Sign In Join 



BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

228 messages,  Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 9:24 PM

You are in the BMW M/M3/M6 Forum. Your Host is claires

What is this discussion about? BMW M3, Coupe, Convertible


Messages Page 14 of 24
1
...
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
...
24
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion

#126 of 228
Re: m3 performance [Mr_Shiftright] by gmonkies
Jan 10, 2008 (12:38 am)
Reply

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 09, 2008 8:42 am)

Very interesting. I never realized turbo will have more surge if it's the same psi with same CFI and I always thought a good intercooler will make turbo as reliable as SCer. But that explanation makes sense.
#127 of 228
Re: m3 performance [gmonkies] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jan 10, 2008 (8:21 am)
Reply

Replying to: gmonkies (Jan 10, 2008 12:38 am)

It makes sense to me, too. I mean, if you think about how the turbo delivers power, it does come on all at once whereas a SC is a gradual buildup from idle. Also given that the turbo lies adjacent to the exhaust system one would expect more heat whereas the SC is often up top in a cooler region. I betcha turbo intercoolers work harder and can't shed heat as fast.
#128 of 228
repair manual for E46 M3 engine by gmonkies
Jan 12, 2008 (7:20 pm)
Reply
Does anyone know what repair manual I can get other than Bentley? I just got the Bentley manual and it did not include cylinder head work for M3 motor. So I don't have the torque spec to install the oil seperator on the head.
 
Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!
#129 of 228
Re: repair manual for E46 M3 engine [gmonkies] by roadburner
Jan 13, 2008 (8:59 am)
Reply

Replying to: gmonkies (Jan 12, 2008 7:20 pm)

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Like I said in post #114, join BMW CCA. You will then have online and phone access to the club's technical advisors.
#130 of 228
Re: new m3 owner needs advice [gmonkies] by dwjl
Jan 28, 2008 (3:16 pm)
Reply

Replying to: gmonkies (Jan 05, 2008 1:51 am)

gmonkies,
I took my car in to the dealer for a recall (2002 M3) and they told me I need the euro valve and the power steering hose changed because they are both leaking. They quoted me $900 for the euro valve and $650 for for the power steering hose. I came across your thread after doing some research the the web. Did you fix the problem your self? If yes, was it hard to change out? Thanks for your help in advance.
#131 of 228
2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? by blumtown
Jan 29, 2008 (8:20 pm)
Reply
Hey all, seems like there is a lot of people here who know their stuff, so I am seeking some help....I am shopping around for a 2002 or 2003 M3, but obviously with a car that is out of warranty, I am a little nervous shelling out for a used vehicle that could potentially have a lot of reliability issues. Any thoughts on reliability, maintenance costs, etc? Any "horror stories" out there with an M3? I am kind of torn between an M3 and a 2005-2006 G35, solely for the fact that there are tons of certified pre-owned G coupes in the Chicago area for a comparable price. As one poster said earlier, however, I would be willing to "roll the dice" on an M3 out of warranty if the reliability is sound.
 
Thanks in advance!
#132 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jan 30, 2008 (10:12 am)
Reply

Replying to: blumtown (Jan 29, 2008 8:20 pm)

Well you have to do your homework and go in with your eyes open. Probably most people who have had bad luck with these cars out of warranty did not perform due diligence during the purchase process.
 
If it were me, I'd:
 
1. Find out all the problem areas by doing research
 
2. Buy the BEST M3 you can afford. No projects, no question marks, no salvage titles, no cars with zero service history, no cars titles from Louisiana, Alabama or New Hampshire.
 
3. Have the car meticulously inspected by an M3 specialist.
 
Doing all this, you've improved your odds 90%. Is all this a guarantee of a happy life? No, it isn't but you are WAY ahead of the average buyer.
 
Here, this will get you started!
 
http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=55- #cooliris
#133 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown] by roadburner
Jan 30, 2008 (11:10 am)
Reply

Replying to: blumtown (Jan 29, 2008 8:20 pm)

The E46 M3 has proven to be pretty reliable overall. There were some engine issues early on any car you look at should have had the problem corrected by now. I always recommend that any potential BMW owners join the BMW Car Club since so many dealers and independent shops offer discounts on parts and/or labor to club members. The local Chicago chapter(Windy City) is one of the most active and friendly groups as well. I'm sure that you will find members more than willing to advise you regarding the purchase and servicing of an E46 M3. Best of all, they conduct a terrific Drivers School at Road America- made to order for an M3!
What you must keep in mind is that you need to service any BMW by the book. Cutting corners on maintenance will end up costing more in the end.
#134 of 228
still trying to fix the oil seperator. help please!!!!! by gmonkies
Feb 01, 2008 (1:29 pm)
Reply
I do agree with the advice above that is best to have a certified BMW mechanic to go through the inspection before purchasing a used M3. I bought mine a month ago. The car looks, feels, sounds and drive like a new car. But luckily I ask the dealer to do the same list of visual inspection check as they would for their own certified pre-own. That cost about $125. But more importantly, I also asked them to do a compression test to make sure the engine is stil fresh and do a driving inspection. That cost another $400. It was $ worth spend because they found leaks from the oil seperator and power steering hose which could cause some major damage. I would have never been able to discover that myself from test driving it.
  
Now I am driving my M3 cautiously until I get it fixed. This is where I'm stuck and need help I need to change the oil separator, part # 11-15-7-830-948 and the new O-ring. I purchase the Bentley repair manual and join the BMWCCA as recommended. However, the manual did not have any torque specification for installing a new oil separator. Some of the TSA that I have contacted from BMWCCA either couldn't help me or told me to call a dealership. I was not able to get the info from a local BMW dealer either. I have the parts and the diagram. I'm sure I know how to do it right if I have the torque spec so I don't over or under tigten. And I really don't want to spend over $800 in labor if I can do it myself. If anyone know the specification or know who I can speak to that can help me, I would appreciate the assistance.
#135 of 228
Re: new m3 owner needs advice [dwjl] by gmonkies
Feb 01, 2008 (7:35 pm)
Reply

Replying to: dwjl (Jan 28, 2008 3:16 pm)

I haven't changed it yet. But it's one of those things that it shouldn't be ignored. I got the euro valve, aka oil seperator from the dealer and it's like $60 and the O ring was about $10 I think. I got a diagram from the dealer and it seems pretty straight forward. But right now I'm stuck cause I don't have the torque specification and no one seems to know. Once I find the torque spec, I should be able to change it in less than an hour or two. As far as the power steering hose, I need to wait till I can get it on jackstands because you can only reach it from the bottom from what I can see. That will be more difficult. According to a website, the power steering hose should all be changed the same time along with the reservoir since it has a filter in it.

Messages Page 14 of 24
1
...
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
...
24
Prev
Next
Last
Go To Msg #
Search This Discussion
To POST a message, please Sign In.

New? Join Now!

Forum Tools

Please sign in.
Email Address:

Password:

Forgot Password?

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s)

Advanced Search

Browse by Vehicle



View All Vehicles
Advertisement
Ask the Community
See What People Are Asking

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic


View All Topics

Today's Chats

Advertisement