E46 BMW M3 2001–2006

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Cracks at the rear subframe mounts All years

  What to check: On a lift, look at the rear subframe mounts and the floor around them with a bright light, lever the subframe with a pry bar for movement, and ask whether the floor was reinforced.

  Grassroots Motorsports explains that the spot welds holding the mounts to the floor fail under twisting, helped by worn subframe bushings, and that glue does not fix it; a damaged floor needs welded plates. BMWBlog says the floor cracks on all of these cars, even low-mileage ones, and that subframes can crack. In an owner forum thread, one owner plans the body reinforcements before anything else, and another poster names subframe cracks as a known fault.

  Sources ^1,2,3,4

• Rod bearings All years

  What to check: Ask for records of the rod bearings being replaced.

  ECS Tuning lists rod bearing replacement every 100,000 miles. In an owner forum thread, one owner says BMW's rod bearing recall has been done on most affected cars.

  Sources ^3,4

• VANOS All years

  What to check: Ask for records of the VANOS service and the exhaust cam hub replacement.

  ECS Tuning lists both, and BMWBlog names VANOS faults among the usual problems.

  Sources ^3,2

• Rust at the rear arches All years

  What to check: Look at the rear wheel arches, quarter panels, sills, the area around the license plate and under the trunk liner. Rust on the front fenders matters less.

  BMWBlog says rust at the rear arches needs major bodywork, while the front fenders bolt on and can be replaced.

  Sources ^2,3

• SMG pump All years

  What to check: Ask whether the SMG pump has been replaced.

  ECS Tuning lists it among the records to ask for, and BMWBlog calls the SMG much maligned.

  Sources ^3,2

• Water pump All years One source so far

  What to check: Watch the temperature gauge in stop-and-go traffic.

  ECS Tuning says a rising temperature could mean a failing water pump.

  Sources ³

• Clutch and driveline wear All years One source so far

  What to check: Make sure the clutch does not slip, in traffic and under hard driving, and feel for vibration from the wheels, centre bearing, flexible coupling or mounts.

  Sources ³

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: A coupe with the manual gearbox All years One source so far

  ECS Tuning says enthusiasts tend to prefer the coupe with the manual gearbox.³

• Avoid: A cheap car without service records All years Less sought after One source so far

  ECS Tuning warns that the cheapest cars are usually mechanical train wrecks, and asks for records of the rod bearings, VANOS, valve adjustment and rear subframe reinforcement.³

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.