BMW //M Discussion on the BMW M1, BMW M3, BMW M4, BMW M5, and the BMW M6

Are 2003.5 M3s reliable?

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 09:29 AM
  #1  
VoiD's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 129
From: Fairfax, VA
Rep Power: 24
VoiD is infamous around these parts
Are 2003.5 M3s reliable?

I don't know where to start looking.
Is there a webpage that has all known issues for 2003.5+ M3s?
I'm currently looking to get one but would like to know what I'm in for.

Thanks for the help!
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 10:01 AM
  #2  
Estoril's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 545
From: Maryland
Rep Power: 45
Estoril is just really niceEstoril is just really niceEstoril is just really niceEstoril is just really niceEstoril is just really nice
There are no substantial recalls on 2003s. You can reference this page.
http://www.automobilemag.com/am/2003...3/recalls.html

I would focus on the documented maintenance record, ensure scheduled maintenance was done, oil was changed AT LEAST on schedule (more often is better, but rare) and that it has a clean CARFAX.

Is it a 6spd or SMG?
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 10:06 AM
  #3  
lax01's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 820
From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 53
lax01 is infamous around these parts
Originally Posted by VoiD
I don't know where to start looking.
Is there a webpage that has all known issues for 2003.5+ M3s?
I'm currently looking to get one but would like to know what I'm in for.

Thanks for the help!
here

and

here
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 10:18 AM
  #4  
hamr down's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 40
From: Everett, Wa.
Rep Power: 21
hamr down is infamous around these parts
here's the major ones...

Good luck, owned one for 4 years and because of all the issues I now drive a different brand. My car had less than 32k miles when I sold it. If you do it, make sure its CPO'd and still under warranty.

SIB 11 02 03 10/2004 Service Action: S54 Connecting Rod Bearings And Oil Pump E46

SIB 11 04 04 10/2004 Service Action: S54 Connecting Rod Bearings Replacement E46

SIB 12 01 03 01/2003 S54 Engine Runs Rough On Cold Start E36, E46

SIB 23 02 02 09/2002 Service Action: Replace Pipe Clamp On SMG

SIB 23 01 04 11/2004 Service Action: Change Pin Assignment For SMG Hydraulic Control Unit Relay E46

SIB 23 05 04 09/2004 Service Action: Reprogram SMG Control Unit E46

There's also and issue with the door seals, window regulators, and sunshade track, all covered under warranty.
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 10:21 AM
  #5  
VoiD's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 129
From: Fairfax, VA
Rep Power: 24
VoiD is infamous around these parts
thanks for the info!

I'm looking for SMG right now..
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 02:11 PM
  #6  
Estoril's Avatar
Registered User
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 545
From: Maryland
Rep Power: 45
Estoril is just really niceEstoril is just really niceEstoril is just really niceEstoril is just really niceEstoril is just really nice
Originally Posted by hamr down
Good luck, owned one for 4 years and because of all the issues I now drive a different brand. My car had less than 32k miles when I sold it. If you do it, make sure its CPO'd and still under warranty.

SIB 11 02 03 10/2004 Service Action: S54 Connecting Rod Bearings And Oil Pump E46

SIB 11 04 04 10/2004 Service Action: S54 Connecting Rod Bearings Replacement E46

SIB 12 01 03 01/2003 S54 Engine Runs Rough On Cold Start E36, E46

SIB 23 02 02 09/2002 Service Action: Replace Pipe Clamp On SMG

SIB 23 01 04 11/2004 Service Action: Change Pin Assignment For SMG Hydraulic Control Unit Relay E46

SIB 23 05 04 09/2004 Service Action: Reprogram SMG Control Unit E46

There's also and issue with the door seals, window regulators, and sunshade track, all covered under warranty.
He asked about a MY2003.5

The majority of the SBs you cite appear to not be relevant to a 2003 E46 M3.
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 02:54 PM
  #7  
Phoenix's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,321
From: Earth
Rep Power: 210
Phoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant futurePhoenix has a brilliant future
Originally Posted by lax01
Josh,

Thanks for the links!
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 04:53 PM
  #8  
VoiD's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 129
From: Fairfax, VA
Rep Power: 24
VoiD is infamous around these parts
Hmm any opinions in regards to SMG? I read through the FAQ and it might not be what I'm looking for. I MIGHT want to get a 6spd instead.. Only if I could just get out of this traffic hell...
 
Old Aug 4, 2007 | 08:11 PM
  #9  
jay_ftw's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,489
From: Murrieta, Southern California
Rep Power: 81
jay_ftw is infamous around these parts
I have a 2003.5 6MT and love it. SMGII would be nice, but I would find myself getting bored. Nothing like a revmatched down shift
 
Old Aug 5, 2007 | 01:24 AM
  #10  
H Bomb's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 271
From: FL to NY
Rep Power: 35
H Bomb is a glorious beacon of lightH Bomb is a glorious beacon of lightH Bomb is a glorious beacon of lightH Bomb is a glorious beacon of lightH Bomb is a glorious beacon of lightH Bomb is a glorious beacon of light
i had an 03 and never had a problem with it, very reliable, i think more of the issues were with smg's, i sold it to a member here riverflyer and you can ask him how it is going. great all round car can't go wrong in my op. just make sure the rod bering recall was done
 
Old Aug 5, 2007 | 02:06 AM
  #11  
996TTDave's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,597
From: -
Rep Power: 125
996TTDave has a spectacular aura about996TTDave has a spectacular aura about996TTDave has a spectacular aura about
i had an 03 M3 - lets see the subframe was tearing apart from the rest of the car and had to be replaced and i was out of warrenty at the time and it was done for free for me and at this same time my trans (SMG) decided to stop downshifting from 4th to 3rd so the trans was replaced too...under warrenty even though i was 6k miles over... other then that, your window/door liner WILL go and its about 500 to replace on either side - other wise... great great car
 
Old Aug 5, 2007 | 01:22 PM
  #12  
lax01's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 820
From: Los Angeles, CA
Rep Power: 53
lax01 is infamous around these parts
Originally Posted by 996TTDave
.. other then that, your window/door liner WILL go and its about 500 to replace on either side - other wise... great great car
or a dollar's worth of Gorilla Glue...
 
Old Aug 6, 2007 | 06:04 PM
  #13  
996TTDave's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,597
From: -
Rep Power: 125
996TTDave has a spectacular aura about996TTDave has a spectacular aura about996TTDave has a spectacular aura about
Originally Posted by lax01
or a dollar's worth of Gorilla Glue...
tried eveything there was cept that glue... still kind of a ghetto fix, took it to bmw had it done right
 
Old Aug 6, 2007 | 07:02 PM
  #14  
PorscheC4's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,245
From: CT
Rep Power: 289
PorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant futurePorscheC4 has a brilliant future
Originally Posted by 996TTDave
tried eveything there was cept that glue... still kind of a ghetto fix, took it to bmw had it done right
i had the trim on both sides come down in the past two months...took it to my bimmer dealer and got it fixed up and its perfect now.
 
Old Aug 6, 2007 | 08:00 PM
  #15  
Miami M3's Avatar
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 349
From: Miami
Rep Power: 32
Miami M3 is infamous around these parts
Originally Posted by hamr down
Good luck, owned one for 4 years and because of all the issues I now drive a different brand. My car had less than 32k miles when I sold it. If you do it, make sure its CPO'd and still under warranty.

SIB 11 02 03 10/2004 Service Action: S54 Connecting Rod Bearings And Oil Pump E46

SIB 11 04 04 10/2004 Service Action: S54 Connecting Rod Bearings Replacement E46

SIB 12 01 03 01/2003 S54 Engine Runs Rough On Cold Start E36, E46

SIB 23 02 02 09/2002 Service Action: Replace Pipe Clamp On SMG

SIB 23 01 04 11/2004 Service Action: Change Pin Assignment For SMG Hydraulic Control Unit Relay E46

SIB 23 05 04 09/2004 Service Action: Reprogram SMG Control Unit E46

There's also and issue with the door seals, window regulators, and sunshade track, all covered under warranty.

can you find and post all the SIBs for the clutch, i am having a strange sticky clutch pedal issue and think there was a SIB

to the OP, dont forget to check m3forum for more info on 03.5 E46ers
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:12 PM.