Sourcing an E46 M3

[Trikcar]

I've been on the look out for an E46 M3 for some time. Sadly as time has gone on, my spec preferences have gotten more specific which hasn't helped with the search. I also feel like there has not been many moving in the last few months, but that's entirely subjective. I'm looking for a manual coupe, low-ish miles (sub 80k), black interior, in either Le Mans or Interlagos Blue.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to be looking and anyone to contact who might know anything getting traded off market? I'm based in south bucks.

Thanks

[HJG]

Try Munich Legends (Sussex)
And Redish Motorsport (Bristol)

[CB 987]

Keep an eye on the M3 Curtters classified section, you may also want to try a wanted advert, just to see if it flushes out any cars not on the market.

You could also try some of the E46 M3 Facebook groups, but they can be a minefield!

Good luck with the search!

[thegermancarguy]

Interlagos blue will be a CS only in e46 guise. If you compromise on colour, there are plenty decent/good cars about in the current market.

[andyman_2006]

Trikcar said:

I've been on the look out for an E46 M3 for some time. Sadly as time has gone on, my spec preferences have gotten more specific which hasn't helped with the search. I also feel like there has not been many moving in the last few months, but that's entirely subjective. I'm looking for a manual coupe, low-ish miles (sub 80k), black interior, in either Le Mans or Interlagos Blue.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to be looking and anyone to contact who might know anything getting traded off market? I'm based in south bucks.

Thanks

I’m afraid you’re going to certainly struggle, quick check on autotrader (other platforms available!) and there are only 7 cars matching this criteria:

80k max miles
Coupe
Manual
Non cat S/D

3 of those 7 are silver…

You may have to compromise on something!! And this is before you factor in condition, things like have they had subframe, vanos, head gasket, rod bearings, good history, any rust issues, etc etc

Gone have the days where lots of choice is left, and you didn’t even mention budget…

Genuinely Wish you luck finding a good one matching your criteria.

[Olivergt]

andyman_2006 said:

Trikcar said:

I've been on the look out for an E46 M3 for some time. Sadly as time has gone on, my spec preferences have gotten more specific which hasn't helped with the search. I also feel like there has not been many moving in the last few months, but that's entirely subjective. I'm looking for a manual coupe, low-ish miles (sub 80k), black interior, in either Le Mans or Interlagos Blue.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to be looking and anyone to contact who might know anything getting traded off market? I'm based in south bucks.

Thanks

I’m afraid you’re going to certainly struggle, quick check on autotrader (other platforms available!) and there are only 7 cars matching this criteria:

80k max miles
Coupe
Manual
Non cat S/D

3 of those 7 are silver…

You may have to compromise on something!! And this is before you factor in condition, things like have they had subframe, vanos, head gasket, rod bearings, good history, any rust issues, etc etc

Gone have the days where lots of choice is left, and you didn’t even mention budget…

Genuinely Wish you luck finding a good one matching your criteria.

I would agree with andyman.

You should prioritise what you want spec wise into Must Have and Nice To Have, Don't want.

I have recently gone through this, I'm in Ireland where the choice is even more limited, although those that do come up for sale tend to be well looked after.

For me it was along these lines:

MUST HAVE
Manual Gear Box
Subframe done
Rod Bearings done
No Rust!

NICE TO HAVE
Less than 100k miles
Vanos done
Heated seats
Harmon Kardon

DON'T WANT
Pheonix Yellow

I ended up with:

Silver with Black Leather (not heated)
80k miles with history.
Subframe, Rod Bearings, Vanos all done.
No Rust!

Which wasn't too bad all things considered.

P.S. Good Luck, good ones are worth hunting down.

[Steve Barrett]

Must have - good rot and rust free body is the only thing to really worry about on the 46..!

[helix402]

Also try James Paul and Old Colonel Cars.

[Trikcar]

Thanks chaps, all great advice. I had not realised id managed to narrow it down to so few cars, so thats a good reality check.

[andyman_2006]

Steve Barrett said:

Must have - good rot and rust free body is the only thing to really worry about on the 46..!

Having owned one for the last 17 years, I would suggest there are plenty of other issues to worry about, for me Rot wasn’t and still isn’t an issue.

Head gasket, vanos, and subframe are definitely an issue…

[andyman_2006]

Trikcar said:

Thanks chaps, all great advice. I had not realised id managed to narrow it down to so few cars, so thats a good reality check.

I would honestly try buy on condition, history, maintenance, and less on spec.

Folk used to say “must have Nav” etc but you need to remember these are old cars and tech ages very fast, so don’t worry about if it’s got nav, harman karden Audio, wouldn’t even worry about heated seats, bluetooth etc.

It’s the car and it’s mechanical and cosmetics, if you look for a car with 19” wheels they suffer badly with laquer peel and corrosion.

If you want advise on Head gasket and Vanos speak with Steve at “Mr Vanos” he’ll let you know how bad the head gasket situation is on these cars, and I can assure you first hand even low mile cars of 60-80k suffer head gasket issues mine was done at 82k… and the symptoms are very similar to the Vanos issues… a leak down test is essential to diagnose the problem.

https://mrvanos.com/

Also could be worth a call to James at Redish who are leaders on sorting the subframe issues. It’s covered in depth on their website.

https://www.redish-motorsport.com/RedishMotorsport...

Feel free to PM or email me if you want any further information, there isn’t many jobs or issues I haven’t dealt with on these cars during my 17 years with one!

Best of luck.

[Steve Barrett]

andyman_2006 said:

Having owned one for the last 17 years, I would suggest there are plenty of other issues to worry about, for me Rot wasn’t and still isn’t an issue.

Head gasket, vanos, and subframe are definitely an issue…

I’d rather buy 1 with a rust and rot free body and risk the other issues (coming from owning 2 in past 13 years both needing the rear floor going of which 1 was a CSL at 60,000 miles). Chasing rust is the worst thing to do..

[AliMc99]

AFAIK Le Mans wasn’t a standard colour on the E46- closest would be Mystic Blue.

[SS427 Camaro]

Way too many worriers on here. I ran my one up to 179,000 miles and it still had not lost any power, hadn’t had a head gasket issue either.
It hadnt had its “ Running in “ Service ( at circa 1,200 miles either )
I ran it on Fuchs Titan Super Synth oil, superb stuff.
The boot floor had a small crack on the left rear mounting for about 3 years before I stupidly sold it in 2017.
Previous owner had the gear box overhauled. The diff ( it’s original ) was working fine as well.
The OE Sachs shocks were never worthy of the car and should be thrown over the nearest hedge in favour of Bilstein Sports.
Contis are highly recommended.