An ode to the e46 m3, having your cake and eating it!

Cyrus

I have had this car since February now, and road tax cost aside i cannot think of a reason not to own one, and i think if i change this i will just get a newer one with some more kit.

without a doubt this car offers to best of every world to someone who doesn't need 4 doors. Skull crushing acceleration, nice handling, capable track car if thats your bag (not mine to be fair ), understated (in my opinion) looks yet still aggressive, lovely interior which has stood the test of time well and imo is better laid out than the new 3 and new 5 series.

And the best bit, i had a wedding this weekend in clare, i covered about 400 miles and according to the trip computer i averaged 30mpg (mostly motorway cruising at 80mph but some twisties aswell) granted i had the missus with me and apart from a few bursts of acceleration (which knocked my garming friction mount thingy into her lap ) it was pretty relaxed driving.

so basically i cannot think of a reason not to own one:o

just thought id share that

maidhc

Sounds good! How many miles are on your car?

TheBazman

Without a doubt they are a fantastic motor, and there is some (relatively) good value out there if looking to pick one up. I suppose my only comments would be that the type of driving that you achieved 30mpg is probably not representative of most peoples usual driving, so really I'd imagine low 20's is probably the norm. Also as you allude to yourself, probably not ideal for a family other than if the kids are very young or you have a more practical second motor.

I'd also like to think that the running costs may keep them reasonably rare on the roads, altho unfortunately they are becoming a bit more common out there

Henry Ford III

Sounds good. Happy motoring Cyrus.

Cyrus

There are now just over 51,000 miles on my car.

Baz, i do think servicing costs will keep ownership limited enough, this isnt a cheap car to maintain, tyres, oil, servicing, all more expensive than most people can stomach. it worth it to me tho.

i know the 30mpg isnt at all representative, but on a relaxed cross country cruise on motorways it is pretty impressive for a car like this. normal mpg would be 23-25 with a mix of 'spirited' driving and cruising.

here she is:

It will hopefully be my next car

Well wear. Have you done any messing about with the DSC turned off?

Edit: that is a nice example in the photo. I'm loving those rims.

Cyrus

ronoc wrote: »

It will hopefully be my next car

Well wear. Have you done any messing about with the DSC turned off?

Edit: that is a nice example in the photo. I'm loving those rims.

some good value now, altho ironically you are better off buying in ireland rather than importing as the vrt is prohibitive now!!

No non dsc messing done yet, maybe one day, ive heard its an animal with it off and easy to catch you out.

the wheels are genuine m3 csl wheels, lighter than the stock 19s and look better too thats my car in the pic

Rowley Birkin QC

TheBazman wrote: »

altho unfortunately they are becoming a bit more common out there

Still doesn't affect the driving pleasure derived by the individual behind the wheel does it?

Cyrus

TheBazman wrote: »

Without a doubt they are a fantastic motor, and there is some (relatively) good value out there if looking to pick one up. I suppose my only comments would be that the type of driving that you achieved 30mpg is probably not representative of most peoples usual driving, so really I'd imagine low 20's is probably the norm. Also as you allude to yourself, probably not ideal for a family other than if the kids are very young or you have a more practical second motor.

I'd also like to think that the running costs may keep them reasonably rare on the roads, altho unfortunately they are becoming a bit more common out there

to be fair aswell baz, even the e36 m3s havent really fell into the 'wrong' sort of hands, there are plenty of e36 and indeed e46 coupes tarted up and made look like dogs dinners but very few ms, you still see a lot of really well maintained e36 m3s

TheBazman

bigkev49 wrote: »

Still doesn't affect the driving pleasure derived by the individual behind the wheel does it?

Absolutely not - dont get me wrong, I am a huge fan. A mate had one in the UK and loved it.

I also agree that the older models are fairly uncommon, especially tarted ones. Hopefully the e46 will be the same in the years to come

unkel

Cheers to the happy owner

Cyrus

unkel wrote: »

Cheers to the happy owner

cheers back

Any big bills so far or on the horizon?

Cyrus

well insp 2 service cost me about 1,100, from a trusted independent garage, including an uprated diff oil.

tyres are a fortune if you stick with michelin ps2s.

apart from that nothing i havent expected...yet

Victor_M

Cyrus wrote: »

I have had this car since February now, and road tax cost aside i cannot think of a reason not to own one, and i think if i change this i will just get a newer one with some more kit.

without a doubt this car offers to best of every world to someone who doesn't need 4 doors. Skull crushing acceleration, nice handling, capable track car if thats your bag (not mine to be fair ), understated (in my opinion) looks yet still aggressive, lovely interior which has stood the test of time well and imo is better laid out than the new 3 and new 5 series.

And the best bit, i had a wedding this weekend in clare, i covered about 400 miles and according to the trip computer i averaged 30mpg (mostly motorway cruising at 80mph but some twisties aswell) granted i had the missus with me and apart from a few bursts of acceleration (which knocked my garming friction mount thingy into her lap ) it was pretty relaxed driving.

so basically i cannot think of a reason not to own one:o

just thought id share that

Amen to that - It really is a very capable all round car, I have a 3 year old who fits perfectly in the back, you can fit 5 full grown adults into it comfortably(4 very comfortably for long journeys) getting in and out of the back seats is a little bit inconvenient compared to a 4 door but the looks make up for that.

I'm on my 4th E46 coupe at the moment and really don't know what to go for next, there is nothing out there (in my price range) that catches my eye as much as the M3 as Cyrus said I may well just get a newer version of the same car, when ever changing time comes around.

kdevitt

TheBazman wrote: »

I suppose my only comments would be that the type of driving that you achieved 30mpg is probably not representative of most peoples usual driving, so really I'd imagine low 20's is probably the norm.

My current MPG average is 29.7 on mine... think its about right - will be alot lower if nothing but trips to the shops and town are all you do.

Bandara

she's a beauty Cyrus

I just picked up a stunner 330ci (the limited edition Clubsport version), sits right in between the 330ci and the M3.

Just couldn't rustle up the extra 8k for the M3, someday I'll have one though.

sronoc

OP, what considerations would you make if buying another one? Im gettin a coupe SMG in the next few months. Prob 02/03.

Zonda999

Cyrus wrote: »

here she is:

Thats a beautiful motor.Well ware with it.Love the thought of owning any M3.It is a supercar in most respects, i do believe.Pity no insurance company would touch me for another 10 years or so:mad:

Cyrus

Zonda999 wrote: »

Thats a beautiful motor.Well ware with it.Love the thought of owning any M3.It is a supercar in most respects, i do believe.Pity no insurance company would touch me for another 10 years or so:mad:

thank you, dunno what your circumstances are with regard to insurance but im 27, 2 points, full licence for 9 years, 7 years NCB, insurance is under 900 fully comp, full ncb protect

Cyrus

sronoc wrote: »

OP, what considerations would you make if buying another one? Im gettin a coupe SMG in the next few months. Prob 02/03.

if it was me personally i would get a manual as if the smg goes wrong its expensive to fix, and it will eventually go wrong.

id try get the built in sat nav etc, just because it looks so good!

definately get one with the 19" wheels, and try get one that has had its first insp2 completed if the cars you are looking at are around 45-50,000 miles.

also the 'running in service' at 1,200 is very important, check that this done.

apart from that then its the colour combos, the grey is lovely, either the older steel grey or the newer silver grey, mine is carbon black which is a nice very dark navy is most lights, estoril blue looks good too

jimbling

I was so close to buying one of these less than 6 months ago.... u were giving me advice at the time too cyrus. But alas, my financial budget took a hit right before I could. :mad:
absolutely stunning car... and well wear.
Hopefully in a year or two I'll have the funds available to me again.

For now, im looking at a hot hatch to keep me going.

Seperate

Cyrus wrote: »

apart from that then its the colour combos, the grey is lovely, either the older steel grey or the newer silver grey, mine is carbon black which is a nice very dark navy is most lights, estoril blue looks good too

Having worked on a good few 'Carbon Black' M3's - it's not black, nor is it navy. It's dark purple. They just call it black so you don't feel too girly

Cyrus

tis navy i tells ya

cabrwab

Show Off!

I know i would be doing the same given half the chance!
Fair play OP long may it wear

quarryman

I'm on the upgrade path to a e46 M3 someday I reckon

e36 318iS
e36 323i (current car)
e46 325/330 (next car possibly)

then maybe an M3 but there are so many limiting factors,
Insurance,
Fuel costs (don't know how you are managing 30MPG, I have NEVER got that on my 323i though i am in a lot of traffic)
Theft target (I'd never be able to relax with it parked on the street)
Tax (€1500 a year is it, I find it tough to cough up the 900 for mine)

I reckon I will own one someday but it will be for no more than a year, just to get it out of my system, then probably back to something a bit more sensible

Cyrus

quarryman wrote: »

I'm on the upgrade path to a e46 M3 someday I reckon

e36 318iS
e36 323i (current car)
e46 325/330 (next car possibly)

then maybe an M3 but there are so many limiting factors,
Insurance,
Fuel costs (don't know how you are managing 30MPG, I have NEVER got that on my 323i though i am in a lot of traffic)
Theft target (I'd never be able to relax with it parked on the street)
Tax (€1500 a year is it, I find it tough to cough up the 900 for mine)

I reckon I will own one someday but it will be for no more than a year, just to get it out of my system, then probably back to something a bit more sensible

looks like the path alright ive gone e46 323ci to e39 530i sport to the m3

to be fair 30 mpg is at a sustained cruise and isnt indicative of normal driving. Mine is parked underground, the road tax hurts a lot tho

sronoc

Cyrus wrote: »

thank you, dunno what your circumstances are with regard to insurance but im 27, 2 points, full licence for 9 years, 7 years NCB, insurance is under 900 fully comp, full ncb protect

I'm in similar situation, 26, 2 points, full NCB, licence 8 yrs......best i can get is €1400. Who did you get your insurance with?

Zonda999

Cyrus wrote: »

thank you, dunno what your circumstances are with regard to insurance but im 27, 2 points, full licence for 9 years, 7 years NCB, insurance is under 900 fully comp, full ncb protect

That aint too bad at all, i have to say.Only 8 years away from that myself!!!I'll probably pick up more than 2 points in that time, mind:rolleyes:

boomboombazza

good man cyrus!

for those who can't stomach the cost of an E46 M3 i can say i'm just as happy in the E36 M3. I was out for a blast today and my god, 6 months on and the thing just blows me away every time.:eek:

cyrus stop being a pussy and turn the DSC off. mine's almost 300 bhp and doesn't even have traction control:cool:. it's great, you learn how to correct oversteer fast or else your cars in the ditch:D

heres mine. cyrus its autotrader btw

sronoc

Cyrus wrote: »

thank you, dunno what your circumstances are with regard to insurance but im 27, 2 points, full licence for 9 years, 7 years NCB, insurance is under 900 fully comp, full ncb protect

Im in similar situation, 26, 2 points, full NCB, licence 8 yrs...... best I can get so far is 1400. What company are you insured with?

boomboombazza

sronoc wrote: »

Im in similar situation, 26, 2 points, full NCB, licence 8 yrs...... best I can get so far is 1400. What company are you insured with?

i'm 22 3yrs no claims, full licence. €1750 fully comp with britton on the M3

Cyrus

sronoc wrote: »

Im in similar situation, 26, 2 points, full NCB, licence 8 yrs...... best I can get so far is 1400. What company are you insured with?

eagle star thro a broker, let me know if you want her number

Cyrus

boomboombazza wrote: »

good man cyrus!

for those who can't stomach the cost of an E46 M3 i can say i'm just as happy in the E36 M3. I was out for a blast today and my god, 6 months on and the thing just blows me away every time.:eek:

cyrus stop being a pussy and turn the DSC off. mine's almost 300 bhp and doesn't even have traction control:cool:. it's great, you learn how to correct oversteer fast or else your cars in the ditch:D

heres mine. cyrus its autotrader btw

quarryman

e36 M3s seem to be coming down in price a little due to the fuel price pinch.


http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/M3/Evolution-Irish/963064/


Maybe, just maybe in the New Year.....

boomboombazza

quarryman wrote: »

e36 M3s seem to be coming down in price a little due to the fuel price pinch.


http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/BMW/M3/Evolution-Irish/963064/


Maybe, just maybe in the New Year.....

to be honest if you can't afford to buy one now you wont be able to run one. just a friendly word of advice as they do cost a fortune to keep on the road. put it this way aside from the €8750to buy that car budget in the first year insurance say €1400,tyres €800, inspection2 €1200, tax disc €1500 plus about €100 per week on petrol if you drive it at all. so thats an additional 5 grand before petrol and assuming nothing brakes. budget about €3000 if the vanos goes which it does on the EVO's

don't get me wrong i absolutly love mine but make sure you can afford to run one not just buy one:)

VH

as well as the vanos problems what other problems is one likely to encounter on an older e36 m3? what alternatives - ie similar or more power for similar or less money are there to an e36?

boomboombazza

VH wrote: »

as well as the vanos problems what other problems is one likely to encounter on an older e36 m3? what alternatives - ie similar or more power for similar or less money are there to an e36?

not alot really unless you go jap turbo which are generally unreilable. at the time BMW were the first to break the 100 hp/litre from a NA engine. i'm struggling to think of an NA car that can hold a match to an E36 M3 (from the same generation and similar money)


don't get me wrong the vanos thing isn't a huge problem. it's not a problem on the 3.0 M3 as that had a more reliable single vanos. the 3.2 M3 evo had a twin vanos which less reliable but still not alot to worry about on a well maintained car. other than that they are pretty bullet proof.

VH

boomboombazza wrote: »

at the time BMW were the first to break the 100 hp/litre from a NA engine.

that was 1996 - hadnt all the japs done 100bhp a litre by then - i used drive a 1994 175bhp 1.6 litre mitsubishi

do you think the jap turbos are unreliable - say a supra for example?

don't get me wrong the vanos thing isn't a huge problem.

it's not a huge problem but its expensive to fix - there are other things that go in these cars - i drive a 535 that currently has a dead cat and a head gasket thats leaking as well as clunking going on in the back which i havent looked at but i know is bushes

boomboombazza

VH wrote: »

that was 1996 - hadnt all the japs done 100bhp a litre by then? do you think the jap turbos are unreliable - say a supra for example?

the japs had done it using turbos. i said from an NA engine. i do think the jap turbos are unreliable. i don't know much about supra's but why anyone would buy one is beyond me as the E36 M3 EVO is just as powerful with out 2 turbos give or take a horse or 2. anyone i know with a turbo seems to be always having trouble. i don't want to get in to a turbo vs non turbo thing here as i've already ****ted all over cyrus's thread. i was just trying to think of similar performance for similar money and i couldn't with out going turbo

quarryman

VH wrote: »

it's not a huge problem but its expensive to fix - there are other things that go in these cars - i drive a 535 that currently has a dead cat and a head gasket thats leaking as well as clunking going on in the back which i havent looked at but i know is bushes

budget €2000 for that lot.

VH

boomboombazza wrote: »

the japs had done it using turbos.

no - wikipedia shows
1989 honda b16 = 1.6 NA 160/170bhp
1992 mitsu 4g92 = 1.6 NA 175bhp
1993 mitsu 6a12 = 2.0 NA 200bhp
1994 honda b18 = 1.8 NA 190bhp
1996 toyota 4age 20v = 1.6 NA 162bhp
1997 nissan sr16ve = 1.6 NA 173bhp

none use turbos

my points are that the older m3s while great value for money and no doubt super - i havent driven one - will have like all older cars a few bits that need doing - and also the m3 isnt the only show in town - unkel has a fantastic porsche iirc that cost him not much and the also the japs made their names on reliability if nothing else

right now if i was going to buy a moderately priced m3 or supra i think i'd go for the supra - if both cars were in similar nick and similar price - as the supra like any turbo charged car - has massive potential for more power

altho i wouldnt rule out the m3 either

Cyrus

VH wrote: »

no - wikipedia shows
1989 honda b16 = 1.6 NA 160/170bhp
1992 mitsu 4g92 = 1.6 NA 175bhp
1993 mitsu 6a12 = 2.0 NA 200bhp
1994 honda b18 = 1.8 NA 190bhp
1996 toyota 4age 20v = 1.6 NA 162bhp
1997 nissan sr16ve = 1.6 NA 173bhp

none use turbos

my points are that the older m3s while great value for money and no doubt super - i havent driven one - will have like all older cars a few bits that need doing - and also the m3 isnt the only show in town - unkel has a fantastic porsche iirc that cost him not much and the also the japs made their names on reliability if nothing else

right now if i was going to buy a moderately priced m3 or supra i think i'd go for the supra - if both cars were in similar nick and similar price - as the supra like any turbo charged car - has massive potential for more power

altho i wouldnt rule out the m3 either

did they have any na cars with over 200 brake tho?

i know those cars listed are relatively quick but they arent fast.

i realise a modded supra is a monster btw:P

Gary ITR

I love the look of the Supra and the power, but the tacky jap interior does my head in. The M3 is leagues above the jap cars, the power, the looks and then it's also a nice place to sit.

The interior is a huge priority for me when choosing a car

VH

Cyrus wrote: »

did they have any na cars with over 200 brake tho?

that wasnt the original argument - 100bhp a litre. but pre 1996 i dont think so - dont forget they had that 280bhp limit thing anyway

Onkle wrote:

The interior is a huge priority for me when choosing a car

this has been done to the death already

kdevitt

VH wrote: »

that wasnt the original argument - 100bhp a litre. but pre 1996 i dont think so - dont forget they had that 280bhp limit thing anyway

this has been done to the death already

Civic was the first with 100 BHP per litre alright - although I think it was the B16A2, and not 1989's B16A1 - which was a 1.6 litre with just under 160BHP I think. BMW were so impressed with the technology they tried to buy it off them apparently.

To return to the original thread - car is looking very well Cyrus.

Wolverine_1999

M3s are diabolically overprices in Ireland. A brand new M3 costs ~€120k in Ireland, and costs ~€70k in Germany. Besides the fact that the cars get destroyed by the Irish roads, especially even in the cities, (my bones after driving through Dublin city..), I don't see a reason to keep one of these cars in Ireland.

Having said that, an M3 is every young fella's wet dream

Victor_M

Wolverine_1999 wrote: »

M3s are diabolically overprices in Ireland. A brand new M3 costs ~€120k in Ireland, and costs ~€70k in Germany. Besides the fact that the cars get destroyed by the Irish roads, especially even in the cities, (my bones after driving through Dublin city..), I don't see a reason to keep one of these cars in Ireland.

Having said that, an M3 is every young fella's wet dream

Same can be said for every car bought in Ireland if that's the case, you won't find any cars that are cheaper here than the UK or the rest of Europe so it pretty much a moot point you've made there.

Cyrus' original point was that as a combination of performance, practicality and looks go it's a very good all rounder.

DaveD

Looking great Cyrus :cool:

Can't agree more, the M3 is without a doubt one of the best all rounder everyday cars out there. Easily the best car i've ever owned but just don't get to drive it enough these days !

Cyrus

if i was changing mine dave id go for a newer one in your colour and do the exact mods you have then,

id say you will be sorry to see her go

Seperate

DaveD wrote: »

Looking great Cyrus :cool:

Can't agree more, the M3 is without a doubt one of the best all rounder everyday cars out there. Easily the best car i've ever owned but just don't get to drive it enough these days !

Whats going to be next Dave?