2004 BMW M3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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"The car's cornering ability is waaaaay beyond mine," according to one reviewer - words that accurately sum up the 2004 BMW M3. Some users did complain that the 2004 model of BMW's high performance version of its three series was a bit "clunkier" than in previous years, but complaints were generally few from drivers who look for more in speed and power than the luxury touches BMW adds to its traditional 3-series.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2004 BMW M3
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by paul d
Nov 18, 2024
Awesome is the feeling I get at 140 miles mph.
The best M series ever E46Nov 18, 2024
by Harry J
Feb 12, 2015
Like power, handling. Dislike high parts costs and the fact it might not be that reliable as I have had $10,000 in major repairs in the last 4 years.
It does have a timeless design, however. I feel like it will be a classic car one day. Feb 12, 2015
by Anonymous
Jun 03, 2014
I really love the SMG transmission, shifting in 80ms in it's fastest shift-mode. The 333hp engine really puts out, and throws you into your seat. It handles like a dream, very snappy and doesn't lag at all. The throttle input is amazing as well, the engine responds instantly as you depress the pedal.Jun 03, 2014
User rating:
by paul d
Nov 18, 2024
Awesome is the feeling I get at 140 miles mph.
The best M series ever E46Nov 18, 2024
by Harry J
Feb 12, 2015
Like power, handling. Dislike high parts costs and the fact it might not be that reliable as I have had $10,000 in major repairs in the last 4 years.
It does have a timeless design, however. I feel like it will be a classic car one day. Feb 12, 2015
by Anonymous
Jun 03, 2014
I really love the SMG transmission, shifting in 80ms in it's fastest shift-mode. The 333hp engine really puts out, and throws you into your seat. It handles like a dream, very snappy and doesn't lag at all. The throttle input is amazing as well, the engine responds instantly as you depress the pedal.Jun 03, 2014
by Joey V
Dec 12, 2013
It's 333 hp. 6 spd manual transmission. I've never owned a better car. It's fast as
hell. It was expensive when it came out but wasn't bad as a used car price. The car
is excellent to drive, fast, great handling and the interior is very top notch. Great
all around car.Dec 12, 2013
by David H
Dec 23, 2012
Best All Around sports car for its age. Takes a solid second place, in every
category making it a easy win and a very good buy. Handles better then any car
out there, and also has descent power. The E46 M3 I think i in the top ten best
cars ever made.Dec 23, 2012
by Julio H
Dec 06, 2011
great sports car you can use on a every day basis... super powerful inline 3.2 liter 6 cylinder engine! the maintenance costs are a bit high since oil has to be Castrol or Motul 10w-60 full synthetic try anything different and you will know and feel the difference! Dec 06, 2011
by Jody W
Nov 17, 2011
Fantastic Car.. Wanted one for Years Finally got one and "What a car". Awsome in so many ways!
Very expensive to run, But worth every penny! 34.2MPG on a run... Average is 24MPG though!
Exceptional fun to drive too!
SMG is Most fun!Nov 17, 2011
by Nikos T
Mar 21, 2010
It's a "very much fun" to drive car. The acceleration and the
handling is better than the normal M3 and it's a race track car
but also an every day car with a little bit of tollerance for the
comfort of the suspension.
Mar 21, 2010
by David C
Jan 04, 2010
Performance is amazing. Quick out of the hole. Respectable quarter mile time for a stock car. Can't say to much more than International Motor of the Year and still top of its size class every year. Cost is the major downfall. But it is a gorgeous car that surprises a lot of V8s out there. Fun Factor: 9/10. (CANT WAIT FOR SOME PARTS ;))Jan 04, 2010
by Cameron H
Nov 29, 2009
the bmw m3 2004 is 1 of the best sports coupes on the
market, it handles accelerates and brakes like a god, it looks
stunning on the outside and in, which really give this car is
name which is M3.Nov 29, 2009
by Buddy L
Aug 31, 2009
Very fun car to drive it is also very fast. Only downlfall is it is a little bumpy sometimes. Car also can be pretty expensive to maintain. You should always have some money set aside each year for normal maintence and tires.Aug 31, 2009
by Greg K
Jun 28, 2009
Feels like a V8 muscle car.
Precise control overall
Interior was kinda worn.
Build Quality was pretty good
Gas Mileage is costy, but no maintenance fees
A lot of fun with this car..
but i dont kno if i want the carJun 28, 2009
by Dan P
May 13, 2009
It's a great car with great build quality. It does, however,
weigh much more than I'd like. The maintenance of such a
high performance engine is a bit costly. However, the car
is a blast to drive despite it's weight. It doesn't have the
raw brawler feel of an STI, but steering feel is great. If
the car weighed like 300 lbs it'd be perfect.May 13, 2009
by Dante D
Apr 28, 2009
Fast and fun to drive. Accelerates quick from 0-60 in the mid 4 seconds range. Handles well and requires little maintenance, but it is expensive when it does. Love the color and interior. It gets decent gas mileage, but it takes premium fuel. Apr 28, 2009
by Sudheer D
Jan 27, 2009
Great car, but attracts too much attention. Goes through
tires very fast. Wheels are too big. Seat warmers are
great for when it's cold for 2 weeks out of the year, but
useless for the rest. Transmission is great for driving fast,
but in traffic it's almost harder than driving a manual.
Overall it's a great car for people with long flowing locks of
hair that want the sun in their face all the time. Too bad I
like my hair short. Jan 27, 2009
by Andrew B
Jan 03, 2009
The car drives and sounds superb,it makes you smile everytime you drive it.Once you press the sport button the car jumps into action and just wants to press you back into your seat everytime you dab the accelerator. I think 0-60 comes just less than 5 seconds but feels quicker than that at times.The build quality is what you would expect from BMW and this car has extras with electric seats,sunroof,AC, Nav/TV and SMG semi auto gearbox.
But with all this fun it comes with a price 18-26 mpg, front discs and pads are £400 just for parts. Inspection2 service is around £900 and decent rear tyres are £250 each.The tax at the moment is £210 which was the same as my 330D. So running costs are a nightmare, all M cars are but its worth it for the Fun! Highly Recommended AddictionJan 03, 2009
by Daigoro T
Oct 14, 2008
The E46 M3 is the best handling car that I've ever driven. The performance is just superb - including the powerful yet smooth engine, stable and solid handling, and excellent braking. I am an average driver, but my M3 makes me feel like I'm a Formula One driver. Every single minute I spend behind its wheel is a sheer pleasure. Just can't think of driving any other car.Oct 14, 2008
by Sandra A
Sep 18, 2008
I absolutely LOVE this car!! It is actually my finance's car but I drive it more than he does. We like it so much that we have been looking at the '08 model but they don't have a convertible available until '09. It actually gets very good gas mileage - especially for a sports car (21 mpg). It is fun, fun, fun to drive!!Sep 18, 2008
by Tim M
Aug 26, 2008
my car does not like the heat, living here is a problem , the interior does not hold when it is over 40degrees C, apart from that, i hunt porsches in it and it has a great sound. possibly might get the new version, if you want to know how good they are , buy one, or better still, Race one.... that will tell you everything you need to know as you watch the four exhaust pipes leaving your view.Aug 26, 2008
by Leopoldo E
Aug 18, 2008
Performance, this car have a unique handling, braking and of course acceleration time .....
Appearance, as you can see, BMW, has for the "M" models a unique colors frame, diferent from the regulars one´s.
Fun factor: It is the most fun car i drive from all i got in my entire life. Aug 18, 2008
by Sacha R
Aug 18, 2008
NOTE: Model M3 CSL
First car that I dont see myself selling!!! It has the peformances of previously owned TVRs and the simplicity but at the same time it has the build quality and reliability of german cars . Handling is that of a race car but still usable for the road.Aug 18, 2008
by Pat L
Aug 16, 2008
SMG 411:
The SMG M3 uses exactly the same transmission and clutch as a manual gear box, but they are actuated by an electro-hydraulic control system, which also has authority over the throttle. There is no clutch pedal in the car, and the conventional shift lever is replaced by a complex switch, supplemented by paddles mounted to the back of the steering wheel. Shifting can be accomplished using either control. Sequential mode responds to driver input. In automated mode, the computer does its own thing, as if emulating an automatic transmission. There are five settings for shift aggressiveness (speed) in each mode, plus a "maximum-attack" sixth level available only in sequential mode with DSC turned off. BMW states that SMG, in its fastest settings, is faster and more precise than any human could be.Aug 16, 2008
by Darren N
Jun 23, 2008
Fantastic performance, good MPG, expensive insurance and service / repair costs.Jun 23, 2008
by Marvin A
May 13, 2008
Good ride all arounder, A drivers car. Solid Chasis and excellent engine and good brakes with low fade. Suspension is better with bilsteins to better neutralize under/oversteer. May 13, 2008
by Jay W
May 03, 2008
A car for every situations.Fast enough to sit with a Porsche 911(and numerous more illustrious cars)while subtle enough to tour the open roads with comfort for 4.Interior is nice without being overly opulent with enough optional extras to cater for most drivers needs.May 03, 2008
by Andrew S
Apr 29, 2008
Stock suspension nicely setup, perfect height for 19" and 285/30-19 rear. Probably BMW's last Inline-6 NA M3. Apr 29, 2008
by Kevin D
Feb 20, 2008
Great car, awesome performance, good build quality, no problems so farFeb 20, 2008
by Vanessa C
Feb 18, 2008
This car got me stuck next to the road three times... and before we sold it, had it's engine replaced. We lost about R30 000 on this deal.Feb 18, 2008
by Mike D
Jan 13, 2008
Quick, comfortable, reliable - ultimate sports coupeJan 13, 2008
by Carl M
Jan 10, 2008
The car has the ability to be a reasonably sensible family car but at the flick of the SMG and a push of the DSC and Sport button it can become a hooligans motor with the option of fresh air round the chops. Love it or hate it its still an awesome all rounder.Jan 10, 2008
by George F
Jan 01, 2008
This is a great car to drive and own. Having a stressful day? I jump in let the top down, and play heavy foot for a few miles.Jan 01, 2008
by Robert A
Dec 31, 2007
A great drivers car, a little uninspired when it comes to looks but then it is German. but the performance will knock your socks off...Dec 31, 2007
by Kathy J
Dec 29, 2007
Fast good looking car with all BMW reliability its not as mean looking as they use to make them and can only be noticed by someone who knows there carsDec 29, 2007
by Mark R
Nov 30, 2007
This car was a beast. The power in this baby was insane for a 6 cylinder. 0-60 under 5 secs and the handling in this thing was crazy. Nov 30, 2007
2004 BMW M3 Pricing
Original MSRP
$47,795 to $56,295Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Rear side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats
Type: split-bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System
Single disc in-Dash CD · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel
Comfort Features
Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio
Drivetrain
Limited slip differential: rear
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Rear Seats
Type: bucket
Roof
Convertible roof: hard top
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seats
Front seat type: sport bucket · Heated: front seats · Upholstery: leather
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
