Buyer’s guide: BMW E46 M3

By Malcolm McKay

| 15 Nov 2019

Classic & Sports Car – Buyer’s guide: BMW E46 M3

Why you’d want a BMW E46 M3

A decade after the Golf GTI had turned the sports car concept on its head and shown that a hot hatch could be as chuckable as a roadster, BMW brought out the M3 in 1986.

This homologation special was only meant to help the company win Touring Car races, but it started a whole new genre and added excitement to the BMW range that it couldn’t do without. The E36 M3 of ’93 was accused of being more of a marketing tool – a tad unwieldy and overweight – but the E46 was designed to address that.

Priced on a par with the Porsche Boxster S, the E46 M3 was streets ahead in performance, challenging the much pricier 911 and Audi RS4. Stiffened, wider-tracked with big wheelarches and a massive front spoiler, it packed a 3.2-litre straight-six substantially re-engineered by the M division to generate 343bhp at 7900rpm and 269lb ft at 4900rpm. A six-speed Getrag gearbox took power to the rear wheels via a variable-lock limited-slip diff, developed with GKN.

Modern technology meant that ABS, switchable Dynamic Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control and Traction Control systems were standard. It sounded brilliant, too. ‘The grunty rumble from the quad exhausts at idle gives way to a serrated wail as the straight-six climbs to its redline,’ enthused Autocar.

(l-r) GTRs won back-to-back Nürburgring 24 Hours in 2004/’05; stunning one-off Touring sadly didn’t go into production

Aluminium was widely used to keep weight down, for the bonnet and brake calipers as well as suspension components, though the car still ended up heavier than its predecessor thanks to a high level of standard equipment inside the opulent leather-clad interior.

As a package, it was a triumph – the original M3 grown up. If you could criticise anything, it was that there wasn’t a lot of power below 2000rpm. But because it was then seamless up to 8000rpm and you had six gears to play with, it was hardly a big problem.

All cars were officially limited to 155mph, although Autocar’s test model happily topped 160mph and a limiter-delete was optional on the CSL version, allegedly allowing a 170mph top speed.

Coupés now command a price premium of c10% over Convertibles, but while manual gearboxes are preferred over SMG, condition and history are far more important.

There is a huge premium to pay if you want a CSL, however; the CS is currently a good option, with prices about 20% above the standard model. Crucial checkpoints are the rear axle carrier panel cracking, VANOS faults and head-gasket failure.

Images: Tony Baker

BMW E46 M3: what to look for

Bodywork

See above for trouble spots

Subframe

Rear axle carrier panel is E46’s weak point: the structure cracks from stress loading and proper repair is complex. Check if it’s been done, and done well.

Engine

The engine is highly stressed and can suffer from a number of issues, especially if not scrupulously maintained. Rattling from the VANOS variable cam timing needs urgent overhaul. Head-gasket failure can manifest through misfire or pinking (budget c£1500 to have it done). Conrod bearing weakness should have been cured on an early recall.

Suspension

Forged-aluminium lower wisbones are unique to M3; ditto bearings and bushes. They lead a hard life so look for wear.

Wheels

18in alloys were standard; 19in optional (standard on CSL). Diamond-cut rims are costly to refurbish. Brakes are more than adequate for road; upgradable for track.

Gearbox

Six-speed manual gearbox is strong, but the optional SMG clutchless sequential shift can suffer slow changes and even apparent loss of fourth as pump wears.

Interior

Look for wear on driver’s outer bolster, which a good trimmer can refurbish or replace; Nappa leather can crack if it gets too dry. CSL interior is all different.

Electrics

Damp, especially on cars kept outside, can wreak havoc with electrics, as moist air condenses inside. Inspect the history, and confirm that everything works.

Hood

Folding top should fit well: check carpets for damp, hood for damage and test operation; most parts can be sourced on eBay. New Sonnenland hood is c£1000.

BMW E46 M3: on the road

This highly specced car has Nappa leather and burr walnut

All versions are rapid, great-handling cars but time and neglect bring problems. The complex BMW/Siemens MSS54 engine-management system seems trouble-free, but the VANOS variable cam timing suffers with age. If it’s rattling, budget for a rapid service: it may be hardened seals but could be loose bolts or stripped splines that can wreck the motor.

A lack of power (relative to what it should be!) also indicates the need for an overhaul. A diagnostic test will confirm. A misfire, or pinking when accelerating gently uphill at 2000rpm, may be a symptom of head-gasket failure, fairly common at 80-100k miles.

The SMG gearchange can give trouble due to pump wear. A rebuilt pump is close to £1000 exchange, but a new BMW item is more than twice the price. Servicing is not cheap: even at independents, an Inspection 1 will cost £500-plus; and an Inspection 2 £650-plus.

Modifications are common, so check what’s been done and if the car has been abused on track. ECU upgrades, engine tuning, blueprinting, suspension and chassis upgrades, brake upgrades including AP Racing kits, different wheels and body mods are among the options.

The rear suspension incorporates M3-only links with steel balljoints: this stiff set-up plus the massive power put far greater stresses through the E46 shell than it had been designed to take and it cracks. Inspection and the involved repair is best carried out by an experienced specialist.

BMW E46 M3 price guide

Show: £20,000*
Average: £10,000*
Restoration: £5000*

CSL

Show: £75,000*
Average: £45,000*
Restoration: £25,000*

^{*Prices correct at date of original publication}

BMW E46 M3 history

2000 Mar E46 M3 launched

2002 Sep build starts

2001 Feb Right-hand-drive M3 on sale; Mar/Apr Convertible added, heavier so 0-60mph 5.1 secs; autumn, GTR racer announced for American Le Mans Series, with 460bhp 3997cc V8: it won!

2002 Feb M3 GTR on sale: 380bhp dry-sump alloy V8, carbonfibre roof, spoilers, rear wing; 10 made, three ‘sold’ for €250,000 but later returned to BMW. SMG II: 11 modes and ‘launch control’

2003 May M3 CSL added: 110kg lighter (carbonfibre/GRP and thinner glass used), 360bhp, faster semi-auto gearchange, bigger brakes, sharper steering and suspension; c1395 made, code BL95 LHD, BL96 RHD

2004 M3 Silverstone (cosmetic special) offered in the UK market only; 50 built

2005 M3 Coupé Sport (CS/ZCP) pack offered for base model: CSL wheels, steering and suspension

2006 May Coupé production ends

2006 Aug Soft-top production ends

The owner’s view

“I’ve always had petrol in my DNA,” comments Peter Brewin, having sold his TR6 and M635CSi to buy this M3 eleven years ago. “I’d had them both for 10-12 years and wanted one car that combined the best of both. Porsches were too small and I like BMW detailing. I wanted one that was spot-on and spent 15 months looking.

“This car had one owner, full BMW history and has averaged 2500 miles a year. It was pampered by a wealthy collector and had all the options. I’ve taken it to the Revival, Le Mans Classic and touring in France.

“I drive it only when I really want to, and the conditions are perfect. Even the wiper blades are original: they never get used! The only repair it’s needed was a diff seal. I’ve fallen in love with it to such an extent that to prise me away from it would be a real challenge!”

Also consider

Audi RS4 (left) and Mercedes-Benz CLK55 are alternative buys

AUDI RS4

With a 2.7-litre turbo V6 producing 376bhp, the 4WD 5-door estate RS4 flew. It’s scarce and still reassuringly pricey. Quicker in a straight line than M3, if not as much fun on the twisties.

Sold 2000-’01 • No. built 6030 • Mpg 16-25 • 0-60mph 4.7 secs • Top speed 155mph (limited) • Price new £46,500 (2001) • Price now £18-25,000*

MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55

AMG decided the only way to build a Merc to match the M3 was to sling a 5.5-litre V8 under the bonnet, with a five-speed paddle-shift auto and firmer set-up. Now, it’s quite a bargain.

Sold 2001-’07 • No. built c15,000 • Mpg 16-33 • 0-60mph 5 secs • Top speed 155mph (limited) • Price new £57,000 (Coupé, 2002) • Price now £7-15,000*

^{*Prices correct at date of original publication}

BMW E46 M3: the Classic & Sports Car verdict

E46 looks its best in M3 form, with fat arches over the signature 18in alloys, which are easily kerbed

The E46 M3 is thoroughly worthy of the name, and enthusiasts have wasted little time in pushing prices into the collector zone – especially for the rare CSL (and the half-way-house CS is beginning to follow).

If you possibly can, buy a car with good, full service history and evidence of having been garaged and cherished. Neglect is extremely costly to rectify.

FOR

Great handling and glorious noise
Fabulous performance
Usable every day
Values for best are appreciating

AGAINST

Rear end cracking: costly to fix
Some engine issues as they get older
Many have been modified and/or abused on track, so inspect uprated ones carefully

BMW E46 M3 specifications

Sold/number built 2000-’06/55,506 Coupé, 29,633 Convertible
Construction steel monocoque
Engine iron-block, alloy-head, dohc 24-valve 3245cc ‘six’, with sequential multi-point injection; 343bhp @ 7900rpm-360bhp @ 7900rpm; 269lb ft @ 4900rpm-273lb ft @ 4300rpm
Transmission Getrag six-speed manual, driving rear wheels; about 50% (including all CSLs) have optional SMG sequential semi-automatic
Suspension: front MacPherson struts rear multi-link, coil springs; anti-roll bar f/r
Steering power-assisted rack and pinion, 3.2 turns lock-lock (3 on CSL/CS)
Brakes ventilated discs, 325mm front, 326mm rear, with servo; CSL/CS 348mm front
Length 14ft 9in (4492mm)
Width 6ft 41/2in (1947mm)
Height 4ft 6in (1372mm)
Wheelbase 8ft 11in (2725mm)
Weight 3047-3649 (1385-1655kg)
0-60mph 4.5-5.1 secs
Top speed 155-170mph
Mpg 15-30
Price new £37,850/41,400 (Coupé/Convertible, 2001)