Here's What I Learned about E46 M3 Reliability

[@PaleD]

Honest review, among the many that are very youtubey, fake, sensational and devoid of real life experience and actual facts. Well done. Best car.

[@tp_e46]

We already know. Best car

[@BabatundeOni-p9o]

Totally correct. Got 1 from an auction site with no prior history. Did the big 3, water pump, thermostat and crank case ventilation valve and it was golden. Only thing that failed was the brake pressure sensors in 4yrs. Now the rear differential bushings and the evap purge valve has checked out. But that’s nothing!

[@tp_e46]

People don't like to hear BMWs can be reliable

[@ericmlcoch3434]

Review is spot on. They are a bit needy but well worth it. Wonderful chassis, power delivery is fantastic, very comfortable and ergonomic. It helps if you can turn a wrench, these cars are rewarding to work on. I plan on putting many miles on my newly acquired 03 with 130k miles. It drives oh so well.

[@tp_e46]

Congrats on the new ride! You're spot on. They're needy but worth it

[@Gas45678]

sweet ride man ! I'm up in Toronto too, I got a s54 swapped 325i e46 touring. great engine, wonderful wagon. my other car is a Honda, so you know I like reliable power trains ;) Every company has got its golden age engines ! just as the b18c is sort of the "crown jewel" for Hondas of the late 90s, the s54 is also peak inline 6 engineering from BMW ... built from over 30 years over motorsport experience, last of its kind for sure !

[@tp_e46]

Omg I need to see that wagon! Sounds like a sick build

[@LTLBproductions]

It’s reliable as long as you do the maintenance. What a Crazy idea. Idk what people mean when they complain about reliability anymore. Is it good as long as you maintain your car, or is it good because I can be a terrible car owner and neglect the car for a million miles lol. Great video btw. Currently looking into one rn.

[@tp_e46]

People come from Toyota's and Honda's thinking they can do no maintenance and the car will be fine. Then they get welcome into a world of hurt and jump on forums and complain lol

[@DCPEvo]

Similar to you I’ve now owned mine for a long time. In my case 17 years. It’s always been one of my non daily’s so I’ve put less miles on. About 35k miles in my case. I’ve found the car to be entirely reliable. Sure I’ve done a ton of preventative maintenance, but I enjoy doing it myself so I don’t mind. Other non daily’s- I’ve rotated through but always held onto the e46 m3 because it’s a special car. Modern classics is where it’s at for me. There’s literally only one car I might sell it for the garage space. A 997 gt3.

[@tp_e46]

Preventative maintenance is key. Funny, the 997 GT3 has always been my dream car lol

[@kylepatton2423]

The engine is most definitely reliable, it's everything else around it that constantly breaks. At 160k miles and 3 years of ownership here's everything I had to do so far on my 03 E46 with SMG. Replace Rod bearings, rebuild Vanos, replace oil pan gasket (total bitch to do you have to drop the frame}, subframe reinforcement, replace oil filter housing gasket twice, the electric seat broke and I just threw it out and got Recaro seats (was planning on that anyways), replaced all suspension bushings (they were squeaking and falling apart), I got BC Racing coilovers instead of replacing the struts and shocks cuz they were totally shot out. The car went into limp mode when I was over 20 miles away from home because my alternator and battery were going out, so I got home and replaced those then I had to replace the transmission fluid because driving in limp mode that far screws everything up but I didn't know that at the time. Then a few weeks later the car would just randomly turn off at red lights and service engine light went on because the camshaft position sensor was bad. The expansion tank cracked, did a cooling system overhaul but didn't replace the radiator. 5k miles later the radiator cracked. I've been through 2 water pumps and right now the transmission is leaking and may need a rebuild or manual swap. the rear passenger window motor broke and for some reason the car always smells like crayons. I'm gonna have to say that having been a Lexus LS400 owner prior to this car that overall this has been the most unreliable car that I have ever driven. It has left me stranded twice in 3 years, I love the car when it works but you REALLY need to keep up with it and it costs ALOT of $$$ even though I've done most the work myself. You truly have to love this car to put up with it and honestly I do and it's worth it to me but SHEESH

[@tp_e46]

Damn man that's a lot to have replaced. These cars definitely can be high maintenance bitches

[@HD33P1]

I have an 04 SMG. It's currently having a new clutch fitted. I really miss my Lexus LS600H

[@CB-ym9to]

I’ve owned one for 10 years. If you properly maintain it and don’t beat the crap out of it or abuse it it’s all good. I’ve done brakes, plugs and coil packs and that’s it.

[@tp_e46]

It's fine to abuse it (gotta enjoy them afterall). But staying ahead of the maintenance is key

[@HD33P1]

Just let it warm up first

[@rabmc]

I’m in the uk and owned mine now for 9yrs, I do 2/3k miles per year and right now my car is up on axle stands, fuel pump failed bought a new one and fitted all good, on my first run out after 2 weeks off the road I had a failure on a rear brake line, so currently replacing those. Other than that it’s been good, rarely lets me down if ever and this has been the worst period with the car in my ownership.

[@tp_e46]

It's always the little things that keep you down. Car will up and running in no time!

[@rabmc]

@ Thanks pal, these cars are old snd need looked after, I’ve learned always replace with bmw parts or better and never half a*** any jobs as they come back to bite you twice as bad.

[@tp_e46]

Yah cheaping out on these cars never work out well. Ends up costing more in the long run

[@rabmc]

@@tp_e46 Update, on taking the V brace off underneath to gain access the centre bolt sheeted / snapped head off, spent a whole day drilling it out and then snapped a stud extractor flush in the hole I drilled through the centre, as you can imagine this is now an absolute nightmare job.

[@tp_e46]

@rabmc snapped bolts are what nightmares are made of

[@DankCushh]

Just got my e46. Ive spent about 3 months so far fixing it up cause parts take a while to come in & its been a lil expensive so far but will be worth when ready.

[@tp_e46]

When it's all done, you'll love it

[@e46m32]

A fantastic car indeed And so rewarding if buy a decent one From the get go Yes there expensive parts wise The dreaded M TAX But considering how long the parts last 20 something years Is a true testament too bmw So yes your going to do pre maintenance too keep it in tip too condition just like any other car So many yt people complaining about there car I brought the cheapest e46 M3 🙄 when they by a cheap ass neglect example the moan about how unreliable it is 😱 Usually a smg tho 🤣🤭 And do the minimum silly things and then claim there’s cars complete sorted 🤣. Yeah okay really 🤔 Ohh now there trying to sell it too a prescriber 😮 What I would say is don’t be fooled with all the hype about low mileage cars And paying a huge premium for one that’s had nothing done too it That will still need work and money spent maintaining it Ie diff work Paint correction Rust inn rear arches brake lines Wheel bearing backing plates Rusty roll bars Bushes too name a few But once you start slowly replacing old warn out parts What you get personally is the best M car driving wise and a true classic 🥳 Mines on 128,000 And would happily put it against any 70,000 mile car knowing it’s been maintained and not cut corners & probably in better condition 🤭

[@tp_e46]

Well spoken. The M Tax is real

[@e46m32]

@ 🤣 and at that point might as well treat yourself to some lovely csl parts wouldn’t u say 😉😍 Would be rude not too I keep telling myself 😬

[@tp_e46]

@e46m32 LOL definitely

[@e46m32]

@ don’t know if you have done yours already ? with the milage but for a few hundred dollars definitely worth doing your upper and lower steering coupling OEM of course 😉 huge difference steering wise wish I done mine as soon as I got my car ✔️

[@tp_e46]

@e46m32 I haven't, I'll look into that. Thanks!