What should I be weary about when I buy an E46M?

[415Banker]

Ok...here it goes...

By Feb of 09, I'm planning to get an E46 M Coupe...Preferably Black on White with navi and stick...somewhere in the range of 50k miles, stock would be a plus...i want to build it from scratch...

Is there an MY i should avoid? My budget is <25K...and nope I'm not selling the touring either...

I haven't done my homework much...

What are the things that I should be keen about when I need a PPI done on a coupe?

All help is appreciated!

[JTrejo]

just make sure you turbo charge it hpf!!! lol

[415Banker]

just make sure you turbo charge it hpf!!! lol

funny thing is =)...this will be my DD =)...the touring is gonna be the track rat =)...

[JTrejo]

sweet

[415Banker]

any pointers though josh?

[nismo skyline]

watch out for subframe damage and make sure all the recalls have been done

[M threezzzyy]

to ad to his ^

check the carfax report well
look at all the body line and make sure that line up.
my carfax report was clean but my cars hood and front end doesnt line up like my friends stock e46. also my airbag curtain on the front windshield pillar is halfway ripped. CHECK EVERY NUT AND BOLT. report might not have everything listed.

[415Banker]

the cooling system is a character flaw on the E39s...anything like that for the E46M?

[415Banker]

watch out for subframe damage and make sure all the recalls have been done

thanks! i learn something new everyday =)...about the recalls? which ones are the BIGGER concerns?

to ad to his ^

check the carfax report well
look at all the body line and make sure that line up.
my carfax report was clean but my cars hood and front end doesnt line up like my friends stock e46. also my airbag curtain on the front windshield pillar is halfway ripped. CHECK EVERY NUT AND BOLT. report might not have everything listed.

i hear u on that one! =)...carfax = EPIC FAIL...

that's why a PPI is the route to go...thanks for the body line pointer!

[MarqE46]

I'd love to see the touring tearing up the track!!

[t3stman]

Make sure the previous owner do all the regular tuneups especially the Inspection I and/or II.

[415Banker]

I'd love to see the touring tearing up the track!!

+1!

it's getting there =)! gotta get better suspension tuning =)...and smaller wheels =P

Make sure the previous owner do all the regular tuneups especially the Inspection I and/or II.

thanks thomas!!! =)

[Bimmerlifestyle]

wow jo really .. nice bro ... cant wait to see you in it :)

[Orange fever]

dont get blk.....
stay with AW..keep it in the fam

[415Banker]

dont get blk.....
stay with AW..keep it in the fam

yup =) black on white...black interior and of course AW powah =)...but it'll be painted right away too =)...

[Nstg8tR]

Do it Jo! E46's take on winning any show!:D

I would look into an late 03-up, bearing issue. Checking for recalls is certainly very important, PPI is a must.

[Mattie]

if i were you, id go with 2003.5. after the rob bearing recalls. maybe 2005+ just to be on the safe side. something with less miles. 2005+ just has more options. theres a TON more.

[Orange fever]

yup =) black on white...black interior and of course AW powah =)...but it'll be painted right away too =)...

oh i 4got ur painting it pink.:p........................

[415Banker]

Do it Jo! E46's take on winning any show!:D

I would look into an late 03-up, bearing issue. Checking for recalls is certainly very important, PPI is a must.

if i were you, id go with 2003.5. after the rob bearing recalls. maybe 2005+ just to be on the safe side. something with less miles. 2005+ just has more options. theres a TON more.

taking down notes =)... thanks guys!!!

oh i 4got ur painting it pink.:p........................

hahahaha...actually i was thinking pearl white or the nsx green =)...

[HARLEY]

i would expect to replace things like rtabs , maybe coils, in other words just set aside some do for unexpected changes, afterall it is an M, and most of us drive them a little harder than the average person.

[Bimmerlifestyle]

hahahaha...actually i was thinking pearl white or the nsx green =)...

pearl white will look so sexxy
oh man i just got wet lol

[415Banker]

i would expect to replace things like rtabs , maybe coils, in other words just set aside some do for unexpected changes, afterall it is an M, and most of us drive them a little harder than the average person.

maintenance always comes first in my books =) thanks for the tip =)!!!

pearl white will look so sexxy
oh man i just got wet lol

:rofl: hope it'll have the same effect on chicks =P

[yellowfever]

ok jo, the number 1 thing and the most important thing to look for when buying an e46 is, to make sure jayare nevered owned it. lol

[nismo skyline]

lol damn owned

[yellowfever]

damn nobody check these threads anymore ehh. lol

[///NEM3SES]

All mechanics/maintenance/ etc issues have pretty much been listed so I wont go into that.

What I tell my friends to be weary about is that you need to be able to be content with this car. The fact that maintenance etc. on this car is expensive is a given.

I'm talking about being weary that there is lots to choose from in this price range and you need to make sure this is trully the car u want. When I was in the market for mine for example:

I was weary of the following:
Other car manufacterers have,
-abundance of model choices in the same price range
- most manufacturers would be newer models ($25-30K=alot of options)
- most could find for alot lower miles (E46 ended in 2006, some are 08")
- 330 hp isnt alot anymore some have more power & cost the same example: v8s (ie: corvettes)
- most come with full warranty/maintenance already included in price
- newer styling/more desirable by mainstream (hence the reason many ditch the e46 for the e92 IMO- because we all know e46>e92 haha)

My conclusion is this:
If your a devoted fan of the E4 M3, then none of this will matter... so I hope you all make the right choice CHEERS!

FIY: NEM3SES is my second e46 M3 lol

[415Banker]

ok jo, the number 1 thing and the most important thing to look for when buying an e46 is, to make sure jayare nevered owned it. lol

lol damn owned

damn nobody check these threads anymore ehh. lol

y so? =) jayare that bad of an e46er? =P

All mechanics/maintenance/ etc issues have pretty much been listed so I wont go into that.

What I tell my friends to be weary about is that you need to be able to be content with this car. The fact that maintenance etc. on this car is expensive is a given.

I'm talking about being weary that there is lots to choose from in this price range and you need to make sure this is trully the car u want. When I was in the market for mine for example:

I was weary of the following:
Other car manufacterers have,
-abundance of model choices in the same price range
- most manufacturers would be newer models ($25-30K=alot of options)
- most could find for alot lower miles (E46 ended in 2006, some are 08")
- 330 hp isnt alot anymore some have more power & cost the same example: v8s (ie: corvettes)
- most come with full warranty/maintenance already included in price
- newer styling/more desirable by mainstream (hence the reason many ditch the e46 for the e92 IMO- because we all know e46>e92 haha)

My conclusion is this:
If your a devoted fan of the E4 M3, then none of this will matter... so I hope you all make the right choice CHEERS!

FIY: NEM3SES is my second e46 M3 lol

u see thats the thing...i'm toying around with the E46 M3 idea for the longest time....but i also want to get an E30 M3 again...but i'm also looking into getting a 996...