[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by CPWINCH

for that price I would just get a 335! a lot more fun. The S54 has to similar of a power band to the s65 imo just with a lot less power. Get a used 335 and tune it for almost the same price

This is true.. but the 335's have all sorts of turbo issues that I don't want to deal with. Too many friends have been through hell with that HPFP, and I've seen turbo/wastegate issues over and over again.

The owner of the E46 referred me to a shop that he takes his car to discuss plugging in to read data from the car. I called that shop and had a discussion with them - they are still using the GT1 and OPPS - OLD stuff! I told him I'd bring the ICOM and the factory tools to check the car out, and he was ok with that. The shop also knows a few places that I've worked with closely before, so that was further reassurance to them.

Thanks everyone for all of your comments. I am going to go look at the car tomorrow if time permits, and see how firm the seller is on price.

It might be better to wait for something else more exciting to come up.. Maybe the S54 would be lame to me since it has less torque than our already torqueless S65

[X2Board]

Mike, he was probably worried about all the rev limit bounces you would find

I would not trust someone that drove an M3 for 10 years and claims to have never hit the redline.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by X2Board

Mike, he was probably worried about all the rev limit bounces you would find

I would not trust someone that drove an M3 for 10 years and claims to have never hot the redline.

Yeah this sounds a little bit absurd. In fact, I would have wanted it to hit redline. Performance cars that are babied all day long often have problems down the line. Id rather have a car that was driven like it's supposed to be. Big difference between abuse and reving the car up to what it was designed for.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by Boostin FD

I don't know why people hate SMG... I loved mine. I actually liked it more then current DCT. SMG was more like manual... Yeah the pump can be a bitch to replace once goes out, but that's once every 130k miles. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with you 110 percent. I loved the slight jerk between shifts, I actually used to lift my foot between shifts and nail it again on normal driving just because i liked to see the feeling.

I didn't have my SMG for long (12k) miles, but mine was perfect, and I never had a day of warranty.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by IFX

I agree with you 110 percent. I loved the slight jerk between shifts, I actually used to lift my foot between shifts and nail it again on normal driving just because i liked to see the feeling.

I didn't have my SMG for long (12k) miles, but mine was perfect, and I never had a day of warranty.

+1 My E60 M5 with SMG III was awesome. In D mode it was terrible, but nothing was more gratifying than those S6 shifts at 8500 RPM. Felt like a Mack truck rear ended you every shift.

Loved it... Very Raw. Always had passengers that were in shock at the shifts.

[Boostin FD]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

+1 My E60 M5 with SMG III was awesome. In D mode it was terrible, but nothing was more gratifying than those S6 shifts at 8500 RPM. Felt like a Mack truck rear ended you every shift.

Loved it... Very Raw. Always had passengers that were in shock at the shifts.

Exactly! Man, now you have me thinking about getting an 02-03 m3.

[gatorfast]

I don't blame him for not wanting you to plug in. I wouldn't let a stranger do that either. Sounds like you are better off walking away though.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I don't blame him for not wanting you to plug in. I wouldn't let a stranger do that either. Sounds like you are better off walking away though.

People pay me to plug in all day long!

But yeah, in all seriousness, I can understand his hesitation. Especially if he's a car freak like me.

I'll have my plug in time tomorrow and will let you guys know how it goes.

[DARK_M3]

If you do, just make sure you replace that airbag!

[PrimoM3]

Originally Posted by Endless619

I wouldn't buy it. If you want that engine go with a 2006-2008 Z4MC. I had a 2007 Z4MC and my E92 M3 at one time. Loved them both but needed a daily practical car so with with the newer style X5.

+1

[Ricfutures]

Find an E36 IMO. You'll thank me later.

[AbuArije5]

335 is not better then a e46 m3 no way!

[nbennettksu]

I love mine. but its 6speed; over 100k on the clock. No major issues, only expense is the inspections, but that's every other year.

Buy it, Mike!

[mdosu]

that's a really clean car, a bit expensive, but clean with low mileage. I say don't go, you already have a better M3, if you dont' need a track car, then I would buy something that's not even close to an M3 as a 2nd car. You'll probably enjoy the variety.

[car_fan]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

This is true.. but the 335's have all sorts of turbo issues that I don't want to deal with. Too many friends have been through hell with that HPFP, and I've seen turbo/wastegate issues over and over again.

The owner of the E46 referred me to a shop that he takes his car to discuss plugging in to read data from the car. I called that shop and had a discussion with them - they are still using the GT1 and OPPS - OLD stuff! I told him I'd bring the ICOM and the factory tools to check the car out, and he was ok with that. The shop also knows a few places that I've worked with closely before, so that was further reassurance to them.

Thanks everyone for all of your comments. I am going to go look at the car tomorrow if time permits, and see how firm the seller is on price.

It might be better to wait for something else more exciting to come up.. Maybe the S54 would be lame to me since it has less torque than our already torqueless S65

IMHO: SMG concerns aside - that car looks to be very clean, in pictures there are no real signs of abuse. Owner looks like he was/is fairly passionate about it as well. I am sure once you look at in person and perform a thorough system check you'll know what the real deal is.

[W///]

Originally Posted by Ricfutures

Find an E36 IMO. You'll thank me later.

That's funny because the E36 used to be my least favorite out of the M3's (prior to E9x generation), with E46 being my favorite. Was so close to getting an Imola/Black coupe, 6MT and decided to back down. The SMG, while not my first choice, is not THAT big of a concern to me. The weak subframe and S54 issues on the other hand do.

Having said that, an E90 and E46 coupe combo would be absolutely incredible though.

[mpower4life]

Originally Posted by CarbonFoot

Looks clean - mileage is nice. Not a fan of used black cars though - they tend to look swirly over time. Of course this depends on how it was taken care of.

that is why they have paint correction specialists... to bring it back to life

[dmw16]

Opening Disclaimer: I have an E46 M3 w/ SMG II and love it.

I think the SMG is actually a very enjoyable transmission. It is rough at low speeds, in traffic, etc, but once you are on the throttle and driving hard it really does fit the S54 engine and the feel of the car. Having driven a GTI w/ DSG (their DCT) and spent a little time in a DCT equipped E92 I actually like the SMG better as far as feel goes. But that's personal preference and also it helps that I don't daily drive my M3.

As for the idea of getting a 335i instead; that's not really apples to apples. The 335i is great, but it's no M3. The two cars are very very different. Before I had my M3 I had a 135i and while it was a fun car, great torque, etc it's not an M-car.

But to the original question, I don't think I'd buy it because of the red flags the seller is putting up. I bought mine on a bit of an impulse and ignored some issues I should have seen and it's cost me a fair bit of money to bring my M3 up to my standards.

[dmw16]

Originally Posted by CarbonFoot

Looks clean - mileage is nice. Not a fan of used black cars though - they tend to look swirly over time. Of course this depends on how it was taken care of.

Just means you need to do some paint correction. Detailing is a fun hobby or just hire a guy. Most areas have a few good detailers and many are mobile.

As a side note, this isn't a problem just with black cars or heck even just with used cars. Even showroom fresh cars have swirls because the "detailers" at the dealers typically suck. As for the black car bit it's just because you can see them more easily. But trust me, most any car that isn't polished properly is covered in swirls.

[weaksauce]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

People pay me to plug in all day long!

[///M///]

SMG's are much harder to sell vs Stick. I had little trouble selling mine at the asking price. I literally just sold mine 2 weeks ago It was a 2003 as well with 36k miles :-)

Here was my thread on one of the forums I listed it on:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthr...377&highlight=

[BMW Fanatic]

For how well done your E90 is, I'd stay away from the 46 and pick up a 30 M. Honestly it is one of the most enjoyable cars to own and you can slowly put work in. If you really have to have an E46 then I'd stay away from all MY's except for 05/06 (trust me).

If you're looking for a DD, why not get into a F10 535i? Or even an X3? People might give you shit for it but who cares what the next guy thinks, I'd say they're two nice rides that are understated from factory.