2004 BMW M3

We've chronicled our adventures in E30-chassis and E36-chassis BMW M3s, but what's life like with an E46-chassis example?

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2004 BMW M3

Latest updates

Dec
01
Dec 1, 2024 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 M3 | E46 | Wheel Studs
Wheel studs: What you need to know before making the switch

Time to swap over to lugs? Your preferred vendor might offer more than one solution.

Nov
24
GRM+ | Nov 24, 2024 | BMW | brakes | BMW M3 | Project car
E46 M3 brakes don't feel right? How to tell if it's the ABS/DSC unit

After an investigation into why the brakes on our E46-chassis M3 felt off, we soon found ourselves on a quest to replace–and reprogram–the seemingly impossible.

Nov
17
Nov 17, 2024 | BMW | brakes | M3 | Big Brake Kit
Do all cars really need bigger brakes?

Some cars can benefit from bigger brakes, but do all cars really need them?

Nov
05
Nov 5, 2024 | BMW | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 M3 | E46 | E46 BMW M3 | E46 BMW | Redline Bimmer
One simple trick to restore the steering feel of your E46 BMW

When the steering in our E46-chassis BMW M3 went from vague to more than vague, we knew something needed fixing.

Sep
22
Sep 22, 2024 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | E46 M3 | E46 | Warning Light
Figuring out what that warning light actually means

As it turns out, the owner's manual does have valuable information in it–like what that warning light on the dash means.

Sep
06
Sep 6, 2024 | BMW | FIRM | BMW M3 | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 M3 | E46 | Track Car | Track Test | Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park | BMW E46 M3
Can our E46 M3 run with a new Hyundai Elantra N?

Our E46 M3 project car is a street car built for the occasional track day. How does it compare to a new Hyundai Elantra N on track? Let's find out.

Feb
15
Feb 15, 2024 | BMW | M3 | E46 M3 | E46 | hvac
How we easily fixed our M3’s HVAC

Unlike some BMW repairs, fixing the A/C blower in our E46 M3 was as simple as replacing a small part that lives behind the glovebox.

Nov
21
Nov 21, 2023 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 M3 | E46 | BMW E46 M3
What’s in this BimmerWorld box?

Guess what's in this BimmerWorld box correctly, you'll win the satisfaction of having the correct guess.

Oct
24
Oct 24, 2023 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 M3 | E46
Maybe our stumbling was just a result of bad gas?

The coughing and sputtering our M3 did after some laps had us worried. So we called BimmerWorld for help.

Sep
05
Sep 5, 2023 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 M3 | E46 | BMW E46 M3
Perhaps now is the time to stock up on those special M3 parts

An eye-opening realization? BMW isn’t likely to stock replacements of the special M3 parts forever.

Aug
29
Aug 29, 2023 | BMW | BMW M3 | BimmerWorld | Red Line Bimmer Performance | Rod Bearings | Red Line Oil
BMW rod bearings: What is the real story here?

Does your BMW really need new rod bearings? Well, we found out.

Jul
18
Jul 18, 2023 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | E46 M3 | E46 | leather | Lithium Auto Care
A more cost effective alternative to buying new seat covers?

Seeing as replacement leather seat covers for our E46 M3 can cost hundreds of dollars, why not first try a $30 product that just might be able to prevent further …

Jun
12
Jun 12, 2023 | BMW | $2000 Challenge | BMW M3 | M3 | Hagerty | E46 M3 | E46 | Cars & Caffeine | BMW E46 M3
A friendly reminder: cars are meant to be driven

Don't be so worried about the number on the odometer, get out there and have fun with your car.

Apr
03
Apr 3, 2023 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | Photography | E46 M3
How to take a decent photo of your car in less than 20 seconds

Think you need hours to take the perfect car photo? We only needed 20 seconds.

Oct
10
Oct 10, 2022 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | BimmerWorld | E46 | Vorshalg
Vorshlag M3 camber plates: hot or not? | Project E46-chassis BMW M3

Was it a mistake to fit camber/caster plates to our M3?

Sep
12
Sep 12, 2022 | BMW | BMW M3 | M3 | E46 M3 | A/C | Air Conditioning | Spiker Motorsports
Does anyone really know how automotive a/c works? | E46-chassis BMW M3

Driving our BMW M3 is cool, except when the A/C goes lukewarm.

Aug
28
Aug 28, 2022 | BMW | BimmerWorld
E46-chassis BMW M3 buyer guide | Project E46-chassis BMW M3

How to buy your own E46-chassis BMW M3.

Jun
23
Jun
13
Apr
28
Apr
22
Apr 22, 2022 | BMW
Can we occasionally slow down just to take in some car culture? | E46-chassis BMW M3 project

Sure, going fast is great and all, but what about going to a simple gathering of like-minded enthusiasts?

Apr
14
Apr 14, 2022 | BMW
Do we like chonky boi tires? | E46-chassis BMW M3 project

By going down a wheel size on our E46 M3 project car, we managed to save a little more money on consumables like tires.

Mar
28
Mar 28, 2022 | BMW
How to nip a potential electrical short in the bud | E46-chassis BMW M3 project

Why leave part of the electrical system open to the elements?

Oct
21
Oct 21, 2021 | BMW
The Orlando BMW scene comes alive at night (pics) | E46 BMW M3 project

What did we see at Ace Café's BMW night? A legit M3 Lightweight, lots of great-looking BMWs and–perhaps most importantly–people coming together over the love of cars.

May
22
May 22, 2021 | BMW
How to methodically find the battery drain in our E46–and fit an Optima battery, too | Project BMW M3

If you ignore that battery drain, sadly, it won't fix itself.

Dec
30
Dec 30, 2020 | BMW
How to Easily Change the Oil on a Lowered Car | Project BMW M3

Oil changes: Ya gotta do them.

Dec
24
Dec 24, 2020 | BMW
Lowering Our Track Day Budget Via 17-Inch Apex Wheels on Our E46-Chassis M3 | Project BMW M3

Apex offers 17-inch wheels for M3 track day participants.

Dec
04
Dec 4, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Installing Wheel Studs and Wheel Spacers

Converting our BMW from bolts to wheel studs.

Oct
14
Sep
30
Sep 30, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: What Oil to Use in That S54 Engine?

Time for an oil change.

Jun
26
Jun 26, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Dipping Into the Yokohama Catalog for Some Sticky Street Tires

Time to order tires for our E46-chassis BMW M3. Ideally something sticky. And black. And round.

Jun
12
Jun 12, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Spacers and Square Wheels for Our E46

How do you create a fully square setup on an E46-chassis BMW M3? With wheel spacers.

May
27
May 27, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Does Your E46 Need Front Strut Reinforcement Plates?

E46-chassis BMW front strut reinforcement plates: Necessary or not?

May
22
May 22, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Bilstein B16 Coil-Overs for Our E46

The M3 needed coil-overs. Can’t have stock ride height, right?

May
20
May 20, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: E46 Bushings and Subframe Mounts

What’s one of the biggest weak points on the E46-chassis BMW? The rear subframe mounts.

May
15
May 15, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Setting Goals

Know what every successful project needs, no matter the scope or subject? A goal.

May
12
May 12, 2020 | BMW
Project BMW M3: How BimmerWorld Grew a BMW Passion Into a BMW Business

What can James Clay teach others contemplating a business built around a passion, and how is BimmerWorld weathering the current storm?

Apr
23
Apr 23, 2020 | BMW
Moving the M3 to the Front Burner

It’s time to move this one to the front burner.

Sep
27
Sep 27, 2018 | BMW
Project BMW M3: Our Car Gets a New Foundation

We add some new suspension bits, plus wheels and tires.

Apr
27
Apr 27, 2017 | BMW
Slight Project Pause for Our BMW M3

Few things slow down our project car progress more effectively than a broken arm.

Mar
07
Mar 7, 2017 | BMW
Squaring Up Our M3

Our E46 M3 gets a new set of wheels.

Jan
19
Jan 19, 2017 | BMW
Speciality Insurance for Our Special M3?

Can you save 15% or more with Hagerty?

Jan
06
Jan 6, 2017 | BMW
Airbags for Our M3

We have our Takata airbag replaced.

Dec
27
Dec 27, 2016 | BMW
The Blackstone Oil Analysis for Our M3 Says…

When we bought our 2004 BMW M3, a big, big question loomed: How were those rod bearings?

Dec
23
Dec 23, 2016 | BMW
Hagerty Just Said It: Buy an E46-Chassis BMW M3 Now

The E46-chassis M3 tops their list of cars to buy now.

Oct
27
Oct 27, 2016 | BMW
Fresh Red Line Fluids for Our High-Revving M3

The E46-chassis BMW has a bit of a bad secret, and it lies near its heart.

Oct
26
Oct 26, 2016 | BMW
Gobbling Up the Miles (and BBQ) With Our M3

Nothing like a road trip in your new M3.

Oct
04
Oct 4, 2016 | BMW
Fresh Powerflex Bushings for Our BMW M3

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Sep
27
Sep 27, 2016 | BMW
First Stop With Our New M3: BimmerWorld

James Clay from BimmerWorld gives our M3 a once-over.

Sep
20
Sep 20, 2016 | BMW
Meet the Latest GRM Addition: an E46-Chassis BMW M3.

After years of lusting, we finally have our own E46-chassis BMW M3.

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