M3 SMG BOXs

"Dave Plowman (News)" > wrote
> + Rob + > wrote:
>> > > I would not buy one that did not have at least two years of warranty
>> > > left and whose previous owner I did not know and trust.
>
>> > How often can you buy a one year old car from someone you know and
>> > trust? And I'd also think that those who change to a new car every
>> > year would be mad to look after it well...
>
>> Who said the car being considered is only one year old? Certainly
>> not the OP.
>
> He wants two years of warranty left? I assume that means a one year old
> car, as you can buy a warranty - of a sort - for near any car.

Don't forget, BMWs in the US get 48K/4years, so your assumption
is invalid over here (and in CA, too, IIRC.)

Floyd

"John Stone" > wrote
> "russell_a_smith" > wrote:
>> I here that the semi auto boxes on M3 BMW's have been responciable for
>> damaged engines, and Ive been advise to give SMG equiped cars a wide
>> birth .
>> (Im told its the launch control on the box that does the damage)
>> Is this true about the boxes as the values of these cars are comparable
>>
> The SMG boxes are not responsible for engine damage. In fact, the SMG will
> not let you over rev due to downshift to a wrong gear, like a standard
> manual tranny would. There were engine problems, mostly in 01's, with a
> production wide recall through mid 03 to replace rod bearings. The problem
> appears solved. The SMG's are complex and have their own issues.

There were two separate recalls IIRC. One for rod bearings, and one
for oil/oil pump. They also updated the engine controller program.
I believe that they also extended the engine warranty to 100K miles.
http://www.mbmw.com/e46_m3_engine_failure.htm

Floyd