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2003 BMW M3 Consumer Discussions
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All BMW M3 Models
Used TMV from $13,504
25k Coupe - E46 M3 vs G35 vs Genesis Coupe
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Re: 25k Coupe - E46 M3 vs G35 vs Genesis Coupe [wjtinatl]
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
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Re: e46 m3 maintenance [gmonkies]
Hi, I have the same problem on my m3 2003. Would you please tell me what is the part that you have changed ( dealer's part#? or the rubber O-ring). I have seen the slotted screw or plug on the side of the engine block (passenger side) where the oil leaking from. I called the BMW dealer in my area and they cannot see any part in this location!!!. Thanks for ... Read More
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Need new rear tires for 2003 M3 from dealership?
Should I buy new 19 inch Michelan tires from the BMW dealership, they want 421 per tire including installation? Should I trust Firestone to do it cheaper? Any advice?
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright]
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.
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [Mr_Shiftright]
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
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies]
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.
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [fedlawman]
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
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [gmonkies]
"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
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown]
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
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Re: 2002 - 2003 M3 Reliability? [blumtown]
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
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Re: BMW M3 Owners: Problems & Solutions [lostit3]
Karen: I bought my wife a 2003 M3 4years ago and just recently had to deal with the whole extended warranty scenario. I tried to buy the BMW extended warranty but as i bought the M3 from a dealership other than BMW they wouldn't sell it to me, they wanted to sell me their extended warranty which as i was sitting in the F&I guys office, I looked up while he ... Read More
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To Roadrunner
I have a BMW M3 2003, how do you reset the check engine mileage doo hickey after an oil change... i saw the guy lean into my dashboard at BMW to reset it once when they forgot, but i couldn't see over his shoulder....do you know how
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clunking noise
Hello everyone I am an new owner of e46 M3 2003 6spd with 45K miles, bought it preowned from private but still carried the CPO certified from BMW until end of next year. I love the car, the look but not the shifting clunking noise. My car recently rev pretty high between gears. Majority on 1st and 2nd Its feel like a car with turbo lack meaning rev high but car ... Read More
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Rear Trailing Control Arm Bushings Gone Bad
Interesting story (I guess, maybe not) my wife's 2003 M3 convertible went thru a pair of michelins that we had just bought for the rear...could not figure out why a brand new set of tires would wear in less than 4months...my mechanic (Not BMW just a local shop) had the car alligned a number of times..finally he had another M3 with the same problem..one of his coworkers looked deep in the ... Read More
Buying a Used 3-Series
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Buying from a private party?
I found a 2003 BMW M3 SMG for 18K thats in in prestine condition which i think is a pretty good deal but I dont know much about BMW's. If anyone can help me. What questions should I ask him about the car.
BMW M6 Convertible
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Re: Lighten up on the transmission, will ya? [kimchimofo]
I have to applaud your "flexibility" in going from an E46 M3 to an E63 M6. Back last summer, my dealer gave me the hard sell on the E60 M5. I gave one a lengthy test drive while he priced up the trade of my pristine 2003 E39 M5. After 30 miles, I raced back to the dealership, took my M5 back and immediately confirmed an order for a 2007 911 ... Read More
Buying a Used 3-Series
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What is a better buy: 1999 BMW M3 or 2001 330ci (same mileage each)
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
Audi S4 vs BMW M3
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Consumer Reports Facts
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
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Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [_matty]
If you take the time to read the Consumer Reports issue between the BMW M3, Audi S4, Pontiac GTO and the Cadillac CTS V, you will see that all of the models were of the same year. Consumer Reports would not use a older car from one brand to compare to a newer car of another brand. Consumer Reports seeks to have a level playing field when testing any product. I'm ... Read More
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Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [m3_r1]
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
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Re: Want to know positives/negatives of S4 and M3 [rjlaero]
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
2007 BMW M3 (E92)
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2007 M3 and used M3's
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
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Buying a used M3
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
BMW M3 Maintenance and Repair
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BMW Update for M3 Coupe/Convertible with S54 Engines
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
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M3 Reliability
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
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