Any E46 M3 owners on the board?

dang

dang

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I'm sure there are... I have a "fun" car that needs some work (clutch, timing belt, etc) and it has to wait until I'm done with a '73 tii so I have the garage space. To hold me over in the meantime I'm buying a 2001 M3 that my company has. I was the one that bought it at auction with the intent of parting it out, but after it got here I realized how easy a fix it is and decided to buy it. Salvage title insurance car, but that doesn't bother me. 120k, 6-speed manual, black interior that's like new, body very nice with no damage. The car did some off-pavement driving and took out the left side suspension and wheels but managed to spare the body work.

I'll post photos soon...

Dan
 
Hey Dan,

We bought one last year and love it. I've wanted an e46 M3 convertible since they came out. Finding a nice 6 speed convertible turned out to be a real challenge. I was looking for Silver Gray with an Imola Red interior, when I found this one I jumped on it - everything I wanted except the red guts. It's a 2004, two owner car, with 42K miles (now 47K). All stock except the BBS RKs which I found before I bought the car.

Nothing better on a warm evening for driving on some of the fun roads we have around here.
 

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I had an E36 M3 sedan up until recently and still have my E46 5 speed wagon with Sport package. I think the E46 is a great platform. The end of an era, just at the point where cars were getting too much tech. I went to the car show today and yawned my way through the BMW display.
My show highlights were the Porsche Cayman GTS, the new Miata, the Golf Type R and the Vette.
 
Thanks Mario!

I'm a little crazy when it comes to wheels. Whenever I buy a car, my wife will ask how much are the new wheels and tires going to cost.
 
Have an '06 330CI ZHP; absolutely love it. Surgical steering, aggressive brakes, and the last great looking BMW as far as I'm concerned...
 
I have the 330i brakes and ZHP steering wheel and sports seats on my wagon. I wish i had your engine, as I bet it is just about perfect in terms of balance.
 
I had it on the lift last night and started replacing damaged parts. Looks like I'll need to remove (or move) the diff to replace the lateral arm and spring perch. Bolts won't clear. Bummer. On the bright side, the previous owner had Turner Motorsport bushings in the trailing arms. Not a huge deal but goes along with how the rest of the car looks... well maintained and a few tasteful upgrades.
 
On the road... Still sorting a few things out but getting close to being a daily driver. Here's a "dirty" picture..
 

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A co-worker is selling a 2001 330 convertible, manual transmission. California car, first owner, never hit, with 109kmiles. I drove it yesterday, it feels tight and pulls strong.
Here are a couple of pictures. Asking in the 5k$ range.

It is not mine and I am not selling it, but can put people in touch with the seller. I would get it if I did not have a full stable yet.
 

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Nicad said:
That looks like a fine car for 5K.
Click to expand...

Well, I took it for $3500 to save my co-worker from donating it and then getting audited.

I waxed it, got the top down, and hope to pass it on this week for the same $3500 before I bond with it.

If I keep it I will need to hire a valet for my driveway... One friend may buy it tomorrow, otherwise, please help me.

Apologies for being in the wrong section as an E46 thread continuation...
 

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I haven't driven one. Can it put a grin on ones face? Curious what your driving experience is like.
That sounds like a nice deal for someone. 10$ per horsepower. Even at canadian 5k$ sounds good if it has your stamp of approval?
Maybe blue74csa will trade you his coupe? Don't you need another?

The thing that scares me is its probly too complicated to work on one for the shade tree guy I am. That's why I have old cars. Sort of advanced lawnmowers8)
 
I race in the new Spec E46 Series, it's a class based on the 2001-2005 BMW 330. These cars are AWESOME, and the best bang for the buck out there right now. They're at the bottom of the depreciation curve, unlike E30s, which are going up in value, and E36s, which are also starting to increase if they're nice examples (and so many aren't). Most people building these into Spec E46s are spending less than $4K on a donor with around 150K miles. Just plan on replacing the cooling system and all intake hoses/pipes, none of which is expensive.

Here's my car at VIR:
 

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I too took the plunge.
I was tired of driving a Sequoia.

2001 6 speed with 104k when I bought it in April.

Done a few maintenance items and installed a media bridge for phone and Sirius radio.
Had to have ABS/DSC module rebuilt. Supposed to come today. We'll see if that works.

Looked for 4 months before I found this car.

Laguna Seca Blue with gray interior.

Not going to mess with it much. Already have two hot rods with the tweaked M5 and the Weber/cam/piston motor in the 3.0CS.

Sure is fun to drive................

Gary
 

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restart said:
I haven't driven one. Can it put a grin on ones face? Curious what your driving experience is like.
That sounds like a nice deal for someone. 10$ per horsepower. Even at canadian 5k$ sounds good if it has your stamp of approval?
Maybe blue74csa will trade you his coupe? Don't you need another?

The thing that scares me is its probly too complicated to work on one for the shade tree guy I am. That's why I have old cars. Sort of advanced lawnmowers8)
Click to expand...

Yes it can put grin on your face, especially the 330i. I have a 325I. What is great about it is that it is always easy to keep it at whatever the speed limit is. The 325 engine is super smooth. I prefer the dimensions of this 3 series to the current model and also think the interior is better than the previous E92. $3500 for a rust free E46 is great. My only hesitation is that it is a California ULEV model. They have a $6000 fuel pump integrated with the gas tank. from what I remember reading (You have to change the gas tank and remove the sub frame to change the pump as it is one piece) .
 
Well I gave the car to my friend for one day and he decided to keep it...His daughter is really happy.

You guys were absolutely right. One day is the shortest I have owned a car!
 
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