Just bought an M3

Just bought an M3

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Discussion

PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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After 3 months of pondering what to get next - going between TVRs, 350Z, Z4s etc etc I've plumped for an M3. Only got it last weekend and given it a quick wash. Everyone like pictures rather than waffling so:

(I haven't put any wax or anything on it, just a valet pro pre-wash and Supernatural Shampoo wash and dry.)










Smile!














Watch a little tv when doing the interior lol


Stainless tips polished up well:




















This one makes the rear arch look huge!


Some HDR ones:




Forgot to take any engine bay pictures, but it's the same as this one I found on the net:


Oh, and picked these genuine BMW M3 18" alloys for £175 this morning!


It's a 2005 M3 coupe with just under 51,000 miles. Lots of toys (not that I'm that bothered to be honest as went on condition and history) like sat nav / tv / bluetooth / electric memory seats etc etc.

And I can confirm it has working indicators and will drive in lane 1 of the motorway!

Comments welcome especially as to what products I can use to make it look it's best! Also - what colour should I get the 18" refurbished in?

Thanks for looking.

Wills2

22,659 posts

174 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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That's lovely, congrats. The e46 has really aged well the interior is still one of the best.


t8cmf

342 posts

159 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Has the boot floor been strengthened do you know?

PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
No cracks in the floor so no, it's not been strengthened. Seems to have had quite a cosseted life by the look of it so hopefully not many hard launches that seems to mangle the floor. Could all be just a matter of time though.

I'll get it checked again before it's 10th birthday just in case it has them appear, then BMW can fix it for free. wink

In the future if it gets the cracks, I'll head down to Redish in Bristol to get it done if BMW won't pay.

Mach

490 posts

224 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Wills2 said:
That's lovely, congrats. The e46 has really aged well the interior is still one of the best.
Totally agree, there is something just so right about the look of an E46 M3. Definitely my favorite on looks alone.

Looks great in that colour too OP thumbup

King Eric

291 posts

209 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Looks like a great example. Many fun miles ahead!

cerb4.5lee

30,169 posts

179 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Just stunning OP enjoy it. smile

bennyboysvuk

3,491 posts

247 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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That's in superb condition. Even the inside edges of your alloys look clean!

Cheib

23,110 posts

174 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Looks great and a rare colour too!

PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for all the kind words smile

Finding a non black / silver / grey car that was as well cared for as I wanted was the first tricky bit, then finding my ideal colour with a manual gearbox (yes, I know SMG is manual technically, but you know what I mean) was quite a challenge!

It'll be a Friday / weekend car mostly so I hope to keep it in great condition for quite a while to come.

Timbuk2

1,953 posts

154 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Very nice! I picked up my 2005 in Feb and am still loving it!

One thing I would say is that after looking at a lot of pictures of cars on 18"/19" I think they look miles better on 19" than 18" and apparently the ride is hardly any different.

The only reason I'd put 18s on mine is for a trackday to save the cost of tyres!

PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
The main reason for getting the 18s was to have a decent spare for road-trips seeing as the 17" space-savers are ridiculously priced!
But another set is always good if I ever need to get the 19s refurbished in the future (not now, they're virtually unmarked). Might go for a darkish anthracite - might look good.

t8cmf

342 posts

159 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
PumaDal said:
No cracks in the floor so no, it's not been strengthened. Seems to have had quite a cosseted life by the look of it so hopefully not many hard launches that seems to mangle the floor. Could all be just a matter of time though.

I'll get it checked again before it's 10th birthday just in case it has them appear, then BMW can fix it for free. wink

In the future if it gets the cracks, I'll head down to Redish in Bristol to get it done if BMW won't pay.
Sounds like a good plan.

Patrick Bateman

12,143 posts

173 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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How on earth did you get the 18's so cheap? Are they definitely genuine?

PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Yup - definitely genuine. Chap had them in his shed for yonks taking up space. Then his Mrs wanted said space back.. lol

Captainawesome

1,817 posts

162 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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shadow chrome wheels look beautiful on the red IMO.

Lovely car, be prepared to fall in love and if you plan any tuning then Evolve in Luton are your guys.

p1tse

1,375 posts

191 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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nice example

where did you find the 18's for the price?

what are the two buttons on the corner of the seat, the round and oval one?


PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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Gotta love badly described eBay adverts!

The round one is the lumbar support adjust (in/out/up/down) and the oval one is the backrest width adjuster (side bolsters)

mjdriver

40 posts

230 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
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That is a lovely motor, I have been looking for a manual E46 M3 with good history and less that 50K for ages, where do you find them?

PumaDal

Original Poster:

1,174 posts

150 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2014
quotequote all
This one wasn't actually on a "for sale" advert. The owner had replied to a "wanted" post on m3cutters saying that it would be for sale soon. Started chatting about it and ended up buying it.

I agree though, finding a decent low mileage manual car in good condition is quite hard at the moment. I think I was pretty lucky to be honest.