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E46 M3 (2001-2006) Engine: S54 - Max Hp: 333 hp at 7,900 rpm / 262 lb/ft at 4,900 rpm Total Produced: 45,000+ - Years Produced: 2001 to 2006. |
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#281 | |
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#282 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2015
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The VANOS can be excused to a degree. It's really just that they had the wrong tolerance on the holes on the hub. Or they could have made the tabs bigger. Easily serviceable to some. For others its a $1k-$2k maintenance item right of the bat. The sub-frame is inexcusable. That is poor engineering, and something the Germans pride themselves in. I don't see how the repair is easily remedied, or there wouldn't be thread after thread on this forum about it.......maybe if you addressed it early on with structural foam, that is fairly easy, but if you have to repair/replace the RACP at any point, that is devastatingly expensive for many owners. As stated above. Outside of those two items the car is very stout, but at least the subframe was a major blunder by BMW.
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My Journal Besian VANOS, Euro Headers & Section1, TTFS tune, TMS under-dive pulleys, TC Kline S/A Coil Overs, Brembo 996 Calipers, ECS 2 Piece Rotors, Sportline CS8's, SG CSL Diffuser, OEM CSL Trunk |
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#283 | ||||
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This is what BMW's own documentation states regarding the S50b30 (S50b32 is similar, except it's dual vanos instead of single) Quote:
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Yeah, but essentially you'r saying "Outside of the tendency for the engine to blow itself up and the chassis to rip itself apart, the car is very stout". Pretty ridiculous statement when put that way IMO. |
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#284 | |
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In that case, the E36 M3 better fits your criteria...or BRZ. But the reason you put up with the 46's issues is because it offers much better performance, and thus excitement. (waiting for interior excuse) Let's be realistic here. A big part of what makes the 46 so fun is because it hauls ass and grips well and has impressively high limits - it's getting up into the butt pucker zone. Its expert calibration allow as you to kiss its limits without killing yourself, and combined with the raw performance is what makes it exciting. If its limits were way lower it wouldn't be nearly as exciting. Fun, maybe, but not exciting. The E36 is extremely fun. It is not very exciting. We don't drive those cars for a reason.
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2018 F80 M3 ZCP 6MT AW/Black Cloth "stripper" 2004 E46 M3 6MT SG/Black Last edited by EricSMG; Sun, Oct-14-2018 at 05:01:35 PM. |
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#285 | |
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![]() Yes, that statement is ridiculous if you put it that way, but I have never had any issues with either, after doing preventative maintenance on it. AND the rest of the car is pretty bullet proof, especially considering the 100hp/l performance and only inline 6 with this kind of redline. We do have to keep some things in perspective.
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My Journal Besian VANOS, Euro Headers & Section1, TTFS tune, TMS under-dive pulleys, TC Kline S/A Coil Overs, Brembo 996 Calipers, ECS 2 Piece Rotors, Sportline CS8's, SG CSL Diffuser, OEM CSL Trunk |
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#286 |
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Didn’t you know? Only brainwashed sheeps care about performance. It’s all about FRS’s and Miatas today. The true enthusiasts!
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BREMBO BBS DIXIS
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#287 | |||||
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UIUC / TU Munich Mechanical Engineering 2018 2003 ///M3 6MT Coupe Imola Red/Black Napa, slicktop, manual seats My Journal |
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#288 | |
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BRZ’s EPS was numb, the clutch had zero feedback, and the general fit and finish was that of a tin can. Combine that with flat spot on the engine and the issues I had with the engine, it found it’s way out the door. E36 M3 remains the yardstick to which all are compared for feel, but it was eventually sold for being such a poorly made hunk of trash. Occasionally I come close to getting another one, but then I just think back to all the comedies of ownership like opening my door and still having the door card in the frame. Miata never happened because I physically don’t fit. If I have a choice in it, I take the old and slow 911 whenever possible. E46 M3 just happens to be the ideal daily driver when I need more practicality. So yes, IDGAF about performance.
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WTS - OE CSL Trunk, Mint Condition, Uninstalled and with Hardware - $1150 Current - '05 Interlagos E46 M3 SMG Delete 6MT Coupe - 3337lbs Current - '85 Schwarze 911 3.2 Carrera 5MT Coupe - 2550lbs 911 Journal/Build Thread Sold - '03 Lemans on Lemans E39 M5 6MT Sold - '99 Kosmos-Schwarzes E36 5MT M3 Coupe ![]() |
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#289 | |
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The 997 GT3, much less so. I dailied one for two years because I’m hardheaded and dat purist life yo, but ultimately I had to admit that it’s a pain in the ass Last edited by evil panda; Sun, Oct-14-2018 at 05:47:53 PM. |
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#290 | |
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To get back on topic. Not offering a more track ready car is where BMW has gone wrong IMO. Track days are pretty popular now a days, a lot more than they were back when the e46 M3 was new, but now they really don't offer a good car for those who take HPDE's a bit more serious. Sure you can take a new M car there, but it won't hold up unless you address a number of things first. Neither did the e46 for that matter, but as stated, track days were not as common back then. Either way, the e30 M3 was a lot more of a racer and really what the M brand was for, so in essence BMW M is going backwards and has become too diluted and mainstream, while GT Porsche is picking up steam. Sure BMW made the M4 GTS, but in limited production and for a price that would send many to buy a used GT3 anyway. I don't think this is an overnight fix for BMW. IMO they screwed up with their focus on efficient dynamics and all the other things they do. I don't mean they aren't doing well as a company, or aren't offering great cars. I know they are, but they are not an enthusiasts brand anymore like they were in the late 80's up to the early 2000's....... and might never get it back. This! It is the best decision I made 6 years ago. It makes my second car (e46 M3) feel more special, it keeps it in pristine condition and from depreciating unnecessarily, and I don't have to compromise as much on tuning and mods. I will never go back to a dual purpose car.
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My Journal Besian VANOS, Euro Headers & Section1, TTFS tune, TMS under-dive pulleys, TC Kline S/A Coil Overs, Brembo 996 Calipers, ECS 2 Piece Rotors, Sportline CS8's, SG CSL Diffuser, OEM CSL Trunk |
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