Hey guys im looking to get a e46 m3
what are some thing's to look out for...I come from a back round of high performance cars.I know the basics on what looks good and drives good and some thing on the M's..But like always every car has its ups and downs..
any info would be awsome thanks

Get the service records of the car and make sure all recalls have been done such as the rod bearing.
Check when the 1200mi service was done. This service should be done pretty close to 1200mi.
Do a proper PPI and have them check out the subframe mount and see if there are any cracks.
It would also be good to know how often the oil was changed on the car. BMW recommends 15k miles but properly maintained M3 should be done every 7k-8k miles.

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2002 Carbon Black/Cinn M3 SMG

What he said, especially the oil change part. Check for sludge build up..

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Omar Murray
omurray@activeautowerke.com
800.830.3596

Also be SURE and check the coolant system, in particular the stock radiator, which is plastic and has a long history of failures which affect not only main car operation, but secondary systems like AC. Leaks are pretty common. As always, it is better, barring a super well maintained garaged car, to look at ones from warmer states in the sunbelt to minimize rust possibilities. Good luck!

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2005 E46 Jet Black Dinan ///M3-S3R Convertible (500+ WHP) Hardtop, LOTS of goodies...
2002 Jet Black Z3 Roadster (VF-SC & heavily modded)
2007 E90 Montego Blue Metallic 328xi Sedan
*RIP 1998 E39

Personally, I wouldnt touch a car that was prior to the MY 2003.5. I had a 2004 and a 2006 Competition and they were pretty solid cars for the most part.
One important thing these guys didnt mention...HAVE THE SUBFRAM CHECKED. The subframe on the e46 m3 is ABSOLUTE GARBAGE FOR A 60k! There is a class action law suit still going on with BMW for the abismal sub frames.

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-Greg

Fancy watches, fast cars, and easy smiles

BMW Z4 M Coupe
Kawasaki ZX-6R

SOLD- Porsche Cayman S, Porsche 911 C4 Cab, BMW M3 ZCP, BMW M3, BMW 335i Sedan, BMW 335i Coupe

Rear sub frame cracking.

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2008 Jet Black E90 M3 6-Speed / Bolt-Ons

Get a PPI before buying. inspection 1 and 2 and make sure they have records of everything they did on car. especially oil change.

check m3forum.net for more info on m3 or bimmerforums

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FORGET THE OTHER SIDE..THEY ARE JUST JEALOUS!!!!!

You must check the front subframe and front rear A-Arm bushings. They may be gone and the A-arm will be bouncing around in there causing the camber to change in turns.

Also like TheShuke said there is a big ass lawsuit going on with the subframes on the E46 vehicles.

They are excellent cars otherwise. Good luck.

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2009 E92 BMW 328i Coupe

thanks guys i here thats a main thing on the m's

avoid m/y 2003, it was plagued with problems, and for 04 they did a lot of upgrades to the throttle body, throttle system etc