In terms of engine issues?

Ii this a non-issue if the recall work has been performed?

It was the 2001's with engine recall issues. 2002 was unaffected. :)

It was the 2001's with engine recall issues. 2002 was unaffected. :)
I thought 01-04 were affected in some type of engine recall! :confused 05 is un affected! AS bad as I wanted to get a M3, i am going to wait for a 05 certified used one.

It was the 2001's with engine recall issues. 2002 was unaffected. :)


2002's have the most (straight numbers-wise) failure of all years, actually, if I recall correctly.

I believe the problem was "supposedly" fixed with the 04 model, which is why the 100K warranty is gone on them... correct?

Bottom line... its warrantied and the recall hasbeen done - youre fine... drive it. If it blows you get a new engine.

Just call your local stealer with the vin. I did and apparently mine ('02) wasn't affected.

so you never had the engine work done Hoog?

No - but I just bought it a couple of weeks ago.

I called my (trusted) service guy at Pace bmw and they ran the vin and it was not on the list. I also crossed checked on the roadfly e46 m3 engine issues site.

Even if it was affected and as long as it had the recall done I would have still bought it.

No - but I just bought it a couple of weeks ago.

I called my (trusted) service guy at Pace bmw and they ran the vin and it was not on the list. I also crossed checked on the roadfly e46 m3 engine issues site.

Even if it was affected and as long as it had the recall done I would have still bought it.

Who's that....Joe? :D

Yup - thats him.

yeah, joe is the man! He's helped me out many times.

I feel bad because we bought my wifes car in Greenwich last year and started bringing that car to them due to free loaner. However the guys in greenwich are a-holes. We've brought the car there 4 times trying to solve a rough idle issue. I am finally bringing the car to Joe on Weds.

So you are looking to get a e46 m3 I take it? I traded my '99 m3 cab for my current car. Still not sure if I made the right decision. The e46 is much faster, solid as a rock (especially compared to a vert) and has more room - but seems sterile.

Yeah, i'm looking for an e46 right now. I realize it's a bit more "sterile", but that can be changed a bit. I like the additional stock power and the updated look and more luxury options! Who knows, maybe down the road I will think it was the wrong move, but right now, I'm into the idea.

From 01-04 there were issues. I had an 03 now an 02, they both went bye bye, but with the new motor, I have had 0 issues its like a totally different car. I asked and EVERY m3 even if you have an 04-05 and they dont tell you about the 100k mile warranty on the motor, if it blows you will automatically get the motor warranty

but with the 02 and 03, you obviously had not done the engine recall work, is that correct?

When BMW initially started investigating the engine problems they thought cars built after February of '02 were ok. The first engine recall related to cars built before that date. Failures continued with cars built post Feb '02 hence the continued investigation, extended warranty and the recent recall for bearing and shell replacement. With the rebuild and extended warranty most people should be ok. Knock on wood!

All cars from 01-03 should have had at least one rod bearing service action, some 01s have had 3, most 01s and early 02s have had 2.

The 100k warranty only extends to these cars.

My 12/02 build date 2003 was affected by the most recent rod bearing SA. Let me try and find the Service Bulletin, it clearly lists the cars that are affected.

04s and 05s are unaffected and do not have the 100k mile engine warranty.

If you have an 02, you should have had at least one service action done. It is worth investigating. If your engine fails, you may get into a battle with BMW NA, i.e. they might deny the engine warranty claim on the basis of not complying with a reccomended service action.

edit: Kevlar has the original SIB from the most recent service action:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249217&highlight=rod+bearing

Buddy that is wrong. 02's come with the 100k warranty, but any m3 that blows up will get the 100k warranty. I have friends hence JMWEB has an m3 that didnt come with the warranty but when his blew up he automatically got the 100k warranty. Now if your dealer is a stealer then they can be assholes and not cover it, mine does everything... But if the car your looking at is an 02 dont be worried there is no difference from one year to the next, you will either get a whole new motor or a rebuild, both are suffice, and you still get the 100k warranty.

Buddy that is wrong. 02's come with the 100k warranty, but any m3 that blows up will get the 100k warranty. I have friends hence JMWEB has an m3 that didnt come with the warranty but when his blew up he automatically got the 100k warranty. Now if your dealer is a stealer then they can be assholes and not cover it, mine does everything... But if the car your looking at is an 02 dont be worried there is no difference from one year to the next, you will either get a whole new motor or a rebuild, both are suffice, and you still get the 100k warranty.

Never said it was an absolute .

All I said was that an 02 should have had at least one service action by now and that not getting it done was a possible cause for denial of a warranty claim by BMW NA. It depends on how the failure is reported by the dealer to BMW NA.

As of right now only 01-03 are covered by the 100k mile engine warranty (and are affected by the previous service actions).