- Thread starter Jim Davey
- Start date
slim_boy_fat
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Not owned one, but have driven one. Epic motors, like a go-kart on drugs! 
Prices are on the up for good ones, but as you'll be aware much research is required as some will have been thrashed to within an inch of their lives. SH [pref BMW] is all-important, especially check that the 'running-in' service was carried out at 1200 miles because they shipped from the factory with special oil. Servicing is different [i.e. more expensive] to 'ordinary' e46s too.
Find a good one and you'll be well rewarded, a poor example will empty your wallet faster than you can say "OK, you'd better do it then".
Every enthusiast should own one M car in their life.
Prices are on the up for good ones, but as you'll be aware much research is required as some will have been thrashed to within an inch of their lives. SH [pref BMW] is all-important, especially check that the 'running-in' service was carried out at 1200 miles because they shipped from the factory with special oil. Servicing is different [i.e. more expensive] to 'ordinary' e46s too.
Find a good one and you'll be well rewarded, a poor example will empty your wallet faster than you can say "OK, you'd better do it then".
Every enthusiast should own one M car in their life.
Turbo Quattro
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- 59
Im on my second, great cars and for the money and they are epic fun. Running costs aren't to be scared off unless your coming from a super frugal oil burner. Best car I've ever owned and I use it daily, easily can get 32 mpg on a run when you behave which for me is never!
Turbo Quattro
Member
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- 59
I've had an E39 M5 also which is probably a little bit better than the E46 M3 and can almost match it for MPG but will crucify it on the open road
roofman
Purveyor of fine English buckets and mops
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Not really an M3 but ive had a E46 323CI for a few years now and its always been a great mile muncher with very few problems..infact i keep threating to scrap it when it fails an MOT and it never does
. Dont believe the oil for life thingy on the gearbox as i changed the oil on mine at 80,000 and it was black and smelly as hell,new oil in it and the gear changes where like night and day it was that better
Cars now only worth a few hundred squid but i just cant wear it out its that well made...
. Dont believe the oil for life thingy on the gearbox as i changed the oil on mine at 80,000 and it was black and smelly as hell,new oil in it and the gear changes where like night and day it was that better Cars now only worth a few hundred squid but i just cant wear it out its that well made...
slim_boy_fat
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- Scottish Highlands
Should be marked in the Service records, since it would probably have been carried out at the supplying franchised Dealership.
slim_boy_fat
Member
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- 29,363
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- Scottish Highlands
Your starter for 10.......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-53-B...738481?hash=item33afeae331:g:238AAOSw9mFWHXR6
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-53-B...738481?hash=item33afeae331:g:238AAOSw9mFWHXR6
Tinbasherdan
Bodger in chief
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Ex boss had one, went like a stabbed rat, handled like a go cart but went through tyres like they were going out of fashion, and nothing is cheap on them to replace
HMB
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- 1,241
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- Essex near the Thames
On the service history book. Dealer stamp. No book walk away
Jim Davey
R H Davey Welding Supplies Ltd
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- Southampton
I would rather have a manual, they might be a little slower but so much more driver involvement. Nothing like a perfectly timed heel and toe downshift with a sweet rev-matching blip as you come down through the gears. Plus there are so many SMG and convertible boxes ticked that finding a good well specced and tidy manual example is getting a little tougher.
brightspark
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- yarm stockton on tees
