| Vancouver Auto Chat 2016 VAC Community Head Moderator: Raid3n |
 | | 
09-27-2011, 04:42 PM
|
#1 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby
Posts: 1,171
Thanked 398 Times in 71 Posts
Failed 366 Times in 46 Posts
| Thoughts on E46 M3?
I am planning to get my first car in the near future and plan on purchasing an 04'-06' E46 M3. Does anyone have any experience with the car they could share? Pros/Cons?
inb4getyour"n"first
inb4notworthydriver
| 
|  | |
09-27-2011, 04:48 PM
|
#2 | | Willing to sell a family member for a few minutes on RS
Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Richmond
Posts: 13,420
Thanked 1,421 Times in 273 Posts
Failed 110 Times in 37 Posts
|
too much power for a barely noob 
__________________
Acura Integra Type R 00-1004 - It's back
223whp 161ft tq 2.0L ITR My Feedback | |
| | | This post thanked by: | BrRsn, busdriverman, C-Eng, cococly, dee242, El Bastardo, elkayem, jaretron, jmanhas, Manic!, MindBomber, monkeywrench, Oshiguru, rJZx, str8hustla, Supafly, swfk, taylor192, The_AK, tofu1413, twitchyzero | |
09-27-2011, 04:52 PM
|
#3 | | Everyone wants a piece of R S...
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: vancouver
Posts: 358
Thanked 318 Times in 52 Posts
Failed 20 Times in 8 Posts
|
Pros
Fun to drive
Make sure u get 6mt coupe, no cab, no smg pls.
Cons
Insurance
Maintenance
Fuel consumption
All cost a lot.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 04:59 PM
|
#4 | | Prince of the Apes
Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Abbotsford
Posts: 2,469
Thanked 3,046 Times in 672 Posts
Failed 1,163 Times in 238 Posts
|
wow man, i would rather get a older used car and use it as a learning experience.. bmw m3 as first car 
__________________
There's times in life where I want a relationship, but then I cum. Quote: |
[23-08, 13:17] nabs i've gripped ice boy's shaft before
| Quote: |
[26-08, 13:50] Jesusjuice is this a sports car forum? why are there so many hondas?
| | |
| | |
09-27-2011, 05:06 PM
|
#5 | | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,944
Thanked 13,521 Times in 1,745 Posts
Failed 2,239 Times in 545 Posts
| FAILS N TEST
WANTS BMW M3
__________________ PHOTOGRAPHY / FLICKR | |
| | | This post thanked by: | 604nguyen, asahai69, bloodmack, BMW135i, boostfever, BrRsn, busdriverman, dee242, ds226, E-40six, El Bastardo, EndLeSS8, exhil, Expresso, Fafine, Fcukedd, HonestTea, Jegz, jjson, jpark, JqC, k3lv, Kim Jong Un, Lamboda, lowda9, monkeywrench, nack, Nechako87, Oshiguru, PDKGD3, ray08, rJZx, sexyaccord, Skyline350gt, skylinergtr, SpuGen, Supafly, swfk, taylor192, The_AK, tofu1413, versep, vyrospec, XplicitLuder | |
09-27-2011, 05:06 PM
|
#6 | | First to fail !SG evar! Now i have yellow fever...
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,482
Thanked 2,431 Times in 475 Posts
Failed 358 Times in 115 Posts
|
E46 M3 is one of my all time favorite cars. SMG transmission on this model is notorious for problems, go with the manual..its more fun anyways. Insurance and maintenance are expensive, but fucking great all around car.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 05:13 PM
|
#7 | | My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 5,944
Thanked 13,521 Times in 1,745 Posts
Failed 2,239 Times in 545 Posts
| HAS NO LICENSE
WANTS BMW M3
__________________ PHOTOGRAPHY / FLICKR | |
| | | This post thanked by: | 604nguyen, Bender Unit, El Bastardo, EndLeSS8, EuroRepresent, exhil, Expresso, Gerbs, HonestTea, jjson, JqC, k3lv, Kim Jong Un, lowda9, monkeywrench, nack, Nechako87, Oshiguru, ray08, SpuGen, Supafly, swfk, tofu1413 | |
09-27-2011, 05:19 PM
|
#8 | | OMGWTFBBQ is a common word I say everyday
Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Coquitlam
Posts: 5,324
Thanked 3,782 Times in 1,242 Posts
Failed 533 Times in 187 Posts
|
Buy a Volvo, I hear they're safe and fast.
__________________
'16 Ram 1500
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 05:37 PM
|
#9 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby
Posts: 1,171
Thanked 398 Times in 71 Posts
Failed 366 Times in 46 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by ALEX1988  Pros
Fun to drive
Make sure u get 6mt coupe, no cab, no smg pls.
Cons
Insurance
Maintenance
Fuel consumption
All cost a lot. | Wait why no cab? I like it a lot more lol.
What kind of problems occur with the SMG?
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 05:46 PM
|
#10 | | Returner of Lost Phones and Turtles
Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 3,117
Thanked 3,997 Times in 963 Posts
Failed 217 Times in 69 Posts
|
I also vote for the 6 Speed, Coupe. Someone i know has one, extremely fun even to just ride in.
Its my dream "slightly affordable" car.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 05:47 PM
|
#11 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,341
Thanked 263 Times in 82 Posts
Failed 20 Times in 6 Posts
|
SMG hydraulic pumps seem to fail, but often times its just a relay that needs to be replaced. Mine was SMG and was perfectly fine for the 3 years I owned it. Watch out for problems once the car hits 100K km's. Try to get as low mileage as you can.
Common problems are rear subframe crack (on coupes), rear trailing arm bushings, alternator dying at around 100K km. It's a super fun car to drive. Just be prepared to pay for the maintenance. Requires special oil (Castrol 10W60) which is more expensive than most. You can get 400KM to a tank with moderate driving.
To date my favorite car I've owned (even after owning E92).
__________________
:makeout:
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 05:50 PM
|
#12 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby
Posts: 1,171
Thanked 398 Times in 71 Posts
Failed 366 Times in 46 Posts
|
^ The one I'm looking at says "brand new SMG transmission" is this good or bad?
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 06:32 PM
|
#13 | | OWNER/C.F.O./MONEYMAN
Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 16,486
Thanked 2,253 Times in 626 Posts
Failed 6 Times in 3 Posts
|
go for the manual, but they are hard to find.
there will always be some regular maintenance items you will need to take care of.
being as its a bmw, some can be pricey, so factor that in when purchasing the vehicle, cost of maintenance.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 06:40 PM
|
#14 | | G'd up! w000weee
Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 4,140
Thanked 225 Times in 84 Posts
Failed 46 Times in 19 Posts
|
Dude, don't get an M3 as your first car. You don't know much about the M3 to begin with.
In addition, you lack the general experience when it comes to maintaining cars due to your age.
I can tell you that I've learned a lot since owning my first car. From oil changes to lowering a car myself.
Honestly, you should get a cheaper, more reliable, car.
Get experience from driving and repairing that. When you get older, you can get something more fun to drive.
Edit: Unless you're ballin' rich, then you don't need to know anything. Just pay a shop/stealership and have them fix the issues for u =D
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 07:12 PM
|
#15 | | Who's naughty? I___i
Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: GVR
Posts: 805
Thanked 173 Times in 73 Posts
Failed 50 Times in 18 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Redlines_Daily E46 M3 is one of my all time favorite cars. SMG transmission on this model is notorious for problems, go with the manual..its more fun anyways. Insurance and maintenance are expensive, but fucking great all around car. | is that SMG in general or that specific SMG on the m3?
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 07:23 PM
|
#16 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby
Posts: 1,171
Thanked 398 Times in 71 Posts
Failed 366 Times in 46 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by mmmk Dude, don't get an M3 as your first car. You don't know much about the M3 to begin with.
In addition, you lack the general experience when it comes to maintaining cars due to your age.
I can tell you that I've learned a lot since owning my first car. From oil changes to lowering a car myself.
Honestly, you should get a cheaper, more reliable, car.
Get experience from driving and repairing that. When you get older, you can get something more fun to drive.
Edit: Unless you're ballin' rich, then you don't need to know anything. Just pay a shop/stealership and have them fix the issues for u =D | Thanks for the heads up and yeah money's not really the problem. I have an abnormal obsession with cars so I will learn and have taken automotive tech classes in high school. I will definitely look into other options though.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 07:33 PM
|
#17 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,341
Thanked 263 Times in 82 Posts
Failed 20 Times in 6 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Szeto is that SMG in general or that specific SMG on the m3? | There have only been 3 generations of SMG. None of them have been amazingly reliable. In concept it's pretty simple though, just a computer controlled hydraulic pump connected to a standard 6speed transmission.
If the past owner of the vehicle didnt' know how to drive SMG and drove it like a regular auto (ie. holding the car on a hill with the gas instead of brake), then things like the clutch will wear out faster and abnormally.
__________________
:makeout:
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 07:52 PM
|
#18 | | Banned (ABWS)
Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mid-levels, HK
Posts: 913
Thanked 1,336 Times in 198 Posts
Failed 1,266 Times in 145 Posts
|
i used to drive a manual phoenix yellow m3 with lime yellow interior
i give thumbs up to this car. Maintenance is not that expensive, only Inspection II is slightly noticeable. Oh and m cars (not sure other bmw's) rotors and brake pads gotta be changed together.
Also engine oil only takes in 10W60 synthetic oil. I had to refill mine every month (~$20 each time).
All forms of SMG sucks, even on the M5, just like the R-Tronic of R8. All shifts hella slow and laggy.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 07:58 PM
|
#19 | | RS.net, helping ugly ppl have sex since 2001
Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Vancouver
Posts: 8,341
Thanked 263 Times in 82 Posts
Failed 20 Times in 6 Posts
|
I dunno what car you were driving, but SMG is super fast. I'd like to see anyone shift as fast with a manual tranny as SMG does at redline. It's a very violent shift but its fast!
__________________
:makeout:
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 08:12 PM
|
#20 | | 14 dolla balla aint got nothing on me!
Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: ricemond
Posts: 682
Thanked 717 Times in 160 Posts
Failed 194 Times in 36 Posts
|
i have a 02 e46 m3
only thing i regret is getting smg instead of manual
but i got an amazing deal on it so i guess it works out
maintenance isn't that expensive (mine is 100% stock besides iforged wheels)
you can do most of the things yourself
insurance isn't that bad if you have discount
don't worry about getting used to driving it
it's amazingly simple and has the perfect amount of power
when you're ready, take off traction control
and have a shitload of fun
__________________
'99 SH Prelude - Sold Nov 2009
'02 E46 M3 - Bought Feb 2011
'18 BLACK TLX A SPEC - Daily Driver | |
| | |
09-27-2011, 08:40 PM
|
#21 | | RS.net, where our google ads make absolutely no sense!
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: VAncouver
Posts: 993
Thanked 864 Times in 179 Posts
Failed 98 Times in 44 Posts
|
You were about to make a left turn right into an incoming car during your test. Your examiner's not going to be there when someone plows through your M3. Get a safe, reliable car and drive around for a couple years so you don't destroy the car you love. And I would get a manual transmission, keeps you aware.
Otherwise I love that thing and would buy one if I had the money over all others in it's class.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 08:44 PM
|
#22 | | Throw yo paws in da air!
Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: State of Trance
Posts: 5,125
Thanked 2,779 Times in 957 Posts
Failed 217 Times in 61 Posts
| Quote:
Originally Posted by minoru_tanaka You were about to make a left turn right into an incoming car during your test. Your examiner's not going to be there when someone plows through your M3. Get a safe, reliable car and drive around for a couple years so you don't destroy the car you love. And I would get a manual transmission, keeps you aware.
Otherwise I love that thing and would buy one if I had the money over all others in it's class. | so you're saying that an m3 is not SAFE, RELIABLE CAR ? the car he gets has very little to do with how HE drives, im pretty sure an m3 is SAFE and a REALIABLE car 
__________________
Proud member of GRAPE Great Revscene Action Photography Enthusiasts
2008 Infiniti M45X - Y50 (Current)
2000 Honda Prelude SH (Sold)
1995 Dodge Spirit (Sold)
1998 Nissan Maxima SE (Sold)
1996 Honda Prelude SR-V (Sold) | |
| | |
09-27-2011, 08:46 PM
|
#23 | | RS Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: GTA
Posts: 29,866
Thanked 11,544 Times in 4,721 Posts
Failed 440 Times in 282 Posts
|
Get a manual transmission M3. Try to find one that has the cooling system replaced, brakes, suspension (tie rods, ball joints, control arm bushings, etc.) and has overall been maintained. Before you run out to the bank to take out all your pretty pennies, take the car in to a reputable BMW/European repair shop for a thorough pre-purchase inspection - you won't regret it.
Oh, my E36 M3 is for sale. 
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by BIC_BAWS I literally do not plan on buying another vehicle in my lifetime, assuming it doesn't get written off. | | 
| | |
09-27-2011, 08:46 PM
|
#24 | | Banned By Establishment
Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Burnaby
Posts: 1,171
Thanked 398 Times in 71 Posts
Failed 366 Times in 46 Posts
|
I learn't my lesson that day and have been triple checking my turns and only proceeding when I am sure it is safe. To be fair though it was the first time I drove in fog/heavy rain.
| |
| | |
09-27-2011, 08:48 PM
|
#25 | | Even when im right, revscene.net is still right!
Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: canada
Posts: 1,320
Thanked 851 Times in 266 Posts
Failed 181 Times in 21 Posts
|
Can you drive a manual? If not practice on a beater before getting an M3 lol.
| |
| | | |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:58 PM.
|
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!
The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!
