Running a BMW M Car

[Jeremy]

Hi everyone.

I'm thinking about parting with my S1 and replacing it with a M3. Love the Lotus still but my partner recently moved to Norwich so I need something which offers driver excitement but with more creature comforts for the fortnightly slog up and down to Norfolk.

Not looking to add any extra £££ to the kitty so I could probably scrape a E46 but realistically thinking E36 might be a better bet as I would then have the pick of the market.

Has anyone here got experience of running a M car ? If so I would love to hear your thoughts.

Regards,

Jeremy

[m3rrd]

Hi, I've been running around in E46 M3's for the last eight or nine years. Had a new oil pump and big end bearings done on the first one under recall as it was an early one [2001 chassis no JR00083] ran that for six years and 65000mls with no other mechanical engine or gearbox [manual] problems.

Averaged around 22mpg running around and 27mpg on long runs. Tyre wise averaged approx a year 10,000mls for the rears and two for the fronts with one set of front discs replaced and three sets of pads.

Had to replace an oxygen sensor and drivers door handle [the plastic lever snaps off inside the door]. The rear springs are a known problem the pigtails snap off - had 3 sets replaced and the rear trailing arm bushes wear resulting in interesting handling, had them replaced around 35,000mls and were away again when I got rid of it at 70,000mls.

Had a problem with the brakes on my next one [2006 model] both front calipers seized within weeks of each other last xmas and had to be replaced along with the discs and pads under warranty thank god [£1100 each side] the pistons and calipers were corroded - rubber seals had burst. That was only problem I had on that car over the 2 years I had it.

Great cars, very practical [transported two kitchen worktops no problem] and comfortable, interior wears well but absolutely rubbish in snow.

Hope this helps you

Rab.

[Jeremy]

Hi Rab, that's a very useful insight, thank you. Don't like the price of the front end brake refurb mind you

Nobody else here has ran a M car at some point ?

[jj]

The old boy has had a S50 (a la E36 M3) engined Z3M coupe for the last 4 or 5 years. Its eaten its waterpump, then a bearing shell requiring a replacement engine. He has spent at a guess £6k ish fixing it and it has gone from 38k miles to now about 70k. Its also had a new front caliper and a couple of sets of discs as it kept feeling like it had warped discs. (all M items).

They are cheap to buy but not to run, but it sounds like you know this. Not what I would pick for motorway munching, but understand you want something thats still fun.

[Mike Scib]

I had a E36 M3 non Evo for a few months, great car.....sold as worried something would go wrong and cost a fortune to put right.

[shooomer]

I've had E46 M3 and a CSL, both had manufacturer warranty but never had any issues

[Jeremy]

Thanks for the reality check guys. I'm no stranger to big invoices having run a few old Porsche's in my time but on reflection I think there are better solutions out there.

Off to look at £1k Honda Accords and tear up the Elise advert I had written.

Regards,

Jeremy

[s29ttc]

Buy a diesel slag for the boring stuff and keep the Elise for fun!

Trust me talking from experience you can't beat it, I find it a great balance with the skoda Octavia 1.9 diesel and the Elise!

[jbtco]

I have been fortunate enough to have 2 E46 M3s and a Z4MC. All from new so cant help with long term running costs. No problems with any of them and fantastic cars. Like the Elise always felt special getting into them even if only going to the supermarket.

As I said elsewhere tried the diesel / Elise pairing but have had to give up the Elise as my wife has health problems which prevent her getting in and out and using it for holidays was a major part of the plan. Diesel Golf GTD was a big disappointment, couldnt get used to narrow power band and turbo lag along with vague steering and little brake feel so gone back to an M3 again.

I got low twenties MPG generally and over 25 on long journeys (Aberdeen to Southampton 3 or 4 times a year). Tyres were around 8,000 ish as I recall but alternated with winter tyres so they lasted a few years. I must say I would have series worries about an M car not covered by warranty just in case something expensive went.

Brakes have always been an issue with the E46s and a track day or hard road use can do them a damage pretty quickly. Many owners have upgraded but if they go wrong can be expensive to fix.

[Andy G]

whats the E92 like?

Heard good things - its has 4 seats, so not a bad car for the Mrs potentially ? (cause i'll get to use it)

Just happened to stop by BMW today

[Modena Scotland]

No more cars Andy

[Andy G]

No more cars Andy

I know - promised myself I wont buy another till I'm down at 3/4 (Mule doesnt count as its earning its keep down south)



"Having" to use the Gt3 this week - everyday has a bit of sideways in it

[Rich H]

Get an Esprit - much better* on long trips than the Elise


(*By better I mean more comfortable, quieter and air conditioned - not more reliable or economical )

[steviej]

I had an e46 for a couple of years, great car until a pensioner attacked it with a fiesta !

[KennyT]

I had a 2005 E46 M3 for a year from 51-58k miles and it was fantastic, all the toys and very refined for motorway miles, big enough boot for three golf bags, Inconspicuous enough to leave on the street without getting spat on, didn't look out of place outside a decent hotel, excellently balanced and really quick when you want to drive it properly!

I liked it so much I'm just about to buy another I had a year in an Elise to fund my house now I need another M3.

There are downsides though, Fuel average in my ownership was 25mpg with 32 (just) possible on motorway runs. ~20mpg when having fun.
Tires are £225 fronts around 12k and £300 rears around 10k for 19" Michelin PS2's or Conti's- I wouldn't hold back with cheaper brand tires.
Servicing is about £350/£600/£900 for Oil/Insp1/Insp2 every 12k miles (should be 15k but rarely is)
Discs and pads up to £1000 all round from BMW

You hear a lot of horror stories as with all cars, SMG pumps, clutch and flywheel replacement, cracked subframes etc but for every car that has gone wrong there are thousand out there that haven't. It doesn't put me off but just gives me a longer list of things to look at when inspecting one, BMW are good at giving history of all work done on the car and all parts issued including non service items.
VANOS was not a problem on E46's
Bottom end bearings were a problem on 2001 cars but a recall sorted that
1200mile Running-in service is a must, the running-in oil was thinner as with all M cars

There are E46's out there for <£10k and unfortunately knuckled-draggers are picking them up, Blacking the windows, filling the boot with speakers and adding stick on Halfords tat.

There will be decent cars out there for good 'S1 money' though, you might not get the Nav/Bluetooth/heated seats/19's etc and it might be a bit leggy, but buying on condition is vitally important to avoid aforementioned barsteward examples.

Hope that helps...