BMW M3

[DaveD]

I'm surprised at all the comments about the M3 interior, imo it's leagues ahead of the GTI!

I'm the opposite, in that i've gone from an E46 M3 to a GTI. I owned the M3 for 4 years, and tbh spent a fortune on it. Maintenace wise it was ok, not much went wrong with it apart from general wear and tear items such as bushings and the clutch. The only issue i had was the alternator going. Everything is expensive for it though, from tyres to brakes and general servicing. I tracked mine quite a bit and ended up carrying out alot of upgrades such as Stoptech BBK, Eibach springs, Eisenmann exhaust, OEM CSL parts... the list goes on! By far the best car i've ever owned. Only sold it cause it wasn't being used and seeing as i'm in Ireland it cost a small fortune to tax for a year (€1,560!)

[stealthwolf]

Any idea of what the running costs are eg minor service, major services, typical price for tyres, brakes etc?

Have always toyed with the idea of one of these.

[bushypad]

Hmm 350z is another I have considered, and yes I want a convertible with preferable in Laguna Seca Blue!
Im wanting a manual as i have heard mixed reviews about the SMG, the only other thing i considered was a ko4 conversion but thats probably gunna cost me 2,000 so may aswell sell up and buy an m3 instead?

[dan930]

Any idea of what the running costs are eg minor service, major services, typical price for tyres, brakes etc?

Have always toyed with the idea of one of these.

Insp1=Normal oil service is around 150-200,insp2 is around 350-500 depending where you go..

[tony_danza]

Myths and legends that the servicing is expensive, particularly at a specialist. Some of the M-specific parts may make your eyes water, but then that's what you get with expensive cars made from bespoke parts. Buy the right car and your worst expense will be the fuel circa low 20s. Cabrios by default will mostly have had an easy life, so less risky.

Dash is dated in that the radio won't look flashy like an RNS510, and the switches aren't all stainless and posh, but it's very well made and very driver focussed.

The rear subframe tearing the boot floor out is what you want to be concerned about. Free fix if it's less than 10 years old and has a BMW service history.

[rf860]

I'm surprised at all the comments about the M3 interior, imo it's leagues ahead of the GTI!

I'm the opposite, in that i've gone from an E46 M3 to a GTI. I owned the M3 for 4 years, and tbh spent a fortune on it. Maintenace wise it was ok, not much went wrong with it apart from general wear and tear items such as bushings and the clutch. The only issue i had was the alternator going. Everything is expensive for it though, from tyres to brakes and general servicing. I tracked mine quite a bit and ended up carrying out alot of upgrades such as Stoptech BBK, Eibach springs, Eisenmann exhaust, OEM CSL parts... the list goes on! By far the best car i've ever owned. Only sold it cause it wasn't being used and seeing as i'm in Ireland it cost a small fortune to tax for a year (€1,560!)

Agree about the interior, my parents had an 04 plate one in space grey and it was an awesome car! Interior is quite dark, but no hard plastic and very well put together. Dad had an e92 and it wasn't as well made inside as the e46 imo.

[Squeeguk]

Loved my M, can't say a bad thing about it at all. The fact that it died on me 2 days after I picked it up thanks to the alternator pales into insignificance after having got so much enjoyment out of it. If I could afford to run one properly, I would give up my Jetta tomorrow. That is the sticking point with these cars. You need to maintain them properly as and when required, you can't skimp. If something major goes wrong, expect to pay big money. They can chew through tyres and premium 19's are not cheap. Bank on max 10k a pair on the rear depending on driving style, Fuel economy on mine wasn't bad at all. I was averaging mid to high 20's which is not that far off the Jetta. It is a supercar after all.

The E46 imo was beautifully put together and still the best looking M out there. If you can afford to run it the way it should be run, go for it, you won't regret it.

[JackG]

I worked for bmw and the parts are expensive but dont buy a performance car if you dont want running costs that cost more than the average car   
subframe cracks are common...
brakes cost a bomb anywhere you go
inspection 2 is the killer for services but again its gotta be expected for a car like that

[andrewparker]

Was the interior of the E46 M3 different to a late E46 Coupe? I had a 2005 325Ci and I thought the interior was lovely - way nicer than in a MK5 GTI.

[stealthwolf]

I remember reading about the subframe issue I think on m3cutters. I heard it only applied to early e46 M3 cars, or have I been incorrectly informed?

I've always had a soft spot for the E36 and E46 models.

[MAT ED30]

I keep thinking of getting one an m3 cs have driven a few and they are very nice inside and not dated infact the red leather still is a nice place to sit. They are a bit thirsty not as bad as the rs6 I went to look at and was told by the owner he gets around 12 to 15 mpg 

[rf860]

Was the interior of the E46 M3 different to a late E46 Coupe? I had a 2005 325Ci and I thought the interior was lovely - way nicer than in a MK5 GTI.

Same, but nicer

[gobbleplease]

Heres a pic of my previous m3s

The e46 m3 is a good car I loved owning mine but my one ended up being very costly to own due to reliability Problems, so I sold it for that reason.

Great engine, handleing and sound nice very roomy interior and a good cruiser loves a drift !

Its not got the kick up the arse a s2+ edition 30 gives you but it's still a great car.

Personally the amount of bills, service costs and petrol it drank ended my love for it, I also preferred my e36 m3 evo I still reccon that's my favourite m3