THIS BMW M3 HAS SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS ! CAN I FIX IT FOR CHEAP ? ep2

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you all for the kind words and comments guys. It means a lot to see most people enjoy the videos, it makes it worthwile spending the time to make the video and share my experiences 😊😊😊

[@darrellrogers5703]

A swivel socket works wonders 🎉🎉14" extension ratchet also used the ac delco digital torque rachet goes kgm NM and ft lbs good tool for these cars any torque click or digital

[@jasong4388]

Stick the CSL software on the SMG box mate that improves things...I've got a manual E46 M3 & the gear change is not the best.

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Its had the CSL map done already mate 🙂

[@craiga631]

Keep it smg, reset the clutch biting point via laptop, then go get engine and gearbox remapped, The difference is night and day, i only say reset the biting point using a laptop and smg disc from of M3 site like M3CUTTERS etc because you dont want to get engine and box remapped if the biting point on the clutch is to low, it would be a wasted journey ( might need new clutch and flywheel ). You don't get much bhp wise on the remap but the difference is staggering and gearbox becomes smoother and faster, it's the cheapest mod you can do that makes the biggest difference imo, i had mine supercharged but now changed it to CSL airbox and sounds amazing

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks for the comment. This has already had the CSL map I've just not had chance to do much driving in it yet as only owned it a couple of days which I've spent doing the repairs 😅

[@darrellrogers5703]

Check to see if you have any metal on the end of the magnet which is inside the sensor 🎉🎉

[@nOtThisnotNow]

Bravo getting that sensor out! Holy crap

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you 😊

[@davidpimblett4452]

I run an M3 Phoenix coupe with SMG and i love it. Yes it can take some getting used to and a bit notchy when cold. It was made that way, i say keep it standard. Great vid by the way.

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you

[@islandmac1]

Great video- just discovered your channel. Love the colour… please leave it the way it left the factory SMG👍👊…can’t wait for your next update-following from BC, 🇨🇦

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you appreciate the comment 😊

[@jamesh2515]

May worth checking how it is underneath at the back / subframe mounts/ corrosion etc.. if that needs sorting, perhaps prioritize ahead of other expenditure..

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Hi. The subframe has been re done recently. 😊

[@liamdavies676]

Personally I’d Convert it to manual, looking to convert mine in the near future due to smg issues .Would be great to see it documented on here not many videos in the UK showing the process. Top vidoes so far 👍

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you. 😊

[@lemmykilmister450]

I sold my manual cabriolet about 7 years ago, after it trapped the roof between the cover 😅 great fun cars to drive though.

[@lesrowley2031]

Keep it smg, i know its a pain in the arse system but when its fully sorted it's a brilliant drving experience, so many options to choose from, bear in mind smg is basically a manual box with a pump operated clutch, i had mine for four years and loved it even though I spent a fortune on maintenance, they suffered with the holy trinity, smg vanos and rod bearings, as it's over 20yrs old the rod bearings will have been replaced long ago, its a iconic car so hold on to it and enjoy.

[@sarcastixx74]

Make sure that thermostat needle points to straight 12 o'clock, any less (even slightly) means the stat needs swapping out. Not a big job. Got rid of my E46 M3 cabrio a few years ago, same colour as this one, 6spd manual. Fantastic machine, good to see another one being kept on the road! As for the SMG, many users on the M3cutters forum swear by the CSL flash for the box, it saved lots of them for opting to do that silly 6sp MT swap. For a car this age, not worth it and it seriously won't add much value, if at all. Good luck!

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you. Temp sits fine and it's already had the CSL map 🙂

[@walkthroughguru]

Had an SMG they need a software update if it hasn't already been done for the clutch wear to be compensated for. Other than that never had any issues with my M3 and the SMG and tbh i loved the system also heard the pumps can be an issue.

[@bravo4886]

Hello Geeza from Australia. Re SMG > Manual, you might like to try the CSL SMG II software upgrade first, apparently it has sensational effect. There I seen USA and UK tuner do this. Cheers. I used to have the same car 2004 in Steel Grey, I miss that car so much, best car I ever had. Cheers fella.

[@darrellrogers5703]

Before start clear codes 🎉🎉on any project

[@johnregan6078]

Keep the SMG, I have a carbon black 2003 M3 with 109.000 miles on her still going strong 💪

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks 😊

[@simonpeters888]

Mine is an 03 plate SMG and i wasn’t sure about it but had the CSL flash and i love it id leave it tbh i aint going to bother doing mine

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks for the comment I've not got much experience with these boxs I'd just heard bad things about them but this one's fine so I may well leave it be 😊

[@Jim95M3]

If the SMG is okay leave it alone...."if ain't broke don't fix it" !!!

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks mate appreciate that. 😊

[@derbyjohn972]

Absolutely amazing work on a lovely looking car. Used to have one same colour 👍🏻👍🏻. Do miss it

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you 😊

[@darrellrogers5703]

Fantastic videos sir

[@SoulBrother-V8]

Looking forward to you breathing new life into this beauty

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you appreciate it 🙏

[@richardtaylor2449]

Happy New Year guys' great car i'd love an M3 e46 😍i hope you manual swap it I also look forward to the brilliant Ferrari 🐴and not forgetting your kid's Manta 👨‍🔧👍👍👍

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks bud and a happy new year to you too.

[@SH-sc9or]

I don't get the manual gearbox mania, I guess its a "psychological follow the herd" thing. I specifically choose for an SMG, after only having the option for manual for decades. Now for years owning an E30, E36, E46 and E90 M3 and dare to say I know what I'm talking about. Nice color btw.

[@robbiemcelwee9139]

100% do the manual conversion!👍🏼

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks 👍

[@stewartmowatt2337]

Keep it as is gear box is working if the box was broken then I would short shiifth 6 speed it nice color

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you

[@darrellrogers5703]

I just did mine on a 328i coupe I blew out the debris once I took off the air intake alot of bmw engineering it took me 4hrs was my first time new ckp new o ring and new bolt at 7NM😂

[@iain4853]

Yes manual conversion. 6 speed is already there. Go for it. Lots of peeps have done it. Will make good content and add value to this great car❤❤

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

My thoughts exactly 😊

[@darrellrogers5703]

Me personally I'd leave her alone with the trans swap it's got a 3.2 unusual motor but will have a slight bit of more hp over the stock 3.0 l she's a beauty

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks bud 👍

[@mikesphoenix_e46m3]

Keep it smg trust me also looks like the thermostats on its way out it should be at 12 o clock upto temp also i would get genuine

[@djx6138]

Manual all day kid 💯👑🔥🔥 👊🏾

[@thatnorthernguy8087]

You must have beaten me to this by a day or so, I was going to buy it! Glad to see you’ve sorted the running issues. Are you selling it when done? I’m literally around the corner from your yard…

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

It will be sold at some point mate yes

[@thatnorthernguy8087]

@ would love to come and have a look at it if you’d be ok with that. If you’re selling it anytime soon, give me a shout

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

@thatnorthernguy8087 yeah sure no issues mate call in.

[@Mickyd2121]

Personally, I would stick the smg. Expensive optional extra

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks

[@JP-zo4nr]

If the SMG is working fine then I’d leave it. Better off checking the rear subframe mounting points for cracks, SMG E46’s suffer from cracks the most.

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Hi. Thanks for the comment the subframe has been rebuild recently 😊

[@yourvsco]

Bmw sells the headlight lenses

[@michaelrawlings3785]

I got a E46 M3 manual,,and the SMG ,, ANOTHER level Just saying because they made the E46 M3 CSL with the same SMG,,do the maths the Germans made for a reason,,pmsl on a long day at work,,a auto on a busy day in traffic,,,a amazing,,,I love my manual car but sometimes I wish I did not need to keep pressing the clutch,,,stop go stop go stop go lol 🤣 each man to there own love of gearbox😮

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks 😊

[@stephenmartinloughran-zv3cu]

I would leave the auto as it is a soft top and not a hard top

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks. I do prefer the soft top look 😊

[@moa6324]

Manual is better but I would definitely keep it original, it will retain the value. Restore back to factory 👍

[@seanpaul3050]

Manual swap for sure. Anyone using this in traffic and worried about having to use a clutch, should buy something else.

[@aran7teen]

Manual > Auto but it depends what the goal is. If profit is the goal just leave it and sell it. If you want content or a cool car, swap it.

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thank you 😊

[@johnregan6078]

Great video r kid 👍🏻

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks mate 😊

[@darrellrogers5703]

Oh new air intake gaskets from eling 🎉🎉🎉

[@christhompson9320]

You selling it when it's done?

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Yes it will be sold on at some point

[@christhompson9320]

@@RetroRestorationGarage let me know... would be nice to get one that's mechanically sorted.

[@keithwaterhouse5803]

Last of the real drivers m car manual all the way

[@Z-jh8bm]

Keep it smg

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks 😊

[@titch_r160]

Keep smg 👍🏾

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

Thanks 😊

[@sjv6598]

Anything can be fixed with enough time and money 🙂

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

This is true

[@hookybit]

Think you need to waterproof the hood it shouldnt soak up water like that , never a good idea using pressure jet on a hood

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

I'll look into that, thanks

[@jackdanielsamarreto]

GEARBOX If it works leave it I had a E46 330d 6 cylinder auto box done 126,000 miles had to let it go part exchange due to wiring faults bmw said car’s wiring is ment to last 10 years so I pxd it.

[@adamg393]

Until the smg pump goes

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

?

[@dirkinrogue5708]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

[@ianlee487]

I've got to say it's a nice looking car but I just dont see the attraction with bmw .there reliability on all models especially the newer models is a joke

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

I disagree. I ran a 335d 2015 model from 2015 to 2024 absolutely no issues at all never even had a warning on the dash. Only thing it had was brake pads, tyres and periodic services. My missus has 2020 X5 M50d for the past 3 years again be faultless. they are great cars if you stay away from the smaller engines.

[@johnwhite9175]

Keep it SMG don't change it

[@mattjones7200]

Smg all the way

[@darrellrogers5703]

Germans love it Goodentight😂

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

They certainly do ! 😅

[@M44TFB]

Manual

[@nOtThisnotNow]

Such a bit chen car I would love to get one some day

[@craiga631]

Give the engine a remap along with the gearbox, They are so much better afterwards

[@RetroRestorationGarage]

It's already had the CSL map done 😊