2003). It's a great car. Happily does whatever I want to do, and always gives me a smile. 175k miles and no issues. Maintenance and the big 3 done.
Glad to hear. Enjoy the ride!
I drive my daily M3 to the Construction site
Fuck yeah
Thats my dream too! Im a carpenter in norway and the e46 m3 has been my Dreamcar for ages
@@joakimthomasli2604 samme her, kjøpte en halvt år siden. Kjøpt deg en enda?
I bought a 2006 SMG in silver grey 3 years ago. The s54 engine is one of the best ever made. what a car!
It truly is a wonderful engine!
I'm daily driving my m3. I love your attitude. Very nice video!
Thanks, Gasper!
Very thought out and well presented video! You sir are a true enthusiast. Keep the content up!
Thanks for the props! I will do my best. Wish I had the time to do more!
Thanks for the great content Brent! I watched a few of your videos (more than once lol) early last year when i was considering an M3. You’re videos where really helpful in my decision. I ended up selling my six speed 330ci and got my dream car, E46 M3 🙌🏽 Appreciate the videos.
I’m so glad to hear, Ray! Even better that you’re now living the dream!
I love my M3, it's my daily driver. Great content Brent
Thank you, Andrzej!
Great video! Almost 10 years, that’s awesome! The maintenance you’ve had to do over that time certainly isn’t bad at all. Looks like you’ve looked after the car really well. Diff seal leaks super common, especially the pinion seals
Instead of calling you “M Tech Guy,” what’s your name? Or I can just call you that.. Anyway, these cars are truly not so difficult to look after. And not abusing them certainly helps prevent painful repair bills. Indeed, the pinion seals were leaking, though as an enthusiast following these issues, I haven’t seen others talking about them. Most of what I see is regarding rod bearings and rear subframe cracks. Though VANOS scares the crap out of me, wonderful technology though it is. :) BMW makes everything complicated!
@@brentdcampbell “M Tech Guy” is all good 😁 Yes they are great cars for sure if looked after properly.
Although not unheard of, I’ve never heard of one locally myself that’s suffered subframe mount damage, the local dealer tell me they have never come across one since they where new either, so not that common in my experience
@@MTechGuy I assume M cars are as rare there as they are here, yes? They seem so abundant online, but in real life - no matter which generation - I don’t see many out. (Well, except M4s and E92 M3s..but only a really special E92 excites me..)
Anyway, been watching your videos and enjoying your perspective. And approach to videomaking.
@@brentdcampbell Thanks man, appreciate it, been enjoying watching your vids too on your experiences with the M5 & M3! That’s true, there are a few M cars over here but very rarely see them out on the road- probably E90/E92 M3’s more than others. See the odd E30 M3 about too
I have the 2001 E-46 M3 with 45,000 KMS. Never winter or rain driven, I replaced an engine coil and small issues-hot air sensor. The bearings were done at the dealer in the recall. I've kept it super clean and super original-about the only thing I've done was to paint the brake calipers BMW blue and add the M3 decals to the calipers-Super look!. I could change the exhaust and add the headers-but it's almost 21 years old and kicks ass like the first day I bought it. I'm never letting go of this M3-especially with the hatchet job done on the newer ones.
Great car, good vid👍😁
Thank you for making this video. I found a very clean, low mileage '06 M3 that I was considering selling my '06 s2000 to buy it. But now that I see what the maintenance costs, I'm going to pass.
I bought my s2000 in 2014 with 31,160 miles. 7 years & 30k miles later, it has cost me $700.00 total. And that includes preventative maintenance.
If you can get by with just two seats and no roof, a S2000 is worth holding onto for sure. And you can't beat the maintenance costs of a Honda. If that's your deciding factor, then yes - hold on to the S2000. Both great cars with high-revving engines.
Glad to see you made another video!
M3 E46 is a classic must have.
Congrats on your car!
I grew up in Purchase NY and I had no idea you live near by.
I love making these videos, it’s just a shame they’re so time-consuming. Yet I’m determined to keep up the pace through 2021. And yes - do you live in westchester still? You drive a M3?
Also, do you know this road? (We May have talked about this years’ back, though.) th-cam.com/video/gwq1nWHRu3M/w-d-xo.html
I wish I still lived in Westchester Brent, although I definitely do not miss the extreme winters! I currently live in Spain now.
I have been a car enthusiast all my life and share this passion with some relatives a still have back in NY. My step sister has a 2015 M4 manual which I drive every summer on my visit and my step brother has a 2009 911 turbo manual plus a beautiful restored 1993 RX7. I have a modified Audi A6 3.0 TFSI for now but my next German rocket on my list will probably be the F10 M5.
Please keep those vlogs coming!!
@@jj-tq4hx Yeah - winters are no fun, though they are less extreme than they used to be. In this case, it’s easier to stay inside and make videos. So I guess there’s a silver lining.
Wow - Spain. Never been. Always wanted to go. Maybe one of these days..
Anyway, seems gasoline runs in your family’s blood. If you’ve watched my other videos, you probably know that my brother and I have shared this passion going back nearly 40 years. And no matter how long it’s been since we’ve spoken, within minutes we always end up talking cars and have to stop ourselves!
@@jj-tq4hx Here we are picking up his M2 Comp at the SC BMW driving school: th-cam.com/video/0J-K4DPiZUw/w-d-xo.html
I see my imola m3 coupe man I’ll miss that thing 🥲
5 months into owning & daily driving my M3. Leaving work with a big 😊
Congrats on your M3! Take care of it, and it’ll take care of you.
Thats awesome! Congrats on the milestone! I own a steel blue 2002 325i E46 facelift sedan with 114k miles. She looks like new. No rips in the black leather. Love driving that car all the time as my daily. Used to have 94k miles with vacuum leaks. Along with replacing shocks and tires. Great cars, and you're right. Knowing when maintenance is due is always key to keeping a BMW happy to drive. I know the rear subframe issue is due to the rear floor not handling the multiple clutch drops from those manuals and SMGs from what my dads friend told me who works on bmws since the 90s. One day, I'll get a LSB E46 M3 or a dakar yellow E46 M3 with my 325i which is a very rare color. Great video! Also, that $90k LSB M3 was my friends M3 originally. Great video as always.
Thanks for sharing! That’s cool your friend’s car went for $90k. It’s wild how values have changed so dramatically recently.
@@brentdcampbell Right! They were brand new when I was 5 years old. He sold his LSB M3 for a steal on Bring a trailer. Had 60k miles I believe when he sold it. Great cars from my childhood. Enjoy that car to 200k miles ;)
@@corkscrewlifestyle 200k miles - nearly 100k more - sounds mighty fine to me!
@@brentdcampbell Right! My goal with my 325i. Along with getting Apex ARC8 wheels with toyo sport tires.
Great video Brent! I have owned my 2005 M3 since 2010 (now 11 yrs with a total of 112,900 miles). I agree with your assessments on maintenance. I too haven't had any major issues. I have the six speed tranny. The most expensive things for me have been the new sets of tires (only Michelins) and Inspection II maintenance. Like you, I haven't addressed the subframe or vanos. However, whenever I have my mechanic work on the car, I have him inspect both to make sure something hasn't changed.
I've never tracked the car, but did manage to take it on the Tail of the Dragon in NC/TN a few years ago! What a thrill that was. Prior to the pandemic, I was daily driving the car to work, but since then, I've put less than 500 miles on the car. I need to drive it more because it is such a joy to drive. I believe that making these cars into garage queens contributes to their increased maintenance. If you have an E46 M3, drive it! So, I'm going to go out for a drive now! Thanks again for the video!
Thanks for the props, J! It sounds like we've had similar experiences. From what I gather, most owners have great experiences with their's too. Given its for-then bleeding-edge technology, it's astonishing how reliable these cars have proven to be, IMO. I'm in for some painful preventative repairs this year, but following last year's rod bearings repair, I truly won't have anything to worry about for another 10 years, except for - like you say - driving it regularly and keeping it on fresh Michelins!
As for the Tail of the Dragon, that's so cool you got to go. And yes, I can't imagine a car I'd rather drive down it than an E46 M3.. Back when my brother owned the M3 that I've now had 10 years, my brother and I took it on the Tail of the Dragon the day after we went to a one-day M school event (at the BMW Performance Driving Center by the plant near Spartanburg, SC). We got to the Tail of the Dragon early enough to miss much of the traffic, and my brother had been driving the snot out of it the whole way. It was ridiculous fun. 311 curves, or whatever it is, most of them perfect for the M3. Anyway, we'd covered a lot of ground - nearly the whole length of the road, but we didn't know that yet - and he pulled over to let me drive. I was all fired up and punched it, soaking up the curves. I think I hit 3 of them, and then it was a straightaway downhill, where I didn't brake quickly enough. I'd been driving 48 seconds, since my brother clicked "record" on my iPhone 4. We heard the sirens. "You're busted," he said. Indeed I was. The cop said, "I can smell your brakes. You've been driving hard all morning." Thanks, brother! I got a nice ticket. I think I posted the video on the channel. I'll see if I can find it. Anyway, thanks for commenting. Enjoy the drive!
@@brentdcampbell LOL, that's a great story about you and your brother driving on the tail. My wife was with me when we did it and she said to me that she wasn't really worried about me driving too crazy and killing us because I loved the car more than her. I said...maybe? So I avoided crashing and a ticket. Guess I really should subscribe to your channel since we have things in common and you have great content.. Take care!
I found it! You have to read my comment a few minutes ago to appreciate what's going on. 48 seconds... Still - it was worth it! th-cam.com/video/w3QT-S8Tx2o/w-d-xo.html
@@brentdcampbell definitely will! Thanks!
The e46 M3 is a truly wonderful piece of machinery. I’ve done the rear subframe, CPV valve and that’s it in terms of maintenance. I’ll replace the gas tank gaskets and possibly injectors soon as it hesitates to start every now and then. Great car my man
No argument here! All of these years in, I’m also still amazed. How did the rear subframe job go??
@@brentdcampbell pretty well I’d say. It wasn’t THAT bad but it had to be done, especially since I track it
@@DriftingSquirrel Yeah - especially since you track it. I’ve always wondered if the tracked cars suffer the issue more (I’ve only tracked mine one glorious long weekend), but the general consensus is that all E46s suffer the issue. Great you can throw it around worry-free now!
Subbed to your channel, btw. Looking forward to diving in!
@@brentdcampbell it’s a very big piece of mind, although there is always something knocking that makes me scared. But the thing is, I drift and the car has a lot of violent power going through the drivetrain. Dos your diff also make a knocking noise from time to time?
Great video. Your M3 looks great. I have a 2002. Definitely do the vanos. It's not that difficult. The instructions from Beisan are very detailed and if you follow them to the letter, it's a doable job for a DIY project. The only part to be careful about is the timing. There is a lot of incorrect info about how to do it.
Thanks for the props and tip, Daryl! I'll take a look at the Beisan instructions for the VANOS job.
I've had my 04 for 15 years. Not going to lie it has been expensive to keep in good condition. I have 156k miles on it. But I do commute with it and tracked it a lot. Has been expensive compared to other cars I've owned but also one of my favorite cars ever.
Sounds like yours has been used as intended! It’s great you’ve gotten so much use out of it!
Have had a 2004 manual m3 for six years in Australia and have had no large repair bills so far, spent $2000 on the rear subframe floor half on injecting epoxy resin (8 cartridges terocan) around the subframe mountings and half on a puretech rear strut brace imported from Sweden that bolts through to the rear subframe mounts, as the floor had no visible cracks and considered the strengthening patches not able to permanently prevent the rear panel flexing along its length although definately help if done properly .Apart from this prevention expense, I have kept it pristine on a minimal budget with no depreciation to factor in which is the biggest expense with most vehicles.
Wow, Alan, that’s great the car has worked out so well this far. This subframe reinforcement is going to be quite a project!
Loved hearing your story with your M - I have a ZHP that I got as a first car back in 2015, and don't plan on selling it. I do have a couple comments to make though:
1) In my opinion, it's best to completely put your car away for winter, rather than put it on a trickle charge and take it out every week or two when the roads are clear. Often, it takes a couple heavy rainfalls for salt to wash away, and the E46 isn't the greatest with rust. I had all the rust repaired on my car under warranty from BMW (the last job if which involved replacing both rocker panels to the tune of ~$8k) so I really can't bring myself to winter it. So I just keep it under a car cover in my garage, with the battery disconnected and the tires at max. inflation pressure. I've done this 4 or 5 times so far with no issues, and when I take it back out I do a fresh oil change on the spot before first engine startup.
2) The "subframe" or better known as rear axle carrier panel (RACP) issue - plates are really only a band-aid. There have been a few cases on the old M3Forum where guys installed TMS or other plates that were fairly thick and did not have much surface area, and the RACP started to separate from the rest of the car. It depends on the use-case of your car - if you don't plan on beating on your car too much at the track, you could get away with proper (larger) plates such as Redish Motorsport (which I have). But if you plan on spending a lot of time at the track... well it'd be a good idea to look into a Vincebar (which I have) or RACP brace kit from CMP Engineering, which adds a direct loadpath from the subframe mounting points to the chassis rails, which is the root cause of the cracks.
Anyways, sounds like you've had a great time with your car, and cheer to many more years with it!
Regarding winter storage, I appreciate and respect your POV. Currently its under cover (under snow), plugged into its trickle charger. Just got it a new battery last week, actually.
From November through March, I take it out every week or two but ONLY when the roads are clear. I do that based on advice from my mechanic; he explained that it's important that the tires don't settle and fluids move from time to time. That said, from what you shared here, I'll feel less guilty in the future when I can't drive it for more than awhile and perhaps rethink my approach to winter.
I'm terribly sorry to hear about the rust issues you've encountered. My first car started its life in Boston. By the time I sold it to its third owner about 5 years later, rust was bubbling up in the same spots Hondas tend to rust. I wouldn't have wanted to deal with that. The M3 would be worth salvaging, but it's relieving to know that my zealous protection of the car from salt pays off.
As for your subframe advice, that's also duly noted. I've got to take care of that issue. From all that I've learned recently, I'm thinking the subframe issue may have been more urgent than the rod bearings.
I've only done initial research into the subframe solution, and learning from the homework you've already done helps a ton. Thank you very much. I've tracked it just once and though I'm dying to go back, it'll be a few years before I have the time to get into it as seriously as I'd like to. But if/when I do, I'll be driving the M3. Brakes aside, it's a fantastic track car. All the car I'll ever need, at least, with my skill level! So this is an important decision and your insight is much appreciated.
Cool review. Cpv is a super common leak that people chase around cyl 5/6 headers and by bellhousing. Diff seals leaking is also common. Keep maintaining them! What engine mounts are you picturing in the video? Those look like rtabs?
Good to know. Thank you. The mounts pictures are the old ones. Here’s the part: www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/engine-mount-priced-each/11812283798/
Nothing compared to mine. Nov 2001 built. 167K miles now. It was a daily driver until 5 years ago. Now it is mostly a track car with about 6 events per year. Whatever you hear that needs replacing or upgrading on the web.... you will eventually have to do it. Here is a short list: rod bearings (2x), VANOS, subframe, window regulators, steering fluid leaks... But it is a wonderful car to drive. For a 20 years old car, at the last event, I was able to run close lap time to an AMG GT (granted, that driver wasn't maxing out the car, but the car wasn't pulling hard on the straight).
Don't sell it, enjoy it!
I can't imagine ever selling my M3. It sounds like you're getting the full experience with yours. I took it to the track for one long, glorious weekend - and it was amazing. Like you, I was able to lose far more powerful machines - particularly in the twisties. I didn't know the issues with the window regulators or steering fluid leaks. Thanks for the tips!
Hey Brent! Great video as always! What part of NY are you in? I’m in the Boston area and purchased an E46 M3 this past September. I’d like to organize a regional meet up this spring/summer if you would be interested?
Welcome to M3 ownership! I live about 15 miles north of Manhattan. I might be interested, and I might be able to get other guys interested, too. Though Boston is a haul from here. Also, I’m laying low until I’m vaccinated probably by July.
You just gained a subscriber. I own a 2013 m3, and a 2018 m3 and your philosophy is very similar to mine. Dont buy new, take good care of them because these cars retain value.
The key to bmw is M models, and buying these cars used and clean. Loved the information on cost if owneship
Thanks for the props, Alex! So an E92 and F80 both, eh? That's a helluva stable! Is your takeaway, more or less, that one has soul and the other has mind-bending acceleration?
As for the M models and how they retain value, that's a very good point. I saw a survey in Road & Track showing that a 5-series or 7-series car will lose 70% of its value in their first 5 years. Then they continue to slide into 4-figures... Once M cars hit the bottom of their depreciation curve, on the other hand, they hold steady. It'll be interesting to see how the market values them in the future.
Just subscribed to your channel, too. Great stuff. Looking forward to diving in!
@@brentdcampbell i feel as the e92 feels more sturdy and put together, the f80 i feel like i hear everything in the cabin.
The e92 is much more fun to drive. I feel like it has soul, but the f80, its more so just torque and speed. I feel like i cam keep up with other cars in the f80 but its just def not as fun
@@brentdcampbell especially with the e46 m3, i think theyve really shown their long term value and i feel as though they'll go up in value even further as they become more rare. At this point the e46 m3 costs almost if not more than an e92 because the e92s are starting to dip into their lowest prices but just like the e46 theyll pick up a little bit.
Here in california youll see a crashed salvage e46 with 200k being sold for 20,000 haha theyre become unicorns on the street
Did my water pump and OPV too, Seems common problem
Cheers! I’ve kept my 2002 e46 m3 for 3 years now and spent 3k on maintenance and cosmetic issues. 100% stock and still drives like a beast. Looks brand new in my garage. Will be passing on the car to my son when he goes off to college in 12 years...lol
Thanks for sharing, Patrick! I love you that you’ll be passing your beast on to your son in 12 years. May be worth real money by then!
You’re son is the luckiest kid ever 😂 I’m 18 and looking at buying one myself as dumb as that sounds it’s just my absolute dream car
@@griffin_kith6214 Why does that sound dumb? Truly, the E46 M3 is one of the best handling cars ever made. And probably the only one - besides, say, a Miata - that’s affordable. I’d say you’re wise beyond your years to recognize what it is!
@@brentdcampbell just because it is an m3 so maintenance prices are a lot higher than average and I don’t want to go bankrupt, but I’m waiting until I find one with the preventative work done so I can just enjoy it
@@griffin_kith6214 Again, you’re sounding wise beyond your years. In time, I’m quite sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Just had my subframe done a month ago, increase confidence for spirited driving
Attaboy!
Having been through it, what do you think needs to be done? I'm a few months from the same procedure, so I'm eager for you POV.
lol, you have opened a can of worms but i love my car.....here is the list(from recent to old)
subframe reinforcement, diff bushings to poly, cooling system refresh all new parts, poly engine mounts, valve clearances, fuel pump, castor bushing, tie rods, converted smg to manual, replaced main seal, and other seals(oil filter housing gaskets, oil sump)....thats just what i can think of now, leaking coolant somewhere now(thinking of using a 1.4 bar radiator cap, also had an aftermarket expansion tank, which threw the coolant light on)
is it worth it? of course!, its a powerful engine, but when you track it, and overtake wrx's and AMG, its worth the trouble......BMW is BM Trouble U
Nothing can explain the driving dynamics of that car, unless you have driven one or owned one.....IMO :)
Good video btw!, i wanted to know if other people are experiencing the same issues along ownerships of the same car
@@sydneyNemesis101 Thank you, Glenn! All noted.. Whenever my SMG dies, I'll convert to manual, but we're 104k miles and going strong, so... I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Clearly you track it, which means more maintenance, but that's what it's built for! As you suggested, it outhandles pretty much anything else mere mortals can afford, and its engine is no slouch either!
@@brentdcampbell - anytime Brent, get a ZF 6 speed manual if you can find one, thats the E46 M3 manual gearbox, i think my fuel pump/level sensor is faulty now, as i filled it up and it went 1/2 way in the gauge, but slowly creeping up to 7/8 full, so will take it back to the shop.....ahhh life of a BMW! haha....
I’m looking at selling my wrx and buying an e46, I’m only 18 so I’m nervous about it bank rupting me a lil but I’m looking for one with upgraded rod bearings and vanos line with the subframe reinforcement, or at least two out of those 3 done and I’ll do one on my own but I’ve been told with those 3 things done they are relatively pretty reliable cars, I’ve owned an e60 but the year I had it it ran me 6000k down the drain 😂 the wrx is fun but I just miss the way bmw’s drive and that nice powerband on a inline 6 with non of the turbo and tuning nonsense
Well, Griffin, I’d say you’re doing alright. At your age, I was driving a hand-me-down tank with 83hp! (Saved my life, as I’d have surely killed myself in a M3!) Anyway, I hear you on the WRX and E60. Was yours an M5? I have one, and it costs about twice as much to operate as the M3. It’s crucial that you find an E46 that’s been well maintained, but I think with patience you can find one that won’t break the bank. Good luck!
Still have my ‘03.5 6spd that I ordered. 181k miles, minimal issues. Mainly just normal wear and tear. It isn’t a daily anymore, but still runs like a scalded dog.
“Like a scalded dog.” I love it!
Never had rod bearing issues??? That's freaking awesome
@@dudndadn12212 took care of it before it became an issue.
The only real problem has been with the a/c
Also consider looking at the rear subframe. It is a weak spot.
Yep - I talked about that in the video. It’s a project for next year.
What year is your M3 ? How did you know that things needed replacing ? Did you go by what forums suggested or did the BMW techs suggest, besides the leaks. I have an 04 SMG with 52,800 miles. I bought it with just over 52K. I only take it out of the garage maybe once a week and in winter it sees more garage time because of the snow and salt in Utah. I replaced the coils and spark plugs because I saw some cylinder misfire codes. Other than that, just an oil change. Any suggestions for preventative maintenance at this stage? Car runs great and I also did a tune through buildjournal.
Hi Alan - mine is also a 2004 model. I track what needs to be done by following the forums, hearing what other owners say, and responding to the car’s feedback. You’re supposed to do the Inspection II every 30k miles, but I’m not certain that’s necessary. If I were you, I’d consider rod bearings and rear subframe for preventative maintenance. If VANOS or SMG give you trouble, attend to them. Otherwise don’t worry about it. Thankfully, you’ve got a great car that should be trouble-free considering how well it’s been looked after.
@@brentdcampbell Thanks. I thought the rod bearing issue was only 2001- 2003 ?
@@redm3red I'd read that, too, but alas - they used the same bearing, tight tolerances, and recommended engine oil throughout. Has yours run on 10W60 all along?
@@brentdcampbell I'm assuming that the BMW dealers that did the oil changes before I bought the car used the recommended oil. Good to know that the rod bearings are the same. All the forums I visited said BMW changed the bearings from 04 up. I had a PPI done and asked them to check the subframe before I bought it and it all seemed good. They did replaced the rear dif fluid. I'll look into the bearing issue againand see what is recommended. Thanks or the assistance. Cheers
nice my man, i have an 07 335i and a 06 e90 330i good cars. the turbo one has needed a water pump which i did myself w therm but now i have an engine malfunction light when i step on the throttle at 4k rpm. i threw plugs and coils in it and im tired of throwing parts at it. i have a boost leak and im having the shop next mon take a look as where i am stumped and have failed to fix it this time. great amazing cars when you address some issues. it happens wish me luck
I’m sorry to hear you’re having these issues. Have you tried using a code reader that could give you some good pointers on why your engine is giving your trouble?
@@brentdcampbell code reader said im having a boost leak, and a misfire in cylinder 4 but that was before the plug and coil. so im pretty sure i have a boost leak although could be an injector on cylinder 4
@@startingtech3900 Gotcha. Sorry to hear. I hope you can get it fixed.
@@brentdcampbell you ever have the engine malfunction light come on ur m5?
@@startingtech3900 Yep - when the ignition coils began to fail about 6 months ago. I figure it could have been a lot worse! I talk about the incident in the video here when going over 2020.
What do you think about the e53 4.8is suv? They’re becoming more rare everyday and used to the be the x5m of the day
I think they look great, have a huge V8, and can likely be had for a song...but there's a reason for that. I watch TH-cam channels where mechanics go on and on about how these are a maintenance nightmare. That said, I have the "worst" of them all - the E60 M5 with the V10! And it's not that bad...provided I look after it. If can find a well-maintained example and don't mind doing some of the work yourself, it might be a great buy. Are you looking to get one?
@@brentdcampbell yea been looking for one in clean condition to buy soon, it’s been hard to find one that’s not been in an accident or ragged out. I always buy used cars and would rather do the few thousands in maintenance every year and not worry about dings than have a big car note, insurance all that good stuff. You have a lot of patience to hold on and appreciate your vehicles for many years.
@@hardipusa Yeah - I can see that. I don't understand why people abuse these cars. They're awesome! And they'll stay that way if you simply maintain them. SMH.. But yeah - your rationale makes sense. Guess you'll need to be patient for the right one to come along.
Does that model have a n62 engine? It has the same displacement so I assume it’s a version of it. I have the N62TU in my 08 550i m pack. It’s a great engine and fun to drive.
@@FishFind3000 Yeah same N62 engine
Why did you end up replacing the oil pump? just piece of mind or failure?
Great question, and I don't have a clear answer - though I should, considering what the new oil pump cost. I still have the part, though my mechanic did the work. I had my mechanic replace the rod bearings bearings last summer, and while in there I asked them to replace what needed replacing, and they replaced the oil pump along with the engine mounts. I don't recall the specific reason, other than they said it was spent and needed to be replaced. This thread has some discussion about the issue: z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88970. If you have 100k+ miles on yours, it's a good preventative measure to replace it when you replace the rod bearings, yet given the cost if you're doing the wrenching yourself, it's likely best to hold off until if fails and you must replace it.
I have 2. Both '05's and one being a SMG. Other than routine maintenance I haven't had any major issues. I thought that I was going to have a serious issue with the SMG but after installing impa on the laptop I learned that my problem was with a position sensor. 300 dollars and a few hours under the car, which I could probably do in an hour now, and the car was functioning as new and hasn't given me another problem in the 2 years since I fixed it. Oh, I did have to pull the valve body for the VANOS, clean it out, new viton o rings and I re-soldered the electronic part myself. Actually, my kid with better eye sight did it for me and then I reattached the "lid" with 3M trim adhesive and it has held up for the last two years 3 years with no problems. I also removed the mechanical fans and installed soft-start pwm controlled SPAL fans.
I've had the manual for about 6 years and the SMG a little over 4 with about 5k miles each per year.
All in all, I'd say that they are very reliable, especially considering how high strung they are.
Of course now that Biden is in office and gas prices are going through the roof I'll probably end up selling one of them. Or both, depending on how much worse he makes the economy.
Interesting that you have two. Why is that? Is one for the track and the other for staying pristine? Though if you're going to have two of one car, the E46 M3 is a solid choice! It's also interesting that you have the perspective of continually going back and forth manual vs. the SMG. That's cool how you fixed the issues with SMG, VANOS, and the fans. I admire anyone who understands the mechanical aspects of the car well enough to work on it, let alone improve upon it! As for gas prices, I heard they turned the Colonial Pipeline back on, so we should be clear aside from the upcoming summer travel surge..
@@brentdcampbell
I wouldn't have the SMG car had it not been dirt cheap, yet very nicely maintained. Long story, but the guy I bought it from sold it to me for what he owed the bank, which was so little that I gave the guy an extra thousand. One of those at-the-right-place at-the-right-time deals that maybe happen a few times in a lifetime.
And to be honest, if I couldn't fix them myself, I couldn't afford either of them. Parts alone aren't cheap (oem) and labor at a local indy is way more than I'm willing to part with, so my love of working on sports cars is what influenced me more than any other reason to buy and keep them. That and, like you said, they're pretty reliable cars and so it's not often that I do need to fix one.
I was kind of joking about the gas thing. Kinda. I might still sell one of them though because I'm moving from Vegas to Florida and I don't see how to transport both of them. I'm too cheap to pay a company to do it and I already have to sell my daily so that I can trailer just one of the cars. lol first world problems that I'm sure no one cares about.
Anywho, I meant to mention that I liked your video and how you explained that the cars are pretty reliable and what it costs to own them so that people considering buying one will hopefully be convinced that the E46 platform is a good choice.
@@MrSpaz12 That's great you lucked into your second M3 for such a good price. They are pricey to maintain, but I'd rather throw more money at this for M parts than only a little less for a normal car. Life is too short to drive a boring car, after all. That said, that you do your own wrenching cuts your maintenance costs in half, and you get to know the car better for it.
If you don't "need" two cars, I suppose it is hard to justify them. Good luck with your decision. It'll be a tough one for sure!
Thanks for the kind words about the video. I'm glad it's been helpful.
You like like James Bond guy
Ha ha! I have no idea how you got that, but I'll take it!
The worst thing about this car in my opinion has to be the subframe issue. But oh well I absolutely love mine! I think it’s funny how most people don’t understand the value of this car... great video!
Thanks, Ramjam! And agreed re: the subframe issue. I’ll soon find out. You’ve dealt with yours?
@@brentdcampbell so the previous owner (who owned it for 9 years, babied it) had it done as preventative maintenance...I found out however, on the drivers side, the plate isn’t welded properly and so I have a hairline crack working it’s way up...now I marked it and drove the car for the rest of the summer like how I would and checked again, it hasn’t gotten worse but nonetheless it’ll need attention..ahh!!! I plan on keeping the car forever as it was my childhood dream car and I’m planning to even throw on a supercharger kit haha! But yeah the subframe issue is a very real thing!
@@syngates9876 It’s great you a well cared for car, and it’s better you got your dream car (was mine, too.) it’s too bad about the subframe issue, though. Great reminder for me to take care of this on mine ASAP.
@@brentdcampbell yeah Those kits most places sell (Turner Motorsport for example) will suffice for regular driving, and even occasional track, but take it from me, make sure they properly weld all around the plates! I also plan on doing the Valve adjustment, I’ll check out your other video :D
@@syngates9876 Yeah - I’ve been hearing about the importance of the welding. Did the valve adjustment this summer. The car felt like a rocket afterward!
the fact you paid $300 for 2 ignition coils to be replaced is hilarious regardless of the $1800 quote u got. Do it yourself for $40
While it’s possible I could do the job now - as it really is simple - there’s no way I could then. I’ll never forget the fear the BMW Service Center rep put into me trying to sell me on the job. Thankfully while I was waiting, I googled the problem and read up on the issue.
I will argue the subframe issue ... the subframe has 4 mounting points holding the diff to the chassis .
Yet only the front 2 mounting points take the load ( with the r/h side taking 80% of the load )
Why arent the two rear subframe mounts doing any work ?
No reason to weld in plates
Makes sense (though I’ve never gotten in close to inspect it, so I can’t say for sure one way or the other.) Are you saying enforcement isn’t necessary, or that plates don’t help?
@@brentdcampbell i have pictures saved on my phone which clearly shows only 2 of the 4 mounting bushes ( subframe ) support the load from the diff .
Im a 25 year qualified engineer , doesnt mean im correct but i know .
I spoke to the smartest aircraft engineer in our company ( he has 42 years ) and he agreed with me .... there is no need to weld or put in plates on the m3 (e46 )
The fault is the two rear subframe mounts .
I will keep posting this ( an engineers view ) as most ppl dont understand and will just spend $$$ to fix something that doesnt need to be fixed
@@MonkeeANDcheeky Thanks, Trent. It's kind of you to help the rest of us. So then, to make sure I'm understanding you correctly - you're saying that no welding or plates are needed, but the rear subframe mounts should be replaced?
How do you compare the fun of ownership with your m5?
Good question, Daniel. When it's just me, I'm happiest in the M3. It's just such a great driver's car; it feels like an extension of me, and it begs me to drive it fast. The M5 is more a special occasion car. When it's fully warmed up and out on the road, I continue to be shocked at how well it can move, yet you pay for that in gas, brakes, and everything else. For a road trip, there's nothing better, as very few cars are faster, and it gobbles up tarmac effortlessly and admirably. The M5 is the open-road rugby player. The M3 is the pocket-rocket tennis player. Both fun but in different ways.
So would you recommend buying a e46 m3 smg?
Absolutely! And give yourself a day to get the hang of it. In Sport mode, the throttle is very touchy.
Nice M3 but dang maintenance is expensive
Thanks. Well, as they say, you've gotta pay to play.. ;)
Not driving it often and frequent fluid changes is the key to keeping the bills down then?
No - I wouldn’t quite say that. Not abusing it helps, though.
Hey I have some one offering me a bmw e46 2001 at 125,000 miles for $2,100 USD. Does that sound to good to be true?
Hey Matt - Is it a M3, or a non-M? If non-M, that sounds right. If a M3, yeah, there’s a catch. There’s a list of repairs you should inquire about. Do you know which items these are? I talk about most of them in the video here. If the car appears to be in good shape (definitely have your mechanic look it over), you might be doing some pricey repairs, but in the end it may be a good buy - as it’s a great car that’ll only increase in value over time.
@@brentdcampbell It is a non-M. Yeah i think i might have a good deal on my hand.
Great video but don't let it idle like that!
Ha! Thank you. Please don’t worry; I never do. I’m crazy anal retentive about my cars, and I follow every rule obsessively. :) I just love the sound, know you guys do as well, and so I looped the audio clip as a soothing background noise while I spoke.
I was wondering if/when somebody might make this comment. I’m smiling real big now..
@@brentdcampbell haha I also fall into the category you mentioned so perhaps that's why.
@@m3nine11 Nothing wrong with that!
Dude, if you're going to present slides with prices, you can't just flash it for a millisecond. Give us a chance to read it.
Try using the pause button next time.
@@brentdcampbell of course i did! But not always easy to catch it at the right time. Thanks for the video nonetheless as it was informative.
@@theclutch19 FWIW, I did keep the slides up longer for the same video(s) I did for the M5. I learn a little from each video I make. I’m glad you found the video informative.
the e46 is still the best handling car money can buy.
Reliable and e46 m3 shouldn't be used in the same sentence.Ive had two and thats how I know those two words should never be used in the same sentence.There are built in problems that are going to happen,rod bearing failure,vanos problems,bushing turning to dust and if you mod the suspension the subframe might crack and render your car inoperable.
Listen man, why would you put your car to the dealer to change basic stuff....sparkplugs, coilovers, brakes, oils, filters...come on man ...
On the newer cars, I believe maintenance is free. Otherwise, I don’t know why anyone would.
@@brentdcampbell I was just wondering in 2014 new battery - 300 dollars 2 ignition coils 300 dollars? oil filter change...did you pay for that in 2014? or was that free...I mean i can buy everything for 300 dollars :D and replace it myself :D
@@AChannel669 I’m curious what you get out of hassling people like this. Does it make you feel better somehow?
@@brentdcampbellYou payed a lot of money you could of kept...its like giving someone money for free, i guess you aint one of those types who enjoy working on a car and master driving with it. have a good day
@@brentdcampbell Of course not, I just want you to start doing it yourself. you save money, you learn something. You have to be honest, even if people dont like it.
Let's be clear, a car that has required vanos repair, subframe reinforcement and rod bearings is NOT reliable. Those types of issare NOT normal and NEITHER acceptable. Bmws especially M cars are horrendously expensive to maintain compared to the norm.
The vanos is a wear and tear item, not really a reliability issue, subframe is a design defect not a reliability issue and the rod bearings is a preventative maintenance job. Theses cars are reliable, but neglected and poorly maintained will deteriorate. Common sense really, and like any machine the parts do not last forever. But it’s simple, the ‘M’ in Bmw m cars stands for money. If you buy one you will spend some, so if you don’t have some to spend on a ‘m’ don’t buy one.
VANOS, subframe and rod bearings are normal repairs for E46 M3. It's the price of admission. Acceptable or not isn't the point. It is what it is. If you can't get your head around these items, the E46 M3 isn't the car for you. They do have some shortcomings that can be expensive if they aren't taken care of preventatively, but if you take care of the preventative maintenance, they are amazing cars to drive.
This is a proper m3 not the 2021 💩model. It's an insult to all the m3.