Should I buy this E46 M3?

[M4FOREVER]

Hey guys. I currently own a 2016 M3 ZCP. I also have a 2011 E92 335 M sport. My Brother in law has a E46 M3 and I want to buy it. The thing is the car needs some work. It's a 2004 with 110,000 miles. The car needs an smg pump. And probably some other stuff. He's giving it to me for $2500. Is this a reliable car? Body is in very good condition. Any input on reliability and running cost would be appreciated. Thanks.

[addicted2bimmers]

Originally Posted by M4FOREVER

Hey guys. I currently own a 2016 M3 ZCP. I also have a 2011 E92 335 M sport. My Brother in law has a E46 M3 and I want to buy it. The thing is the car needs some work. It's a 2004 with 110,000 miles. The car needs an smg pump. And probably some other stuff. He's giving it to me for $2500. Is this a reliable car? Body is in very good condition. Any input on reliability and running cost would be appreciated. Thanks.

Any e46 M3 with only 110k for 2500 is a steal if it only needs minor maintenance in my opinion unless it's been into an accident.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by M4FOREVER

Hey guys. I currently own a 2016 M3 ZCP. I also have a 2011 E92 335 M sport. My Brother in law has a E46 M3 and I want to buy it. The thing is the car needs some work. It's a 2004 with 110,000 miles. The car needs an smg pump. And probably some other stuff. He's giving it to me for $2500. Is this a reliable car? Body is in very good condition. Any input on reliability and running cost would be appreciated. Thanks.

I wouldn't come near it with a 10 foot pole. The age of the car says enough, unless you enjoy constantly fixing one issue that arises after the other. Don't just look at the buying price, think of what's next.

[clutchdj]

Slightly OT but I picked up another mk4 r32. 2003, German build and its clean with all original paint. . However it has only 50k on it. OP if it has no rust and is pretty much stock it might be worth looking at. Figure AT LEAST 5k in parts and labor to bring it up to par. If it needs an SMG pump think about what other little things that might've been neglected. It will definitely need RTABs and possibly upper strut mounts in the rear

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

Slightly OT but I picked up another mk4 r32. 2003, German build and its clean with all original paint. . However it has only 50k on it. OP if it has no rust and is pretty much stock it might be worth looking at. Figure AT LEAST 5k in parts and labor to bring it up to par. If it needs an SMG pump think about what other little things that might've been neglected. It will definitely need RTABs and possibly upper strut mounts in the rear

and probably VANOS issues will come next

[M4FOREVER]

Getting me scared now. It wasn't abused or tuned. It's stock.

[M4FOREVER]

And no accidents.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by M4FOREVER

Getting me scared now. It wasn't abused or tuned. It's stock.

that means nothing bro....... the age of the car again........way too old, be prepared to spend some serious time and cash on it then you'd probably wonder.... "what did I get myself into", come to sell it, no one will value what you have fixed in the car, it is what it is......your choice

I wouldn't touch such an old car........the era of the E46 is over. it's not even hot anymore especially since you have a newer car with better power and tech.... you are about to buy a dinosaur (no offense)

[nicknaz]

Lol. At "dinosaur". I just drove by a 356 earlier today and took a 16hr road trip in my 14 yr old 996. If you maintain them old cars are fine.

$2.5k for a clean body stock e46 m3 is great. Yes it will have some deferred maintenance. So what?

If it was 6mt I'd PM the Op to buy it myself

[mrgicm]

I have both e46 m3 and f82 m4 and I enjoy my e46 more than my f82... E46 M3 is the best car ever made period.
Here in Germany the prices are going up and you cant buy a decent one under 20k euros.

[clutchdj]

lol I remember the dreaded vanos issues. I think I sent mine out to be rebuilt by dr. Vanos back in the day. Besides all of the potential issues they are rewarding when they run well. However at that age it's important to drive the car frequently or store it when it's below freezing, if you can. It won't appreciate but at your cost it's a hell of a bargain. Best sounding I6 with some mild exhaust work and enough stock power to get out of your own way.

[M4FOREVER]

He said the car would not go into gear. So that's why he stopped driving it. Anyone know what that could be?

[Takumi587]

For $2500 yes I would buy it and just get it all fixed. If anything you can buy it, fix it and resale it for maybe 10 to 12k profit. Most E46 M3s for sale now are salvaged or completely abused. 5-7K can do a complete suspension refresh, Vanos and reinforce subframe. Check out M3forum.net. Plenty of useful info there.

[Takumi587]

Originally Posted by M4FOREVER

He said the car would not go into gear. So that's why he stopped driving it. Anyone know what that could be?

Does the dashboard show a cog wheel when car starts up?

[M4FOREVER]

What's yes.

[M4FOREVER]

It has the cog wheel when it starts up. What i's that?

[Ian1973]

E46's are maintenance pigs and have some chassis flaws. The VANOS being the huge one. If the bolts in the VANOS are failing you can expect a complete motor failure. You have to check and adjust the valves like every 30k miles. Have they ever been adjusted? Then you have to think about the subframe mounts, as the floor tears.

The interior trim scratches and peels. The rearview mirrors have a tendency to fail and leak onto the interior and ruin it.

Just to name a few things. lol But they are cool cars and drive differently than any generation after.

[M4FOREVER]

Hmmm

[mercedesc63]

Originally Posted by M4FOREVER

Hey guys. I currently own a 2016 M3 ZCP. I also have a 2011 E92 335 M sport. My Brother in law has a E46 M3 and I want to buy it. The thing is the car needs some work. It's a 2004 with 110,000 miles. The car needs an smg pump. And probably some other stuff. He's giving it to me for $2500. Is this a reliable car? Body is in very good condition. Any input on reliability and running cost would be appreciated. Thanks.

BUY IT ASAP.

2500 is beyond a steal its worth at least a 3-4 grand more.

Find a used SMG pump and put it in.

[smr123]

Yep, I agree with buying it. For that price, you can afford to sink a few bucks in it, and enjoy it. i still miss mine.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Ian1973

E46's are maintenance pigs and have some chassis flaws. The VANOS being the huge one. If the bolts in the VANOS are failing you can expect a complete motor failure. You have to check and adjust the valves like every 30k miles. Have they ever been adjusted? Then you have to think about the subframe mounts, as the floor tears.

The interior trim scratches and peels. The rearview mirrors have a tendency to fail and leak onto the interior and ruin it.

Just to name a few things. lol But they are cool cars and drive differently than any generation after.

I had a 2006 E46 M3 for 8 years and never had a day of trouble with it. Never had any of the issues that you mention. It was worth over 20k when I got rid of it. Actually wish I could have kept it, but don't have the garage space.

Even with maintenance due, 2.5k sounds like a great deal.

[Ian1973]

Did you break open the VANOS and check your hub bolts? Did you take the rearend apart and see if your floor was cracked? I can tell you much of the flaws of that generation I had in mine, except thankfully the VANOS hubs. I did not break mine open, but did the repair on VANOS, which I can't remember the exact details but was more a preventive thing.