15 BMW M3 COMMON PROBLEMS

[@garogordon6497]

I was really dead set on getting one of these till I watched this. Thanks for the info.

[@Evo9moe]

Me too. I’ve been calling sellers. Now I’m not so sure. Starting to have second thoughts.

[@Evo9moe]

Did you end up getting one?

[@garogordon6497]

@@Evo9moe Nope. I ended up getting a 2nd generation Lexus IS350. 306hp so it's not as fast as an M3 but i'll go a bit slower to save on the laundry list of repairs.

[@m3lowiesvlog715]

Except the vanos,rod bearings,subframes,smg,throttle actuators etc overall it’s a good car!

[@bradcomis1066]

SuperEurobeat M3 Seems like the list is shorter than the non-M e46s

[@rivan0]

@@bradcomis1066 but all these repairs are more expensice than non-M :D

[@scrimxyg-5986]

Your the only reason I would ever move to California

[@ShopLifeTV]

COMMON E46 ISSUES: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJC3gH9sh7p4pJI E90/E92 Common Problems: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3OyY6h4mbiWoKc

[@paulvicks1336]

Awesome content as usual 😊 I bought an '05 M3 coupe/MT last year. So far, I've changed air filter, alternator, 2 gaskets (timing chain cover & oil pan), axle oil for LSD (which ended the low cornering speed noise), kick starter, 2 belts (fan & power steering), power sunroof motor (got a used one off ebay). These are small issues compared to how much fun the M3 is to drive.

[@leonardoflores4725]

FIRST BABY OH YEAHHH I LOVE E46 BMWS

[@erickrayos]

should mention the issue w/ the water pump and if you still have the fan clutch, if the water pump starts going bad and bearings fails, since the fan clutch is mounted on the pump itself the fan tilts enough where it'll hit the radiator and if its spinning it'll cause the fan clutch to explode and take out everything in its path.. sometimes even causing a huge dent from under the hood.

[@corkscrewlifestyle]

One day I'll get an E46 M3, best car I rode in at Laguna Seca Raceway. Back when BMW was making a true mechanical racecar.

[@mso008]

bloody hell, what a massive ballache! Thank you for the video!

[@demonicpresence3765]

4k to swap. Bruh 😭

[@lesterbong2668]

Hi Jason, your videos are very useful and I love them!! Can you do a video on how to retrofit infrared to radio frequency for a E46 remote control, thanks :) Ps. E46 IS LIFE

[@PRAGEETHKARUNADHEERA]

I have a convertible. I had to rebuild the rearview mirror due to the fluid leak. So not only the coupe has this issue.

[@superdiver.]

2:40 the gear position sensor is attached to the actuator right? How hard is it to replace it? Would the transmission have to be lowered? Thanks

[@mehrdad05]

@shoplifetv do u have a shop for mechanical inspection on a e92 M3?

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

It is disgusting that BMW would let major design flaws to plague such an otherwise great car like subframe and SMG gremlins. Come on BMW fix your damn cars! I will NEVER buy another one again until they quit putting major design flaws into their expensive cars.

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

I would really say the e46 m3 is the best m car but because of all the problems it has i would say the e30 has won it. really thought your prices were reasonable or lower then others but dam 4k man

[@ShopLifeTV]

4k includes labor, all parts for the swap including maintenance items such as engine mounts, trans mounts, flex disc, guibo etc, bell housing machining and assembly, shift linkage, shifter assembly, pedal assembly and much more. That price is very reasonable for a properly completed swap with no cut corners.

[@christiancern4275]

Yeah but an e30 m3 costs 2+ times more than a good e46 m3 so in the end youll have a better car for less money. E30s are overrated imho. My buddy has one and it was all hype for just a blah ride

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

oh ok i thought it was just for labor

[@maliekbrown6155]

Christian Cern what was all done to it. Because the e30 engine is really the most reliable out of the m cars. Put a turbo on it and it’s a angry beast

[@mohammadshahin4922]

i was gonna say it seemed like a normal price. I believe a buddy of mine payed around $4k total for his swap as well. maybe just under@@ShopLifeTV

[@TenzaMotorsports]

Appreciate the videos, we are in the early process of an e46 m3 wagon build where we are buying a wrecked M3 as a donor and a clean title wagon. Your content has helped a lot!

[@heliezerhernandez8987]

What it’s you personal opinion on the 2004 325i?

[@DaveTony206]

This is great information. Thank you!

[@rivan0]

Hi, I have m3 misfiring on 4,5 and a little 6 cilinders. Dont find what is wrong. Spark plugs, coils I changed between cilinders, also switch lambda's, but still 4,5,6 cylinders. What else? It is misfiring a lot on lower rpm, until 3-4k rpm. And rough idle.

[@Tiger-gs6xm]

E46 M3 is considered the greatest M3 by allot of people. Driving one is intoxicating. A high performance German beast that is now 14-19 yrs old will require maintenance. Having said that. Do not buy one with Smg or when it does crap out convert to manual. Rear subframe reinforcement will cost about $1-3,000. There are a few ways to reinforce. Other than that the other stuff is not expensive. But if everything happens at once it can be painful. Otherwise go cruising, rip thru the gears near the red line and it’ll all be worth it.

[@markt9438]

You got most of it ! Nice Job also the truck Grommet that has all the wires ,if it cracks will lead water to your truck and I know mess with your electronics making my SMG to at weird !!! Just reinforce with a 3/8 rubber tub inside and seal it Shut !!! You will Have a Happy M3 or e46 either way !

[@mehmethussein5048]

Hi i Love your Videos and your Knowledge i Hope you can help me. My e46 m3 jumps out of gear from 3 and 2 gear and wehen i pull off from Start and im turning it Sounds like it Rubbing Ive had the real end plates fitted i Hope can help me Kind regard mem

[@joeyh3511]

Thank you over and over again

[@isogamer12]

How would you compare owning an s54 e46 m3 to a n54 335i that I own now? In terms of reliability, maintenance expense, and overall expense of ownership?

[@PHFilms3]

N54 is less

[@larryzeldin7561]

Not really. Have you seen bmw cost on each turbo? Plus the labor is a killer. N54s are not so reliable. N55 is a better choice but the recent B58 seems to be king.

[@PHFilms3]

@@larryzeldin7561 Learn to do it yourself..... The turbos you can get for a 2k or less these days. Also even if you find a shop to do it look at the power numbers you would be putting down and now compare that to something else in the market that makes similar #s. B58 is good for now but a new engine is still. N54 is 14 years old now. and the fact it is in the conversation speaks for itself.

[@BloodShotxGaming]

I was waiting on this video!! thank you

[@tanhaigh3035]

Thank you for this video!

[@josedecena8392]

I plan to buy a e46 m3 this weekend, any way I can take it for a check up at your shop bro? Want to see what I will have to change soon

[@Linoge279]

My M3 got oil leak at the front end which is noticeable when I remove the bottom cover and saw the steering rack wet with oil which the leak does not came from the rack itself, I was thinking of the seal or gasket from oil filter housing is leaking..might that be possible?

[@karuzo4116]

hello y'all, i need help with something! does anybody know which lightbulbs i need to put in the fog lights of my 2005 e46 coupe, it has no m-frontbumper. is it h7, hb4 or h11? please help me ppl of the internet :)

[@sr20dett1000]

Is it true that the smg go bad because lack of maintenance. Either leaking slave not changing fluid.

[@andreiput9492]

hi. about the exterior mirrors. could you do a diagnosis diy for M and non-M e46 2001-04 folding mirrors Mine folds then does not unfold. something internal prevents that operation. how to fix it?

[@hakeem1223]

I have a question off topic. I have an 2011 E92 M3 all stock, but it seems to be too loud to pass the sound inspection. Is there anything I can modify to silence or make it more quiet on a budget? It needs to pass db of 82.

[@jcwxww4930]

I have 5 codes on my e46 (not m3) 01 325i Where can I find your shop ?

[@MrSpaz12]

How much do you charge to modify/machine the bellhousing? It's an 05 if that makes a difference.

[@velonamoses8043]

Why pay so much to convert it It will never be right in any case once converted

[@burakbuyuk5857]

Turkish subtitle PLEASE !! :(

[@superdiver.]

Still important in 2022!

[@Wilowp2kk]

Ptm ya no quiero nada

[@akhilnarain1635]

Have a 04 m3, battery died, When I replaced it with new one, my cluster is dead, no radio and ac pump is not turning on. Any ideas?

[@santanarosales1862]

same my whole car won’t turn on

[@mannypoblete1098]

Would you know where I can buy repair kit for the electric throttle actuator, m3 e46. Thanks

[@Afgun310]

Hi all, having a problem with my M3 e46 After a short period of driving, my car won't accelerate. I can floor it and it simply won't go anywhere. It'll hold it's speed and very slowly pick up speed, but nothing like it should. First noticed it last week on a very cold and wet day and I assumed it was some sort of nanny, but it happened again today around town. Even in 3rd at 3k rpm I can floor it and it just won't go anywhere. If I stop and turn the car off and restart, it runs great for a short period of time and then the problem comes back. Car still runs great when it's happening, it just won't accelerate. Anyone know what could be happening?

[@jordanbeckwith9750]

Ok sounds like the vanos

[@larocca5319]

can you do the same for the E60 M5?pleaeaeaeaeaeaeaeassss!

[@boulderghost4457]

La Rocca Don’t be scared, run it till it breaks (or doesnt). Only services that need to be preventively done are those that could be catastrophic such as the VANOS, rod bearings (analyze the oil around 100k), subframe (if you drive it hard or track it) and coolant expansion tank. Otherwise drive it till it breaks.

[@JohnIsett]

Jason, could you put contact info in your comment section for a couple of those places you mentioned that can rebuild the rear view mirror?

[@GeekyGamer167]

Just saying, my e46 M3 just spun a bearing and ruined the crankshaft because one of the tabs on my exhaust hub sheared off. This is a thing that can happen! My cams are also ruined, as well as all the bearings in the engine, meaning I need an entirely new engine. Don't discount just how important it is to rebuild/upgrade your vanos!!!

[@mohammadshahin4922]

ughh. i may have to do this soon. I'll do it with the valve adjustment. RIP my wallet :/ Did you get your new engine yet?

[@SpartanA31xx]

When you are sitting in your car quietly in your garage, if you turn your car to the 1st position and turn the radio volume all the way down, do you notice a hiss coming from your speakers. Turning down the climate control and having a quiet environment will help notice the hiss if any. If you could get back to me that'll be great. Thanks! Just trying to see if this is common on BMW's with the harmon kardon speaker option (switch in the front)

[@mohammadshahin4922]

This is with all speakers. If you want the hiss to disappear simply push the on/off switch on the radio and ta-daa! Or you can turn the volume all the way down when not in use. Should work!

[@AssinaturaPicazica]

Hi, could you do a DIY how to remove steering column on a e46 please

[@markt9438]

You forgot the timing chain tension ! needs to be replaced at 70 K at leased

[@davidramez6219]

Do you guys do slicktop conversions on the E46 M3? =)

[@matthewnicholas6365]

Rod bearings are an issue post 2003. I changed mine recently and found no.5 was showing excess copper. Don't think it had much life left. 75k miles only 😳

[@larryzeldin7561]

All of S54s can have rod bearings issues. Depends on correct oil maintenance and correct engine warmup will determine how soon or if it will have the problems. A lot of M cars had rod bearings issue,s54 isn’t the only motor. The V10 is even more known. E39 M5s are known for it too along with the e90 M3.

[@matthewnicholas6365]

@@larryzeldin7561 the S58 has just had major recall on main bearings. They can't get it right in M division. But still people wrongfully believe post LCI E46 is immune to it. Despite 3 generations of models still suffering

[@stymiesnerdly771]

I've owned my '04 for almost a year now. Already had the rear subframe reinforced even though it passed with a clean bill of health. Now I'm focusing on bulletproofing the vanos, but you just scared the shit out of me regarding the SMG. Great info & channel! 👍

[@Linoge279]

Regular service the transmission oil and it will give no issue.

[@e46nit46]

Thank you for all the videos, Jason! I've seen some e46's with eagle eye or depo LED taillights that flash the red LED's quickly while in park and while in motion. I'm not a lights guy but I'd like to get this mod on my Depo taillights. Can't seem to find anything online for this particular mod. Can you or anyone on this channel point me in the right direction?

[@mohammadshahin4922]

Im pretty sure you need to go get that programmed at BMW. RIP your wallet

[@JohnIsett]

Do you have a DIY for the differential pinion seal on an M3?

[@fadedtk5221]

Sorry I know this has nothin to do with this video but do you have a DIY on fixing the sunroof cassette on the E46

[@alecsuddell4703]

Fadedtk52 check out his other video man

[@mariahm3225]

Do you know anything about EML dash light

[@lamarasamuel]

Does the subframe issue apply to the convertibles too? I read somewhere that the convertibles get extra reinforcement.

[@alecsuddell4703]

lamarasamuel yes it does still occur in the convertible models 👎

[@pshhyeahh]

All these general common issues are spot on. I have an '05 with about 98k miles. I did the majority of the list as preventative maintenance. Other's like the exterior/interior issues were done because I was experiencing that. I was surprised that the high pressure power steering lines weren't mentioned. My recommendation for those lines are stick with BMW OE lines. I went with a high pressure rated stainless steel lines with AN connections and not only did it blow the lines after 6-8 months of use, but it also took my PS pump. That was an expensive mistake.

[@mohammadshahin4922]

Thanks for your input. I have a smaaaalll leak in my High pressure power steering line. I will go with OEM parts!

[@chadyaknow5690]

How long have you had it and how much have you spent?

[@albatrosrexha1593]

Buy a E92 with all the money you’ll poor in this, they only have like 3-4 actual problems

[@IIIrandomIII]

Albatros Rexha Whaaaaat? Lmao

[@anthonyrivas5060]

Umm, the e9x does have better performance but at the same time it's problem are a bit more expensive than e46 problems. Car itself is twice as much as for and OK condition example.

[@fabeangrenwald6884]

great video, lots a useful info

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

CMP bar also a good option

[@mobyislam]

thanks man! great video

[@shahidmirza8344]

I would definitely mention rust. Ask me how I know :(

[@latuba2478]

How?

[@jasonhowes75]

I was thinking of getting a BMW M3 but after this video it seems to give alot of problems id rather get a Toyota altezza 👍

[@briantristan5634]

jasonhowes75 bro just get a bike

[@IIIrandomIII]

Brian Tristan Or just walk

[@kyleh5356]

I traded mines for 2008 civic manual and its way nicer knowing parts are 10x cheaper and i dont gotta worry about as much with shit breaking down this car is expensive to maintain and upgrade not saying im broke or this cars bad but the money i was spending on it could have gone to so many diffrent things.

[@brandonherc562brown2]

How do you know if the vanos is going bad??

[@mohammadshahin4922]

A common way of checking if any tabs or bolts have broken in to listen very closely for it. It will sound like metal in a tin can bouncing around and stuff. He has a video called "s54 vanos" and it goes over a lot of this stuff. highly recommend watching!

[@stevesid4403]

SMG is not a manual transmission. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if there are only 2 pedals on the floor, it's an automatic.

[@ShopLifeTV]

SMG = Sequential Manual Gearbox. It technically is a manual transmission just all of the traditional components you would see in a manual gearbox are replaced with hydraulically operated components. I prefer a true manual as well, but there is no denying that the SMG system was really clever for its time.

[@alecsuddell4703]

Steve Sid wow 😂😂

[@Linoge279]

its SMG which is semi-auto...just like mine and it still running strong with the mileage already 204k miles.

[@patrickcorpuz7491]

Damm😂

[@nostrodam]

idiot