# School me v. BMW gurus (specifically M3) **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [April 14, 2012, 11:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127 "2012-04-14T11:13:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2012, 11:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/1 "2012-04-14T11:13:18Z")
A friend of mine just purchased a pretty clean '04 E46 M3, and I’m looking to help him out with info on potential problems/weak points that he may come across. He’s also looking to do some light mods (i.e. intake, exhaust, tuning options) to start, and maybe a power adder down the road (which I told him would really not be necessary). Any info or HELPFULL hints would be appreciated. I obviously expect some abuse, given the nature of this forum. Any questions for me as far as current mods the car has, etc. I will direct back to him and get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks in advance. Ready, GO! Edit: car has 106,xxx on it if that helps… ---
**Author:** ![turbod\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbod_ss/32/5352_2.png) [@turbod\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbod_ss)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/2 "2012-04-15T11:48:27Z")
I hope he’s ready to spend some money on modding the car. Even if its light mods. Where did he pick the car up from? southern car, local car, dealership? smg or 6 speed? any mods now? ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 11:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/3 "2012-04-15T11:56:15Z")
make sure the cooling system is up to snuff just like with all BMW’s that is the weak point ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/4 "2012-04-15T12:06:46Z")
RTABs go on these don’t they? ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/5 "2012-04-15T12:11:58Z")
RTAB’s were mostly an issue on the early e46 run so i would say his 04 will be fine ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/6 "2012-04-15T12:12:19Z")
Yep, Waterpump/tstat/radiator. RTAB’s. I’m releasing a Brembo BBK adapter set by the first week of May (if all goes well) for e46’s. Tell him to buy Kellners sport cams and the OEM CSL intake that’s for sale on BF.c right now. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 12:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/7 "2012-04-15T12:32:21Z")
> [@MPD47](#): > > Tell him to buy Kellners sport cams and the OEM CSL intake that’s for sale on BF.c right now. talk about spending some coin LOL ---
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/8 "2012-04-15T13:46:53Z")
> [@turbod ss](#): > > I hope he’s ready to spend some money on modding the car. Even if its light mods. Where did he pick the car up from? southern car, local car, dealership? smg or 6 speed? any mods now? I already warned him. Car was picked up from Houston, it’s a 6 speed, and there are no mods to speak of that we can see…his big concern right now is a K&N cold-air for some unknown reason. I told him his best bet would be, and correct me if I’m wrong, a tune. First and fore-most. > [@MPD47](#): > > Yep, Waterpump/tstat/radiator. RTAB’s. > > I’m releasing a Brembo BBK adapter set by the first week of May (if all goes well) for e46’s. > > Tell him to buy Kellners sport cams and the OEM CSL intake that’s for sale on BF.c right now. I’ll let him know about the cams, but I don’t think his pockets are deep enough yet for a factory CSL intake. Not sure if he’d be interested in brake upgrades. What’s the specific problem with radiator? Bad tanks? ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/9 "2012-04-15T13:59:06Z")
his first concern should be getting low and wide LOL ---
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/10 "2012-04-15T14:01:30Z")
He’s not a stance guy, but I giggled. ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/11 "2012-04-15T14:45:36Z")
> [@piratemosh666](#): > > I already warned him. Car was picked up from Houston, it’s a 6 speed, and there are no mods to speak of that we can see…his big concern right now is a K&N cold-air for some unknown reason. I told him his best bet would be, and correct me if I’m wrong, a tune. First and fore-most. > > I’ll let him know about the cams, but I don’t think his pockets are deep enough yet for a factory CSL intake. Not sure if he’d be interested in brake upgrades. > > What’s the specific problem with radiator? Bad tanks? the OEM CSL intake is $4k (used) hahahaha, I think the cams are $3000, but require Service II/reshim and a retune. Radiator end tanks pop, like every BMW ever made. ---
**Author:** ![KuntryQuestTSi](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kuntryquesttsi/32/5010_2.png) [@KuntryQuestTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KuntryQuestTSi)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/12 "2012-04-16T11:04:36Z")
[THIS](http://lmgtfy.com/?q=04+E46+M3+common+probelms) is prett usefull ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/13 "2012-04-16T11:11:00Z")
> [@KuntryQuestTSi](#): > > [THIS](http://lmgtfy.com/?q=04+E46+M3+common+probelms) is prett usefull LOL@both spelling errors ---
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 11:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/14 "2012-04-27T11:58:15Z")
Can mods delete this please? I’ll do my own research. ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 11:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/15 "2012-04-27T11:59:58Z")
why would that require deleting the thread? ---
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/16 "2012-04-27T12:01:02Z")
Why does it matter? ---
**Author:** ![theblue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/theblue/32/5074_2.png) [@theblue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/theblue)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/17 "2012-04-27T12:10:55Z")
exactly! ---
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/18 "2012-04-27T12:12:29Z")
I see what you did there… ---
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/19 "2012-04-27T12:17:26Z")
The rear subframe reinforcement kit is a good preventative maintenance, if he plans on flogging it around a bit. My M was good at 108k miles, so it may have been fine forever, but for a relatively cheap price, you can have peace of mind forever by beefing that up. There is some Vanos maintenance too, like filter, and maybe the upgraded gear thingie too, as well as the Vanos cam bolts that back out for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![piratemosh666](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/piratemosh666/32/6116_2.png) [@piratemosh666](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/piratemosh666)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127/20 "2012-04-27T12:40:02Z")
^^Thanks. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/school-me-v-bmw-gurus-specifically-m3/222127.md?page=2)