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?
Think you need hours to take the perfect car photo? We only needed 20 seconds.
As it turns out, the owner's manual does have valuable information in it.
Does your BMW really need rod bearings? Well, we found out.
Was it a mistake to fit camber/caster plates to our M3?
Did we break a subframe mount?
Rain doesn't always have to spoil a car meet.
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?
Some cars can benefit from bigger brakes, but do all cars really need them?
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 for an oil change.
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.
Our E46 M3 gets a new set of wheels.
Can you save 15% or more with Hagerty?
We have our Takata airbag replaced.
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.
