har to say... (m) -- Engine of Damocles: BMW E46 M3 Engine Failures

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Date Posted: 15:22:31 03/03/03 Mon
Author: Admin
Author Host/IP: adsl-63-194-251-75.dsl.lsan03.pacbell.net / 63.194.251.75
Subject: har to say... (m)
In reply to: Gustavo 's message, "I am buying a 2003 M3" on 15:02:40 03/03/03 Mon

Hi Gustavo,

Well, that's a tough one for me to answer. According to Tom Salkowsky, BMW NA M Brand Manager, there was no official explanation or fix for the engine problems. We do know about changes to many engine components (or at least to their part numbers) through 12/02 production. I haven't heard of any changes since, so perhaps you'd get the "fixed" or at least latest version of the S54. Then again, perhaps not.

You should certainly let the dealer know that you're concerned. Further, be sure that you'll get the 6 yr/100,000 mile warranty extension in writing.

It's really your call regarding the risk. The car performs well, but there has been a background failure rate of somewhere near 1% for all E46 M3's, with a huge spike during the Q4 2001 production up to 15% or more. Not being an engineer, and not having all the facts from BMW, I cannot give any definitive answers.

Best of luck in your decision.

Cheers

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