The E46 M3 Journal

Iceddragon

I hear this is an SMG E46, how's that treating you? I want to be in the market later this year and am undecided on manual vs SMG.

DrLeadFoot

Iceddragon said:

I hear this is an SMG E46, how's that treating you? I want to be in the market later this year and am undecided on manual vs SMG.

For how I use the car I love the SMG. I usually put on about 2500-3000 a month being a Realtor and driving all over SE WI.

I lost compression and put in a "new" motor 2 winters ago. After the swap my SMG pump went bad. Then my gear selector rod bent on the install. So needed a new one of those. All is well now.

With all the people swapping the 6 speed there are "cheaper" SMG parts available.

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DrLeadFoot

I'm a little excited for 10 years from now when I might have one of the few, cleaner SMGs around

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B C

Most people never have to replace an S54 or diagnose an SMG system in their lives. But very few people get to daily drive an E46 M3

DrLeadFoot

Snap said:

Most people never have to replace an S54 or diagnose an SMG system in their lives. But very few people get to daily drive an E46 M3

It is a true joy.

Need a new drivers side caliper. Haven't checked the passenger side but might do that one as well. Apparently there is a required computer bleeding program for any e46. I really don't want a newer model BMW after the e46 as this one is tip toeing on the deep end of all computer everything.

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DrLeadFoot

150,900 miles: New driver side front caliper, new OEM front rotors, new PFC pads. Computer bled the ABS system and completely flushed system with new OEM BMW fluid.

Right rear line had some air in it and the driver's side front did as well.

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DrLeadFoot

SMG electric motor fried out. Replaced with a new Burkhart unit. All is well!

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DrLeadFoot

Oil and filter change.

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B C

I love the cold tach display with the reduced rev limit on those.

You are also now the resident SMG master tech

DrLeadFoot

I'll take that title.

E30, LS1, SMG'd T-56???

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Iceddragon

That tachometer is so clever if I'm understanding it right. The yellow bars go away once the engine is warm? Or are they indicators?

B C

Yessir, the maximum rpm is limited with respect to engine temperature. Im not sure if its coolant or oil temp dependent but its neat that its displayed on the tach

DrLeadFoot

Haven't updated this one in awhile.

Recently:

- Replaced constant pressure oil valve.

- Installed RTABs with poly bushings

- Got 2 big leaks in my exhaust properly welded and fixed.

- Installed new Bavarian Sound Werks speakers.

- Sound deaded the front door panels.

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YoungCR

How do you like the Bav Sound speakers? Always been interested in them, just don’t make anything for pre-2k models.

DrLeadFoot

YoungCR said:

How do you like the Bav Sound speakers? Always been interested in them, just don’t make anything for pre-2k models.

Ehh, they are okay. The biggest mountain to climb with the sound is the rattling in the door panels. Added their material to the insides of the front doors and it helped a lot but still isn't amazing.

I can't wait to get back into the e30 with the speakers ampped with 500 watts and a 1000 watt sub.

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