Thoughts on recently purchased 28k mile LSB E46 M3

[kaiv]

Congrats Elliot, hope you have fun with this one!!

[cornerbalanced]

I was honestly SOOOO close to bid on this car. I too worried about the engine rebuild and how that car was run to have any potential future issues especially since that engine was rebuild 3 times in 20k miles.

It seems like a steal for an 2004 LSB with 28k and all those mods.

I sent you a PM.

I have worked in Motorsports so was a bit less turned off by this. It is not uncommon for some (race) cars to have their engines taken out and refreshed after just a session or two. I presume the seller of this car owns races cars that require their engines to be rebuilt/refreshed on a seasonal basis. If you have the money—it makes sense. Doesn’t necessarily indicate any flaws with the engine itself.

[enjoy_m3]

wow what a car, crazy the engine was rebuilt twice. Well if you're ever in the market for a z4mc, lol

[Nate047]

Oh for sure, I would also just leave it as is for a while, learn the ins and outs. But that's my approach anytime I buy a car.

[oceansize]

I'm 99% sure I know the previous owner of this car, he's a really interesting dude and he has a number of other crazy ass cars at Thermal. Completely building out a 30k mile LSB is exactly what guys like him do lol. I'm very close friends with Marc the owner of Bavarian Workshop, I know a personal vouch doesn't really mean anything but anecdotally I would have no concerns about build quality. Personally. But I get the concern in theory, if you don't know the shop and owner.

Since OP is a regular member on the forum we will all definitely see how it goes, which is why I said drive if for a couple of months, make sure everything is as it should be before investing a single dime in additional modifications or an attempt to return to stock. Obviously OP should do some upfront due diligence via logging, code scans, etc. to make sure reported data is good.

[davidinnyc]

Drive that thing until it explodes!

[Nate047]

Almost every full S54 engine build that I have seen on the forums and in build videos have had some type of build quality issue and/or used subpar aftermarket internal parts. This LSB engine has had the whole nine and then some, and the previous owner did not seem to put a ton of miles on it.

I would highly prefer the stock 28k miles engine and would never open one with such low mileage other than redrilling the VANOS oil pump disc to save the exhaust hub. I am shocked after reading those invoices lol

I'm 99% sure I know the previous owner of this car, he's a really interesting dude and he has a number of other crazy ass cars at Thermal. Completely building out a 30k mile LSB is exactly what guys like him do lol. I'm very close friends with Marc the owner of Bavarian Workshop, I know a personal vouch doesn't really mean anything but anecdotally I would have no concerns about build quality. Personally. But I get the concern in theory, if you don't know the shop and owner.

[CrisSilberGrau]

None unfortunately but I intend to get it on the dyno—not really sure what figures to hope for.

I think that's a top priority just to see if the engine is running right, afrs power band etc. Or at least do your own work and health check. A dream car for me as I'd also keep it forever. Stroked, properly built S54 is end game stuff. IMO a healthy engine with those mods, low end 375 high end +390 whp, (on a dynojet with HTE).

Amazing pickup, definitely drive it and make up your mind. Congratulations.

[Slideways]

Wow, incredible deal TBH. I'm over what you paid into my car and it's way shittier LOL.

Why are people concerned about the engine build?

Almost every full S54 engine build that I have seen on the forums and in build videos have had some type of build quality issue and/or used subpar aftermarket internal parts. This LSB engine has had the whole nine and then some, and the previous owner did not seem to put a ton of miles on it.

I would highly prefer the stock 28k miles engine and would never open one with such low mileage other than redrilling the VANOS oil pump disc to save the exhaust hub. I am shocked after reading those invoices lol

[Nate047]

Wow, incredible deal TBH. I'm over what you paid into my car and it's way shittier LOL.

Why are people concerned about the engine build?

[bmw m3 s50]

I was honestly SOOOO close to bid on this car. I too worried about the engine rebuild and how that car was run to have any potential future issues especially since that engine was rebuild 3 times in 20k miles.

It seems like a steal for an 2004 LSB with 28k and all those mods.

I sent you a PM.

[DJAM3]

Nice pickup. You got it for less than the engine rebuilds 😎. I bought my modded M3 last year, rebuilt cammed motor, CSL mods etc., and I decided not change anything mechanically until I did at least 1 or 2 track days with it.

[cornerbalanced]

I liked that one, congrats, I'd likely just put a stock headlight in, remove the hitch and run it. A 6 speed would be my choice going forward.

Badass car, got some balls I'm sure, any HP numbers by any chance?

None unfortunately but I intend to get it on the dyno—not really sure what figures to hope for.

[Cubieman]

I liked that one, congrats, I'd likely just put a stock headlight in, remove the hitch and run it. A 6 speed would be my choice going forward.

Badass car, got some balls I'm sure, any HP numbers by any chance?

[Sharocks]

That's something I would keep forever.

I'm not kidding, I'd swap it to a manual and run it.