E46 M3 pre-purchase checklist

[IndyMike]

I like it. Congrats blee.

[jpgurl]

Nice! Congrats.

[blee]

[dan]

Originally Posted by undefined

I haven't done it on mine, it's got 60,00 miles on it

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

The N54 needs it every 60-75k, it starts running rough and misfired a touch at cold idle. It isn't something that will leave you on the side of the road, just a gradual performance degrade. Walnut blasting is $500. The N55 is less sensitive, and a much less maintenance needy option in general. 2011 on 135i is the way to go.

Having mine done next week. $410 at an indy shop. Have noticed a bit of rough idle and just feels a bit off lately. ~63,000 miles now

Looking forward to seeing/feeling the difference.

[dan]

Now I'm reading I guess the N55 doesn't need it nearly like the N54 did. Still think mine could use it based on what I'm feeling

[Josh (PA)]

Let me know how it goes.

[equ]

My N55 is not perfect at idle @47k miles. It never quasi-stalls (a la M52TU vanos) but it's not temperature dependent, it's at all idle, actually more at warm if anything. I think it misses a bit at idle, so I get a mini-rumble/shake every few seconds. It's fine at higher revs (or not noticeable), not sure which.

It's been like this since purchase at 42k miles. Took it two different shops, both said not bad enough to chase. One diagnosed as cyl 3 slight misfire. Car got new spark plugs at 40k under previous owner. Not sure if injector adaptation was needed (doesn't seem to have been done). I guess I could get someone to check the coils too, but part of me is waiting for it to get worse. It still gets 27-28mpg on the highway and pulls reasonably.

[Josh (PA)]

I'll occasionally get a stall when I coast to a stop with the clutch in. It seems to be outside temperature dependent, like it tries to keep the engine on the hairy edge of efficiency but fails. I get that maybe 3 times a year. I also sometimes get an idle dip to precariously low RPMs when I coast with the clutch in. Otherwise I have no issues with mine. It's been a very solid engine (other than the 33k mile water pump failure). I'm at 66k right now.

[dan]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Let me know how it goes.

Got it done today. Quoted me $410 on the phone and it ended up being $387 including new gasket. How about that.

They weren't terrible, though one looked a bit worse than the others. Definitely noticed an improvement right away when I started her up.

Glad I did it. Will do it again in another 60,000 if I still have the car (I plan on it but who knows)

[blee]

I went on an unexpected month-long work trip shortly after I brought the car home, so the temp tags expired before I could get it registered in Virginia. Took care of that today; my favorite question on the form highlighted below. As if.

I also replaced the fender grilles with new black aftermarket replacements. Not sure how I feel about them, but they're of reasonable quality and they were way cheaper than the real deal. Maybe I'll get replacements....later.