Advice and input on an M3 all....

[krish]

Hey guys,I had a look/drive of a 2001 M3 just this evening and am looking for advice/input on her and my driving impressions.What would be a good price for an M3 of this vintage?What are the things to look out for?Any warning lights/clues as to state of tune and/or problems? Owner claims a DMS reflash to 400 Hp but she didn't feel that quick...One strange quirk I did notice, if I left her in auto mode she had this really odd stall on occasion. What would happen is that I'd plant the throttle she'd accelerate for a brief instant then just stall almost like the engine died. She'd then pick up and go. Shifting with the paddles was fine. Any ideas why she's doing this or is it an smg thing?Any and all advice from all out there sincerely appreciated. Long dissertations welcome as I no nothing about the M3 (daily driver is an X5

 

[IsaacVky]

Reflash only wouldn't bring the car from 343hp to 400hp.
Even the M3 CSL topped at 360hp with all the hardcore modification.

 

[B33mEr]

Hey guys,

I had a look/drive of a 2001 M3 just this evening and am looking for advice/input on her and my driving impressions.

What would be a good price for an M3 of this vintage?
What are the things to look out for?
Any warning lights/clues as to state of tune and/or problems? Owner claims a DMS reflash to 400 Hp but she didn't feel that quick...
One strange quirk I did notice, if I left her in auto mode she had this really odd stall on occasion. What would happen is that I'd plant the throttle she'd accelerate for a brief instant then just stall almost like the engine died. She'd then pick up and go. Shifting with the paddles was fine. Any ideas why she's doing this or is it an smg thing?

Any and all advice from all out there sincerely appreciated. Long dissertations welcome as I no nothing about the M3 (daily driver is an X5

Yup that is the characteristic of the SMG tranny ... it's not an auto you must remember that ... basically it's a manual tranny with a hydraulic actuator pump sitting on top doing the shifting for you ... so just like driving a manual for a smoother drive you need to lift off or ease off d throttle a bit when engaging an upshift or when in 'C' mode. If you're getting the M3 good for you ... lucky guy :top:

 

[krish]

Hey Isaac/B33mEr,

Thx buddies!. Yes she certainly didn't feel that quick Isaac but your note confirms my seat of the pants impression.

Thx for the confirmation on the smg's characteristics B33mEr (and the good wishes ). I kind of know the engineering behind the smg (and other manufacturer variants such as the DSG) but never having driven one had no idea what it's characteristics were like. Do you drive one? Good point on the lift off of the throttle (that's similar to a standard 'slush' box . But here's the thing, I did do that instinctively when she seemed to be holding revs and gear (2nd) but she still took a while to upshift holding gear for a longgggg moment. Another smg trait?

Have to call seller with a firm offer this morning as he wants to part the suspension out (the vultures are circling so any help, offer and advice again will be much appreciated all!

cheers,
Kris

 

[pussy]

make sure that the seller has done all the BMW re-call requests due to the M tech upgrades, dun know if covered that time .

what i know was conrod bearings and oil pump recall for it's models..

cheers.

 

[krish]

Hey thx for this pussy... LOl on the sig . Interesting story on this car. Reg card reads year of manufacture as 2001 but vin check reveals it's a May 2002 car. My trawling for info (late last night) revealed that the recall was only for cars Oct 2001 - Feb 2002 so this car should be safe. Any thoughts on this plus any other advice and info?

cheers,
Kris

 

[infinityKL]

wow...lucky man,

have fun M3...

 

[krish]

LOL!!! Not quite so lucky SS, still on the hunt as am nego-ing with seller! Thx for the wishes!!

cheers

 

[B33mEr]

Hey Isaac/B33mEr,

Thx buddies!. Yes she certainly didn't feel that quick Isaac but your note confirms my seat of the pants impression.

Thx for the confirmation on the smg's characteristics B33mEr (and the good wishes ). I kind of know the engineering behind the smg (and other manufacturer variants such as the DSG) but never having driven one had no idea what it's characteristics were like. Do you drive one? Good point on the lift off of the throttle (that's similar to a standard 'slush' box . But here's the thing, I did do that instinctively when she seemed to be holding revs and gear (2nd) but she still took a while to upshift holding gear for a longgggg moment. Another smg trait?

Have to call seller with a firm offer this morning as he wants to part the suspension out (the vultures are circling so any help, offer and advice again will be much appreciated all!

cheers,
Kris

No i havent driven an M3 before wish i had d chance tho (dun 4get me when u get your M3 ) but my car is equip with SMG (SSG) made by Magneti Marelli which is a simplified version of the M3 SMGII tranny (made by Siemens and BMW which has 11 drivelogic program as opposed to just two for the SSG) but in terms of mechanical operations and characteristic are the same ... both transmission is operated via a hydraulic actuator pump which explains the jerky ride and violent (S6 mode on the M3) shifting. There is a lot more to explain and there are other gurus more knowledgeable in explaining the quirks and wonders of SMGII transmission (they're hiding sumwhr) as i am still in the learning curve myself ... as for your question as to why the reluctance of the car to upshift holding the gear for a long moment ... i'm assuming that you were on auto mode or 'C' mode when that happens?

anyways here are the link for SMGII technical manuals for your enjoyment and will definitely answer most of your questions if not all :top:

http://jasoncampagna.com/SMG.pdf

 

[krish]

hey B33mEr,

Yes she was in auto mode when she held gears plus that stall that I mentioned. Thx for the link dude! Much appreciated!Will digest.

If I do pick up an M3 I'll drop you a note and let you see what you were guilty of aiding and abetting...

 

[pussy]

there is a specialist that deals in M's and at jalan ipoh, PM me for his contact.
he might be able to help you.

regards.