The Help Danny Pick a New Car Thread.

[rThor432]

I really do appreciate your experienced input, if you think of anything else I should watch out for in a 60k-80k mile 2003-2005 m3 please let me know!

I could name a few things, especially if I had a car on a lift to give me a few 'visual reminders'. I've been working primarily on Porsches for the past 3-4 months and I've only touched 10 or so BMW's in that time period.

I can tell you for sure to check the passenger (right..) side output flange on the differential for play. You can find the play by grabbing the axle and pushing/pulling it up and down. I've seen a ton of those (probably 90% of E46 M3's I've worked on..). I saw one blow up at the drag strip once too, that wasn't good. The bearing for the passenger output flange is to blame. A lot of people live with it on the street, but I would be inclined to fail it on a tech inspection for a track event..

The constant pressure valves are also very bad about leaking oil down the passenger side of the engine block.

I've started seeing VANOS problems in some of the later cars and I've been researching that a bit more lately. Seems like the 2003.5+ production cars might have some VANOS bits made of cheaper metals or something. You can Google that and find lots of info on the failures. Some people attribute it to bolts backing out on the cam gears and others say that the gears are to blame for being weak. I think a little bit of red Loctite on a set of new bolts would remedy that issue.

They are pretty damn reliable cars. One of my customers just rolled over 160k in his 2002 6-speed car. It has been rock solid since day one and only recently lost a single coil pack. I also replaced the constant pressure valve due to the failed o-ring that seals it. Other than that it hasn't had a single hiccup in all of those miles. The diff output shaft does have play, but it has had that for years now- since I first saw it.

And I'll stop talking now until you've even decided that you are going to get an E46 M3. It's late and I can't sleep, so for some reason I automatically think to come here and write a novel about E46's.

[Eric]

I just skimmed this thread, but i'd agree with most people... my 20K list

1. E46 M3

2. 07 Sti

3. EVO

4. Perfect FD Rx7

5. CTS-V

Also for that kind of money you could step into a brand new hatch. They might be FWD, but these cars are tons of fun. MKVIGTi, MINI Cooper S (get the clubman), etc.

[Inline Sex]

2003-2005 330Ci ZHP package + Supercharger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD7UYi7BSjA

[e30trooper]

ill be the first to say it,

DSM

99 GSX , 4g63 turbo , awd ( basicly a evo with out mivec )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwNzbcEXudE&feature=related

8sec 1st gen dsm.

im sorry this car will shit on any HPF e46 m

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG3PbW6U-6o

fastest 4 cyl is a dsm 4g63

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHv_jKJVQ-Q&feature=related

ive allways wanted a dsm and still might get one. only a gsx tho

[e30trooper]

2003-2005 330Ci ZHP package + Supercharger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD7UYi7BSjA

theres a guy on r3v that had a 330ci S/C for sale on the cheap

[Danny]

2003-2005 330Ci ZHP package + Supercharger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD7UYi7BSjA

that's illegal for CA.

Main reason to buy an e46 m3 would be because I could save money NOT modifying it beyond maybe shocks/springs and wheels/tires.

[e30trooper]

i posted this last night ,
94 supra TT
18,500

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/2129350203.html

[ak-]

Don't put an s2k on your option list. You'll get over that car in a month..
Get another e30 and save your money Danny. That contracted job sounds promising.

[Inline Sex]

oh wow, this state sucks

[Yeee30]

that's illegal for CA.

Main reason to buy an e46 m3 would be because I could save money NOT modifying it beyond maybe shocks/springs and wheels/tires.

don't get an e46m...... way too much money to maintain.

just my 2cents.

u can buy my car. i'll give u a great deal.

[Danny]

don't get an e46m...... way too much money to maintain.

just my 2cents.

u can buy my car. i'll give u a great deal.

Text'd.

[mikeedler]

mini is the sux!!! worst quality in the world. after 6 months- you cant even get the rusted ass headlight mount screws out of em.

sounds like its pretty much settled, E46 M3 it is.
I will say one thing though-- mark my words, within the max. of 1 year you will go and buy another e30 too. E46 is a great car, just becomes a bit boring for a real enthusiast.- not a bad thing, being that just means its a comfortable daily car, just not as raw and fun as an E30, plus you are going to be mising the tinkering around part a ton too. what are you going to play with on an E46 M3- change the color of the LEDs? not to much fun cheap stuff to play with on em.

[e30guydownunder]

Maybe an evo/sti?

Just get something with boost. Mods will be fairly cheap to get it going and evo/sti have such a large aftermarket.

Sure it's rice, but if all you wanna do is go fast, there is no better way to do it.

(Sold DD E30, bought GT Legacy, besides the constant issues with an old Subaru, I'm loving it)

[Huff]

Danny, find a good condition 4-door E36 M3. I'm a staunch E36 hater, but I have always loved the 4-door M3.

I've been looking at these too. On the plus side Danny, you'll know the motor in and out. The interiors are okay 'cause all the 4 doors and late models (the glue was changed by then). They are all s52's and most 4 door's have been ragged on from some teenagers....

Though, like most, I do like the e46 M3's. My

[Jonny Cash]

Get another e30 and save your money Danny.

^

Go get a solid, reliable 318is and save save save while you still have the luxury of living at home. Be smart man. e46- big money pit, and insurance at your age out in north California- get bent over. Dont do it.

-Jay