Paid less than $200 to have the work done but the Vanos has to be repaired and that is not free. If he paid someone $200 to fix it, I seriously doubt they did anything but jerry-rig it to work.

 

Can't agree with the perception versus actuality. Read any industry publication... Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and to a point Lexus are in different classes then Acura. Talk to anyone in the industry. Speak with any average owner. I've been working on some bucket lists with folks for a new product and you'd be surprised how many times "Own a Mercedes" is on one. Never once had anyone tell me "Own and Acura" or "Own an Infiniti". It is also more then the driving experience... it's the whole experience. I can sleep in any hotel with a bed, but a Ritz Carlton is a much higher end property then a Holiday Inn Express. But you're paying more for the experience... not necessarily b/c the Ritz has a better bed. Same with cars. Sure, the Germans ride nice, have great features and technology, and are easy on the eyes... but so do some Japanese models. However, it's the entire experience that comes with the BMW or Mercedes or Audi ownership that sets them apart.

Driving up to the newer Mercedes dealership here is like driving up to the Waldorf-Astoria. Covered atrium which bridges service and sales buildings. You're greeted by a "porter" in a tux or suit who not only opens the door to let everyone out of the car, but then opens the door to the buildings. Almost everyone else is also in a suit.... sales, finance, service manager (service advisers are business casual though some wear suits). There's classical music playing. A high end coffee/fudge type shop with complimentary beverages and snacks including chocolates and pastries. You're in an out pretty quickly and if you're leaving your car... you get a Mercedes loaner that has been detailed. When you pick up your car, your car was detailed.

The Acura dealership here is like any other Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Chevy, Ford, Dodge, etc dealership. Inside is a little nicer and there used to be a little coffee machine, but that was about it.

Completely different... and that is a part of the whole ownership experience... not just how a Mercedes (or BMW or Audi) drives compared to an Acura or Infiniti. You're treated like a multi-millionaire VIP every time regardless of what your household income is... whether you're there for service, to car shop, or to simply buy a license plate frame from parts. Also doesn't matter if you have a 1992 Mercedes, or 2012... same treatment. So yes, the older German cars cost more to maintain, but that experience stays with you the entire length of ownership... not just under warranty... and that's what makes it worth it to most and also why certain brands are considered a higher tier.

As long as you know what you're getting into when buying an older M3 you're not only getting a phenomenal driving and visceral experience, but you're also treated like a king whenever you have to swing by the dealer. If you don't mind the costs of ownership, it's totally worth it IMO.

 

One thing OP needs to know is obviously BMWs are $$$ to maintain, but if it's an M, parts are even more $$$.

Edit: I should also add that if odd noises make you cringe and wonder what's wrong with your car...don't get the E46 M3! They make all sorts of noises from flywheel chatter, to the M Clunk (clunk/thump when you shift gears), to radial play in the rear end.

 

I don't disagree with any of those points JB but none of them (IMO) have anything to do part quality or engineering longevity.

If anything, those points are WHY BMWs (in this case) just fall apart mechanically. You build a car too well and no one has a need for a new one ... or something.

Look at what SaaBaaDoo just wrote about the E46. Seriously? How is any of that acceptable? Because it's a BMW?

 

^
^
^
JB...Don't misunderstand. I'm NOT defending Ack...or any car maker for that matter.

I've never been one to be that impressed by the "Waldorf" experience. I'm sure I'm in the minority there.

I simply don't understand why the Germans won't build a car that can keep its hand out of your pocket when the warranty runs out. I know stuff happens to cars. It just seems extreme in the case of the Germans, thats all.

I just want a great car, that is fun to drive, that won't bleed me dry the moment it goes out of warranty. :shurg:

 

Disclaimer, I love the E46 M3, but I figured I should mention this incident my coworker ran into with his...

My coworker went through a mess on his E46 with about 80k miles on it last year. Something in his Vanos unit failed and it had to be replaced. It ended up costing him $5500, plus another $1k of other work that needed to be done.

 

So much I want to comment on but I will refrain.

However find me a luxury sports car that is reliable and cheap to maintain that is also fun to drive and can be used as a daily driver.

Only car that even comes close is the G37 and that even falls short in the fun factor compared to a 3series. Each BMW dominates their respected categories for so many years in terms of sportiness yet also comfort. The balance is hard to achieve and im sure some sacrifices have to be made.

My thought on most sports cars is that the parts are made to take a beating up to a certain point of fatigue then need replacing. They arent made for longevity in mind. I know the argument is that they arent Ferraris but they do tend to hang around some fast cars on the track. Yet can still take yo momma to the pharmacy and back in comfort.

Also Charlie, pretty sure I even told you before you bought the old E36 that its not the most reliable car and you better be good at working on it. You seem so upset that this came true. Sucks that you have a hatred towards BMW now because of this experience.

 

The way I look at it... when shit breaks, I'll fix it.

For me, it truly is the ultimate driving machine. I can drive my father's Challenger SRT8 around for a few days and I ALWAYS look forward to getting back in the M3!

 

gotta pay to play.

 

 

What a great story and very nicely put. I'm glad that you and others get to enjoy that ownership experience, seriously.

I select my vehicles based on a mix of factors as we all do. My list of priorities starts with reliability, comfort, cost of ownership, fun factor. When it can't perform the first three, the last is not important to me at all.

I've had the experience too many times of my fun vehicle sitting on the side of the road. It was trying to get me back to that great place where everyone is dressed in a tux that I'm paying for. I long to be fed overpriced (free food) and wasting my time doing something other than what I had planned.

I'll continue down the dull path of cars that mostly do what is expected; take me and bring me back on my terms. Any fun will just be a bonus. Enjoy the Ritz.

 

Totally get it; you prioritize utility. My wife is the same way. On the other hand, I just came in from my garage, where I'd been doing a little tinkering. I had literally been standing there staring at the engine in my car. Why? Because it's an amazing piece of machinery and engineering. Because there will likely never be another one like it placed in a passenger vehicle ever again. Because, even after 10 months, I can't believe it's mine. I derive a lot of value from the intangibles of vehicle ownership...I can't explain why.

 

I also get your point. Hope you never get to share some of the experiences I've had. When your transportation can't transport you at will, it starts looking like expensive junk. At least to me. what the hell do I know, guess I'm just old. Sometimes you enjoy the bull, sometimes you get the horns.

 

Yeah...my first vehicle as a teen was pretty unreliable...left me stranded more than once. Worst was the engine died on a record-heat day in Phoenix (122). Bad day to be left stranded on the side of the road.

So far so good with the current car.

 

Hope your experience continues. It's pleasant to read about. My bad luck was years ago and with VW/Audi. Total of five cars, three new, two used. I'm over it now but I remember. I'll just craw back under my rock.

 

You did, and I did a lot of research too. But nothing could have prepared me for the utter disconnect between perception of BMW and reality. This 328i is what I would consider to be far above average condition for 138k miles and if it were just the stuff I figured would wear out I wouldn't be upset. But the shit that is breaking or wearing out for no reason that I can understand is why I am so frustrated.

I won't ever own a BMW older than 3-4 years again.

An anyone looking at an E46 should really, really think twice unless BMW dramatically changed their materials quality.

 

^ do the parts failure have anything to do with BMW's outsourcing their plants to places like South Africa? (nothing wrong with SA btw) 3 series back then and now aren't 100 percent built in Germany are they?

 

^ doesnt matter, the parts are the same regardless on where the car is assembled.

 

I am going to say one more thing in that jesal has a point ... I think maybe I am not a classic car guy. Maybe I just don't have the right mentality.

All the things I have to do on the BMW I can, in theory, do myself following DIYs other people have posted. But do I want to sacrifice weekends doing it?

I have come to realize the answer is no. Some work, ok. But an entire weekend? No.

So I should have taken the advice I guess

 

Oh man, I'm aware that the maintenance would be a killer. It was the main reason why when me and my father went to go look at a silver one with about 72,000k miles asking price 23k, he just flat out said no when he saw the car saying it brought back memories, some good and some bad. The bad i'm sure was going in and out of the shop.
It doesn't make you crazy what so ever, I love it entirely more than the newer ones. Simply because you feel the car more then you would in a newer one with the computer aided technology etc.. You're not alone there.

Here's another pic of the beast..... AHHHHH

 

I disagree with your last statement.
I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when I say that the E46's were one of the best built BMW's coming from the factory.

 

Smart move. You can find M3s for 50-60K on the odo for that price, just gotta dig around.

 

Yeah, when the day comes and I can finally realistically look for one I'll find one thats mint. I just hope that theres a LSB still out there.... thats well taken care of

 

If you're looking for a real nice, mint condition one, there are still a small handful in the US BMW has listed under certified pre-owned. But we're talking cars going for over $30,000 with less than 10,000 on the odo, warranties still in effect.

 

Well, Rick that sounds something ideally i would be looking for when I'm on the prowl to purchase one. After I graduate college its in tradition that I get a new car.

 

I have never owned a BMW but the more I read this thread the more it scares me as I am actively seeking an E60 M5 recently

 

Mine's been fine.

 

How many miles does your have so far? The one I am looking at is an 06 with 13k miles.
Is yours a DD? or a garage queen? My 06 TL has 120k miles on it and I am contemplating either getting rid of it to get the E60 as a DD or keeping the TL as DD and getting the E60 as toy since I always wanted one.

 

I bought mine with 39k miles on it. It's a DD for me.

Here's more info on my car (so I don't derail this thread): https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/ttribes-german-kimchi-then-german-then-blow-up-engine-then-fix-journey-thread-822243/

Also, you should spend some time at M5Board if you are serious about an E60 M5 - http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...ng-discussion/

 

Guys post some pics of fresh, clean E46 M3's.. I cannot get enough of em

 

Phoenix yellow is my favorite..

 

Dont mean to brag at all, but I absolutley love mine. 2004 Carbon Black ext, Cinnamon/black int. 6spd, drop top, with nav. I need to get some pics up for you.

 

What kind of repairs have you had? How long have you owned?

 

A few years ago when I was selling cars, I got to fly to Phoenix and drive a 2003 M3 6 speed back to Milwaukee. It was a great trip.





Ran into some ladies along the way, they were kind enough to pull over and give us some Red Bulls.

 

I love it too! It looks fantastic on the newer ones. My father is looking into getting a 2014 F30 M3. Tri Turbo
Haha Yes! you do my friend. I would love to see it

Hahaha that's awesome. Consider yourself lucky for getting to take a long drive in one.

 

I found some newer 07+ M3 pics.



Love the brake calipers





White/Gold Combo



It's that dakar yellow

 

NO! This is an E46 thread. I want to -thanks your post

 

I took a 2004 330i performance package(ZHP) in trade once. Black with a saddle brown interior, 6 speed. Amazing what a difference the performance package makes over the regular 330i.

 

I have had to change out the rear diff. Also had all of the trans and engine seals replaced. total was about 2500 but the waranty i bought when i bought the car covered them all oddly enough. I have owned the car for almost 3 years now. I keep it at my folks house in florida and they drive it ever so often and love it.

 

i'm on the market to buy a fun car for myself and its not going to be my daily...

e46 m3 is on my list of interest but the maintenance scares the shit out of me...
i do wrench my own cars but never worked on BMW before... worst part is anything you replace on your own you probably will have to end up going to the dealer just to reset ecu or anything... everything needs to be done through them not like you can reset SRS light in Honda/Acura with a paper clip...

im still wondering if i should give it a try. if you'd ask me year or two ago i could sworn that i will never get a bimmer...

what do you guys think ? i love Laguna Seca Blue but the black one with CSL trunk on the first page looks hot as fuck too

on my list are too legacy spec b, sti or forester xt (different cars i know but thats something i'd like to try out too)

even 3G TL-S is on my list but i think i need something that will be really fun to drive...

as far as wrenching goes i have my own garage and all tools that are needed...