I am in the market to add an E46M3 coupe to the stable. It will replace my s/ced E36 318i DD (my 16yr old is getting it!!:eek:). Anyway My budget seems to land in the 2002 to 2003 years. Since I dont know the exactitudes of the E46 M3 just yet (I am reading the forum now though!) is there a big difference between the 02 and 03 model years? Would a higher mile 03 be better than a lower mile 02? I remember reading about weak internals in the crank and rods of the 01 models, does this extend to the 02's and 03's?

I am undecided on smg or 6MT, but leaning towards smg if that makes a difference.

TIA :redspot

No difference between 02 and 03. The first significant change occurred with the 2003.5 cars; LED tail lights, updated trunk, etc, etc.

Statistically speaking, the 02 S54's had more failures than the 01 S54's. Its all the same engine... 01's get a bad rep that isnt any more deserved than any other year during which BMW claimed to "fix" the problem.

Age wouldnt bother me if the car was well serviced. Mileage would.

Low mileage 02 > high mileage 03, IMHO.

List of changes can be found at these two sites:
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/model_faq.php?id=19
http://m3.madrussian.net/modelchanges.shtml

Whatever car you buy they should be both done. If the car falls into the recall category anything MAKE SURE IT HAS BEEN DONE. You'll be fine otherwise.

Ummm "What" should be done?

Stutt, what year is yours???

No difference between 02 and 03. The first significant change occurred with the 2003.5 cars; LED tail lights, updated trunk, etc, etc.

Statistically speaking, the 02 S54's had more failures than the 01 S54's. Its all the same engine... 01's get a bad rep that isnt any more deserved than any other year during which BMW claimed to "fix" the problem.

Age wouldnt bother me if the car was well serviced. Mileage would.

Low mileage 02 > high mileage 03, IMHO.

+1....well said :)

There is, in fact, a difference between '02s and '02.5's. '02.5's came with strut bars/braces across the two front shock towers. Also, the 19" wheel option was added.

You can see a list of model changes by year here (http://m3.madrussian.net/modelchanges.shtml). That should help you. That site is also a great resource, in general. Lots of DIY articles and other pertinent info to our cars.

You're only going to notice changes if you get a ~ '05/02+ model, and there are only two... so not worth searching for '02.5's. I would, however, recommend getting an '03.5, if possible. Some cool cosmetic enhancements... but still, nothing really fundamentally different. You can always add the LED tail lights later... the longer trunk handle might be more difficult but still possible. :dunno

Anyway, good luck!

Ummm "What" should be done?

Stutt, what year is yours???

First was an 01.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1169/0647bc4.jpg

Second was an 03.5.

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1661/imolald5.jpg

With prices what they are, you really cant beat the bang for the buck. The E46 M3 is kinda turning into what the C5 Z06 was for the last couple years - cant buy much more performance for $25-30K.

Korn is talking about the rod bearing recall. 99% of the cars on the road should already have had this done so its almost a non-issue. BMWNA can confirm by VIN.

Stu are those LM's?

Yes.

"Were." Dont have the car anymore.

nice car stutt. Imola looks really good. Ticket magnet?

Well Looks like I am pulling the trigger on a very nice 02 coupe with the 18's. It has HK, Parking distance, no nav or cold weather package with 44k miles, all factory maintenance, no accidents and clean carfax and just within my budget by the skin of my teeth.

and the best damn part is IT IS MY FIRST CHOICE COLOR!!!!

lets hear the love for Phoenix Yellow!!!

God Damn that is a beautiful color. I am really happy I got PY instead of black or silver. Lemans Blue is very nice, as is Imola and Mystic Blue. But they all pale to the mighty Phoenix!

Did I say ticket magnet?

Sweet!! PY is def. an acquired taste but I dig it :)

Low mileage 02 > high mileage 03, IMHO.
I'd say that very much depends on the actual mileages and maintenance. An 02 that is so low mileage that it was probably a week-end toy (i.e. possibly run hard every time it was driven) vs. an 03 that was driven more miles, but possibly highway/non-city miles and driven more "normally" would be a better choice.

Bear in mind that cars that have super low miles also haven't had the wear-and-tear mechanical failures that a higher mileage car would have had under warranty and corrected. Of course, if you can afford to fix it out of warranty, then the ultra low miles will probably make for a cosmetically beautiful car. This goes especially for SMG cars which seem to have their failures at mileage, not at age.

dont leave out the 2001. It was actually the 2002's that had bearing issues. the replacement was extended to the 2001's as a precaution. BUT with that they got a 100,000 mile engine warranty.

I would go with the 6 MT having driven both. SMG has issues and is clunky. BMW is giving up on SMG technology.