RE: BMW M3 (E46): You Know You Want To

[r1ch]

Had no idea you could pick one up that cheap. I actually like that colour, a lot of car for the £££.

[danp]

kambites said:

I didn't imply that it wasn't, but I'd still take a 320i with M3 suspension over a 320i with the M3's engine.

interesting argument, would have to try both!

[kambites]

danp said:

would have to try both!

Good luck with that one.

[F-Stop Junkie]

ImDesigner said:

How much do these things typically cost to maintain?

There's a decent network of independents and good quality parts, so I haven't seen a whole lot of difference going from a cooking hatchback to an M3, except for replacing tyres...

[toasty]

ImDesigner said:

How much do these things typically cost to maintain?

Budget for £2k a year and you'll probably have a little left over. I've spent a fair bit less than than with mine until recently when a pair of rear tyres, front discs, pads and calipers and a Inspection I service @ Munich Legends cost just over £2500. The biggest cost by far has been (will be) depreciation as every man and his dog now thinks all E46 M3s are worth £6k hence I'm keeping mine for at least another year.

E46 M3 Carbon Black by jcross70, on Flickr

[VinceFox]

What would be helpful for people thinking about one of these is a clear understanding of the cost/work involved in strengthening the boot floor to subframe joints. If it hasnt been done, it will need it at some point.

Great, great cars but please factor this in.

[kambites]

How much does it cost to get the rear subframe fixed if it does go?

[cuda]

TaylotS2K said:

Shame it's tarnished by lots of rude boys owning them. Puts me off owning one. I'd rather seek out a nice E39 M5.

your loss...

[Baz Tench]

kambites said:

How much does it cost to get the rear subframe fixed if it does go?

Redish will repair/strengthen for just over a grand.

http://redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubframeCra...

[Patrick Bateman]

cuda said:

your loss...

I'd see it as a gain personally.

[Animal]

kambites said:

How much does it cost to get the rear subframe fixed if it does go?

A quick Google suggests about £800 for reinforcement or £1k + VAT for repair, reinforcement and geo set-up: http://www.redish-motorsport.com/E46M3FloorSubfram...

[Patrick Bateman]

weez123 said:

Its not the price of the car its the running costs(if your scrapping the barrel at 6k can you run it?),better to get a 330i ,ive seen quicker 330d chipped up.

Yeah, if an M3 driver doesn't know what a gearbox is for.

[kambites]

Hmm, a grand isn't too bad at all. I'd never buy this sort of car without having at least a grand in reserve for unexpected bills anyway.

[DanielJames]

Its crazy, that car would still be worth way over 3 times that price in most countries

[NotNormal]

kambites said:

How much does it cost to get the rear subframe fixed if it does go?

For me it was the grand total of zero via my local BMW dealership (and that includes a courtesy car for the two weeks they had it whilst replacing the rear floor).

That said the car needs to fall within certain criteria such as FSH, within 10years of being sold, no mods etc.

I gather if your car falls outside of the BMW goodwill warranty period and you have to stump up for the repair yourself there are companies that can do it for around the £1k-£1,500ish mark.

[bruciebonuz]

olly22n said:

18's counteract the image.

I think perception of them as rudeboy-mobile is changing anyway now they are getting older....rudeboys will move on to something else.

[NotNormal]

bruciebonuz said:

I think perception of them as rudeboy-mobile is changing anyway now they are getting older....rudeboys will move on to something else.

Yup, Audi's...

[weez123]

Patrick Bateman said:

Yeah, if an M3 driver doesn't know what a gearbox is for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCGNNPKlQWQ

[Krikkit]

That repair from Reddish looks great, do they sell their repair kit separately for the home spanner monkey? Always nice to have pre-fabbed parts.

[T1berious]

Bargain at that price. Anyone who runs one of these should know that Inspection II can be had at a decent indie for sub £800. Tyres again you can source from the web etc.

Budget 2k per year sounds about right. It's what I've done and its all main dealer for servicing and parts (bar tyres and oil).

Regarding the chipped 330d comment. Er yeah, right...