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BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

250 messages,  Last post on Jun 10, 2013 at 4:37 PM

You are in the BMW M/M3/M6 Forum.

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

Messages Page 15 of 26

#133 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown] by roadburner

Jan 30, 2008 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: blumtown (Jan 29, 2008 9:20 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 250 still trying to fix the oil seperator. help please!!!!! by gmonkies

Feb 01, 2008 (2:29 pm)

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 250 Re: new m3 owner needs advice [dwjl] by gmonkies

Feb 01, 2008 (8:35 pm)

Replying to: dwjl (Jan 28, 2008 4:16 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.

#136 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown] by gmonkies

Feb 01, 2008 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: blumtown (Jan 29, 2008 9:20 pm)
The M3 is so much better than the G35. The M3 runs neck to neck with porsche carerra and msrp was $20,000 less then carerra. Depending what price you are looking for, you might find a 2003 with extended warranty which ends in 2009. Also, if you are going to get infiniti, the new G37 is a much better car. 330 HP for $32,000 msrp vs the m3 333HP for $48,000 msrp. But then again, I love my used M3 and not sure if the G37 can handle like the M3. Just make sure you get the M3 to BMW for a full inspection, test drive and compression test by the mechanic and that will give you most of the warning signs that you will have to face.

#137 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies] by fedlawman

Feb 02, 2008 (10:41 am)

Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 01, 2008 8:42 pm)
In terms of sporting abilities, I agree the E46 M3 is a step up from the G37 (not necessarily in HP, but in handling/chassis dynamics). But to compare it to a Porsche 911 is absurd.
 
The M3 is a bloated, understeering land barge compared to the 911.

#138 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman] by gmonkies

Feb 02, 2008 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 02, 2008 10:41 am)
but is the carerra really worth $20,000 more? Which is more car for the $. There are so options to improve the M3 with extra $20,000 that can make the M3 out perform the carerra at tht point. Let's face it, unless some people buy the porsche for the name to show off their wealth, otherwise most people buy it for the excitement from the performance side and the M3 performance spec is pretty comparable if you put them side to side.

#139 of 250 Re: still trying to fix the oil seperator. help please!!!!! [gmonkies] by roadburner

Feb 02, 2008 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 01, 2008 2:29 pm)
If anyone know the specification or know who I can speak to that can help me, I would appreciate the assistance.
 
You might try posting your question on some other M3 forums. I'd also recommend joining the Yahoo E46 M3 group. If all else fails, you can always go to the BMW NA Online Tech site and pay $30 for 24 hours of access.

#140 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies] by roadburner

Feb 02, 2008 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 02, 2008 1:18 pm)
otherwise most people buy it for the excitement from the performance side and the M3 performance spec is pretty comparable if you put them side to side.
 
True enough, but I have to agree with fedlawman in that the 911 is more agile and involving, primarily due to its lighter weight and compact size. Don't take it as a knock on your M3, as it's a great car. Still, given the choice I'd also go with the 911- assuming I didn't need a usable rear seat...

#141 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies] by fedlawman

Feb 02, 2008 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 02, 2008 1:18 pm)
"is the carerra really worth $20,000 more?"
 
Is the M3 worth $20,000 more than a Honda Accord V-6?
 
"There are so options to improve the M3 with extra $20,000 that can make the M3 out perform the carerra"
 
There are so many options to improve the Accord with the extra $20,000 that can make the Accord outperform the M3.
 
"the M3 performance spec is pretty comparable if you put them side to side."
 
BMW E46 M3 - 3415 lb curb weight; 107.5" wheelbase; 0-60 in 4.8 secs; 1/4 mile in 13.6 secs
Porsche 911 - 3075 lb curb weight; 92.5" wheelbase; 0-60 in 4.3 secs; 1/4 mile in 12.8 secs
 
No comparison. The M3 is a Grand Tourer - the 911 is a Sports Car

#142 of 250 Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman] by MrShift@Edmunds HOST

Feb 02, 2008 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 02, 2008 2:55 pm)
Such DIFFERENT driving experiences! The comparison seems forced to me.

Messages Page 15 of 26

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