BMW M3 (E46) | Buyer's guide with Everything M3s
The BMW M3 is without doubt one of our all time favorites. E46 M3s have been particularly popular on Collecting Cars and so we decided to go and meet Darragh Doyle from Everything M3’s to take a closer look at the E46 generation and discuss what you should consider if you are thinking of buying one.
What make or model shall we do an in-depth buyer's guide on next?
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
07:58 - Things to look for on higher mileage cars
09:54 - Exterior cosmetics
10:22 - Looking underneath the car
14:13 - Cracks in boot floors
16:00 - Worn differentials
18:58 - Rear trailing arm bushes
19:22 - Floor pan grommets
21:44 - The engine, what to check
22:16 - Vanos
24:35 - Availability of spare parts
26:14 - Head gasket failure
29:30 - Oil cooler and AC Condenser
32:30 - Interiors
36:48 - E46 CSL drive
41:48 - E46 M3 drive
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Honestly would love to see you invest more into this type of content, fits Collecting Cars so well! Not even looking at E46s but found this interesting :)
I’ve got two E46 M3 cabs, 53/ 54 plates silver grey & phoenix yellow 48K & 52K both spilt mint, FBMWSH , 1 owner from new on each, both SMG …. Absolutely perfect.👌
As an E46 M3 owner the past 8 years I've never come across a more helpful garage and video. Amazing work guys. Thank you. Philip. Dublin.
It's rare day that I would sit and listen to guys talk about the details this long, but you gave so much great information, Well done.
Having had an E46 M3, this is pure gold. Great content. Should have this more for collectible cars with high production numbers. You’ll make a lot of people very happy!
Love the fact that standard M3 has 280k miles, good to see one being used and maintained properly!
I love my 46M car. 16 years and counting, truly an incredible timeless classic ❤❤❤❤
The E46 M3 is the best ever selling M3 of all time. The most successful M3. 2001 to 2006 the entire planet went M3 crazy. The good thing about that, is that because so many were sold, there are a lot of affordable ones. If you don't care about having a rare car, and your prefer rwd, it's a must have. Plus, the S54 engine, is the best naturally aspirated inline six engine ever made. The inline six that doesn't need a snail bolted on to it. Say whatever you want about RB26 and 2JZ, without a turbo those engines are nothing.
What are you talking about? They only made 50k and another 29k convertibles. That's nothing! Instant classic. I own a 02 e46 m3 convertible myself.
I watched it a few months ago, deliberately forgot about it and watched again today. See you in couple of months.
The E46 M3 wasn't "the last naturally aspirated straight 6 cylinder M car". That accolade belongs to the Z4 M Coupe, which also had the S54 engine through to 2008. That car also had the CSL hydraulic steering and brakes. And no rear subframe issues!
I think they meant the last naturally aspirated six cylinder M3
@@johnmitchell2269 very clearly said "M car", but you may be right. 😊
I also have a z4m coupe it’s great
The s54 was made for the E46. It was also installed in the z3m at the end of its cycle and the Z4m. E46 wasn't the last M car with a 6 cylinder naturally aspirated engine but do understand what he means by that.
Z4M Coupes are one of those cars I like to look at and appreciate it, but I feel “most people” would never choose to own one of the e46 m3.
Long live the 46M!!! Arguably the greatest M car ever produced. The S54 with that carbon intake is what legendary engines are made of(and sound). Its the M car that blends analog with enough modern tech that makes it a capable track car as well as a sporty, engaging daily driver. I'm keeping mine forever.
Best M3 documentary I've ever seen so far. I took my M3 to Daragh for a diff replacement. They found a few more things, including new rear brake pipes not done properly by a garage in London, which was extremely dangerous. Can't wait to book the car in to them to do the 2 big jobs and anything else that needs changing. Definitely recommend these guys.
Where are they, want to take mine
@@ythjkl2881 Banbury.
Just sold my M4 to get one of these. Cant fricken wait, goals to get her down to 3000lbs
Wow that’s a long video & I enjoyed every second of it 😂 have a lot of knowledge on the e46 m3 having owned one for 3 years but still found it very informative,thanks for posting
didn't think I'd watch the whole thing. I'm not even on the market. great content. that CSL is just perfect now
I have an SMG converted 6MT. I loved the CSL SMG as a daily. "On it" - no question the SMG is more exciting. People don't want tot admit it, but a 1-2-3-4 in SMG is way more intense. Lambo kept this tech for decades for a reason. As a daily the problem is at certain rev/speed/throttle combinations gear changes are awkward. You have to actively think about what will happen if you pull the paddle now - could buck, slap or lag. Going fast in it a non issue, and the SMG downshift is fucking sick on SMG. So I'd buy an MK60 SMG car for cheaper and wait for it to break / convert so SMG.
That's my plan too
@@ArtVandelayOfficial gidddy up!
I totally agree, especially the 'sick' downshift part. Most people don't know how to drive the SMG gearbox. It's a fine art.
Thanks for this great content … when I see this and think about the ugliness of the latest M3, I just want to cry … 😢
Brilliant vid and having had the 4.1 diff fitted by Darrough at everythingM3 can say he's a top man and knows everything about these fantastic cars, i just wished he was closer to London, will hopefully be seeing him soon to get the diff oil changed
Was reading an advertisement on a car the other day converted from SMG to manual.By theses guys making feel like another e46 manual coming on . Quality content. Cheers.
This is the mechanic anyone should want
Im never selling mine!
Lucky man 👍. I'm never selling my M2 - perhaps it'll be on KZhead in 2042 😂
Me neither 🔒
Same here, I’m getting buried in mine😂
Lucky guy✊🏻...wish i had one
You and me both 😂
Love it, every time I drive it, it makes me smile sooooo much
Wow. I'm astounded by all the repairs.
Great content and this guy really knows his stuff!!
Bought a manual one last month.❤
I had inspection 2 on my BMW E 46 M3 at BMW West Sussex and it completely change the way the engine revved out/redlined. It was so much smoother & quicker.
Darragh is the oracle on these cars, probably won’t get as many views as the more flashy stuff but this content is fantastic
I love my 04 m3 so much.. I will never sell it, most reliable car I've ever owned.
Buy a standard manual, fit a carbon airbox, ohlins road and track, suspension bushes, alignment etc, bmw 6 pot front with csl discs, 4 pot 996 rear, engine tune and if doing head gasket cams, shorter diff, short shift kit. It’ll then drive better than a csl! Do some weight reduction and boom you’ll smoke it for £20k less.
More of this please. So good.
Did a ground up restoration on a 03 M3 6 speed I picked up for 3 grand a few years ago, I normally restore domestic muscle cars and sell them but after getting to know every nut and bolt on this car its now since joined my collection and is my favorite car to drive... I also have a 2014 Subaru STI and a 600+HP blown 70 RS camaro... I would suggest anyone who has the opertunity to get there hands on one of these they do ASAP they are getting rare...
You really gotta be careful with these. Finding someone who put the money into maintaining them is really key. You don't want to be putting a grand here and there into bushings, gasket leaks, and other shit like that, even without the big three. It's an old performance car, and they never got cheaper to maintain, just cheaper to buy in to. Absolutely love mine... when it runs lol.
The good thing, is that there are still plenty of people, who don't spend 100% of their budget on a used car. There are people who will spend 70% of their budget on an iconic used car, and invest the rest onto their new purchase.
I had mine for nearly a decade now. I kept up the FBMWSH for the first few years, but have maintained it myself since to a high standard. Excluding fuel, tax and insurance I have averaged spending £2k a year on it - I have not done the RACP/rod bearings/head gasket. It's a very expensive car to run.
Brilliant, loved that insight…..really appreciate everyone’s input to create. Further rallies me on to get one bought….just can’t bring myself to sacrifice the incumbent toy (ep3 track/road spec)
Really enjoyed this one. Learned a lot.
My CSL with SMG is extremely snappy. Most people don't change the gearbox springs so they get delays. I changed it when I did my rear main seal and it's amazing
Wanted one 15 years ago, still want one now
Check out our auction platform for some suitable options!
This is BRILLIANT content … you have something here to compliment your core business - go do this for 911,968,AMG,S4,Alpha….
Excellent content, really interesting and true content about the whole car. Only 2 additional points : 1. Where can i find a real CSL for 50K pounds 😅 in Germany they cost almost double as much ;) 2. Owning a fully maintained SMG E46 M3 Coupé with the latest original CSL gearbox software version. This drives absolutely amazing, i would never switch to a manual gearbox. Functioning fantastic on the racetrack. Switches gears almost as a modern DKG and it is THE ICONIC item for the e46 M3, you cant just replace that, it belongs to the car ;)
Good alternative & ’best of both worlds’ - Z4M Coupe. No bootfloor cracking, 75kg lighter & all manual too. M3 CSL steering rack & brakes. Much cheaper & better looking (imho..)
Totally agree love my z4m coupe
Join the club! Awesome car, only starting to be recognised for the M qualities it has in spades! Oh, I have one too 🤣😊
Owned one for 3 years back in 2008- 2011 and regret selling, haven’t really dropped in value since then either
better looking? nah
I didn't know I needed this but I do.
This channel is doing car reviews like non other!
Recommend taking a look at Savagegeese’s channel, they’ve been using a similar format for a long time as well. Very informative
Thank you for your kind words! Look forward to putting out more videos for everyone 😍
You should cover the convertible as well. So cool driving the motorways with the top down. How much better can life be than in an M3, top down in the summer….
Had an e46 m3 vert from 60/85k miles never missed a beat. Did get the feeling something was about to go pop towards the end.. turns out the vanos went after I sold it 😅 but I miss that car, the smell, the sound, the feeling of actually driving it was a true M car when it hooked up and shifted down by, and you got used to the box.. what a car like a living machine. Had golf r, c63 Amg, and all sorts since . Not even touched it.
Need an M5 (E39) episode! (BTW is this the same shop working on Drivetribe M5 wagon?)
That mechanic!!! He is the man
Great review! Owned a Z4m coupe and e92 m3 but never an E46 m3. Maybe time to change that. Very knowledgeable chap with a nice Tudor BlackBay too!
Z4m coupe is better
Enzo is quickly becoming a star.
I bought my e46 from collecting cars love it!!!
Already bought one!😉
My e46 m3 does about 2k or so miles per year now. Going to retire it in a few years and try and do a bit of restoration underneath on it. She loves to be used that’s the problem, gremlins seem to creep in more after longer periods of not using it.
And since the E46 and E39 BMW has never been the same. This era was peak “ultimate driving machine."
Good day Sir, Great review and video - very informative. I have a 2003 E46M3 SMG. Is it normal, when driving the car aggressively, to hear a "thud" sound from the rear when changing gears? It's the same when using the gear "stick" or the paddle shifters
Best M3 ever👍🥇
Great review I am not a German car guy but M3 E46 is best M3 I prefer NA cars over turbo
Great to hear the experts on this. I think if I was buying one, I’d need to get a specialist report before doing a deal. Otherwise you could spend £10k on a car and have a bill for another £10k to rectify faults. Very useful video thanks 🙏
If you are going to purchase an M3 for 10K or less, then guaranteed you will be spending another 5k to fix it up properly.
@@djlakota8907 you’re probably right. I think I’d want to buy one which had been worked in by Redish Motorsport in Bristol. Those guys do good work, the kind of work that BMW should probably have done from new. One day.
Bought a black 2006 convertible few weeks ago
Excellent review bu not fully complete. As a M3 E46 owner ("fully" restored),2002 model 85000 miles, manual box. I did subframe reinforcement, new suspension (Ohlins R&T), new bushings everywhere (power flex black) except the diff bushing , new engine mounts, clutch, flywheel, rod bearings, valve adjustment. That was it for for the restauration... a couple of weeks ago: strange "ticking" noise, that was the coming from the rocker arms (8 were worn). That tends to happen more and more regarding the age of the car and probably the lack of valves adjustments from the previous owner... Anyway that was expensive (3000€+ at a Bmw specialist in Belgium). And my last bill were the cardan shafts (between the diff and the wheels) with were worn and making awful noise. Just to say that you better put some money aside to cope for the worst... Anyway I don't regret my choice, such a pure and engaging classic BMW.
The best they ever made. All round, nothing beats it. They've made FAR more beautiful cars, they made FAR faster cars in every aspect, they've made fern more iconic cars and much better sounding cars (yes the V10 sounded better - deal with it). But nothing actually beats this exact model of M3 all round. It's the Mario of cars. My mate bought a gold one of these the day they were on sale, cash, and it's still up there for me alongside with the NSX that a different friend had (in a bright light silver yon rarely see), as the coolest cars I have ever seen,
All time favourite car is the E46 CSL
Smaller bits: rear parking sensors, roof headlining, bootlid catch, hydraulic boot lid struts, loose front window seals, small battery does not like to be unused for long. Loved my CS & dream car. But perishables spenny!
Mine has and always does destroy my wallet on a regular basis. However it’s the one car I have held on to and intend to keep.
I was interested until you went to look at the crack in the floor and we couldn't get to see it. Please edit this stuff in as i feel its really important to the overall quality of the production.
Great video but one thing is you can still get new S54s albeit are £6-7k for a bare engine. Can also still buy the csl rear diffuser... At 2k however 😅 Surprised Darragh didn't mention rod bearings either too given they're the one thing that can render an engine scrap without warning! Least with vanos and head gasket, you'll get a warning. Making the CSL manual makes so much sense though. They were made towards the end of '02 to and of '03 however... Most just weren't registered until late '04 as they sat in dealers for quite a bit as weren't initially great sellers. With a 4.1 cwp, they'll still be geared for 180mph too so realistically doesn't drop the top speed capability of the car at all unless has alot more power such as a supercharger etc. With a 3.63, They're geared for over 200 but obviously don't have the power for it so it's pointless other than for abit more refinement at motorway speeds.
I managed to bag the last diffuser May last year just in case they went permanently NLA, got a good price on it via a friends staff discount. Still in its box in my shed, In 2 minds still wether to fit it or save it to sell later on
@@o0IChrisI0o yea, you'd be tempted to just fit a decent replica one in case it was ever damaged or stolen! 🙈 I've a genuine bootlid for mine alright and a vorsteiner bonnet. Only have a replica bumper but just couldn't justify the real deal when they're so fragile given its mainly a nurburgring and track toy.
Perfect proportions, there’s nothing like it for miles.
A normal M3 is a really tricky proposition right now. There are few that won't require restoration - a very expensive exercise - and they're just not valuable enough yet to make that financially viable. So you gotta consider whether you're gonna buy one to keep long term 15 years plus - where they will regain this will in terms of a higher value, otherwise it's best to opt for something else. A decent M2 manual can be bought for £30K-£35K and it puts the purchase of one of these into perspective.
The video would have been top-notch had you used decent lighting when doing the camera shots underneath so we could see exactly where you were looking and visuals of the examples being talked about. Nevertheless, very interesting. thanks
Great content, just a question about floor cracking. Is it true that on convertible cars the cracks are less common as the chassis is more rigid and also are rod bearings a big issue on e46 m3? Or frequent oil change does help and no need to worry?
Rod bearings can go anywhere from 40000-100000 miles depending on how frequently the oil changes were done and how hard the car was driven. Seems like a crap shoot for the most part honestly but as long as you're putting quality oil in between 3000-5000 miles (or sooner if you track it often) and doing oil analysis to keep an eye on metals, you should be fine. Rod bearings are a consumable in these cars and should just be done for peace of mind every 60000 miles. I personally run Liquimoly 10w60 with Ceratec every 3k. I'm at 48k miles and already planning on doing the shells next year just to be done with them for a few years. As far as verts not cracking, that's a myth. They suffer the same issues as the rest of the E46 line up with subframe cracks. There's a little more reinforcement back there, but it doesn't help prevent anything from deteriorating.
They crack very slightly less but still crack but it's also more difficult to do a proper reinforcement job on them so it's 6 and half dozen really.
@@Birdrunner54 Yep, i agree with this. And for anybody reading this: Do not drive any other oil than 10W60 on the M3, you really can´t stress enough to not drive any thinner oil as the VANOS will fail eventually otherwise! And i would add to keep an eye (or rather ear 😅) out for the cam chain tensioners.
can you make a video on how to relense the front lights please! i keep getting stuck on removing the washer!
i have one and an extra s54 in the garage collecting dust. may buy a used z3 and do a s54 swap in the future if the world doesnt end
God I love E46 M3's 😍 Almost there with my 330ci... Just missing all of the key ingredients
The 330ci is a great motor. I owned one for a few years before I upgraded to my e46 m3.
@@NaughtyNick5 I know, I love it really. Ideally I'd have both! 330 daily, M3 toy 🙌
330ci is a great car and a great BMW.......but.....an M3 is leagues better. Make sure you upgrade if you can. I couldn't believe the difference.
I daily an e46 325i coupe and have the M3 for fun 😊 awesome motor cars 😎
I love seeing e46's advertised as "boot floor inspected" Some chav looked in the boot. The cracks are harder to find than most underlying medical conditions. There's 2 types, cracked and repaired.
Exactly! Need everything off and degrease, paint off etc. Huge job in itself, just inspection. May aswell just do all the reinforcement
That owners thing. When I get a new car, I tend to get things done on it. I don't think I've ever bought a car, used it and then sold it, without doing stuff . Possibly because I always think I'll be keeping it and I rarely do. I can't be the only one that always services or repairs a new ( to me) car. That's why multiple owners are not always a bad thing.
I agree with you and tend to go over a whole car and spend way too much money just rectifying previous dodgy repairs and then selling at a massive loss! Multiple owners isn't always a bad thing but it does really affect the resale value on a car like this
I have a bone stock 2004 M3 SMG Carbon Schwarz with very very low kms. Should I leave as is or convert the SMG to Manual?
Less than 2 minutes on rear subframe carrier panel crack and reinforcement?? It's the biggest design flaw for any E46, and I'm surprised to see most people are happy to overlook this fact.
We need the E90 M3 next🙌🏾
would you do a buyer's guide for the E9x M3s?
Actual BMW designers... Look at this masterpiece. 😥
You didn’t mention that the CSL has a carbon roof which lowers its centre of gravity making it not only lighter but handle even better than a standard M3.
A bit of criticism; you had time to insert a b-roll pan of the Alpina banner, but couldn’t insert a lighted detail of the cracked subframe mount? Bad form.
So beautiful. Loved my 330 ci. But everything breaks all the time. More so with the M3. Bring lots of money.
Very informative! Enjoyed that! Would love if you'd do the same for an E39 M5.
We will get around to this very soon!
@@collectingcars 997.1 gt3 video soon?
The best car ever!!!
Looks like Nitrons on the lifted M3!!
Top 3 on my list. M3 csl manual....
Plus, you want a titanium box to really wake up the car. Mine has a dixis titanium and sound so much better than the standard box
The diff's on these are not necessarily done because you hear rubbing or binding noise from it at slow speed turns. These are needing the diff fluid replaced every 50,000 miles or so and a change using the actual BMW fluid (Yes I know it's expensive but it works when other brands just don't) and your diff is fine again. I know I've gone through it and found out. Trust me use the BMW stuff don't try to save a few bucks by using another brand just bite the bullet and get the real stuff it will work!
Thanks you very much I have that diff noise and I don’t drive the car
I wish I had a bmw e46 m3 my dream car especially the CSL however I own a 2004 330ci m sport 6 speed that’s the closest I can get currently lol
Run!!!
The last NA L6 ///M was the Z4 M
Wish the csl made it to the states
Only ever seen 1 e46 CSL at our hotel near the Nűrburgring in 2006
Always been a huge fan of the E46 but I had no idea the subframe floor rips out of them. I’ll stick with Audis.
I have a e46 m3 manual with 150k mileage and you wouldn't know its a high milage hero for one of these
He says you will struggle to get a csl under 50 grand. Maybe 8 years ago. Er more like you struggle to get one under 80 grand now. I test drove a 97 grand 27 thousand mile one at weekend and a 65 thousand mile one for 76 grand. If he knows one for 50 grand I’ll have it off him in a flash. Also it’s not just the power regular one down on. While driving experience through bends you notice it. It’s the handling the csl around 30 to 40 seconds faster round Nuremberg track than regular one
Just to add one more horror to the list - rod bearings. On top of all the reliability issues, you still need to do a lot to them to make them go how they really should. These definitely should be a daunting ownership prospect.
nonsense. Ive owned 4 e46s, two of which were M3s including my current daily. You are dealing with a nearly 20 year old car that was cutting edge tech for its time and remains one of the greatest drivers cars ever produced. the reliability and cost of ownership for this level of performance has few rivals.
Rod bearings, Head gaskets and timing chains are all now considered service items which were not specified by BMW. Vanos also needs rebuilding to be reliable. And that's just the engine. Then we get on to the well documented rust and RACP issues, the diff clunk, the ignition coils which go for fun, the pillar trim which fails and the door seals which tear - all sub standard or poorly designed parts. Then, to make them drive right the rack has to go and the brakes need to be replaced with something less closely resembling chocolate. The gigantic gear stick and lever need to be replaced with something shorter with a different leverage ratio. The seat also needs replacing with a bucket to give decent helmet clearance and lateral support, but then the centre console arm rest needs replacing so your elbow has room and it's worthwhile considering CSL door cards for the same reason. They should have also really had a 4.1 diff from the factory, instead of ratios designed to improve 0-62 and 0-100mph figures. I see these as a base for a build, and once built I don't think there is a better track/fast road car out there. I can fit an extra set of wheels and tyres in, along with a garage worth of tools plus camping gear so track days are easy peasy. Add in the fact that I can pop the roof bars on and carry a couple of bikes or a roof box and it becomes a very versatile machine that can be enjoyed on a lot of different roads. But I would never ever describe it as reliable or anything less than a serious commitment.
A huge reason why the Japanese performance cars were such a boom in those years. BMW did amazing things to push the edge but the design doesn’t have maintainability or ruggedness down through the years nor were they intended to.
@@howarddavies136 on point brother, this vid ensured only the committed acquire these rides, not the faint @ heart.
Rod bearings are not an issue in this car. Stop being a sheep and adding to the terror. The v8’s suffer but not the e46.
Basically with E46 M3s you just want to replace absolutely everything and it’ll be good and reliable (hopefully)
Fantastic video - but such a shame really. Has completely 100% put me off ever buying one of these … values aside not being able to get a good one for less than 20/25k, and I just don’t have the endless deep pockets for Vanos, head gasket, boot floor, SMG pump, clutches, suspension parts, servicing etc etc … such a shame I’ll never get one of my dream cars!
Window regulators. Always check the windows.
If I was ever to sell my M3, the new owner will be very lucky as I am extremely meticulous with the car.