[nikkinokkinoo]

Well, so here we go then a little blogy thing all about the BMW E46 M3. She is my 3rd BMW having has a 325CI Sport Conv in 2005 and then a 520D M Sport Touring in 2011.I have had one eye out for an E46 for a while (along with many other things). I’d wanted a manual if truth be told with a decent mileage and good service history. I’d looked at a couple but they had a few little niggles.This one came up privately from a chap who was moving to Australia. He brought it from BMW Dealership in 2015 and had a full BMSH. The SMG Box was replaced under warranty in October 2016 – one less thing to worry about.

Spec, SMG box, Silverstone Blue with Interlargos blue leather interior. Referred to as the ‘Silverstone Edition’ 50 were made in with the same spec at the end of 2004, 20 in manual and 30 with SMG. They came fully loaded with Sat Nav, Blue Tooth, Harmon Kardon Stereo, Folding Mirrors, TV, 19” alloys, etc. Mileage was 64k which is low for year (Reg’d 2005) but maybe not as low as I would have liked. Took it for a test drive, had a look over it all looked good – so struck a deal on price and the job was done.

Initial impressions were Ok but the thing that was really detracting from the ownership experience was some tramlining on uneven roads or changes in tarmac conditions. The SMG box takes some getting used to. I must admit when I first went out on a proper drive in it I got straight back in the WR1 and had to drive a manual for 10 mins. I joined an M3 forum and this tramlining seems to be quite a common issue with them.The tyres were quite low on it so I thought I would get a cheap set to see if the tyres were the cause. Picked a set of like 19” up from ebay with matching Kumho tyres. Fitted them last weekend before the meet and what a difference it made. Tram lining completely gone, like a different car. Closer inspection on the old tyres and they look to have uneven ware on the fronts.So the route cause is probably an alignment issue which I will have addressed in due course. Its running the Kumho tyres at the moment.

Here are a couple of photos of her:












The SMG box is a totally different driving experience. It’s growing on me, it changes quicker than I could in a manual when you turn it right up with the DCT off and has a nice rev match blip on the down shift. Still more clunky than the DSG boxes but for its time not too bad. It gives you a range of options to change gear from full auto, paddles and using the stick to shift as well. It reminds me of a BTCC sequential box when you’re using the stick, probably the most rewarding of the three to use. The sport button sharpens the throttle response and is pretty instant. No more power but really snappy acceleration for pedal input.Steering feel is good, not as sharp as the EVO as I think the rack is slower but pretty good.

Build quality is very good, as were my prior BM’s. If anything it’s a bit too refined with the windows up. I quiet often just drop the driver’s window so I can figure out what the engine is doing. Interior is a nice place to be, sat nav is dated and I don’t think I’ll ever use it. Stero is great with the HK sound system. Seats are supportive but less so than a bucket on an Scooby or EVO.Crusie control is a nice touch especially on that section of the M3 which is 50mph for the world’s longest road works.If I set the cruise control to 60 and just let it chug along on its own it was getting mid 30 MPG’s, but typically its about 23-26 with a few squeezes of the throttle.Engine is a tower of power and likes to be revved to get the most from it. I love the raspy sound of the tuned straight six. Gear change on the most extreme setting is rapid, quite aggressive, you can see why so many have issues with the rear subframe with all that power going through the back end. Handling is good but not really got near any limits yet. I won’t launch it as I don’t like to launch my cars.

So on the list of things to be done:

· Inspection II due in the next month – booked in to a local BMW specialist in a couple of weeks
· Get some decent tyres which will be track focused but probably not a full on track tyre (MPS4 maybe)
· CSL Reps alloys or something similar
· Get a wheel alignment done
· Track Pads – Performance Friction
· Change brake fluid
· Jack it up and clean the underside / wheel wells
· Check sub frame (hold breath)


I was thinking of getting some Mod’s done but I think I’m going to steer away from it at the moment, just see how she runs out of the box.

I’m getting used to the RWD, in the damp its quite easy to light the rears and you have to be ready to catch it. I’ll get used to it but will take a little bit.I think it’s quite an ideal ring car for getting there and back and doing a few laps. Don’t think I will get a second set of wheels in it unless I put some roof bars on it so may just take one spare wheel.

All for naw…..laters