Blame some other projects with pushing this one back a bit–and we’re looking at you, Civic Si, even though we still miss you.
But here’s the reality with this one: The E46-chassis BMW still makes for an awesome car. A great engine, yes, but also good bones. Twenty years after its debut, the E46 remains a fan favorite. It works everywhere: road and track.
So it’s time to move our 2004 BMW M3 to the front burner.
What exactly does that mean? We have lots of things to discuss–like what to know when shopping for one today, what to expect once you get it home, and what care and feeling you’ll be expected to perform. How’s the market been? Let’s all take a look.
Are the rod bearings a ticking time bomb? What about torn subframe mounts and cooling issues? It’s all on the syllabus, and we have some expert professors lined up.
Think of this one as a reboot–like, well, like almost everything released by Hollywood these days. But, we promise, we’re not going to screw this one up. Time to get busy with our M3.
Excellent, I've been eyeballing a non-M E46 for my next Champcar build if I can't find a proper S2K for the job. Could you ask your experts to dive in on the rear subframe issues for M vs. non-M E46s? Are coupes or sedans the way to go? (i.e. 8th Gen Civic Si sedans had much better chassis performance than the coupe)
Can't wait!
In reply to DirtyBird222 :
I know a person or two who can answer your questions.
Huzzah! Looking forward to this series.
Excellent, looking forward to E46 info. I'm not sure how scared to be of the later BMWs, or whether the E46 is really too old to be trying to press it into The One Household DD role, but if nothing else, they still strike me as the last classically handsome BMW before I actually had to make a point of looking up how many generations there have been since then and how to tell them apart.
In reply to Ransom (Forum Supporter) :
And I think you nailed it--it’s like the last of the “classic” 3 Series cars. My parents owned both early and late E46s and enjoyed them.
Ransom (Forum Supporter) said:Excellent, looking forward to E46 info. I'm not sure how scared to be of the later BMWs, or whether the E46 is really too old to be trying to press it into The One Household DD role, but if nothing else, they still strike me as the last classically handsome BMW before I actually had to make a point of looking up how many generations there have been since then and how to tell them apart.
I think a well maintained one wouldn't be an issue. Outside of the rod bearings and subframe mounts, they just have the typical BMW/E46 stuff. Cooling system, window regulators.
It's not like say an E92 M3, where rod bearings, throttle body servos, DCT issues, etc.
I can already tell this is going to make me start shopping E46 prices...
What a clean and perfect example of an E46 M3. They are getting harder and harder to find.
I regret selling mine. The replacement M2 is fantastic. But I should have kept the M3 and sold my Miata to make room for the new car . .
ChrisTropea said:I can already tell this is going to make me start shopping E46 prices...
Still rocking the GTI?
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