Bought An E46 M3 - Questions!
Discussion
As per title I have just bought an E46 M3 on a 53 plate and I have a few queries....
1) I have test driven it and it seems fine, but are there any less obvious things to check before I take it?
2) As per the thread on VANOS failures are there any signs it is about to go that you can notice or does it just go bang?
3) Has anyone had any problems updating the DVD sat nav disk themselves?
4) It only has the basic sound system, can this play MP3 discs (meant to ask dealer and forgot)?
5) Since DMS are less than a mile from where I work it would seem stupid not to have the car done. Any thoughts on chipping a car which already has 40,000 miles on it and how much have you paid for the service?
Answers or relevant comments on M3 buying appreciated!
Jim
(Damn, I will have to change my screen name!)
1) I have test driven it and it seems fine, but are there any less obvious things to check before I take it?
2) As per the thread on VANOS failures are there any signs it is about to go that you can notice or does it just go bang?
3) Has anyone had any problems updating the DVD sat nav disk themselves?
4) It only has the basic sound system, can this play MP3 discs (meant to ask dealer and forgot)?
5) Since DMS are less than a mile from where I work it would seem stupid not to have the car done. Any thoughts on chipping a car which already has 40,000 miles on it and how much have you paid for the service?
Answers or relevant comments on M3 buying appreciated!
Jim
(Damn, I will have to change my screen name!)
Edited by JimboCTR on Monday 8th October 10:12
I have one of these and can try and answer for you....
I would recommend www.bm3w.co.uk as a fantastic source of all things E46 M3 however.
Is this a main dealer car? Is it standard or modified? Is it SMG or manual?
Less obvious things....
Rear springs are very good at cracking so look out for that
Check that 1200 mile running in service was done on time
Check that the car has had all it's recalls (you can call BMW UK with the VIN) or ask the seller/dealer. As yours is a 53 it should be just about new enough to avoid the bottom end rebuild that earlier S54 engines needed.
I don't know of any tell tale signs of Vanos failure before it goes but there may well be some - perhaps someone else knows? I would comment though that the E46 M3 seems to have a pretty good record on Vanos, better that the E39 M5 and E36 M3.
DVD satnav - updating the map disk is easy, just swap them but you can also update the firmware - is this what you mean. It is also easy but requires the right disk, a dealer should be able to do it but many seem to plead ignorance. You can get it elsewhere but they are copyrighted so not good to discuss. You can check the version by going to the 'set' screen from the menu and looking at the top right corner of the screen. It should say something like SW/v28 (can't remember exactly) and I think 28 is the most up to date but it certainly has perspective view etc which is good....
You will not be able to play Mp3 disks as for as I know (I can't)
Mine is standard, why not try it for a while as is before considering a chip, but no real knowledge of this.
Hope that helps - and congrats on the purchase!
I would recommend www.bm3w.co.uk as a fantastic source of all things E46 M3 however.
Is this a main dealer car? Is it standard or modified? Is it SMG or manual?
Less obvious things....
Rear springs are very good at cracking so look out for that
Check that 1200 mile running in service was done on time
Check that the car has had all it's recalls (you can call BMW UK with the VIN) or ask the seller/dealer. As yours is a 53 it should be just about new enough to avoid the bottom end rebuild that earlier S54 engines needed.
I don't know of any tell tale signs of Vanos failure before it goes but there may well be some - perhaps someone else knows? I would comment though that the E46 M3 seems to have a pretty good record on Vanos, better that the E39 M5 and E36 M3.
DVD satnav - updating the map disk is easy, just swap them but you can also update the firmware - is this what you mean. It is also easy but requires the right disk, a dealer should be able to do it but many seem to plead ignorance. You can get it elsewhere but they are copyrighted so not good to discuss. You can check the version by going to the 'set' screen from the menu and looking at the top right corner of the screen. It should say something like SW/v28 (can't remember exactly) and I think 28 is the most up to date but it certainly has perspective view etc which is good....
You will not be able to play Mp3 disks as for as I know (I can't)
Mine is standard, why not try it for a while as is before considering a chip, but no real knowledge of this.
Hope that helps - and congrats on the purchase!
Cheers for the advice.
Strangely I had just found www.bm3w.co.uk about half an hour ago!
It is a manual, no mods and is coming from a main dealer so hopefully no problems in that regard. Plus it has a years BM warranty just in case!
I have checked the running in service was done (at 925 miles) but will double check on recalls.
I did not notice anything that would suggest a cracked spring. Is it noticeable on a test drive or is it a wheel off and take a look job?
Re the disks for the Sat Nav I have sourced some disks and think I will try it. Just hope I don't brick the system!
Thanks again,
Jim
Strangely I had just found www.bm3w.co.uk about half an hour ago!
It is a manual, no mods and is coming from a main dealer so hopefully no problems in that regard. Plus it has a years BM warranty just in case!
I have checked the running in service was done (at 925 miles) but will double check on recalls.
I did not notice anything that would suggest a cracked spring. Is it noticeable on a test drive or is it a wheel off and take a look job?
Re the disks for the Sat Nav I have sourced some disks and think I will try it. Just hope I don't brick the system!
Thanks again,
Jim
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