[Livo]

Hi All,
Stumbled across this site when looking for advice relating to my car, and there was some really good stuff on here. So, I thought I'd join up and post myself.

I have a black 2003 M3 SMG Convertible. It has 53k miles and is fully loaded - it really is my dream car! Had it for nearly 2 years and it's been perfect (until recently)!!
A couple of months ago, I was driving on the M62 and all of sudden the car dropped out of gear (selected neutral). I could'nt manually overide this, and had to coast from the fast lane to the hard-shoulder in busy traffic (pretty dangerous).

After being collected by the AA and fearing the worst, it turned out the SMG Hydralic pump was still working and it was simply the salmon relay that had gone (£30 all in, job done
Anyway, a few months have passed with no problems or hints that there may be a problem, and you guessed it....happened again!
This time, I cant hear the hydralic pump start up when I lock and unlock the car, so I guess the pump may have died!?!

The car is with a BMW indy specialist now that I've used for a long time, and I'm waiting to hear back regarding the damage!

Couple of questions I had:
- Anyone know what it could be, if it isnt the hydralic pump that has died?
- To have a new pump fitted, anyone know how much that might cost? (I've heard between £2000 - £3,000)!!!!
- Can I source pumps in good working order and cheaper, elsewhere?
- If I get the pump replaced, should this be the end of the problems and I can go on enjoying the M3?

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[payno]

£2000 is about right for a new one from a indy bit more from bmw
ebay
GENUINE BMW E46 M3 SMG Sequential Gearbox Pump - Covered 53k miles | eBay
god nows some last 90.000mls some last a lot less

 

[Livo]

Cheers Payno.

I've just had a call from the garage. They've taken the maniford off, stuck the diagnostics in, had a play around with the wires and its definiteley the hydraulic pump that's gone this time.

They've managed to source a brand new pump and can do it (fitted) for £1,750. It's a huge amount of money, but slightly better than I was expecting (small comfort)!!

Guess my main question now is;
If I get this fitted and sorted, in theory should I now get a few years of 'SMG' trouble free driving driving - Or, should I now always be on the look out for secondary issues?

 

[payno]

not much else goes wrong google e46 m3 smg problems 90% of them will be hydro pump or relay

 

[Livo]

True.

Cheers. Put my mind at rest, a little.
Didnt really want to get rid of the car anyway, as it looks and drives amazing (normally)!

 

[Gav78]

Which indy are you using. I would recommend Darren Wood, they really know their M3s.

I would imagine it will be the pump and as previously mentioned would reckon on £2K all in.

 

[Livo]

Using BMTEC in the city centre (next to Lowrey Hotel)
I used them for 4 years when I had my last BMW and they've managed my M3 for the last 2 years. Good guys...

£1,750 fitted seems like a reasonable price based on what you fella's have mentioned.

Still not a welcome bill though!

 

[Gav78]

I used to use BMTEC before I had my M3 but have now moved over to Darren Wood. Always happy with BMTEC's service though and being city centre is probably more convenient for you.

Thats seems like a good price too!

 

[Livo]

Good to Hear - I'll look up Darren Wood, too...just incase I ever need a second opinion or want something else doing. We're moving to Chorlton in May, so he might be closer?

Just out of interest, I guess from the pic on your profile (Gav78) your M3 has 19" alloys. With the state of a lot of the roads in Manchester nowadays, do you find the ride can be uncomfortably hard sometimes?

I've got 19's too, and on decent roads it glides like a dream, but as soon as there are any pot-holes or small bumps it feels like someones shot at the bottom of the car.
I thought about looking at new shocks, or maybe simply start changing the tyre pressures (I usually ride 34 front 37 rear).

Does your car feel the same & if so, any hints on making it a bit more comfortable on crap roads?

 

[Gav78]

Does your car feel the same & if so, any hints on making it a bit more comfortable on crap roads?

Yes mate, my car feels exactly the same, silky smooth on good surfaces but on uneven surfaces it's horrible. Not much you can do about it i'm afraid but if you really want to change it the best way is to put a set of 18"s on. That should improve it quite a bit.

 

[jrfty]

or maybe simply start changing the tyre pressures (I usually ride 34 front 37 rear).

That's a bit high? I'd drop it down to 32/34

 

[Livo]

Just had my anthracite black 19"s refurbished......so gonna stick with them. Guess i'll just have to try and avoidbad roads

 

[Livo]

That's a bit high? I'd drop it down to 32/34

Good shout - i'll try those pressures, see if it makes it a little more comfortable

 

[bluemark]

I'm so glad I didn't listen to anyone telling me to buy an smg.
That is one big bill I can do without.
By the way what are the tyre pressures for my 19" m3 wheels as my tyres are larger than normal being 235 front and 265 rear?

 

[jrfty]

I'm so glad I didn't listen to anyone telling me to buy an smg.
That is one big bill I can do without.
By the way what are the tyre pressures for my 19" m3 wheels as my tyres are larger than normal being 235 front and 265 rear?

I have no M3 but I'm running 32/34 on my 235/35/19 265/30/19

Johann

 

[bluemark]

Thanks Johann for the psi, I'll check mine in a bit.
I see you have orion v2 led halos and just wondered if they flicker when your lights are off?

 

[jrfty]

Thanks Johann for the psi, I'll check mine in a bit.
I see you have orion v2 led halos and just wondered if they flicker when your lights are off?

They only flicker for a split second when you start the engine up but that's it. I have them setup as my "daylight running lights" so they're always on. Looks AWESOME during the day as they can still be seen clearly, even in bright sunlight. They also fade in and out with my remote central locking. I highly recommend them. Probably best mod I've done.

Johann