If I were to purchase said vehicle, am I setting myself up for spectacular financial fail? No SMG......
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Make sure it has had the bottom end bearing recall if pre about 2002
Yeah SMG has its issues
Rear sub frame cracking so get it on a lift
Good service history.
Guibos, suspension bushes fuck out heaps, rear shock mounts too.
Parts cost a fuckload from the stealer. Much cheaper from the US/UK
Little thing like a spare key is worth about $300-600
Alternators tend to die but it isn't the end of the world. Electrics can go a bit mental sometimes but not too bad.
SMG pumps go for about $3k++
Engines and drive trains are fairly bullet proof. They don't rust. As long as it's reasonably well looked after they are fairly solid. -
SMG II are fine. Its the SMG I that had all the issues. That said, don't buy an SMG.Comment
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Am also looking at these. Am consistently angered that they keep holding their value (mid 40s) despite getting on a bit nowadays.Comment
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SMG IIs crap out too and just as expensively if you let BMW fix it. I don't think they are such a bad thing. They are not as clunky as people say if you drive them right.Originally posted by DCR View Post
Not as involving as a real manual though. Earlier ones will be more manuals. Later ones are mostly SMG. That said I'd probably look a bit harder for a manual next time.
Oh and auto mode is fucking useless so don't think you can drive it in auto. OP says no SMG so moot point but the manuals are rare whatever the age.Comment
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When i was buying mine (and after) I sat watching them for about 2 years and the prices barely budged and the only ones I wanted in manual were commonly $8k+Originally posted by TTerror View Post
Meh, it was a great car, very desirable so the supply demand thing takes care of the rest. Bastardos...Comment
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not much to add besides they are one of the hottest cars BMW has ever made and I want one badly
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Hnnnngggg......Comment
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Agreed, a beautifully designed car. Ticks all the boxes.Comment
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go to youtube and look at search for 'e46 vanos'
just something else to be aware of..Comment
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Apparently the valves let go some times lunching the engine."If you can make black marks on a straight from the time you turn out of a corner until the braking point of the next turn, then you have enough horsepower." - Mark Donahue Penske Porsche 917
"In Japan we no give fark for Subaru" - Trust Japan Technical Director
(TM - AVENGE)
"You can never have enough power. I remember when we had Group B cars... THEN we had enough power!"
Juha Kankkunen - Rally of Argentina '02Comment
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My brother had a manual one. Great car and no real issues. Never understood why they didn't update the front end and kept with the older headlights.Comment
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I had one for a couple of years, 6 speed manual. An amazing car! I had no issues at all with it... Only thing I did was a guibo?Comment
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