E46 M3 with 146k miles

[335dye]

I found one for sale with 146k miles. The seller says its in great condition with no issues. Including VANOS. Selling for 8800. Is this a good deal. Is it worth looking at? Anything I should look out for? Thanks!

[kprocivic]

Damn wouldn't touch that thing even with a condom on. If you're okay with putting possibly another 5k in it immediately then go for it. But high mileage German cars don't mix.

[Aatish]

Ask if there are maintenance records.

[Nitrousbird]

Check the subframe very carefully. Otherwise determine past repairs, maintenance and current condition. If all of those are good it is a reasonable price.

There are a lot of girly men on this board afraid to get a little grease under their manicured nails and pay people to turn their wrenches. If you are one of those sissy men, avoid this car as it will end up costing you a good fortune. If you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty you will be in decent shape financially as long as you are starting with a solid / maintained car.

[IEDEI]

Originally Posted by kprocivic

Damn wouldn't touch that thing even with a condom on. If you're okay with putting possibly another 5k in it immediately then go for it. But high mileage German cars don't mix.

sorry that's totally false.

it's all about how it was maintained and serviced during its life.

an E46 M3 with 40k miles that has been badly maintained is worse than an E46 M3 with 140k that has been well maintained, IMO.

[tiltmode43]

If you plan on keeping this car long-ish term or driving it hard, check maintenance records and consider the immediate potential costs of VANOS fix, rod bearing replacement, and subframe reinforcement. 1-2, if not all, of these things will need to be done or you risk impending doom from the S54 & E46 gods.

[1MOREMOD]

Check vannos as subframe and give once over, test drive. Would get a ppi if that checks out. Good price.

[335dye]

I appreciate all of the input. It's such an awesome price. Just seems almost too good.

[Corrupted]

The S54 is a finnicky engine that requires a lot of maintenance, especially higher-mileage ones. That's why once they hit 100k you notice the price of them dropping off really quick. It's not easy to make a naturally-aspirated engine pump out over 100hp/L, you sacrifice some reliability to do it. But as far as that comment about German cars not being reliable, I can only imagine he's a VW guy, not a BMW guy.

[8k4]

bearings changed?

[The Wind Breezes]

You need to take the car to a QUALIFIED mechanic for a full inspection pre purchase or you'll be in for a world of hurt. There is a whole laundry list of shit to inspect on the car, and I doubt you'll be remotely capable of doing that yourself since you posted this thread. Also, if it seems too good to be true...

Also, yes, S54, S65 and S85 have issues with rod bearings at higher mileage depending on how the car was driven. I would personally never buy a car with those motors without budgeting to replace the rod bearings and any other internals out of spec, since I drive my cars hard and wouldn't wan't a failure, especially of that magnitude, waiting to happen.

Maintenance will cost you a lot on this car if you want it to drive well and be reliable. That, I can all but guarantee you. You don't sound like the type who'll be doing it yourself, not that DIY maintenance makes it a "cheap" car to own if you have one very long.

[vsix]

He's right get it first checked, otherwise you're bying into someone elses heart-, and headache

[bruza]

Originally Posted by Nitrousbird

Check the subframe very carefully. Otherwise determine past repairs, maintenance and current condition. If all of those are good it is a reasonable price.

There are a lot of girly men on this board afraid to get a little grease under their manicured nails and pay people to turn their wrenches. If you are one of those sissy men, avoid this car as it will end up costing you a good fortune. If you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty you will be in decent shape financially as long as you are starting with a solid / maintained car.

[335dye]

Yea I think I'm gonna keep looking. Too risky and if I do have to drop 5k, I could find an 06 with less miles for that prices

[JNoSol]

Maybe I missed it, what year? 2001 vs 2005 (LCI) with 146k makes a difference.

Check: (a) VANOS has been addressed (b) subframe has been addressed

My friend has a 2001 M3 with 180k on it. Still runs like a top. He is very good on maintaining his vehicle.

[1MOREMOD]

2001 and 2002 would have had bearing replaced also by bmw.

[Corrupted]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

Maybe I missed it, what year? 2001 vs 2005 (LCI) with 146k makes a difference.

Check: (a) VANOS has been addressed (b) subframe has been addressed

My friend has a 2001 M3 with 180k on it. Still runs like a top. He is very good on maintaining his vehicle.

There was no facelift E46 M3, they were all exactly the same throughout production. And yes, it's called facelift, not LCI. The "LCI" term didn't come into use until the E9*.

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by Corrupted

There was no facelift E46 M3, they were all exactly the same throughout production. And yes, it's called facelift, not LCI. The "LCI" term didn't come into use until the E9*.

I thought in late 2003 they updated the headlight and tail light is LED. Also, the motor addressed the rod bearing issue.

[oolas3]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

I thought in late 2003 they updated the headlight and tail light is LED. Also, the motor addressed the rod bearing issue.

+1. I was told to look for a 2004 or later.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Corrupted

There was no facelift E46 M3, they were all exactly the same throughout production. And yes, it's called facelift, not LCI. The "LCI" term didn't come into use until the E9*.

That's not correct.

[Corrupted]

Fixing problems does not qualify as an update. Neither does putting LED tails on the car. The E46 M3 looked exactly the same throughout its lifecycle.

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

That's not correct.

Yes. Yes it is.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by Corrupted

Fixing problems does not qualify as an update. Neither does putting LED tails on the car. The E46 M3 looked exactly the same throughout its lifecycle.

Yes. Yes it is.

Keep changing the definition and you can always make yourself right. There is a lot of difference between:

"There was no facelift E46 M3, they were all exactly the same throughout production. "

AND

"Fixing problems does not qualify as an update. Neither does putting LED tails on the car."