Essential maintenance and repair guides for new E46 M3 owners. Start here — covers regular maintenance plus the critical preventive jobs unique to the S54 engine.
— Marcus Weber
Engine oil and filter change on the S54. Covers correct oil specification, drain plug torque, filter housing location, reset procedure, and recommended intervals for street vs. track use.
Replace water pump, thermostat, radiator, expansion tank, and all coolant hoses in one job. Plastic components are prone to failure on aged E46s. Comprehensive guide to the full cooling system refresh.
Preventive replacement of S54 connecting rod bearings before failure. A well-known weakness of the S54 at high mileage. Covers oil pan removal, plastigauge measurement, bearing selection, and rod bolt torque. Critical preventive maintenance.