2002 BMW M3 - Consumer Discussions

25k Coupe - E46 M3 vs G35 vs Genesis Coupe

• Re: 25k Coupe - E46 M3 vs G35 vs Genesis Coupe [wjtinatl]

  Written by: k12rider on Mar 18, 2010 11:56:23 AM

  There's a lot of things to consider in rating these 3 vehicles and which is right for you. I own a M3 convertible 6 speed which I love. I grew up around VW, BMW, and german car enthusiasts and as a result am accustomed to their ride and handling as compared to Japan and Korea? There are many other things to consider: Ride Styling Power MPG Type of driving you do ... Read More

BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

• SMG

  Written by: gregory11 on Apr 1, 2009 8:41:09 AM

  Hello! I have a 2002 BMW M3 with SMG that I just bought from a friend. It has over 100k on it. I love this car. But here is the problem. In a manual transmission when you don't depress the clutch far enough and you press down on the gas pedal the car will race some before it goes into gear. This is what the SMG appears to be doing. I ... Read More

BMW M3

• Re: Random thought [fedlawman]

  Written by: roadburner on Feb 16, 2008 8:03:24 PM

  Seems to me the new BMW M3 is nothing more than a German Pontiac GTO. I wouldn't go quite that far, I tend to think of it as a replacement for the E28 M5 or E24 M6. The weight and dimensions are similar, aonly with @150 more horsepower. The new M3 is a nice GT or sports sedan, but it's just to massive to be an M3 in spirit. Having said ... Read More

BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright]

  Written by: fedlawman on Feb 6, 2008 5:42:58 PM

  My hat's off to you, your handier than most car enthusiasts. I owned Honda's and Acura's for much of my younger years and I never did learn to turn a wrench. I've come a long way as a shadetree mechanic since joining the BMW cult, but I don't know if I could have done the job you did.

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright]

  Written by: gmonkies on Feb 5, 2008 8:20:19 PM

  that was kinda the point I was trying to make too. My civic and integra are so harsh with absolutely no luxury, comfort, prestige. I meant no disrespect to others passion and if I can afford the 911 turbo, that would have been my choice too. I do agree there is something to be said when you can drive a turbo car with less road noise and can turn on the ... Read More

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies]

  Written by: fedlawman on Feb 5, 2008 11:39:25 AM

  No ruffled feathers here, I'm just saying I disagree with you. Believe it or not, I don't own a Porsche (I actually own a BMW). There's simply a lot more to a car than magazine test numbers for 0-60 MPH and 1/4 mile acceleration. If driving the Porsche is like swimming in a crystal clear swimming pool, the BMW, by comparison, is like swimming in maple syrup.

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman]

  Written by: gmonkies on Feb 5, 2008 10:03:31 AM

  Wow, I never realized I can ruffle so much feathers with my believe based on the info from magazine report. I was only trying to give a fellow BMW enthusiast a point of view based solely on the 1/4 mile time as one of many measures. But I will entertain the comments and continue with this debate one more time. My recollection was that when Road and Track magazine introduced the ... Read More

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies]

  Written by: fedlawman on Feb 2, 2008 1:55:32 PM

  "is the carerra really worth $20,000 more?" Is the M3 worth $20,000 more than a Honda Accord V-6? "There are so options to improve the M3 with extra $20,000 that can make the M3 out perform the carerra" There are so many options to improve the Accord with the extra $20,000 that can make the Accord outperform the M3. "the M3 performance spec is pretty comparable if you put them side ... Read More

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown]

  Written by: gmonkies on Feb 1, 2008 7:42:25 PM

  The M3 is so much better than the G35. The M3 runs neck to neck with porsche carerra and msrp was $20,000 less then carerra. Depending what price you are looking for, you might find a 2003 with extended warranty which ends in 2009. Also, if you are going to get infiniti, the new G37 is a much better car. 330 HP for $32,000 msrp vs the m3 333HP for $48,000 ... Read More

• Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown]

  Written by: roadburner on Jan 30, 2008 11:10:28 AM

  The E46 M3 has proven to be pretty reliable overall. There were some engine issues early on any car you look at should have had the problem corrected by now. I always recommend that any potential BMW owners join the BMW Car Club since so many dealers and independent shops offer discounts on parts and/or labor to club members. The local Chicago chapter(Windy City) is one of the most active and ... Read More

• Re: 2002 BMW M3- E46 SMG [nixter5]

  Written by: roadburner on Nov 28, 2007 7:57:55 AM

  Does anyone know what I should be checking on in terms of preventive maintenance? Is there a part that needs to be replaced normally at this point? Sorry, I'm new to this mean machine. Do you have access to the car's service records? That would help determine what service the car needs. In any event, I would change the oil at 7.5K intervals using Castrol 10W-60 and a BMW filter. Brake ... Read More

• 2002 BMW M3- E46 SMG

  Written by: nixter5 on Nov 24, 2007 3:12:39 PM

  I just purchased an '02 BMW M3 w/ 52k miles on it a week ago. Does anyone know what I should be checking on in terms of preventive maintenance? Is there a part that needs to be replaced normally at this point? Sorry, I'm new to this mean machine. Thanks!

Buying a Used 3-Series

• ///M > 330ci

  Written by: dsurti on Aug 11, 2006 12:22:13 PM

  performance hands down i would say E36; M3: -heavier steering -LSD (limited slip diff) -a good clutch, not a "self adjusting" garbage clutch like the 330ci -does NOT have the CDV like the 330(clutch delay valve.. also garbage) -M3 is faster for smoothness/luxury.. 330ci edit: i'had a 2001 330xi automatic, 2002 325ci stickshift, and my cousin used to have a e36 M3 so i do know what i am talking about ... Read More

• Re: What is a better buy: 1999 BMW M3 or 2001 330ci (same mileage each) [fdg07]

  Written by: Mr_Shiftright on Aug 10, 2006 9:06:03 AM

  I think the 330 is the better buy. There's no reason why an used M car should cost so much--historically they are not particulary good at holding their value, asking prices notwithstanding. And an old BMW out of warranty makes a person nervous anyway. If you could find a certified 330, maybe a 2002 and up, that would be the way to go.

• What is a better buy: 1999 BMW M3 or 2001 330ci (same mileage each)

  Written by: fdg07 on Aug 8, 2006 3:17:30 PM

  Which of these is better buy, 1999 M3 2dr or 2001 330ci? I have seen that a used 1999 m3 can cost as much as nearly a 2002 or 2003 BMW 330ci. Thats pretty interesting despite that fact that the M3 is a super car. Id like to know which one is the better buy and why? I am looking for acceleration, handling, and overall performance. Which do you think will ... Read More

BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

• Vin Decode

  Written by: beemer_girl_70 on Mar 7, 2006 4:18:06 AM

  My sweetie and I are co-owners of a used auto Dealership.We both love BMW's and we specialize in BMW's and their restoration. We have approximately 25 BMW's ranging from a 1970 model 2002 up to a 1995 740i, 2-1991 M5's, a 1997 M-3, 2-1990 525i's, a 1998 528i, and a 1989 730i. So we are familar with BMW's. We are looking at a 1997 BMW that is being advertized as an ... Read More

Audi S4 vs BMW M3

• Consumer Reports Facts

  Written by: _matty on Dec 1, 2005 4:15:58 PM

  After I sat here for a few days and read posts from BMW lovers claiming that Consumer Reports bashed the S4 and praised the M3, I decided to find out the real truth for myself. I forked over $6 for a Consumer Reports New Car Preview 2006 at the grocery store today and I'm going to summarize what the magazine said. Just a note, I didn't include every single comparison, but ... Read More

• Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1]

  Written by: s4lvr on Nov 3, 2005 10:24:51 PM

  OK let's have a fact-based discussion. Firstly, which consumer report are you talking about? Go to Consumer Reports.org , and look up the BMW 3-series and Audi A4 reports. Granted, the Audi has atrocious reliability through 2001 (it is that reputation which hurts its resale value now ... ) but has shown consistent improvement since the new shape was introduced in 2002. Indeed, in 2003 it received only excellent and very ... Read More

• Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [rjlaero]

  Written by: m3_r1 on Oct 20, 2005 6:27:44 AM

  The truth must really hurt about the Audi S4 being inferior to the M3. If you read all of messages on this site you will see that the statements are supported by facts and not biased propaganda. I went to Kelly Blue Book to check the trade in values for the M3 and the S4 and this is what they said: 2001 BMW M3 in excellent condition with 100,000 mi $20,375 ... Read More

BMW M3

• 2007 M3 and used M3's

  Written by: scotth6 on Feb 4, 2005 8:21:12 AM

  I traded my 2003 M3 in Sept for a 2004 and discovered one week later that most of the 2002 and 2003 M3's were recalled to replace the connecting rods. If you remember there was some problems with engines blowing up and the problem was discovered as bad connecting rods. the problem is that the entire engine has to be taken apart and its a full uninterupted days work. Be careful ... Read More

• Buying a used M3

  Written by: radox5 on Jan 22, 2005 1:00:06 PM

  Hi guys, I'm thinking about buying a 2002 or 2003 BMW M3 convertible. I found one for sale that is 2002 with 12000 miles garage kept, SMG, 19 inch wheels, Navigation system, basicaly the car has everything that you can imagin. Also the car has BMW warrany until May 2006, and maintanence warrant until May 2005. The owner is asking $45000. I have few question for you guys; 1) Is the ... Read More

Audi S4 vs BMW M3

• Re: Brand New S4 Tip [jeskali]

  Written by: ccap on Jan 2, 2005 5:00:54 PM

  Hi Jeskali,   I just got out of a 2002 540i 6 speed. I loved it but before the the lease was up, I sold it and got into an Infiniti FX45 becasue of the all wheel drive. I thought I was making the right choice. BOY!! Was I wrong! The ride was terrible, gas mileage was super poor around 15 mpg. Ans the AWD is terrible. I was sliding all ... Read More

BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair

• BMW Update for M3 Coupe/Convertible with S54 Engines

  Written by: bmwna on Aug 31, 2004 7:24:49 AM

  I'm with BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA). BMW NA is conducting a service action for S54 engines in E46 M3 Coupe/Convertible produced from February 12, 2001 and May 22, 2003. We are in the process of mailing notification letters to affected customers. Our ongoing quality testing revealed that the connecting rod bearings installed in certain M3 Coupe/Convertible with S54 engines were not manufactured to BMW quality standards. As a ... Read More

Audi S4 vs BMW M3

• M3 Reliability

  Written by: scotth6 on Feb 7, 2004 8:54:48 AM

  The M3 now has a 6 year 100,000 warranty on the engine. When they initially came out in 2001 there were a small amount of engines that blew up, BMW changed the oil to 5W60 weight to correct the problem. I have not heard of any problems on the 2002 or 2003 models. The 3 series is a very reliable car, I owned a 2001 330cic that I put 32,000 miles ... Read More