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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


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#141 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies] by fedlawman
Feb 02, 2008 (1:55 pm)
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Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 02, 2008 12:18 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 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Feb 02, 2008 (3:35 pm)
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Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 02, 2008 1:55 pm)

Such DIFFERENT driving experiences! The comparison seems forced to me.
#143 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright] by fedlawman
Feb 02, 2008 (5:41 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 02, 2008 3:35 pm)

I agree - the comparison just doesn't work on so many levels.
 
I can only guess that GMonkies has never driven a Porsche.
#144 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman] by gmonkies
Feb 05, 2008 (10:03 am)
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Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 02, 2008 5:41 pm)

Wow, I never realized I can ruffle so much feathers with my believe based on the info from magazine report. I was only trying to give a fellow BMW enthusiast a point of view based solely on the 1/4 mile time as one of many measures. But I will entertain the comments and continue with this debate one more time. My recollection was that when Road and Track magazine introduced the 2001 E46 M3, they have listed the M3 to be 0-60 4.8 and 1/4 miles to be 13.3 sec msrp at $48,000. On that same magazine it listed the 2001 porsche carrera to 0-60 4.6 sec and 1/ mil to be 13.2 sec msrp ~$70,000. 13.2 sec is a big difference to 12.8. I could be wrong but I think 2001 porsche turbo was around 12.8. Too bad I no longer have that magazine anymore, otherwise I could have scan it and e-mail it to anyone that wants proof. If I'm talking out of my ass with the spec then, it's really the magazine's fault for wrong info. Luckily we have google and there is a site that listed the porsche spec from both 2 magazine which backed up my numbers.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/porsche-911-history37.htm
 
I have to admit I have only been a passenger in a porsche and have not had the opportunity as a driver yet. But I'm not here to knock down porsche or saying that the M3 is better, I'm just expressing my personal believe, "what is more car for the dollar". And to tell the truth, since porsche and bmw are both german built, rear wheel drive car dedicated to racing, It's not so insane to compare the 2. But comparing a front wheel drive Japanese built honda accord is probably more absurd. When I first started in the import scene 10 years ago, our goals were to spend less and yet still be able to spank a porsche, vette, viper..etc. And yes, I know kids out there that had a turbo civic/integra and out ran Ferrari and Lambo on the street. So Yes, I can spend $20,000 to rebuild the motor and put a turbo into an accord so it can outrun the M3 and the porsche turbo easily in 1/4 miles. But as a front wheel drive car, it can only get enough traction with drag slicks, not street tire. But drag slick cannot handle road course. Lastly, there are some road course that favors front wheel drive car and some that favors rear wheel drive car. So comparing front wheel and rear wheel drive is hardly a fair comparison. Comparing the M3 to the new G37 for example is a fair comparison cause they are both rear wheel drive so they can fairly compete on the same road track. Several magazines had compared the s2000 to the porsche boxster. Yes the S2000 requires more effort then the boxster. But the lap time and 1/4 mile time is very competitive. So is up to individual's opinion which is a better car for the $ and if it's worth the extra $. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this.
 
As a Honda lover my I've spent enough $ building several civic and integra for drag and road course to have been able to buy a new m3 cash. I am still able to admit that there are other car more for the money. As much as I hate domestic, Dodge neon SRT 4 is a lot more car for the $ to "ME" than the acura rsx type s. But that's just my opinion.
 
I was told once by a wise man, opinion is like Ahole and everyone's got one. With that said, I will step off my soap box now and stand by my believes while others can do the same.
 
#145 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies] by fedlawman
Feb 05, 2008 (11:39 am)
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Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 05, 2008 10:03 am)

No ruffled feathers here, I'm just saying I disagree with you. Believe it or not, I don't own a Porsche (I actually own a BMW).
 
There's simply a lot more to a car than magazine test numbers for 0-60 MPH and 1/4 mile acceleration.
 
If driving the Porsche is like swimming in a crystal clear swimming pool, the BMW, by comparison, is like swimming in maple syrup.
#146 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Feb 05, 2008 (6:06 pm)
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Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 05, 2008 11:39 am)

I could build up a car to beat either of those 0-60 or 1/4 mile times for far less money than either an M3 or a 911, but you wouldn't want to ride in it for very long
#147 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright] by fedlawman
Feb 05, 2008 (6:35 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 05, 2008 6:06 pm)

No need, this will suffuce...
 
#148 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright] by gmonkies
Feb 05, 2008 (8:20 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 05, 2008 6:06 pm)

that was kinda the point I was trying to make too. My civic and integra are so harsh with absolutely no luxury, comfort, prestige. I meant no disrespect to others passion and if I can afford the 911 turbo, that would have been my choice too. I do agree there is something to be said when you can drive a turbo car with less road noise and can turn on the AC in the summer time.
For now, I'm just happy to finally own the m3. As a novice with BMW, I join the forum to seek advice on fixing the M3 myself to save some $. Not to insult anyone or pick a fight.
 
p.s. I manage to replace the oil seperator thanks to everyone's advice. No leak so far. But then again, the old one did not have any signs of leaks at the seals either. Is it possible that it was leaking internally causing the vaccum to suck up oil, instead of air only, to the intake and that's why the dealer strongly advice immediate replacement to prevent lost of oil?
 
Now my next task is to climb under the car and replace the power steering hose. Any advice of caution or tips to make the job easier?
#149 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Feb 06, 2008 (8:50 am)
Reply

Replying to: gmonkies (Feb 05, 2008 8:20 pm)

I can't think of any real snags other than having to pay for that hose. It's not cheap.
#150 of 228
Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright] by fedlawman
Feb 06, 2008 (5:42 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 06, 2008 8:50 am)

My hat's off to you, your handier than most car enthusiasts. I owned Honda's and Acura's for much of my younger years and I never did learn to turn a wrench.
 
I've come a long way as a shadetree mechanic since joining the BMW cult, but I don't know if I could have done the job you did.

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