The Real E46 M3 Ownership Cost

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown) 10/14/2014 at 15:00 • Filed to: None

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Josh here. Thought I’d share my current cost of ownership spreadsheet for my 2004 BMW M3. I picked it up with 112k miles in November of 2011 and it’s been my daily driver ever since. Together, we’ve made several 1000 mile vacations and countless beach runs. If anyone was to ask about reliability, I’d tell them the E46 M3 is solid. Sure, there are the well documented fail points which I won’t discuss, but my M3 has only left me stranded once — due to the accessory belt tensioner letting go on the highway. Hey, I was due for new belts anyway.

The pain of my ownership has definitely been the EML light — typically caused by a bad contacts on the throttle position sensor, of which there are three on the car. When the EML light comes on the car will easily slip in to limp mode requiring a restart of the engine. This is fun in a bumper-to-bumper commute. Even with a code reader, it doesn’t always nail the offending sensor. I ended up replacing the two easiest to access sensors twice because the code reader told me the wrong sensor was bad each time.

Most all of the repairs were preventative maintenance. The above power steering line failure was not planned.

It wasn’t until I tallied up a total that the truth be told - the E46 M3 has cost me about $2000 per year. Oil changes included. And that’s sourcing the lowest prices on parts I could find. No dealership scams for me.

So keep this in mind when you’re looking for a used E46 M3. At this rate, by the time my M3 is paid off I will have spent $10k extra in maintenance. But damn is it worth it!

You can see more of my E46 M3 and the projects and DIY’s on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! or !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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Blue 300 > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 15:09

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Awesome post sir. If the opportunity to buy an E46 M3 ever presented itself, your meticulous record keeping would put me at ease in paying more to buy your car.

RazoE > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 15:24

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Car vomit?

titsinmymitts > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 15:43

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Hey Josh,

Are you installing all these new parts yourselves then?

Thanks.

AM3R > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 15:43

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noticed the VA plates. Lemme know if you ever want to sell. I know a guy looking for a higher mileage M3.

The Conti DWS are a great tire, I'm surpised they cost so much if you only bought two. That's only $60 cheaper than what my set of 4 cost, albeit mine were 205's on a 16" wheel.

Stupidru > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 16:11

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I feel like you and I would get along very well. I had very meticulous records of my Legacy GT which probably cost me about the same to maintain (and buy new parts as I see you've also done). Eventually I had to get rid of my baby as I got a dog and settled down with a wife who wanted something more practical

RightFootDown > AM3R 10/14/2014 at 16:13

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Email me: jtaylor@rightfootdown.com

RightFootDown > titsinmymitts 10/14/2014 at 16:15

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Most of the time, yes. One of my best friends is a master technician with shop access. Priceless, I tell you.

RightFootDown > RazoE 10/14/2014 at 16:15

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Power steering fluid.

AM3R > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 16:21

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On it

Manuél Ferrari > RightFootDown 10/14/2014 at 17:55

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Awesome job taking such good records

Curious - how do you do it?

Do you file paper? Log on laptop? Using a smartphone app?

I need to get more organized myself. I lose paper...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AM3R 10/14/2014 at 18:13

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I've got DWS on my winter set - very good rubber.

AM3R > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/14/2014 at 18:15

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The tread rating on them is absurdly high. They're surpisinly light too! I'm looking at picking up a set of 219m's and I may throw another set of DWS on them.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AM3R 10/14/2014 at 21:35

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Exactly what I've got. And PSS on the 220s.

AM3R > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/14/2014 at 22:22

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I love me some 220's. Not sure if I could pull them off though.

My E90 is sparkling graphite, do you think I should go for a gunmetal set or should I source a silver set?

Gunmetal is looking hot, but I'd be tempted to buy an Mtech front bumper and lci hood like this..

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AM3R 10/14/2014 at 22:33

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I think I'd go with the silver 219s with SG.

The gunmetal might be too close without being exactly the same color...

AM3R > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/14/2014 at 22:39

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that's actually the same exact car I posted haha, just without a few of the mods.

I'm leaning more towards silver myself. It just looks so good with SGM.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > AM3R 10/14/2014 at 22:41

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Seriously? That's hilarious...

I like the contrast. Mine is SSII, and I'm thinking about Plastidipping my 219s black before the winter swap.

Maybe not.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/attachm…

AM3R > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 10/14/2014 at 22:47

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haha yeah, he's local to me. He got in a small accident and ended up with an LCI hood and Mtech bumper.

That would look nice. They'd stay cleaner a lot longer too! This E93 is gorgeous even though I'd go for a smaller sized wheel, but the SSII on silver with a polished lip is such a nice combo

RightFootDown > Manuél Ferrari 10/15/2014 at 09:55

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I keep the spreadsheet on Google drive (accessible from anywhere) and I also file all the paper receipts .

Manuél Ferrari > RightFootDown 10/15/2014 at 15:08

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Nice. That's a good way to go

I think I'm gonna start taking pictures of paper documents using my phone and then file the pics electronically. That is just so much quicker and easier than scanning the documents. Scanning is better if you need to reprint the docs but scanning is such a pain in the ass and I never get around to it.

Carlitos the Fünfer > RightFootDown 01/19/2016 at 18:40

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Honestly, not as bad as I would expect. It looks like you take good care of it too. This is a good way to see how much it costs to keep the car in good condition. I’m a fan.