ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

So, like everyone else I'm thinking of moving on to the ultimate driving machine. I COULD swing a new one but I feel that spending that much on a new car isn't financially smart for me right now.

So I started searching for the car that has made me salivate since my teens. I finally found a super clean car and it's only 2 minutes away from my house. Music to my ears! It's a 2003 M3, smg with 67,000 miles on it. This guy keeps it in the garage under a car cover most days. He's had it since 2007 and has all service records, is friends with a bmw tech that does all his work, only uses redline etc yadda yadda yadda. I need to check if he uses castrol 10w-60 in the engine though.

Anyway, obviously this car is babied. It looks practically new. It also has new tires, rotors and pads. Also, he just installed an aftermarket exhaust. I'm not sure which brand (started with a B and cost him 1200).

This guy is rich. Big garage full of cars. He just feels it is a waste to keep the car (insurance, taxes, devaluation). He is only asking 16,600 and hinted that he is workable from that.

Sounds great right? Well, the part that is bothering me is that the car is SMG. I've done some research and reviews are mixed at best. People that have had issues or "know someone" hate it and say stay away. People that have been fine naturally say it's fine and that failures are probably due to human error.

I know the smg can be kinda finicky when sensors get dirty or need to be replaced but what I am afraid of is catastrophic failure. I'm not going to get into the VANOS issues because I feel that is preventable.

Anyway, I realllly need guidance here.

CLIFFS:
Found a great deal on a low mileage "garage queen" e46 M3
SMG reliability scares me
HALP?

ineedmyfixofacura

iTrader: (2)

Brother had a 2004 M3 SMG, no problems with the tranny or anything, no problems at all. A lot of top dog M3 making 1000+hp are running SMG trannys.

Pete2010

My buddy bought an 02 or 03 M3 with the SMG used, and he loves it, had it for 2 years now and no issues.

Aman

I'd get a true manual on principle alone, but that's another discussion. Don't understand how human error can cause transmission failure on one that's controlled by computers.

Engine takes 10W-60? Holy thick oil man...

Could the exhaust be Borla?

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

It wasn't borla for sure

Crazy Bimmer

Whoa that seems cheap!!

Exhaust maybe a Bastuck?

Smg is pretty reliable, I hear sometimes the pump needs replacing but not that complicated or expensive. But double check on that as I'm not sure.

myron

iTrader: (4)

that's a pretty good price. I wish I could get that car for that cheap. If he's god all the service records and what not I wouldn't be too worried about it. Also tell him to hook you up with the buddy's number so you can take it to him for services and such and to tell him to hook you up with maybe a little cheaper service. I have always been hating on the SMG in the m3 but for that price I would get it for sure.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

...at that price, I think I would be super happy... esp is the records and car itself are in agreement... have you driven it yet? Options? Color?

Mr Marco

It's almost 10 years old. It has been my experience that any car that age, no matter how well maintained, starts to have problems with the little things (starters, pumps, etc.). Unless you are planning on driving the shit out of it for a summer and then dumping it on some kid, I would spend more and get the newer motor (which also runs on 20% ethanol). There must be three E90's at the Audi lot where my neighbor works and they are all cream puffs. You can buy a great E90,2,3 M-3 for less than $30k right now.

Malayalee King

iTrader: (1)

go for the SMG. if you don't buy it, let me

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

I anticipate having to replace starter or alternator (battery is new)

no links = lies

Mr Marco

??? Take it for what it is worth. If I could afford it, I would be driving a Cayenne, not an RDX.

myron

iTrader: (4)

WHAT?!?! You americans have it pretty sweet there. the cheapest one in my province is $58 000

4cruizn

My brother had an SMG M3 for awhile. Really fun car with no lack of power. I don't know of any major issues he had with it. For me, I need a manual with 3 pedals though.

Here's my bro's.

Mr Marco

Sorry, that was a 2006 for $27,990
Here is a 2008 for $45k

Click on the link below or copy it into your browser to see the 2008 BMW M3 Sedan!

vas25tl

dooo it..

A few years ago I drove a 03 M3 from Phoenix to Milwaukee. It was a really fun few days.

I used to bitch and complain about SMG saying it's not a real transmission until I drove a 04 M3 with SMG. I fell in love. Now, SMG>manual for me. It's much quicker and the paddle shifters are amazing.

Good luck with your decision.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

2006vs2008 is a major jump in price due to model change. I simply do not want a $900-1000 car payment. To me, the car I found is in PRISTINE condition and it's literally 2 miles away from me. I feel like I hit the jackpot. I wouldn't think twice if it had a third pedal. I'm just being held up by the fact that it is smg.

Brandon24pdx

I'd stay away from SMG. It's expensive if/when the pump goes out.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

what is expensive in this case?

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

Also, it is funny to note that this thread reflects my research exactly. Some people say SMG is fine, some people ignore the original question and say I'd get 6MT no matter what, and some people say stay away DONT DO IT citing "expensive" repairs with no detail as to what they mean or a situation that would explain it.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

ask the seller if he has replaced the pump or anything else associated with the SMG... and review the receipts and maintenance records he has...

....call the BMW dealership and get a price quote, call a local certified shop and get a price quote and consider asking for a quote from the guy who's servicing the car rite now...

..also consider jumping into one of the BMW forums and asking for information too... this is what I did with my SLK which is a 1999... the lack of horror stories and the mildness of the repairs being discussed definitely helped me make up my mind... I have driven mine for over a year and have had nothing really to tell... minor stuff at best.

Never Summer

I think there was an SMG I and an SMG II change between one of the model years, I know the SMG II is said to be an improvement. I could be completely off but I do remember seeing something to this effect a while back.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

He said no issues other than needing new tires and brakes. Normal maintenance stuff. Of course I'll go through the records he has.

There are TONS of posts on this subject in bimmerfest, m3post, e46 fanatics ... and every thread is almost identical to this one.

DarkSithCL

iTrader: (1)

Solid...

Type34

I sold my 2003 325i (78K) for $13,000 last year...$16K for a 2003 M3 (67K) is a steal.

One thing that is a minor flag is its history before him. If he has a ton of cars, then he probably didn't drive it much. So I'm not sure how much maintenance he actually had to do. If he has all records, then that helps for sure. Of course you know to get a CARFAX on it.

BMWs in general are expensive to maintain and replace parts, regardless of SMG or not, that's a given. So IMO the SMG is a non-issue.

GO FOR IT. $16K can't buy much better.

Crazy Bimmer

I lied. It seems the pump is about $2k to replace, without labor.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=686054

But still, for $16k i would do it if the title is clear.

Crazy Bimmer

Check out e46fanatics.com or M3forum.net and talk to people who have real experience with the E46 M3.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

I have yet to post in those forums. I'm still lurking/searching/reading. I want to do plenty of research before I dump the TL and get this beast.

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

If you live in So.Cal and pass on the vehicle, will you PM me the info so I can give it a look. Thanks

charliemike

Are we talking about a M3 or a Beetle? Who cares if it runs on ethanol? He's not looking to buy a dragstrip monster either. Such an odd line of reasoning.

Mr Marco

Almost every gallon of gas pumped today contains as much as 10% domestic ethanol (E10). The EPA has approved the use of E15 in cars manufactured from 2007 and on. Congress mandated the use of E15 as part of the Energy Independence and Security act of 2007. The goal is to blend billions of gallons into the nation’s supply of gas in an effort to reduce our dependence on foreign oil (and make companies like Poet rich). The ethanol industry wants to ramp that number up to 20% (E20) which may occur before 2015.
A 2003 M3 is not designed to run on E20, and may suffer from fuel system problems as a result.

savage

One of my coworkers has a 02 M3 with SMG. I believe he is over 90k miles by now. He hasn't had problems with SMG, but he had the Vanos unit fail. ~$4.5-5k to get that replaced.

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Couldn't you simply tune it to run on ethanol?

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

Yep, vanos is a separate issue that effects all models. I feel the risk can be mitigated by using "upgraded" bolts.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

yes

Crazy Bimmer

NO! All cars before 2007 will have to be junked.

OperationDarkie

iTrader: (1)

It's because of the cost to replace it, they won't repair the SMG tranny, they just replace it with a new one and charge alot of money.

But a 6 spd one I have yet to see anything wrong with the 6spd M3's

nbennettksu

iTrader: (2)

SMG is a good tranny. If your that uneasy about, maybe splurge on a good extended warranty... a couple of good ones (that I deal with on a regular basis) are EasyCare and another is Fidelity.

ludachrisvt

iTrader: (2)

details?

Mr Marco

It's not a matter of tune. The issue is with the materials used to make the components in the fuel system. They will quickly deteriorate with that amount of alcohol in the line. The parts most likely to be effected are the injectors.