I think i have an idea about the need for a short shifter your talking about. I drove my buddies 04' 328i on wednesday, and that shifter has alot of play in it. Also it has fairly long shift throws like you mentioned earlier... overall i would consider buying a 3 series for sure. aside from the shifter, it was a fun drive for sure !

The BMW update disc actually has speed traps and red light cameras on it! Im shocked that an oem would show that info :). It doesn't let you link up with other people though I don't think.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.072575,-79.797229
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Haha yeah it's pretty bad.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=36.072393,-79.797305
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Went to get the rear wheel balanced and found out that despite the balance being off by a half ounce, the wheel itself is bent. So I drove to BMW and they scheduled me in for. On day to take a look at the ses light and repair the wheel. Repair of the wheel will cost around 100 bucks which is pretty damn cheap. They will shuttle me to and from work while the repairs are being done and are going to have fresh bagels and coffee waiting too. They're all going to wash and clean the car for free too. Definitely not used to this kind of experience :)

While there I also stopped by the parts department and got a new license plate frame to replace the dealer one.



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When my brother took his m3 in, his loner for 2 days was a brand new 7 series.

Nice, how did he like it? I was given a loaner as an option, but didn't want to wait the few extra days for what should be an easy fix.


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Nice! The interior is deff sexy! Ive always liked the M3s body style the best. Good luck on any future plans you have!

The E46 M3 is a classic design. Gotta love the wide fender flares. I sold my mint 2003.5 Carbon Black last year and I miss it. I sold it with 43k miles on it. Low for a 8 year old car. It was basically a garage queen and I just didn't want a coupe. As an E46 owner make sure you get that subframe checked. Mine didn't show any signs of cracking. The coverage from the dealer has expired for the free inspection and fix. The VANOS bolts coming loose is also another problem with these. I miss that raw high revving inline 6. The m3forums have plenty of info. here are a few pictures of mine. Only problem I had was a bad O2 sensor. I also did Inspection II which involved the valve adjustment which was fun to do.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...angel-eyes.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...3/IMG_0543.jpg
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...3/IMG_0517.jpg

^^very clean car, and as to the build thread thats pretty awesome there going to straighten the wheel in one day...most wheel shops ask for 1-2 days atleast to get wheels straightened out

He loved it, I never actually saw it but he talked about it for the next 2 weeks. Besides the luxury, I think they are like 400+hp so it was a lot quicker than the m3.

When my lease ends in the spring, I am probably gonna end up in an e39 M5. Rather be in the e46 but I am still on the ropes about it. I am still in school, and I don't want to lose freedom because I have to save every penny I have "in case" something happens + insurance.

I'm digging it. Very clean and simple. :thumbup:

Thank you! This is my favorite model of the M3:)

It looks like you had the same car as me! I love the CB.

Very nice. Subframe is good and my warranty covers it and the VANOS system. I joined the M3Forums and E46 Fanatics too :)

They seem to be pretty reliable if you keep up with maintenance. The car is so damn solid feeling.

I'd like to try the valve adjustment myself with the BMW kit. I think it'd be a fun project to tackle.

:supz:

Thank you, yeah I was impressed. Four hour turnaround time total was the quote.:cool:

Very cool!

Yeah, I hear ya. You gotta budget for the what if **** hits the fan, but thats what the warranty is for too. It cost me $1500 and covers everything except the catalytic converters on my car for 3 years/36,000 miles. Hard to beat that!

Thank you, me as well. :)

So an update:

Ordered a new 2011 Nav disc and firmware update for the car that will change the splash screen over from the ===BMW=== to ///M3 script. It'll also change the nav voice over to a British girl. Oh yeah.

The SES light turns out to be a bad catalytic converter on bank 2. It's a P0430 code, so it looks like I'm going to just get some aftermarket headers and a tune to get rid of it. BMW wanted $1912 for a new catalytic converter/manifold (since they're one piece on the M) and labor to install. There are two manifolds/cats on the car, so my next question was what if the other one goes out shortly afterwards? Then I'm looking at a bank loan rather than my tax return, haha.

I absolutely love driving it daily. It is so well balanced in the turns and comfortable too. Lower key car and just feels like a million bucks to drive. I still smile everytime I see it. The engine is amazing to drive. It isn't as powerful as the Evo, but its so smooth and just wants to be revved out. I also love the sound of the stock exhaust too.

My plans sort of change daily with the car, but I have a framework it keeps falling into:

1). I don't want to compromise the car's daily civility. This means no coilovers, no delrin or solid mount bushings and no exhausts.
2). I don't want to lower the car. I'm tired of scrapping everywhere around here and right now the car has cleared all the old trouble lots.
3). I do want to make it a little better, but don't want the changes to be really noticeable like a supercharger or cams or coilovers, etc.
4). I want to make sure that my thirst for mod parts doesn't get in the way of budgeting for repair parts. There has to be a line drawn there so that if all hell breaks loose, I'm not looking at shiny wheels and exhaust tips with a ripped subframe.
5). I want this car to last me a very long time. It's taken forever to get one with everything on it I want, so I don't want to kill it.

I think the key to modified cars is having a daily driver imo. That way you can get to work in comfort and peace of mind knowing your **** wont blow up and then get home and take out the beast for fun times.

Love that year though.

Really nice car. Everyone I know who owns one loves it!

Thanks guys :)

I do love it.

So I found a guy on the M3 forum selling his used factory headers with working catalytic converters for $128 shipped. BAM! I can flip the one I don't need around to pay for these three times over and cover part of the install :) Bye bye SES light!