Poor E46 M3 S54 maintenance

"Too many M's" (toomanyms) 09/04/2016 at 11:24 • Filed to: None

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A while ago I purchased a project E46 M3 to tinker on and either flip or go full track car. It’s SMG and the plan was to drive it until that system failed and convert to manual.

The car had an awful engine knock, I was hoping for just a lack of maintenance and it needed a valve-gap adjustment. Or maybe worn timing chain guides. The VANOS had been rebuilt so luckily that was one thing off the list.

But as always happens with projects, life took priority and having other cars needing my attention this took the back burner for a while.

So finally, the time came where I rolled up my sleeves and handed the car to a trusted mechanic friend to check on it for me. I initially wanted sell it quickly so my potential buyer and I agreed to have it checked out.

Unfortunately, he immediately listned to the engine and said “you idiot, that’s not the timing chain. That’s rod bearings.”

Great.

I prepared for the worst considering the lack of proper service records. This is what my friend sent once he cracked it it open.

Completely trashed rod bearings, damaged rods and crank. Awesome. Car has 122k miles and had the updated factory bearings. As I mentioned, sketchy service history but also operated primarily in high temp environments. My guess is higher engine temps plus the longer service intervals (approx 15k miles) aided in the accelerated wear.

So, the engine must come out now and about three times the amount of work needs to be done than I initially anticipated. But, once it’s complete it will be much better off than stock and a great platform for a track car.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 11:29

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Those headlights hurt my eyes.

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 11:33

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Indeed. I have yet to figure out why the PO replaced them. Originally had factory Bi-xenons.

Opposite Locksmith > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 11:38

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God these m engines are great but have such bad engineering in some aspects

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 11:38

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Ugh, ugly aftermarket head- or taillights are often an indicator for a bad PO. You’re in Germany, right? Sourcing OEM lights shouldn’t be the most difficult task here.

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 11:45

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Truth. The headlights were a big red flag for me at first. The rest of the body was in decent shape, originally a desert car so the paint wasn't the best. For what I offered, the current problems don't bother me too much. I was just hoping for the best.

I am in DE, sourcing OEM parts is actually about the same or more expensive than the states in some cases. Used bi-xenon housings can run 200-400 Euros a piece. Somewhat low on the priority list. When it comes time for replacement I’ll likely to the halogen housing or a Depo style.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 12:08

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I’m also in Germany. I already guessed that the headlights aren’t that important for now. Normal halogen units without turn signals are like 130,- Euros on Ebay. The E46 looks quite nice in that picture tbh, I like Imola red. Good luck with your project.

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 12:19

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Yup, when it comes time that’s what I’m probably going to do. It will be an interesting project for sure.

Where you at in Germany? As you can tell from the plates, I'm by Kaiserslautern.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 12:23

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Keep Oppo updated! I’m located in Wuerzburg, Bavaria. Another Oppo is located in Ktown afaik.

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 12:27

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I think he had a white Fiesta ST IIRC.

For sure. Hope this project will be done in the next month or so. Want to get a few laps at Nürburgring in before year end.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 12:49

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If you happen to still be stationed in Germany next year there will probably be a European Oppo meet sometime next spring.

Nibby > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 13:04

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hey at least you won’t have to worry about replacing indicator bulbs anytime soon

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 13:06

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Should be, looking at the ‘Ring as a potential spot?

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 13:16

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Yup, that’s the most possible option from the original post (which I can’t find, sorry). Other options were Spa, Vossges, Goodwood FOS and some other things from what I can remember. Just look out for posts and maybe put your location on the Oppo map so the op of the meet post can find you. https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=2128421

Too many M's > Nibby 09/04/2016 at 13:16

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Never heard of it. Possibly related to this?

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 13:22

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Nice, just added myself. I’m always up for lapping the ‘Ring. Shooting for sub-8s next time.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 13:32

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You got the right selection of cars for that goal, that’s for sure.

Too many M's > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 09/04/2016 at 13:40

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The M4 is recently gone for a new ZCP M3. Unfortunately it's stuck in recall jail, waiting to replace the defective differential BMW installed -_-

NYankee1927 > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 13:56

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I just did my rod bearings and caught it early enough that the crank wasn’t damaged. It had only 110k miles. Oil analysis at every oil change is by far the best investment for knowing when these engines have eaten the bearings.

Too many M's > NYankee1927 09/04/2016 at 14:03

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Yeah, you dodged a bullet for sure.

The oil analysis is only so good from what I see. The forum alarmists have seen failures and higher wear even after a clean oil report. From here on I consider them a replacement wear item between 80-100k miles for S54s or as low as 60k for the S65.

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 14:04

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Do you know how much an SMG conversion costs, parts and labor?

Too many M's > His Stigness 09/04/2016 at 14:12

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I’ve seen $1-3k depending on if you modify your existing transmission, want to maintain cruise control, and some other controls.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 14:15

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Sorry to hear that:( At least you got the e90.

Clown Shoe Pilot > NYankee1927 09/04/2016 at 15:27

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I need to do my rod bearings. I’ve had oil analysis done and it showed some bearing-y metals in it, but there’s no sparkly shit in the oil or noises yet, so I think I’m still in the “shouldn’t be too difficult to fix” phase of pre-failure. I’m right around 80K currently.

Spasoje > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 15:32

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Gotta ask – what made you decide to swap the M4 for the ZCP M3?

Too many M's > Spasoje 09/04/2016 at 15:46

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A few reasons:

1: the 2015 F8x’s just don’t sound as good. The 2016 has better exhaust tuning (all tune, no mech change) which could have been replicated from the aftermarket but it wasn’t a route I was looking at.

2. Convenience. I have two smaller kids and getting them in and out of car seats was a bit more of a hassle compared to my E90 M3.

3. I bought the M4 on impulse. It was dealer stock that pretty nicely discounted, little to no options and a stick, so I went with it instead of ordering the M3 in the color I wanted. I pretty much ordered the same car in yellow with ZCP.

4. I got the Competition pack because it was actually worth the cost IMO. The chassis, diff, and DSC tuning are well above the previous year. I had a KW sleeve kit on my M4 with EDC and the ZCP felt better to me stock than my modified suspension. The wheels are love or hate for me still.

5. I really wanted yellow.

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 16:37

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That's not terrible, especially considering the SMG cars seem to be going for reasonable prices, and aren't beat on like manual cars.

Too many M's > His Stigness 09/04/2016 at 16:53

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True, which is why I'm not too broken up about putting funds into this one.

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 17:22

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Seems like you got a bad SMG car, though. The ones I was looking at last year had less than 80k miles and were several thousand less than a manual with over 80k on them.

Too many M's > His Stigness 09/04/2016 at 17:33

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This one was definitely questionable. I got this one at a steal and SMG cars are definitely a bargain to be had once the initial scare of the failure is overcome. But, the deal is made when you buy.

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/04/2016 at 20:04

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I still haven’t decided if I want to convert an SMG to a manual, or just pay a little more for a manual and just rebuild the whole thing and start fresh. I’d have to eventually rebuild an SMG car anyways, so it’s not like I’d be doing extra work.

Too many M's > His Stigness 09/05/2016 at 02:32

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Depends on if it would be your only car and if you’re okay with having a few days downtime to do the conversion. For me it would come down to color combo and options. With everything else perfect but it’s an SMG, I’d go for it.

And in your hunt if you happen to find a slicktop Phoenix Yellow or Languna Seca Blue, please let me know. :D

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/05/2016 at 12:43

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No it would be a third car. I’m mainly worried about the integration of it and having everything work properly.

I'll let you know. I haven't decided what I want yet lol.

Too many M's > His Stigness 09/05/2016 at 12:55

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Well it takes a little more work if you want seamless operation of cruise and DSC. There’s some basic coding that’s done to just make it work. If I keep this one, it’s destined to be a track car so those features don’t matter as much to me.

Or you could find a nice SMG ZCP, those don't have cruise control anyway.

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/05/2016 at 20:30

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That’s the thing, my M3 wouldn’t be a track only car for many years after I bought it. So it may be easier to just buy a manual car and rebuild it.

Too many M's > His Stigness 09/06/2016 at 11:19

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If it's a third car, you could save on it and you could deal with the shortcomings. Be sure to drive both if you haven't already. SMG, my biggest tip would be to drive it like a manual just without the third pedal.

His Stigness > Too many M's 09/06/2016 at 17:26

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I've only driven the SMG. I borrowed one for a a week like an idiot, and while I was doing pretty well with the SMG driving it like a manual, I wasn't Rev matching, and that's what really made the SMG shine. Once I started Rev matching, I fell in love with it.