Considering M3 to 997 to escape problems, good move?
06-07-2016, 03:46 PM
#31
Race Car
How about a new 727hp mustang for $40K with warranty?
http://www.lebanonford.com/the-727-hp-mustang.htm
Can't beat that beast for the price.
However, the OP wants a car that last forever (a million miles).
http://www.lebanonford.com/the-727-hp-mustang.htm
Can't beat that beast for the price.
However, the OP wants a car that last forever (a million miles).
Not saying that Roush or whatever is a bad car, just not something I would recommend or consider purchasing.
06-07-2016, 04:55 PM
#32
Rennlist Member
Originally Posted by Philster
Performance cars out of warranty are gambles.
Like a hobby, you have to enjoy all aspects of it: Sourcing parts, fixing idiosyncrasies. staying on top of things yourself, becoming part of a community, having a hobby piggy bank for upgrades and even disasters. You pour in a lot of effort that you enjoy, so you can enjoy the driving.
If you like driving, and that's the extent of what you like, then lease a high-end sports car under warranty.
High-performance, high-end cars out of warranty reward those who see it as a hobby. Like the person that's into fishing as a hobby, they'll spend hours taking care of their gear, making new lures, fixing the damn outboard again. If you like to just fish, take a charter trip.
.
Like a hobby, you have to enjoy all aspects of it: Sourcing parts, fixing idiosyncrasies. staying on top of things yourself, becoming part of a community, having a hobby piggy bank for upgrades and even disasters. You pour in a lot of effort that you enjoy, so you can enjoy the driving.
If you like driving, and that's the extent of what you like, then lease a high-end sports car under warranty.
High-performance, high-end cars out of warranty reward those who see it as a hobby. Like the person that's into fishing as a hobby, they'll spend hours taking care of their gear, making new lures, fixing the damn outboard again. If you like to just fish, take a charter trip.
.
06-08-2016, 05:31 AM
#33
Intermediate
Thread Starter
That's what I'm trying to get a gauge on there.
The e46 chassis is not designed to endure over the years. It's a fun, great, raw car for its size and wheelbase, but normal driving conditions shouldn't cause the car to fall apart. I found 15 independent cracks or spot welds coming loose in the floor areas, and that with a very minor amount of damage visible with the car still assembled. The guy I bought it from had it inspected by BMW who didn't think it was cracked at all.
That's part of the problem. You have to remove the entire rear end and cut sections of the top of the trunk out to fully diagnose it. I wanted to keep the car possibly forever as a BMW winner, but after later discovering the front shock towers also have issues, I'm looking for something that was able to get the design engineering it needed. Great fun car otherwise and I'm sure the crash safety is excellent (yay).
The e46 chassis is not designed to endure over the years. It's a fun, great, raw car for its size and wheelbase, but normal driving conditions shouldn't cause the car to fall apart. I found 15 independent cracks or spot welds coming loose in the floor areas, and that with a very minor amount of damage visible with the car still assembled. The guy I bought it from had it inspected by BMW who didn't think it was cracked at all.
That's part of the problem. You have to remove the entire rear end and cut sections of the top of the trunk out to fully diagnose it. I wanted to keep the car possibly forever as a BMW winner, but after later discovering the front shock towers also have issues, I'm looking for something that was able to get the design engineering it needed. Great fun car otherwise and I'm sure the crash safety is excellent (yay).
06-08-2016, 10:39 AM
#34
That's what I'm trying to get a gauge on there.
The e46 chassis is not designed to endure over the years. It's a fun, great, raw car for its size and wheelbase, but normal driving conditions shouldn't cause the car to fall apart. I found 15 independent cracks or spot welds coming loose in the floor areas, and that with a very minor amount of damage visible with the car still assembled. The guy I bought it from had it inspected by BMW who didn't think it was cracked at all.
That's part of the problem. You have to remove the entire rear end and cut sections of the top of the trunk out to fully diagnose it. I wanted to keep the car possibly forever as a BMW winner, but after later discovering the front shock towers also have issues, I'm looking for something that was able to get the design engineering it needed. Great fun car otherwise and I'm sure the crash safety is excellent (yay).
The e46 chassis is not designed to endure over the years. It's a fun, great, raw car for its size and wheelbase, but normal driving conditions shouldn't cause the car to fall apart. I found 15 independent cracks or spot welds coming loose in the floor areas, and that with a very minor amount of damage visible with the car still assembled. The guy I bought it from had it inspected by BMW who didn't think it was cracked at all.
That's part of the problem. You have to remove the entire rear end and cut sections of the top of the trunk out to fully diagnose it. I wanted to keep the car possibly forever as a BMW winner, but after later discovering the front shock towers also have issues, I'm looking for something that was able to get the design engineering it needed. Great fun car otherwise and I'm sure the crash safety is excellent (yay).
http://jalopnik.com/heres-what-a-cor...les-1780556198
buy yourself a corvette
06-08-2016, 01:59 PM
#35
Race Car
That's what I'm trying to get a gauge on there.
The e46 chassis is not designed to endure over the years. It's a fun, great, raw car for its size and wheelbase, but normal driving conditions shouldn't cause the car to fall apart. I found 15 independent cracks or spot welds coming loose in the floor areas, and that with a very minor amount of damage visible with the car still assembled. The guy I bought it from had it inspected by BMW who didn't think it was cracked at all.
That's part of the problem. You have to remove the entire rear end and cut sections of the top of the trunk out to fully diagnose it. I wanted to keep the car possibly forever as a BMW winner, but after later discovering the front shock towers also have issues, I'm looking for something that was able to get the design engineering it needed. Great fun car otherwise and I'm sure the crash safety is excellent (yay).
The e46 chassis is not designed to endure over the years. It's a fun, great, raw car for its size and wheelbase, but normal driving conditions shouldn't cause the car to fall apart. I found 15 independent cracks or spot welds coming loose in the floor areas, and that with a very minor amount of damage visible with the car still assembled. The guy I bought it from had it inspected by BMW who didn't think it was cracked at all.
That's part of the problem. You have to remove the entire rear end and cut sections of the top of the trunk out to fully diagnose it. I wanted to keep the car possibly forever as a BMW winner, but after later discovering the front shock towers also have issues, I'm looking for something that was able to get the design engineering it needed. Great fun car otherwise and I'm sure the crash safety is excellent (yay).
06-08-2016, 02:44 PM
#36
I usually outright trash an entire line of cars based on one guys posts as well. The internet is the perfect place to accumulate factual information like this.
06-08-2016, 02:49 PM
#37
Three Wheelin'
I would not advise escaping the M3 for any reason other than wanting a better car. Certainly not for any monetary reasons.
06-08-2016, 03:34 PM
#38
Race Car
Marv - the E46 M3 chassis cracking apart is a well documented issue. Every owner I have talked to has mentioned it - what I wasn't aware is how expensive and time consuming preventing the issue is - makes for a weak buy and put in the junker category. The OP is asking us if we have any chassis issues - the answer is no issues, the 997 chassis is solid.
06-08-2016, 03:46 PM
#39
Three Wheelin'
doesn't take much to find data regarding this. apparently it impacts all E46 generation
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1224621
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1224621
06-08-2016, 05:29 PM
#41
Instructor
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Northeast USA
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So I want to chime in. I've had a bunch of sports cars over the years and thought I'd get an M3 when I 'grew up'. Prior to getting one, bought a Mini, an R53. Of course I knew about the e46 subframe issues but I didn't know about all the chassis issues with the mini. Basically at least two well known - buckling front shock towers and weak constantly cracking windshields. Reinforced the shock towers but after two windshields it was enough (stock car, mind you). Went straight to a 911. Really couldn't be happier. To me if a car manufacturer treats their cars as disposable items that have similar problems over many years (decades) spanning product lines, it's a major red flag. I don't want to play that game as I keep cars that I like for a veeery long time.
06-08-2016, 06:07 PM
#42
Mine was great during the 15+ years, 190K miles I had it.
06-09-2016, 04:45 AM
#44
997.2 less likely to break than e46 m3 but when it does will be much more expensive.
Really depends on luck with car and your willingness to tolerate very unlikely bill for engine or transmission failure.
Really depends on luck with car and your willingness to tolerate very unlikely bill for engine or transmission failure.
06-09-2016, 11:03 AM
#45
If you've already locked down the subframe, I'd keep it. You can address the vanos issues inexpensively as well. As far as worrying about what else could happen to the car, just drive it and enjoy it. If other problems arise, fix them as they come up instead of living in fear. The E46M is a great platform and a wonderful driving experience, I wouldn't punt it because you're worried of what else might come up during your ownership.