2004 M3 reliability & glitches. Need help

[deutsch100]

Hey everyone,

I am considering getting a 2004 M3 this weekend. How has reliability been on the 04s compared with the regular 3 series?

Is the SMG still problematic, like the first bathces were? I don't like, or believe in manual transmissions (especially in L.A.)...but does the SMG ever begin to feel like a regular steptronic? Can you get the shifts smooth?

Can an M3 handle just smooth, slow and gentle daily driving or does "everything get clogged" up if it is not driven hard and fast (as the M3 was designed for)?

Any other advice or recommendations are appreciated. Thanks in advance for any replies. Auf Wiedersehen!!!

 

[flashinthepan]

I had an 04 330Cic several factory things wrong, most notable the "dead battery" due to the air conditioning curcuitry and programming, rattles and unknown noise here and there.

Sold the 330 on Ebay, took a small loss but not bad...

Bought an M3, not 1 single dealer problem, I drive the car every day (as often as possible )..4,500 miles so far..very happy !!

The M3 is very close in comfort to the 330 - has the softer nicer "Nappa" leather seats instead of the "Montana" leather which felt less refined to me. I am not knocking either, just saying I really like the feel of the softer leather seats.

As for the performance difference's, ???? Please take an M3 on a drive, one that you can go over 4000 rpms with, I will not say any more, you will see and feel the diff. I tried the SMG and chose against, but SMG is pretty cool, I think its just personal preference.

My signiture shows both vehicle's btw.

Good Luck !! [driving2]

 

[gpoints]

Can an M3 handle just smooth, slow and gentle daily driving or does "everything get clogged" up if it is not driven hard and fast (as the M3 was designed for)?

I've got an '03 with @ 6K miles and drive it like an old lady due to trafic. Even worse is most of my trips are < 5 miles. With that said I havn't noticed an ill affects from this.