Matt Robinson
E46 BMW M3 Coupe SMGIII
Year: 2002
Mileage: 54,000
Current Mods: None
|
|
The new tyres (left) have a more advanced tred pattern
than the originals |
Allow me to introduce a new car to the Our Cars section, and while it’s here under my name, it’s not technically mine. It actually belongs to my partner Sarah, and was part of the M3 v M3 cover shoot for PT9. So it falls to me to write the running reports on this motor, as a matter of duty as her partner... or something.
Anyway, we’ve had the car for just over a year now, picking it up on December 22, 2006 from Sytner Solihull. It came with one year’s approved used warranty (which we had to use on one occasion as a ham-fisted repair – by a different BMW dealer - at some point in the car’s past had damaged the ignition coil and its wiring loom on cylinder six) and it’s a 2002 Coupe with SMGII... yes, inhale with shock and horror. I know not everyone is a fan of SMG but we happen to think that it works really well; especially as Sarah’s job means that, more often than not, FE52 OOH spends most of its time doing about 8mph in heavy Bristol rush hour traffic.
It’s in Steel Grey (a shade discontinued shortly after it was built, replaced by Silver Grey) and it is, for want of a better term, an... er... arselifter version. No, get your minds out of the sewer; what I mean is that during its six-year lifespan, the E46 M3 received one solitary change to its makeup, and that was LED rear clusters in 2002. So good was the basic car that M Division saw fit to leave it utterly unchanged throughout its life. This one has rear LEDs, being one of the first to benefit.
|
|
Fitting one of the new tyres |
It was bought primarily, believe it or not, as a dog transportation device. Sarah was looking to upgrade from a MkII MX-5 1.8i Phoenix and she wanted something that would carry us two and our Labrador, Henry. But, being a petrolhead, she also wanted something entertaining to drive, with a ban on MPVs or estates, and it was yours truly who sowed the M3 seed in her mind...
However, the acquisition of a second, even bigger canine means that the M3 hasn’t really had to carry man’s best friends around, and so it’s enjoying quite a pampered life. One little problem did keep rearing its head, though; the tyre pressure warning light would illuminate every three weeks or so, depending on Sarah’s mileage.
|
|
Balancing the wheels
with the help of some fancy gadgets |
Knowing a little about BMWs, I wondered whether the sensor had been damaged on the rim during a previous tyre change, but repeated trips to the air pump of our local Sainsbury’s meant that sadly, the nearside rear Michelin Pilot Sport had indeed picked up a slow puncture.
I saw this as an opportunity to test the theory that BMs are extremely tyre specific by replacing the whole set at once with a different brand to the OE Michelins. I’ve heard owners tell me that even the very best brands of rubber can have an adverse effect on the car’s handling and grip once they’re in place. So, researching the matter carefully, I contacted Yokohama to see if it would supply a set of Advan Sports, the OE tyre of choice for the 997 Carrera and Bentley Continental GT. The company was pleased to do so, and so now it fell to us to find somewhere to fit these enormous 225/40ZR19 front and 255/35ZR19 rear boots.
Brunel Tyres in St Werburgh’s, Bristol, is one of those hidden gem garages you always want to find. With professional, courteous staff and plenty of know-how, you trust them implicitly with your pride and joy from the word go. Steve Benton, owner of Brunel Tyres, handled the job himself and replaced all four tyres with minimum fuss... and also without damaging the tyre pressure monitors. Brunel is about to relocate premises, but all the contact details provided will remain relevant.
It’s early days for the Yokos just yet but initial response from Sarah suggests she’s very impressed. I’ve taken it for a quick spin and both the ride and feedback seem to have been improved; the M3 seems a tiny bit more compliant than before, the ride velvety smooth on better surfaces, while the steering is more informative (possibly as the Yokos look like they have a bigger contact patch than the old Michelins). We’ll bring you more updates on the Yokohama Advan Sports as we bed them in more, but for now it’s a big thumbs up! MR
