E46 M3 Advice for a rookie!

[TorqueLife]

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy an E46 M3 as a car to slowly do-up as I've always liked it.
I haven't purchased it as yet, but would like to plan a build before I purchase so that I can have an idea for expenditure as the years go on.

Do you guys have any tips/advice for:

What performance mods are easy to do on an E46 M3?
What performance mods give the most bang for buck?
Is it still possible for me to purchase these mods?
Which mods aren't worth putting on?

And any other general tips and advice.
Also, i'm situated in Cape Town, so if anyone knows any garages that can help with the mods it would be much appreciated.

:sorry: This is my first post and I'm a new user, if i'm breaking any rules of the forum, please let me know.

Thanks guys!
:ty:

 

[Nick]

Hi there!

Welcome to the forum!

Here are a few links to have a look at.
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=73262
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=49514
http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=69074

Good luck.

 

[AdiS]

My suggestion is to research maintenance before mods. Whilst some scope does exist to improve the performance of an M3, its not much unless you look at forced induction.

Here is my thread: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=67591

 

[Nick]

Also a great thread^^

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Most bang for buck mod to e46 M3 is diff upgrade.

Change stock diff from 3:61 to 3:91 or 4:11.

Welcome and good luck.

 

[GoCart]

Welcome.

Maintenance first, the M3 is a great package stock, even better down in CT with little loss due to air pressure.

The M3 is NA, so not much to gain from power mods, unless you go SC it.

 

[AdiS]

Welcome.

Maintenance first, the M3 is a great package stock, even better down in CT with little loss due to air pressure.

The M3 is NA, so not much to gain from power mods, unless you go SC it.

Yea I never felt my M3 was lacking in power whilst driving in Cape Town.

 

[Crash_Nemesis]

Welcome.

The M3 is NA, so not much to gain from power mods, unless you go SC it.

Not entirely true. Cams and air intake with software and proper exhaust will see good gains, but will be very expensive. A stock e46 M3 should see between 180-190wkw in JHB at KAR. With the above mods I have seen over 200wkw at KAR. The car can still make more power from stock form, but for similar pricing of the above mentioned mods, you are creeping into stage 1 supercharger territory, which will deliver way more power.

As the OP asked, best bang for buck, I still believe diff swap.

See attached video of the difference a DIFF swap does to the e46 M3.

Camera car is stock. Middle car is 4:11 diff and far right car is 3:91 diff.

enjoy.

[video=youtube]

 

[GoCart]

Chris, you have a lot of experience with the E46 M3 and can offer the OP great advice, and yes, the diff is probably the best bang for buck mod, if you want to mess with the ratio.

My point though, complexity vs cost, a bolt on SC kit gets my vote every time.

 

[Xack]

The s54 is such a gem, you should just enjoy it for what it is...do decat maybe jus to increase that nice raspy sound, you're in Cape Town, at the coast, you'll enjoy 100% of its power, the e46 M3 is not a slow car by any means. If you are looking at something to mod and race, you better off buying a turbo charged Beemer 335/135... its no M3 tho.

Welcome, hope you end up buying a gem

 

[AdiS]

Another thing to consider with an E46 m3, is that if you spend your time and money restoring/maintaining (as opposed to modding), it will likely increase in value over time. In a few years, its the well maintained, original examples that will be in demand the most.

Food for thought.

 

[TorqueLife]

Thanks guys for all your input! Its much appreciated ! I'll consider all of what everyone said.:ty::ty::ty:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Another thing to consider with an E46 m3, is that if you spend your time and money restoring/maintaining (as opposed to modding), it will likely increase in value over time. In a few years, its the well maintained, original examples that will be in demand the most.

Food for thought.

Just don't sell it immediately after said maintenance :hammerhead: