2005 BMW M3 E46 Manual Review [Zack Klapman]

[@DaBaltimoron]

"It held up really well until it didn't." -every used BMW owner

[@carsandbids]

Facts!

[@Its.Mr.Bonelezz_Pizza]

“Oh well,it was nice while it lasted” is also a very popular phrase among bmw owners

[@g.w.7893]

Isn't that every car owner?

[@levimachado]

@@g.w.7893 the punchline with BMW appears to happen slighlty quicker than some others... but not quite as quick as maseratis or alfa romeos

[@armadillolover99]

New BMW owners too.

[@MikeS42069]

Zack is a great presenter! Love the humor!

[@carsandbids]

We agree!

[@leenestle]

@@carsandbidswould love to see more of Zack on the channel!

[@mmahtnart8986]

He is good (-;

[@jordanwampler6030]

Me too keep Zack coming he’s awesome

[@Zimmy_1981]

Agreed, really feeling his vibe, great job sir & that car is a beauty

[@Matness23]

Zach being an e46 owner and Being Zach…adds alot to this review. There is an extra enthusiasm and he is very well qualified to review this specific car.

[@carsandbids]

That's why we got him over to film with this car. He is currently fixing wires in his trunk btw.

[@sheafloyd9904]

More Zach! His snarky humor & fun idioms are a good addition to this channel

[@carsandbids]

We love when we can get him into a car.

[@ryanwinter3203]

As someone who has daily driven his e46 m3 for the last 3 years/60000 miles, these cars are an absolute gem

[@DefiningKicks]

About the tpms lights, it’s not a module on the wheel. Its run off the wheel speed sensor and the vehicle detecting a change in the speed at which the wheels are spinning to determine pressure loss.

[@ealarax]

Good observation. This is true.

[@ca9968]

I had an 04 manual in Imola Red with black leather in South Africa back in 2006, kept it for 3 years, amazing car for the long roads between Johannesburg and the various places I visited all along the coast line...the twice that I drove it from Johannesburg to Cape Town (868 or so miles, one way) were both epic drives! Sadly after 2 attempted thefts from my property and an attempted car jacking where shots were fired I decided to part with her and got myself an e46 330d Motorsport, the Common Spotted Velcro Crested Wallet Snatchers that hunt in flocks in that country didn`t seem interested in anything with a diesel engine fitted in it and I ended up keeping that car for 6 years, I still really do miss the "Red Dragon" though...

[@startingtech3900]

damn sucks bc of scum theives you had to sell it

[@nindiablo]

I have an 03 E46M3 and to my knowledge, they don't have actual TPMS sensors. The ABS/wheel speed sensors at each corner will compare and if one is out of range that signifies a tire going down. BTW, 230k miles on mine (203k of which I put on) and still love it

[@rskylinej]

Correct, if the light isn’t able to be reset with even pressure across each axle then it could be a sign of a bad wheel/abs sensor

[@harrisiqbal3608]

Original bearings ?

[@nindiablo]

@harrisiqbal3608 They were replaced under the recall before I bought it. Haven't touched them nor have I done any oil analysis. VANOS was replaced with a new OEM unit under CPO warranty in 2009. I check the tabs every valve adjustment. RACP was reinforced with TMS plates in 2011.

[@harrisiqbal3608]

@@nindiablo I didn’t know recalls were done on 2003 cars ? I thought Upto 2002 . Il be doing mine soon enough .

[@harrisiqbal3608]

@@nindiablo plates are good with a x brace and the lance cups for the front side . Maybe overkill . Enjoy the car pal always feel nostalgic.

[@DonBMW]

Zack is spot on. The wide support and availability of parts is why I still own my E46 and E36 M3. The large production numbers, parts availability, and lots and lots of experience and support from other owners means lots of solutions. Have I mentioned that both M3's are great looking cars. There were times when I thought about trading for a Porsche but I can't make the leap cause I like my BMW's so much.

[@bk_nreynolds3278]

Zack never fails to make me smile and chuckle, wether it’s in solo reviews like these or on the podcasts, which is rare for someone as cynical and miserable as me. Keep it up Zack

[@oversteer6771]

I just sold mine after three years , it was my dream car, its by far the most fun I ever had and lived up to the hype. I just found it unrealistic as a sports car unless you don’t have any budget issues . Due to its issues being recurring maintenance. It takes too much to just get it to drive with peace of mind, let alone beat on it all the time . I think ideally I would want that engine in a sedan that’s a cruiser of some sort , I guess im prob more of a m5 person as I enjoy comfort now

[@tass2001]

E46 M3 Touring / Wagon ;)

[@oversteer6771]

@@tass2001 if only! Those swaps end up costing 20k 😂

[@R03333]

What do you mean by maintenance as a sports car VS the M5's use? Do you mean as a track car?

[@oversteer6771]

@@R03333 the e46 requires prob some of the most work amongst the M cars to just have it as a street car, I think the e39 has fewer issues

[@DonBMW]

My E36 M3 took 12 years to get it perfect to where I addressed everything. Have owned my E46 M3 for 5 years and in that time have done the clutch, all fluids, tires and coolant flush. All else in perfect order at 90K miles. Drives like a top. Maintenance has been minimal.

[@chartreux1532]

As a Bavarian who obviously is biased towards "Bayrische Motorenwerke" seeing someone named "Klapman" which is the anglicised version of the german name "Klappmann/Kleppmann" which has it's origins in the German Prussian Dialect word for someone who drives a Carriage with Horses, aka a "Klepper/Klapper" or a "Klepp/Klappmann" as a Job makes me happy. I guess you could say Zack Klapman has the "Driving" Genes because of his Origins. I work as Historian here in Germany and focus mainly on Contemporary German History which includes a ton of "Origins of Family Names" Research. Though right now i focus on the History of different Car Manufacturers as well as Firearms Manufacturers. As a longtime Doug Subscriber and now starting to enjoy the Cars & Bids Crew i thought i share that. Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

[@zackklapman3569]

Uh holy moly this was an interesting breakdown. My great grandfather came from Poland I believe, which ain’t far from Germany.

[@MarjanZuza]

Steyrska Bawarska ..thats IT. And my Croatia. That is all world .thats it😊😊🇭🇷🇩🇪👍✌️🤗🤗

[@SuzukiGil10]

Bought an 03 Dinan S2 with 194k miles almost two months ago and have loved every second of driving it.

[@JustinSeara]

Woof, that a lot of miles. What made you confident in it?

[@MrMoonunit67]

My 04 s3 no supercharger is sublime. Dinan 8400 rpm is stupid!

[@Jmherbert7]

Dude! I've been listening to Zach on smoking tire forever yet never like this! The humor, editing and personality is perfection. Keep making these with Zach!

[@jasonheisler6381]

As an E46 M3 owner, this is one, if not the best review of one of these cars. You can tell Zach actually owns one of these. Great video!

[@carsandbids]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheConorMLife]

I have put close to 20,000 miles on this since purchasing it off Cars & Bids. First day of ownership was January 2nd, 2024

[@rickkerrypollak6208]

I can tell Doug edited this video with the little (conversions) when measurements are said. Great video, guys!

[@I999-g2s]

Drove a great example of one of these on my favourite twisty roads and was blown away. Then I drove a 997.1 911 of the same year, on the same road. Suddenly, the M3 showed its humble origins as a family sedan. Both are fabulous and either one would be a privilege to own. But, I suddenly realized why the 911 cost so much more, when new.

[@g.w.7893]

No one asked.

[@I999-g2s]

@@g.w.7893 “no one asked”, but a child responded…

[@ealarax]

I love my E46 M3 SMG! Owned it for about 11 years now and wouldn’t have it any other way. Fun fact, Jet Black is actually more rare than Carbon Black. These cars can be some work but they are rewarding.

[@catmobile20]

Zach is great! I would love to see him more on this channel. Love the humor.

[@torreym]

I like this guy. You should keep him.

[@mikewozawski1634]

Zach was perfect for this

[@maciapp1262]

Perfect explanation on the ITB's review. Good stuff

[@f1jones544]

I had a friend who got one of these. Before that, he had a supercharged Mustang GT that broke something that was underbuilt with every new "upgrade." I got a 987 Cayman and he couldn't believe the easy performance and amazing build quality of that car. Friend decided to get a real car, got one of these E46 M3s. I was skeptical. But he insisted it would be fine ava he got an admittedly clean model. No, what he got was a more expensive Mustang GT that was under-engineered. He spent about 2 years chasing engine and subframe upgrades while something else would break following each "upgrade." I drove it once and found out why he couldn't keep up with me in the Cayman. Only the engine's smoothness was better. Meanwhile, I never had an issue with my Cayman in five years of daily driving ownership. I just don't see it. Since then, I got an F350 328i. I told that guy to buy the 335 at the time. I'm not afraid of BMWs, just these things.

[@idokwatcher2062]

Cayman 987 huh, with its oval scorred bores and IMS blewing out. Much more reliable than S54 for sure.

[@ps13215033]

I love Zack on C&B, always thought he was a lil held back on the smoking tire. Happy to see him be more himself!

[@carsandbids]

Love Zack!

[@josephkelly4893]

Here’s to Zac playing a Monster Truck on an off broadway show!!

[@Soldier4life-H5]

Arguably THE best looking M3 ever made.

[@acalthu]

Yo! We need more Zack on here, and doing car reviews as well. No disrespect to Keenan and Alanis, but Zack is required. Moar Zack, pls, kthx.

[@MSchumacherfan]

I have a 2003 m3 coupe, SMG, cinnamon leather, 60k miles, rear sub frame replacement done, Borla exhaust, competition front brakes etc

[@carsandbids]

Nice!

[@Petrospect]

Zack's the man! Black might be the best color on these...

[@carsandbids]

Zack is great!

[@axe2grind244]

Dude down my street has an ‘02 Laguna Seca and it’s amazing. I detail it twice a year and I catch myself staring at it a lot lol.

[@mittortz]

You're tearing me apart Zack!!! Awesome review. Get your own M3 into some more videos!

[@JayTheBiggestBird]

I love cars and bids e46 m3 videos 🥰

[@nickg3235]

Definitely more Zach! Love his dry sense of humor and insight into the cars he reviews!

[@starrdogchamp1]

its a gorgeous car! gorgeous to drive as well. i miss my 05 convertible M3

[@rjsanders1981]

Great review and beautiful M3. You’re one of my favorite reviewers. 😁👌

[@inline6-b586]

Loved this video. We need more of zack reviewing more of cars in a similar setup.

[@jjcc8031]

beautiful presentation on going through the mods to the functions beginning to end!

[@carsandbids]

Glad you liked it!

[@jjcc8031]

@@carsandbids i did want to ask if there was a way i could speak to true previous owner if possible, thanks.

[@jjcc8031]

@@carsandbidsjust thought i’d ask thanks

[@jonlivingstone]

This is an excellent way to sell a car via reviewing it! Excellent!

[@mzungusi]

Excellent work Zack. Really good review.

[@carsandbids]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jaredfromsubway1733]

This guy is good....

[@Alex-FFM]

Very present at the Touristenfahrten at the Ring. 👌🏼. Love it but the M3 E36 is still my fav :) cheers from Frankfurt

[@sterlingchafey8425]

Zack is great on this channel. When I saw this car on the website, I was excited to see it was his review. He seems like the best to give feedback considering he daily's his, and has experienced Matt's perfect one.

[@jonlivingstone]

Zach is great! What a sense of humor and intelligent.

[@makoa59]

There is nothing wrong with the tire sensor in this car. The reason the tire sensor light is on in this car is because of the different tire size. The e46 M3 does not have a true tire pressure sensor. The sensor is based on the wheel speed which is determined by the tire diameter. A flat or low pressure tire will register to the sensor that the tire has a smaller diameter and the sensor will throw a code. The sensor is factory calibrated for the 255/35/19 rear tire (or 255/40/18), which is the stock tire size as recommended by BMW. You mentioned that the car you are driving in this video has 275 width tire, (probably 275/30/19), it is a wider tire, but it is a smaller diameter tire than the 255/35/19. It is a common mod, and I have made the same change in my M3. The sensor is calibrated for the 255/35/19 tire diameter so the 275's make it throw a code. It is a non issue, but since a lot of e46 owners make this tire change, it is a common issue. If the owner put factory size tires back on, the sensor would not throw a code. For the record, I'm keeping my 275s and ignoring the sensor light.

[@franksam8610]

I have one 03 12 years plus regular maintenance and a battery with a mag sensor and starter is all oh yeah and plugs and coils so far I do it myself all of it

[@davidramez6219]

Love Jet black over carbon black metallic.

[@mtlsi]

Excellent review.

[@jonlivingstone]

That car looks great and what a nice setting.

[@davide8641]

zack just do this forever plz

[@sicboy041]

Great review. Very engaging and informative!

[@nicholasurfe9568]

need an S54 to transplant into my M54 Z3.....love an S54. New rod bearings and you're good.

[@carsandbids]

And a carbon airbox with an alpha n tune, all the induction noise!

[@nicholasurfe9568]

yes.. noise from SIX throtle bodies@@carsandbids

[@lvl88661]

mr respects for the m3 , awesome Germany engineer

[@gabethomas8123]

Zack, please make a video like this for every modern classic I’m considering buying. I’ll send you a list. I’ll give you a suitcase of IOUs in return.

[@Rockingruvin]

I have an 03 330 upgraded with a supercharger 340 hp, 290ft lbs, stiffer control arm bushings w limiter tabs. Still looking to put in a LSD. Clear/LED corners and LED tails. Titansilber. Feels a lot more like m3 than 330. Style 135 rims. (ZHP)

[@jessejimenez9915]

Great review Zach. You come to every review with much more experience and credibility then many other breathless KZbinrs that only follow the trends or point out the obvious stuff. Hopefully we can see more from you, you’re the best reviewer in Dougie‘s stable. The somewhat flat and dry humor is icing on the cake, at least for my sensibilities.

[@TwoStrokeJonathan]

DTM = Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft... cant wait to get my e46 done! Just a few more month and ill have it on the road for the first time

[@jmanned]

What a beautiful sounding car, want to get one of these when I find the right deal.

[@RobbieKhan]

Same engine but not same power or the same brake rotors. We also got the CSL manifold on standard E46 M3s made on or after 2005. The USA version came with 10BHP less than our EU models.

[@tombom7662]

Zack is awesome! Love the branching out of presenters, would love to see more!

[@norgtube]

Whoever wrote the script for this, pat yourself on the back. Zack, super well done! Perfect balance in the tone of info vs entertainment.

[@JohannGambolputty22]

Amazing to think it’s worth more than I paid. Glad I kept it. :)

[@heyimadrian.4546]

Europe did have a different engine. In EU the S54 makes 343 HP. Same with the M54, the ZHP was "the standart one" here

[@MazthorilMusic]

Such a beauty , if I had a wonderful masterpiece like this I would never sell it , and taking care of it until I pass it over to my heirs when I can't drive anymore ! 🥰

[@leo.f.v.andersson]

That guy was pretty good at reviewing

[@Carl_Johnson_from_grove_street]

BEAUTIFUL CAR!

[@friguy4444]

Great video thank you. I've never heard about the radiators going bad around any mileage before. Are you dure you're not just relating something you had a problem with to everyone having that problem? Another question being did you not hear that at the 2003.5 mark BMW did actually change the Rod bearings in the S54 engines so it is much less common on cars built from thhose years on? Also reports from shops that do the subframe plate repairs extremely otten such as "Redish Motorsports" in the UK and others say that the subframe problem is not related to only high power models at all and that even the E46 316, 318 and 325i models are just as prone to the problem. Yea not good news really is it LOL.

[@Califoryan]

Zack is the funniest dude in this space. The single Vanos salsa reference made me laugh harder than I care to admit.

[@carsandbids]

We love Zack.

[@wetali91]

Hey Zack, you did great 😊

[@carsandbids]

Thank you 🤗

[@TeamSchubel]

More Zack!!!

[@carguy7627]

I loved my 2006 M3 with the competition package in carbon black that I bought in late ‘05. I sold it after putting 88k miles on it. The only thing I didn’t like about it was the weight. It’s a porky guy, not by today’s standards but I didn’t like the weight and always wished it was 300-400lbs lighter.

[@allshownogo2466]

love zack, great seeing him become more and more comfortable on camera. this video was amazing. loved all the jokes

[@jared8847]

The perfect car, style wise

[@jmelcon]

Nice job Zack!

[@geneharwood3017]

This dude is hilarious!!!👏

[@jonathank4416]

"This car has tires I've never heard of." Probably not what would inspire confidence carving corners in the canyon. If this was my car I'd change those tires ASAP.

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

Want to get those wheels on my jet black too lol

[@carsandbids]

They are pretty awesome.

[@emelian3340]

bmw m3 e46 the last M3 the best M3 ever

[@mikewozawski1634]

Lol never forget when my brothers e36 m3 rear shock tower broke.

[@amdxp12]

Nice red bmw m2 passing by at 14:14

[@arizonaridersclub]

We're riding with ya.

[@MSchumacherfan]

2003.5 and newer had the LED from the factory. So is it really a 2005?

[@paspitale]

Wait… you owned a Jetta? What year was it? VR6? Did you like it?

[@mdrojas146]

IDK I think 3k produced in the same spec is pretty rare, given that over 60k are here in the states.

[@aznskrachmaztah]

Need an evo 8/9 video from Zack

[@timbo2618]

Does anyone make rear tail light backing plates for the leds that fit?

[@anuratohazra]

This is indeed the best M3. The next gen did have a V8. But this was THE M3.

[@carsandbids]

Exactly!

[@DaBaltimoron]

Zack needs to be in the thumbnail!

[@carsandbids]

We need more Zack pics!

[@davidsandoval4437]

Keep up the great work Zach!! You have a gift

[@redscorpion234]

I love that dude!

[@carsandbids]

We do too!

[@ArnoSchmidt70]

Thanks for not wearing spandex pants! (btw., DTM stands for Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft)

[@adrianvaduva5006]

Are those 19 inch wheels or 18?

[@edd.730]

If I put the left blinker on and the AC fan is on level 4 and I'm at 7700rpm there's a slight drone that's annoying, but as soon as I get to 7710rpm it goes away!

[@snoop2274]

Europes M3 had different down-pipes I think, didn’t US have an extra cat? Hence Europe was 343bhp

[@zackklapman3569]

Same engine though whereas with the E36 you had a lot of different parts.

[@Steve-qd5tk]

Zack is someone I want to see review cars instead of the other two who have zero experience and whose opinions have as much weight with me as a fart in the wind.

[@rive3051]

Does Germany Have Salsa?

[@studiolezard]

This guy's pretty good. Hire him.

[@oversteer_9339]

Still my dream car

[@carsandbids]

Get one while you still can!

[@oversteer_9339]

Wish i could but apart from not being able to afford them, they are very hard to come by. At least where im from

[@carsandbids]

Where are you?

[@MrTeamriab]

Please do a Z4 M coupe!

[@Guy-mx4fb]

Is it just my eyes or does this have nicer front than the 06? You know if the fronts are the same

[@JimmyDShea]

Great review and reviewer!