Just because some stranger said the VANOS is Ok, doesn't mean squat. Same with Rod Bearings. When it was on the lift, you should have looked at subframe cracks. You've just begun to sort this car out. The interior is the least of your worries.
The Volvo is the cooler, more fun, and the better car imho (I may be a little biased, as you can tell by my pic). The T5 engine is fairly bulletproof, can make strong power, and it will all be more reliable in the long run IF modded the right way. BUT the one thing thing the m3 will always have on any R is its 50/50 weight distribution. The R's were just not designed from the ground up to be a proper sports car. You will never be able to dial out all the under steer, even with proper mods like track spec sways, KW V2 coils, camber adjustments etc. It has been tried (just check out Swedespeed) and unfortunately, the chassis is really where the R will always be at a disadvantage. it'll be a tall task to beat an E46.
I am the first owner of a Seat Ibiza from 2002 with 163.000 miles/259.000 kilometers on it. It looks like the M3 has got more parts that are worn out. However this M3 is really cool and I have always wanted one.
The V70n R and e46 M3 is two of my favorit cars, but if i hade to pick one i would pick V70n R. The 6 cylinder is awesome, but it can't beat the volvo 5 cylinder, and the sound it makes ummm.... i f*cking love that 5 cylinder sound. Don't get me wrong i like the raspy sound from the M3, but the 5 cylinder Volvo sings my country's national Anthem...... Du gamla. Du fria, Du fjällhöga nord ... and so on.
When I was searching for my second car a couple years back when I was 20, I was torn between getting my dream car M3 or just a Volvo V50 because I love the body style. I soon came across a Volvo s60r on Craigslist going for a steal price of $6000, I fell in love as soon as I sat in the seats; ended up buying her for a whopping $5600. The R absolutely destroys, the 5 cyclinder with a proper aftermarket exhaust, sounds like a demon is coming to spread your anus from behind with no mercy, or lube. The way the turbo sounds when you take the hoodliner off is bonkers, and I'm often asking myself when I'm driving the R "Which Swede was crazy enough to think of building this inconspicuous street demon!? Needless to say, the Volvo R is GOAT. DONT SLEEP ON THE SLEEPER.
Great project, and as a fan/fellow owner of an E46 M3 here in the UK, I look forward to seeing you guys rescue it from that frightful state! Don’t know much about Volvos and it will probably be the ‘safe option’ here (no pun intended 😂), but I believe the M3 will be way more fun and more rewarding as a whole package.... Good luck with it! 👍🏼
Owned a V70R and own a E46 M3 today... the M3 is sooooo much quicker as soon as it starts to get twisty. The problems (mirror/sunroof/subframe) are easy to fix, I have done them all on my E46..
Before adjusting the headlight, take a look at your headlight leveling sensor to see if it is put on correctly, or even on the control arm (It is on the passenger side control arm). Also, for the play on the steering wheel, take a look at the steering coupler. Common issue for the steering play! But really nice e46 M3!!
Hey, Chad here is self reflecting idea for your M3 Boomer nickname - "Money Pit"! Its actually got a pretty good ring to it, if you know what I mean - "Cha-ching"! It is interesting how these two will pan out. Though Volvo is a lot easier to live with and more reliable.
The headlights pointing down means the height measuring device on the suspension is broken. Fix that and the headlights will be fine. (don't try to adjust it at the lights )
The M3 kind of looks like a basket case, new suspension components usually means that it's been wrecked at some point especially with the fact that the front bumper is scraped up the headlights are way off and the fitment of the front end looks really messed up with large gaps as well. You might have bought somebody's drift or track project by mistake.
In the uk a wreck is recorded on insurance. Does clean title not mean no significant accident in the USA (not being funny - I'm not sure of the terminology in the states)? Coil overs on the front is just a mod and headlights are auto adjusting. There's a small unit both front and rear in the wheel arches (on opposite corners). Probably just a connecting rod thats come unclipped. I agree cosmetically it's a mess but if the jobs listed have been done (??) then mechanically it's fair - apart from the leak. Great overall cars - my last 3 cars have been e46 - a 328, 330 msport ( 2002 and owned for the last 10 years) and a low mileage 2002 M3. Not perfect cars but great engines and there's far worse cars on the road that are far younger.
Not really, sure if its got 70k miles and already has had suspension parts replaced it's potentially a bit suspicious but after 170k miles you'd probably be more suspicious if it *hasn't* had the shocks replaced lol
Apparently no one has done bmw maintenance. If you follow the factory recommendations you replace THE ENTIRE suspension, inside and out, top to bottom, every bushing, bearing, spring, strut, shock, block, and bolt, about every 75k. Just did it all in my 1996. 270k miles, handles like new, except far better
Hey I am in New Jersey too with a modified (heico suspension, chipped, intercooler, etc) Volvo V50 T5 AWD M66. I am in the market for a new clutch do you guys do that kind of work. I am in the Bridgwater area.
Hey Adam! Sorry no we're not a shop. We're just 3 guys who love cars and are doing some projects to showcase on this channel and also on our website www.shiftinglanes.com. We're also on DriveTribe! Head over there to check out our writing as well as all our videos. Cheers. -Gregson
Adam Springsteel Awesome. I got a bone stock low mileage V50 T5 FWD M66 a little while back and I love it. I'm looking to lightly modify it soon. As for good shops, if you are ever in the western CT area, I highly recommend the guys over at Robert Motorcars in Woodbury, CT. That's probably a bit of a hike for you, though. Or, if you ever take trips to Boston, about a half hour away in Hanson, MA is Specialty Auto. I highly recommend those guys as well. As for stuff in your area, get on Swedespeed or ask around for local Volvo shops or independent places that specialize in Volvos.
ShiftingLanes haha yes very excited to see the two go head to head. Also excited to see the restoration process of this car. Hope it’s done just like the Volvo’s has been so far. You guys continue making me want to buy a used car and bring it back to former glory... maybe after I pay off my mini
I bought my 2001 for less than $2500.. After Some of the needed repairs, I have another $2500 in it and I am not finished by a long shot(say many $$$). with the car you have shown..you may want to just take it apart and go from there..there are so many wrong ways to fix an E46..and yours looks to be a classic example of it.
Good manual M3 coupes are not for sale anymore. People that do own those tend to keep them. Even low mileage 330Ci's (manual, coupe) in really good condition start at13-14,000 euros (16-17,000 USD) here in Europe. (of course, I'm talking about the ones with sport heated seats, PDC, Xenons, some ///M component here and there, like M sport steering wheel and/or shift knob, M 18'' wheels, etc.)
Bavarian trash. How can you even compare this turd to the glorious estate killer? Swedes have gotten it right for 25 years with practically the same platform. Plus the project is the p2! Volvo all the way. That's why they last decades and have a cult following. As opposed to BMW that plumments in value. Cost of parts are huge difference too. Overall easier to work with Volvo. BMW should go back to making airplane engines. That's WHAT THEY ARE REALLY KNOWN FOR. DEADLY AF! That I can vouch on. #TEAMGREGSON also s/o to Manalapan New jersey mofos represent!
You are wasting your time and money if you plan to restore this turd, your only sane option is to turn it into a race car, strip the interior, lose the factory cat headers and get an exhaust. Then fit big rubber (275 square setup) and fit race pads. Volvo who?
Just because some stranger said the VANOS is Ok, doesn't mean squat. Same with Rod Bearings. When it was on the lift, you should have looked at subframe cracks. You've just begun to sort this car out. The interior is the least of your worries.
ive driven both , thats why i have a volvo
It's cool just not Volvo cool 😎
The Volvo is the cooler, more fun, and the better car imho (I may be a little biased, as you can tell by my pic). The T5 engine is fairly bulletproof, can make strong power, and it will all be more reliable in the long run IF modded the right way. BUT the one thing thing the m3 will always have on any R is its 50/50 weight distribution. The R's were just not designed from the ground up to be a proper sports car. You will never be able to dial out all the under steer, even with proper mods like track spec sways, KW V2 coils, camber adjustments etc. It has been tried (just check out Swedespeed) and unfortunately, the chassis is really where the R will always be at a disadvantage. it'll be a tall task to beat an E46.
I am the first owner of a Seat Ibiza from 2002 with 163.000 miles/259.000 kilometers on it. It looks like the M3 has got more parts that are worn out. However this M3 is really cool and I have always wanted one.
The V70n R and e46 M3 is two of my favorit cars, but if i hade to pick one i would pick V70n R.
The 6 cylinder is awesome, but it can't beat the volvo 5 cylinder, and the sound it makes ummm.... i f*cking love that 5 cylinder sound.
Don't get me wrong i like the raspy sound from the M3, but the 5 cylinder Volvo sings my country's national Anthem...... Du gamla. Du fria, Du fjällhöga nord ... and so on.
Klas Peppar beautifully said!
Thanks
When I was searching for my second car a couple years back when I was 20, I was torn between getting my dream car M3 or just a Volvo V50 because I love the body style. I soon came across a Volvo s60r on Craigslist going for a steal price of $6000, I fell in love as soon as I sat in the seats; ended up buying her for a whopping $5600. The R absolutely destroys, the 5 cyclinder with a proper aftermarket exhaust, sounds like a demon is coming to spread your anus from behind with no mercy, or lube. The way the turbo sounds when you take the hoodliner off is bonkers, and I'm often asking myself when I'm driving the R "Which Swede was crazy enough to think of building this inconspicuous street demon!? Needless to say, the Volvo R is GOAT. DONT SLEEP ON THE SLEEPER.
Can't wait to see the M3 get spanked by Volvo T5 power!
Great project, and as a fan/fellow owner of an E46 M3 here in the UK, I look forward to seeing you guys rescue it from that frightful state! Don’t know much about Volvos and it will probably be the ‘safe option’ here (no pun intended 😂), but I believe the M3 will be way more fun and more rewarding as a whole package.... Good luck with it! 👍🏼
Thanks! Volvo will win though 😜
-Gregson
Owned a V70R and own a E46 M3 today... the M3 is sooooo much quicker as soon as it starts to get twisty.
The problems (mirror/sunroof/subframe) are easy to fix, I have done them all on my E46..
The Professor. Because it's about to take Gregson to school.
With that said, #govolvo
😂😂😂 perfect.
-Gregson
Before adjusting the headlight, take a look at your headlight leveling sensor to see if it is put on correctly, or even on the control arm (It is on the passenger side control arm). Also, for the play on the steering wheel, take a look at the steering coupler. Common issue for the steering play! But really nice e46 M3!!
What did you pay for ?????
Hey, Chad here is self reflecting idea for your M3 Boomer nickname - "Money Pit"! Its actually got a pretty good ring to it, if you know what I mean - "Cha-ching"! It is interesting how these two will pan out. Though Volvo is a lot easier to live with and more reliable.
The Volvo is my pick.
The headlights pointing down means the height measuring device on the suspension is broken. Fix that and the headlights will be fine. (don't try to adjust it at the lights )
Interested as to how much you paid for it?
How is the subframe “hanging” haha joke but please check the subframe mount points
I have no kms showing on my dash what can it b shows me the word code or pppp
The M3 kind of looks like a basket case, new suspension components usually means that it's been wrecked at some point especially with the fact that the front bumper is scraped up the headlights are way off and the fitment of the front end looks really messed up with large gaps as well. You might have bought somebody's drift or track project by mistake.
In the uk a wreck is recorded on insurance. Does clean title not mean no significant accident in the USA (not being funny - I'm not sure of the terminology in the states)? Coil overs on the front is just a mod and headlights are auto adjusting. There's a small unit both front and rear in the wheel arches (on opposite corners). Probably just a connecting rod thats come unclipped. I agree cosmetically it's a mess but if the jobs listed have been done (??) then mechanically it's fair - apart from the leak.
Great overall cars - my last 3 cars have been e46 - a 328, 330 msport ( 2002 and owned for the last 10 years) and a low mileage 2002 M3. Not perfect cars but great engines and there's far worse cars on the road that are far younger.
Not really, sure if its got 70k miles and already has had suspension parts replaced it's potentially a bit suspicious but after 170k miles you'd probably be more suspicious if it *hasn't* had the shocks replaced lol
Apparently no one has done bmw maintenance.
If you follow the factory recommendations you replace THE ENTIRE suspension, inside and out, top to bottom, every bushing, bearing, spring, strut, shock, block, and bolt, about every 75k.
Just did it all in my 1996. 270k miles, handles like new, except far better
I have the opportunity to buy a 2002 m3 with 240k kms not miles for $8000 Canadian. It has the smg tranny and it’s the convertible
Luckily for you guys the interior is same color as stock duct tape 👍
It's gonna take a lot of money to bring it to competitive condition. Don't think it's worth it.
That's part of the fun! It's very much worth it. Stay tuned to see this thing come back to life!
-Gregson
Agreed, not worth it.
Hey I am in New Jersey too with a modified (heico suspension, chipped, intercooler, etc) Volvo V50 T5 AWD M66. I am in the market for a new clutch do you guys do that kind of work. I am in the Bridgwater area.
Hey Adam! Sorry no we're not a shop. We're just 3 guys who love cars and are doing some projects to showcase on this channel and also on our website www.shiftinglanes.com. We're also on DriveTribe! Head over there to check out our writing as well as all our videos. Cheers.
-Gregson
How much did you pay for that may I ask? I’m asking cuz I just got one few months ago. Also NJ
Adam Springsteel Awesome. I got a bone stock low mileage V50 T5 FWD M66 a little while back and I love it. I'm looking to lightly modify it soon. As for good shops, if you are ever in the western CT area, I highly recommend the guys over at Robert Motorcars in Woodbury, CT. That's probably a bit of a hike for you, though. Or, if you ever take trips to Boston, about a half hour away in Hanson, MA is Specialty Auto. I highly recommend those guys as well. As for stuff in your area, get on Swedespeed or ask around for local Volvo shops or independent places that specialize in Volvos.
I was asking about the m3. Not really a big fan of volvos.
+ajdmir zendaki $7k
M3 nickname=White Rabbit
#TeamDadwagon
Love that Chad is now the evil empire.
-Gregson
ShiftingLanes haha yes very excited to see the two go head to head. Also excited to see the restoration process of this car. Hope it’s done just like the Volvo’s has been so far. You guys continue making me want to buy a used car and bring it back to former glory... maybe after I pay off my mini
still slower than the volvo , sorry
Well we'll see! The rivalry begins.
-Gregson
Your an idiot, sorry
I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR SMOKING DUDE..... I BEAT VOLOS ALL THE TIME ...HILARIOUS
Steve Dodd what volvo 😂
@@CB-bl4ts 850 R 560HP
I bought my 2001 for less than $2500.. After Some of the needed repairs, I have another $2500 in it and I am not finished by a long shot(say many $$$). with the car you have shown..you may want to just take it apart and go from there..there are so many wrong ways to fix an E46..and yours looks to be a classic example of it.
how much did you get it for
I think my money's on the Volvo here. But it should be interesting!
How much money did you get it for ??
I bought a 2001 e46. For $1,3000 same amount of milage
how much u buy for?
What’s a Volvo not even comparable to bmws let alone the notorious E46 M3
i bet you got it cheap, looks like a pile of junk. how can one abuse a car like that?
Do something good put a bm v10 engine on this baby
I cried so hard. It's in so bad shape :((((
It is, but good thing it's in our hands. We'll make her sing again :)
-Gregson
Good manual M3 coupes are not for sale anymore. People that do own those tend to keep them. Even low mileage 330Ci's (manual, coupe) in really good condition start at13-14,000 euros (16-17,000 USD) here in Europe. (of course, I'm talking about the ones with sport heated seats, PDC, Xenons, some ///M component here and there, like M sport steering wheel and/or shift knob, M 18'' wheels, etc.)
Not the right discs for an M. Should be drilled and floating
Bavarian trash. How can you even compare this turd to the glorious estate killer? Swedes have gotten it right for 25 years with practically the same platform. Plus the project is the p2! Volvo all the way. That's why they last decades and have a cult following. As opposed to BMW that plumments in value. Cost of parts are huge difference too. Overall easier to work with Volvo. BMW should go back to making airplane engines. That's WHAT THEY ARE REALLY KNOWN FOR. DEADLY AF! That I can vouch on. #TEAMGREGSON also s/o to Manalapan New jersey mofos represent!
Only m3..... no more or other names.
High mileage BMW = money pit
Not if you know what you are doing
You are wasting your time and money if you plan to restore this turd, your only sane option is to turn it into a race car, strip the interior, lose the factory cat headers and get an exhaust. Then fit big rubber (275 square setup) and fit race pads. Volvo who?