Who wants to play BMW M3 roulette?
Discussion
I suspect this will be met with some scathing reaction that I should do more homework, but I thought I would document it for your entertainment nonetheless, especially as I will no doubt need your collective expertise soon.
I just completely blind bought an M3 on eBay, and take delivery via transporter tomorrow.
It is a 2001, Silver Grey over Laguna Seca blue leather (rare combination), with 90k miles, a full history and low ownership.
My intense and thorough inspection consisted of using the “click to zoom” feature on eBay and seeing that the 3 grainy pictures on the ad did indeed look pretty, plus a HPI check. It has a 12m full MOT with no advisories, but… is also due an Inspection II.
I thought “Dr Pepper – whats the worst that can happen…..??”
I’ll post again on here to let you know what is (inevitably) wrong with it, and beg for your help.
How exciting!
p.s. as you can tell from my previous cars, my wife and I have a rather high risk appetite and get bored easily. I’m hoping the M3 will be the usable supercar compromise we have been looking for. And yes, I would be very rich had I kept all of these… Prius (yep), Maserati Gransport, DC2 Honda Integra Type-R (x4), E39 M5, TVR Griffith, TVR Chimera (x2), TVR T350, Honda NSX, Lotus Elise (x2), Ferrari 348, 964 convertible, 930 Turbo, 993 (x2), Audi TT Sport 240, Civic Vti, Golf V6, MX-5, Citroen Saxo
Watching with interest as I'm in the market for an E46 M3 myself.
Fingers crossed for you and, if I may say so, kudos on the balls of steel to buy unseen and undriven!
Was this the one up for about £6.5k? If so, it looked an 'interesting' colour combo.
Seems a funny market with, on the face of it, identical cars/spec/mileage and history, going for anything between 7k and 14k. I'm on the look out for a grey or blue one, preferably manual and not too bothered if tin top or not. Trouble is I don't think I can afford to be too picky as there seems to be very few around my neck of the woods.
Fingers crossed for you and, if I may say so, kudos on the balls of steel to buy unseen and undriven!
Was this the one up for about £6.5k? If so, it looked an 'interesting' colour combo.
Seems a funny market with, on the face of it, identical cars/spec/mileage and history, going for anything between 7k and 14k. I'm on the look out for a grey or blue one, preferably manual and not too bothered if tin top or not. Trouble is I don't think I can afford to be too picky as there seems to be very few around my neck of the woods.
mikey-r said:
Watching with interest as I'm in the market for an E46 M3 myself.
Seems a funny market with, on the face of it, identical cars/spec/mileage and history, going for anything between 7k and 14k. I'm on the look out for a grey or blue one, preferably manual and not too bothered if tin top or not. Trouble is I don't think I can afford to be too picky as there seems to be very few around my neck of the woods.
A lot of people shop by distance to them, or read a lot into the advert or the seller. The good thing about letting go of the (admittedly very sensible) "I must inspect the car" mentality and playing aggressive car roulette, you can buy from anywhere in the country, and it is super cheap to have cars bought to you on Shiply. Seems a funny market with, on the face of it, identical cars/spec/mileage and history, going for anything between 7k and 14k. I'm on the look out for a grey or blue one, preferably manual and not too bothered if tin top or not. Trouble is I don't think I can afford to be too picky as there seems to be very few around my neck of the woods.
There are some bargains out there in the classifieds - the ones with a bad advert, finishing on a Tuesday morning, where the seller is hard to reach or obnoxious, or it is a bazillion miles away from you.
That said, I may be eating my words when my big end vanos bearing frame explodes as the car comes off the transporter...
ImABitLongCars said:
A lot of people shop by distance to them, or read a lot into the advert or the seller. The good thing about letting go of the (admittedly very sensible) "I must inspect the car" mentality and playing aggressive car roulette, you can buy from anywhere in the country, and it is super cheap to have cars bought to you on Shiply.
There are some bargains out there in the classifieds - the ones with a bad advert, finishing on a Tuesday morning, where the seller is hard to reach or obnoxious, or it is a bazillion miles away from you.
That said, I may be eating my words when my big end vanos bearing frame explodes as the car comes off the transporter...
I totally understand and admire your perspective, unfortunately, my ingrained cautious nature would never let me buy unseen/untested There are some bargains out there in the classifieds - the ones with a bad advert, finishing on a Tuesday morning, where the seller is hard to reach or obnoxious, or it is a bazillion miles away from you.
That said, I may be eating my words when my big end vanos bearing frame explodes as the car comes off the transporter...
. Maybe on a £500 snotter, but not something as complex and (relatively) expensive as an M3I'm in no rush to buy and I suppose the longer I leave it in the year, especially with convertibles, the cheaper they become.
Please keep us posted as to how it turns out.... it might just give me the confidence to take that leap of faith!
Just done the same thing with an m3 cab.
Mostly because the number plate has my name on it.
2003 103k faulty smg pump.
It's turned out ok. The hood sticks occasionally and it has a few marks hear and there but it's prity good. Has massive history including new clutch etc
Only real problem is I hate the grey leather and it feels slow after driving the m5.
On the plus side 30mpg on its first run.
I'll go right through it and fix it all up then decide if I keep it or not
Mostly because the number plate has my name on it.
2003 103k faulty smg pump.
It's turned out ok. The hood sticks occasionally and it has a few marks hear and there but it's prity good. Has massive history including new clutch etc
Only real problem is I hate the grey leather and it feels slow after driving the m5.
On the plus side 30mpg on its first run.
I'll go right through it and fix it all up then decide if I keep it or not
Ballsy move but I get it 100%. I spent 25 years of my life searching for the best example of whatever particular breed that tickled my fancy at the time, and still ended up with a few duffers on my driveway. Including two brand new cars lol.
Hope it works out. Life's too short to worry about 4 wheels. Keep us posted!
Hope it works out. Life's too short to worry about 4 wheels. Keep us posted!
Quick update - delivered Saturday morning and DROVE off the trailer which is a good start. From a quick glance it looks like it may be a win...
Unfortunately Notting Hill Carnival running through our street on Sunday and all the roads closed, means it hasn't means it hasn't moved since.
Watch this space for a full update and photos later in the week, and another when it comes out of Technosport in North West London where it is booked in for an Inspection II... gulp!
Kudos fella. Fingers crossed for you.
I did pretty much the same thing with my M3. I went on pics alone, made an offer, but had to fly to Ireland to view and pay deposit. I didn't actually get to drive it till a few months later, when I flew back to collect it and drive home to London.
Anyway, looking forward to pics / update.
I did pretty much the same thing with my M3. I went on pics alone, made an offer, but had to fly to Ireland to view and pay deposit. I didn't actually get to drive it till a few months later, when I flew back to collect it and drive home to London.
Anyway, looking forward to pics / update.
ImABitLongCars said:
Quick update - delivered Saturday morning and DROVE off the trailer which is a good start. From a quick glance it looks like it may be a win...
Unfortunately Notting Hill Carnival running through our street on Sunday and all the roads closed, means it hasn't means it hasn't moved since.
Watch this space for a full update and photos later in the week, and another when it comes out of Technosport in North West London where it is booked in for an Inspection II... gulp!
Say hello to George and the boys for me. he'll get it sorted for you. you will pay a premium but thats the best place for it to go.Unfortunately Notting Hill Carnival running through our street on Sunday and all the roads closed, means it hasn't means it hasn't moved since.
Watch this space for a full update and photos later in the week, and another when it comes out of Technosport in North West London where it is booked in for an Inspection II... gulp!
be warned, George can be brutally honest.
tell him Dave with the Techno violet E46 M3 says hello.
Still not driven the car, but I do have 3 windscreen adornments in the form of parking tickets (one for not getting a permit before a bank holiday which is still restricted, and two for putting a type on the reg when getting on one - annoyingly the typo also bringing up a grey BMW on confirmation!).
Technosport are great. I bought an E39 blind two days before my wedding as we didn't have a car. It looked like a dog but they cleaned it up, gave it an honest appraisal and did only the work it needed only at a great price. I miss it :-(
ImABitLongCars said:
I suspect this will be met with some scathing reaction that I should do more homework, but I thought I would document it for your entertainment nonetheless, especially as I will no doubt need your collective expertise soon.
I just completely blind bought an M3 on eBay, and take delivery via transporter tomorrow.
It is a 2001, Silver Grey over Laguna Seca blue leather (rare combination), with 90k miles, a full history and low ownership.
My intense and thorough inspection consisted of using the “click to zoom” feature on eBay and seeing that the 3 grainy pictures on the ad did indeed look pretty, plus a HPI check. It has a 12m full MOT with no advisories, but… is also due an Inspection II.
I thought “Dr Pepper – whats the worst that can happen…..??”
I’ll post again on here to let you know what is (inevitably) wrong with it, and beg for your help.
How exciting!
p.s. as you can tell from my previous cars, my wife and I have a rather high risk appetite and get bored easily. I’m hoping the M3 will be the usable supercar compromise we have been looking for. And yes, I would be very rich had I kept all of these… Prius (yep), Maserati Gransport, DC2 Honda Integra Type-R (x4), E39 M5, TVR Griffith, TVR Chimera (x2), TVR T350, Honda NSX, Lotus Elise (x2), Ferrari 348, 964 convertible, 930 Turbo, 993 (x2), Audi TT Sport 240, Civic Vti, Golf V6, MX-5, Citroen Saxo
Good man!I just completely blind bought an M3 on eBay, and take delivery via transporter tomorrow.
It is a 2001, Silver Grey over Laguna Seca blue leather (rare combination), with 90k miles, a full history and low ownership.
My intense and thorough inspection consisted of using the “click to zoom” feature on eBay and seeing that the 3 grainy pictures on the ad did indeed look pretty, plus a HPI check. It has a 12m full MOT with no advisories, but… is also due an Inspection II.
I thought “Dr Pepper – whats the worst that can happen…..??”
I’ll post again on here to let you know what is (inevitably) wrong with it, and beg for your help.
How exciting!
p.s. as you can tell from my previous cars, my wife and I have a rather high risk appetite and get bored easily. I’m hoping the M3 will be the usable supercar compromise we have been looking for. And yes, I would be very rich had I kept all of these… Prius (yep), Maserati Gransport, DC2 Honda Integra Type-R (x4), E39 M5, TVR Griffith, TVR Chimera (x2), TVR T350, Honda NSX, Lotus Elise (x2), Ferrari 348, 964 convertible, 930 Turbo, 993 (x2), Audi TT Sport 240, Civic Vti, Golf V6, MX-5, Citroen Saxo
I bought one off eBay following an office Curry Night. Or at least, I Bid on it after an office Curry Night thinking that it was too cheap. And woke up to an email congratulating me on my purchase...
On the upside, the SMG had recently received a lot of attention, and prior to that BMW had replaced the boot floor. On the downside, the last Inspection service was 4 years before, and cannot have been done properly. Plus, there were numerous little things that hadn't been addressed.
So far it's had an Inspection 2 (with all fluids changed), new rear discs and pads, and new exhaust hangers to help it through the MOT. It remains scruffy, but fun...
So... Drove it into Technosport this morning and here's my non-expert take before they make me cry with theirs:
Good bits
• It starts! And drives!
• No lights on or funny noises so far, including subframe clicks or Vanos rattles (touch wood - specifically the fake piano wood on the dash)
• Amazingly, had a BMW and specialist history up to the last service in late 2014, a fresh MOT which it ehum, 'flew' through, and all original paperwork and tools present and correct
• All electronics work, save for the passenger side auto central locking
• No rust or bodywork issues (other than wildlife)
Surprise bonuses that weren't mentioned in the ad
• Very slightly lowered on expensive Eibach springs all around
• Wired up for an iPod - very 2002
• 28p change left in the dash, which means I paid less than expected
• A subwoofer in the boot large enough to kill anyone you have kidnapped with soundwaves
Bad bits
• Very little actually, but not exactly 'pampered'
• It was described by the seller as "mint". I requested a more specific non plant-based description but that is all I got. "Mint" apparently means "It has been sitting around for a couple of weeks under trees so has various plant and animal life on it - even has cobwebs on the inside, like if the Adams Family had a weekend car."
• The seller ripped the boot apart for some reason before putting it on the trailer, probably something to do with the sound system
• The MOT it 'flew through' actually threw up a few advisories, but nothing major, just early warnings for discs and brake lines
It is in good hands with Technosport now for a full inspection II and once over. George and the guys there are amazing. You know you're in a good garage when you get to a garage and they have this many cars in - not least two rather lovely looking CSLs which I may try and do the old switcharoo with when picking up the car.
Plan is to keep this until the right E39 M5 comes along (my wife insists we need 4 doors for the baby).
Good bits
• It starts! And drives!
• No lights on or funny noises so far, including subframe clicks or Vanos rattles (touch wood - specifically the fake piano wood on the dash)
• Amazingly, had a BMW and specialist history up to the last service in late 2014, a fresh MOT which it ehum, 'flew' through, and all original paperwork and tools present and correct
• All electronics work, save for the passenger side auto central locking
• No rust or bodywork issues (other than wildlife)
Surprise bonuses that weren't mentioned in the ad
• Very slightly lowered on expensive Eibach springs all around
• Wired up for an iPod - very 2002
• 28p change left in the dash, which means I paid less than expected
• A subwoofer in the boot large enough to kill anyone you have kidnapped with soundwaves
Bad bits
• Very little actually, but not exactly 'pampered'
• It was described by the seller as "mint". I requested a more specific non plant-based description but that is all I got. "Mint" apparently means "It has been sitting around for a couple of weeks under trees so has various plant and animal life on it - even has cobwebs on the inside, like if the Adams Family had a weekend car."
• The seller ripped the boot apart for some reason before putting it on the trailer, probably something to do with the sound system
• The MOT it 'flew through' actually threw up a few advisories, but nothing major, just early warnings for discs and brake lines
It is in good hands with Technosport now for a full inspection II and once over. George and the guys there are amazing. You know you're in a good garage when you get to a garage and they have this many cars in - not least two rather lovely looking CSLs which I may try and do the old switcharoo with when picking up the car.
Plan is to keep this until the right E39 M5 comes along (my wife insists we need 4 doors for the baby).
i did EXACTLY the same in January, apart from I had to go an collect it from north wales.. Mrs was well pleased.. not...
mine is a 2002 couple, similar mileage and the description was... "BMW M3, some history, drives great" .... that was it....
I have finally got it ready as my track day toy, so its had new discs, pads, braided lines (clutch and brakes), polybushes all round and a full service (including all fluids) etc etc
mine appears to have been stood for a long time, the brakes were SHOCKING....
anyhow, out of interest, what did it set you back?
GP
mine is a 2002 couple, similar mileage and the description was... "BMW M3, some history, drives great" .... that was it....
I have finally got it ready as my track day toy, so its had new discs, pads, braided lines (clutch and brakes), polybushes all round and a full service (including all fluids) etc etc
mine appears to have been stood for a long time, the brakes were SHOCKING....
anyhow, out of interest, what did it set you back?
GP
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