multi-link (rear)
We've chronicled our adventures in E30-chassis and E36-chassis BMW M3s, but what's life like with an E46-chassis example?
Some cars can benefit from bigger brakes, but do all cars really need them?
When the steering in our E46-chassis BMW M3 went from vague to more than vague, we knew something needed fixing.
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.
Time to swap over to lugs? Your preferred vendor might offer more than one solution.
As it turns out, the owner's manual does have valuable information in it–like what that warning light on the dash means.
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.
Guess what's in this BimmerWorld box correctly, you'll win the satisfaction of having the correct guess.
The coughing and sputtering our M3 did after some laps had us worried. So we called BimmerWorld for help.
An eye-opening realization? BMW isn’t likely to stock replacements of the special M3 parts forever.
Does your BMW really need new rod bearings? Well, we found out.
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 …
Don't be so worried about the number on the odometer, get out there and have fun with your car.
Think you need hours to take the perfect car photo? We only needed 20 seconds.
Was it a mistake to fit camber/caster plates to our M3?
Did we break a subframe mount?
Driving our BMW M3 is cool, except when the A/C goes lukewarm.
How to buy your own E46-chassis BMW M3.
BMWs from then and today.
Checking out some cool cars and hot racing.
More camber, most caster.
Sure, going fast is great and all, but what about going to a simple gathering of like-minded enthusiasts?
By going down a wheel size on our E46 M3 project car, we managed to save a little more money on consumables like tires.
Why leave part of the electrical system open to the elements?
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.
If you ignore that battery drain, sadly, it won't fix itself.
Clutch, shift, repeat.
Oil changes: Ya gotta do them.
Apex offers 17-inch wheels for M3 track day participants.
Converting our BMW from bolts to wheel studs.
Sisal checker floor mats: Because they look rad.
Time to order tires for our E46-chassis BMW M3. Ideally something sticky. And black. And round.
How do you create a fully square setup on an E46-chassis BMW M3? With wheel spacers.
E46-chassis BMW front strut reinforcement plates: Necessary or not?
The M3 needed coil-overs. Can’t have stock ride height, right?
What’s one of the biggest weak points on the E46-chassis BMW? The rear subframe mounts.
Know what every successful project needs, no matter the scope or subject? A goal.
What can James Clay teach others contemplating a business built around a passion, and how is BimmerWorld weathering the current storm?
It’s time to move this one to the front burner.
We add some new suspension bits, plus wheels and tires.
Few things slow down our project car progress more effectively than a broken arm.
When we bought our 2004 BMW M3, a big, big question loomed: How were those rod bearings?
The E46-chassis M3 tops their list of cars to buy now.
The E46-chassis BMW has a bit of a bad secret, and it lies near its heart.
Nothing like a road trip in your new M3.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
James Clay from BimmerWorld gives our M3 a once-over.
After years of lusting, we finally have our own E46-chassis BMW M3.
