I've only gone and bought an e46 m3 :) - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Dino355 · 09-14-2012, 05:49 PM

So finally after wanting one of these for like ever, I've finally got one.

I was actually going to start looking in November but after having a look around at the plethora of cars for sale last week one in particular stood out from the rest, keenly priced, a decent spec and my favourite colour! Arrangements were made to view, finances arranged (really should have been patient and sold the e90 first!!!) and after viewing it today in Milton Keynes I bought it and drove it back.

2003 53 reg
76k
MOT May 2013
Tax Nov 2012
5 owners
Imola Red
SMG II
19" Alloys in Anthracite
Xenon Headlights
LED rear lights
Sat Nav
Black Nappa Leather
Electric Memory Seats
Heated front seats
Electric Bolsters
Electric Lumbar Support
Bluetooth
Electric Power Folding Mirrors
Harmon Kardon HiFi
6 Disc CD Changer
15,000 miles remaining until Inspection II

Truth be told I would have preferred a manual but I wasn't averse to the idea of SMG and after a decent drive in it today it's actually quite good! OK it's not the masterpiece that the DCT box of the e90 M3s is but it's still good nonetheless.

The auto mode is a Godsend in traffic and the manual mode is great fun although some practice is needed with the throttle control when changing up through the box.

Unfortunately I don't have the space to keep it at home yet until the e90 sells so I won't be using it much yet.

Here are some pics I took soon after I bought it. On the way home we took a flying visit to Evolve where a friend was having one of their carbon airboxes fitted.

It's not perfect but it drives very well, with only a couple of light scratches on the sides that need sorting and the usual stonechips on the leading edges of each of the arches and the front end of course.

It could do with a proper clean and detail, something I'm sure I'll take satisfaction in doing!

Plans are to do a full service (all fluids, filters, plugs etc) regardless of what the service indicator says. Will also be fitting my BMW Performance 6 pot Brembos and some CSL brake discs. I'd also like to get rid of the Dunlop Sport front tyres and the Fullrun (!) rear ditch finders! Whilst all the tyres are quite new cars like this need and deserve premium boots. Oh and I will also fit my 10mm Eibach spaces to the front wheels. Needs an n/s rear light unit too as there is a crack in it (previous owner put some black tape over it as a temp fix!)

Feels good to be back in an M

AWBimmer · 09-14-2012, 06:21 PM

Great buy and looks the business!!

Hotcoupe · 09-14-2012, 06:37 PM

Great colour

whateva411 · 09-14-2012, 07:15 PM

Makes me miss my m!

IanS100 · 09-14-2012, 08:09 PM

Lovely looking car. It's amazing that at almost 10 years old that shape hasn't dated at all.

Raj59 · 09-15-2012, 03:02 AM

Imola Red looks fab!

dxb335d · 09-15-2012, 03:31 AM

Fantastic Dino, love it!!!

Danny.B. · 09-15-2012, 03:43 AM

very nice!

evolved already then?

Dino355 · 09-15-2012, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny.B.

very nice!

evolved already then?

No not yet! Just stopped off on the way to say hello to the guys there. I will get it mapped once it's had a proper service

willhollin · 09-15-2012, 04:22 AM

Nice car, i'd watch those two dodgy fellas behind the car in the second pic though.

Dino355 · 09-15-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhollin

Nice car, i'd watch those two dodgy fellas behind the car in the second pic though.

I know they are proper dodgy those two

xs2man · 09-15-2012, 04:43 AM

Ditchfinder rears = Drift spec yo! Have fun until replaced.

FRG · 09-15-2012, 06:41 AM

Imola E46 M3. Good work

Business edition · 09-15-2012, 07:02 PM

Nicely done mate

Aww that just looks bloody awesome. I love that colour sooooo much.
I feel going out and buying one now haha.

Enjoy it mate.

Cyprio · 09-16-2012, 08:01 AM

Nice to see an Imola Red M3. Well done.

Dino355 · 09-18-2012, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xs2man

Ditchfinder rears = Drift spec yo! Have fun until replaced.

They are bloody awful tyres and are VERY noisy too. I am selling the 19s and going back to the less popular 18s. I've driven cars with both and prefer how the 18s drive. Tyres are cheaper too!

MattOz · 09-18-2012, 05:34 AM

Nice one Dino. Welcome to the club.

I really wanted an Imola Red CS when I was looking, but there was nothing available at the time. Love it as a colour.

09-14-2012, 05:49 PM	#1
Dino355 e46 M3 fan Drives: e46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: London Posts: 419 iTrader: (11) Garage List 2003 BMW M3 [3.00]	I've only gone and bought an e46 m3 :) So finally after wanting one of these for like ever, I've finally got one. I was actually going to start looking in November but after having a look around at the plethora of cars for sale last week one in particular stood out from the rest, keenly priced, a decent spec and my favourite colour! Arrangements were made to view, finances arranged (really should have been patient and sold the e90 first!!!) and after viewing it today in Milton Keynes I bought it and drove it back. 2003 53 reg 76k MOT May 2013 Tax Nov 2012 5 owners Imola Red SMG II 19" Alloys in Anthracite Xenon Headlights LED rear lights Sat Nav Black Nappa Leather Electric Memory Seats Heated front seats Electric Bolsters Electric Lumbar Support Bluetooth Electric Power Folding Mirrors Harmon Kardon HiFi 6 Disc CD Changer 15,000 miles remaining until Inspection II Truth be told I would have preferred a manual but I wasn't averse to the idea of SMG and after a decent drive in it today it's actually quite good! OK it's not the masterpiece that the DCT box of the e90 M3s is but it's still good nonetheless. The auto mode is a Godsend in traffic and the manual mode is great fun although some practice is needed with the throttle control when changing up through the box. Unfortunately I don't have the space to keep it at home yet until the e90 sells so I won't be using it much yet. Here are some pics I took soon after I bought it. On the way home we took a flying visit to Evolve where a friend was having one of their carbon airboxes fitted. It's not perfect but it drives very well, with only a couple of light scratches on the sides that need sorting and the usual stonechips on the leading edges of each of the arches and the front end of course. It could do with a proper clean and detail, something I'm sure I'll take satisfaction in doing! Plans are to do a full service (all fluids, filters, plugs etc) regardless of what the service indicator says. Will also be fitting my BMW Performance 6 pot Brembos and some CSL brake discs. I'd also like to get rid of the Dunlop Sport front tyres and the Fullrun (!) rear ditch finders! Whilst all the tyres are quite new cars like this need and deserve premium boots. Oh and I will also fit my 10mm Eibach spaces to the front wheels. Needs an n/s rear light unit too as there is a crack in it (previous owner put some black tape over it as a temp fix!) Feels good to be back in an M
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09-14-2012, 06:21 PM	#2
AWBimmer Can He? Drives: E92 335D Pre-LCI Join Date: May 2011 Location: Wheels in Motion Posts: 2,728 iTrader: (3)	Great buy and looks the business!! __________________ Now: E92 335D Gone But Not Forgotten: E90 320D Alpine White

09-14-2012, 06:37 PM	#3
Hotcoupe Major General Drives: Don't know yet! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: UK Posts: 5,872 iTrader: (2) Garage List November 2008 335D ... [4.17] 2007 335D [0.00]	Great colour __________________ ================================= Never argue with an idiot on the internet. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

09-15-2012, 03:31 AM	#7
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist Drives: E46 M3 Tiag/Imola Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' Posts: 28,970 iTrader: (3) Garage List 2003 BMW E46 M3 [3.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [2.75]	Fantastic Dino, love it!!! __________________

09-15-2012, 03:43 AM	#8
Danny.B. Major Drives: E90 330d M Sport Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: England - Lincolnshire Posts: 1,189 iTrader: (1)	very nice! evolved already then? __________________

09-14-2012, 07:15 PM	#4
whateva411 Private First Class Drives: bmw Join Date: May 2011 Location: west mids Posts: 137 iTrader: (0)	Makes me miss my m!

09-14-2012, 08:09 PM	#5
IanS100 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 320d LCI M Sport Plus Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Southport UK Posts: 1,625 iTrader: (0)	Lovely looking car. It's amazing that at almost 10 years old that shape hasn't dated at all.

09-15-2012, 03:02 AM	#6
Raj59 BMW Miniature Collector! Drives: E60 LCI 525d M Sport Auto Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Leicestershire Posts: 4,024 iTrader: (0)	Imola Red looks fab!

09-15-2012, 04:22 AM	#10
willhollin Major General Drives: VW T5 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Worcestershire Posts: 9,871 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW E92 330d SE [5.00] 2010 Transporter T5 ... [0.00]	Nice car, i'd watch those two dodgy fellas behind the car in the second pic though. __________________

09-15-2012, 04:43 AM	#12
xs2man Second Lieutenant Drives: 2010 335d M-Sport E91 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 291 iTrader: (2)	Ditchfinder rears = Drift spec yo! Have fun until replaced. __________________ 335d - When 6 cylinders and one turbo just aint enough.

09-15-2012, 06:41 AM	#13
FRG First Lieutenant Drives: E90 325d Join Date: May 2012 Location: east midlands Posts: 309 iTrader: (1)	Imola E46 M3. Good work __________________

09-15-2012, 07:02 PM	#14
Business edition OBD Port Disabled Drives: 2010 BMW E90 M Sport Business Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Birmingham Posts: 574 iTrader: (1)	Nicely done mate Aww that just looks bloody awesome. I love that colour sooooo much. I feel going out and buying one now haha. Enjoy it mate. __________________ E90 LCI M SPORT BUSINESS EDITION - STAY SAFE & HAPPY MOTORING

09-16-2012, 08:01 AM	#15
Cyprio Captain Drives: Audi S4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Colchester. UK Posts: 874 iTrader: (2)	Nice to see an Imola Red M3. Well done.

09-18-2012, 05:34 AM	#17
MattOz Captain Drives: E46 M3 CS Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Warwick Posts: 670 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 E46 M3CS [0.00]	Nice one Dino. Welcome to the club. I really wanted an Imola Red CS when I was looking, but there was nothing available at the time. Love it as a colour.

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