E46 M3 convertible

[Steve Devaney]

May be looking for one of these over the next few weeks.
Would be looking at manual cars only with mileage below 70k but not too worried about model year.
I think I would prefer a dark colour with red or black leather or a red car with black leather. I would also consider other colour combinations if they 'work' for me!
FSH is a must and it needs to be very close to standard in all departments.
I know little about Vanos issues but I would be happy to have a professional inspection carried out by someone very competent with these cars.....
Anyone selling an excellent example?

[Steve Devaney]

Thanks for your messages chaps,
Definitely manual only I am afraid but I am very prepared to consider alternative colour schemes.

It there a tell tale thing to look for with Vanos issues?

Anything else I should be looking for - I have heard about the diff ripping from its mounts in some cases.

[Steve Devaney]

Sorry for the silly double posts - IPad issue I believe!

Are there any 'must haves' when looking at extras? I am not too fussed for music so whilst H K would be nice, it's not essential. Hard top not a priority but I do like heated seats.

What indicates genuine wheels - what stampings to look for?

I will be able to move relatively quickly for the right car that checks out under close scrutiny.

Edited by Steve Devaney on Thursday 16th April 13:02

[Steve Devaney]

Stone Cold said:

I think you will find a lot more info if you go to the M3Cutters site, they also will have cars for sale in there

Mines silver grey with black interior, hard top and all the extras, 06 with 70k miles completely standard but SMG and not for sale

By the way why so anti SMG? personally I love it, I know the pump is expensive when/if it goes but may be worth trying one you may be surprised

Thanks SC,
I am not anti SMG, just always owned manual cars and would like to keep it that way. I am sure Auto is great but just something I have never really looked at.
I will try the cutters site and see what materialises but you can all keep this thread alive and keep me posted on your thoughts........

[Steve Devaney]

Stone Cold said:

Steve just to be clear the SMG on these cars is not an Auto, although it does have a not great auto mode. The actual gearbox is the same as the manual car the only difference is the clutch is electronically/pump operated rather than using the foot peddle and it really is quite addictive

A bit like an old porsche tiptronic type box? Forgive my naivety, but I am only just starting my journey with these cars!

I still think I am 'strictly manual' but stranger things have happened!

[Steve Devaney]

Can someone please quickly cover servicing?
I always have an oil change / service annually on my cars even if I have only done say 500 miles. What are the factory schedules as I have enquired as to one particular car and it seems that servicing was closer to every three years / 10000 miles. Mid sixties on the clock but very few services in the book - should I run a mile or still consider it on the viewings list?
Thanks for your help in advance.

[Steve Devaney]

SS2. said:

Running in service.

Oil change.
Inspection 1.
Oil change.
Inspection 2.
Oil change.
Inspection 1.

and so on.

The interval between services depends on time and use - it's typically 2 years or 10k-12k between.

Ok so three year / 10k gaps is nothing too much to worry about then?
I am coming from an older classic that would have been scheduled for annual servicing so a we bit nervous to see three year gaps.
Oil change should be carried out as a matter of course on inspection 1 & 2 right?

[Steve Devaney]

I live near Bristol and have heard good reports on Redish - even spoke to the owner James today to line up an inspection for the right car. He filled me with confidence so I hope to do him justice and secure something that he will give the nod of approval,

[Steve Devaney]

Baz Tench said:

My coupe has covered 138000 miles now. I've had the rear subframe checked by a recognised indie a few times in the three years I've owned it. Each time it has been given a clean bill of health.

Could be a little overblown?

Edited by Baz Tench on Thursday 16th April 23:30

Would this be more likely in coupes being that they are more likely to have been tracked or is that just poppycock!?
anyway, I would expect this to be one of the main areas of checking prior to purchase.

[Steve Devaney]

Baz Tench said:

My coupe has covered 138000 miles now. I've had the rear subframe checked by a recognised indie a few times in the three years I've owned it. Each time it has been given a clean bill of health.

Could be a little overblown?

Edited by Baz Tench on Thursday 16th April 23:30

Would this be more likely in coupes being that they are more likely to have been tracked or is that just poppycock!?
anyway, I would expect this to be one of the main areas of checking prior to purchase.

[Steve Devaney]

Viewed one today but fell short of the owners description.
The hunt continues!

[Steve Devaney]

Deposit placed on a low miles model subject to it all checking out.
I will post up some nice photos when I pay for and collect the car - hopefully at the weekend

[Steve Devaney]

m3sye said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

That looks very nice in Velvet Blue. 'Mine' is a touch more somber but still looks lovely. I hope to collect it on Sunday if I can coordinate a few things to make it happen.

I will post up some pics when I get it home and have given it a good clean and polish.

Edited by Steve Devaney on Thursday 23 April 23:27

[Steve Devaney]

Picked up this little Beauty this morning.
http://www.sjspecialistcars.co.uk/2003-bmw-m3-conv...
It is as nice in the flesh as it is in the photos and drives very well indeed.
Some nice cars in stock and I would buy from Scot and Dave again as the experience was as I had hoped.
😀👍

[Steve Devaney]

At home and now booked in for a Service 2 / full health check with Redish Motorsport BMW specialists in Bristol.

[Steve Devaney]

m3sye said:

Hi Steve

Do you mind me asking what it went for? mine is same year - few more miles but an individual colour (worth more?)

Looks well

It needs a good clean after the run back from Wigan and as soon as I get an opportunity I will treat it to some soap and leather.
I paid near the advertised price which is very unlike me but I had seen a few wrong 'uns and knew I had to up my budget by a couple of £k.
I will pay for the big inspection 2 service with Redish Motorsport who seem to get a good write up. I will only be doing around 500 miles a year in it so annual oil changes should suffice for a while after that. My belief is that these cars are only going to increase in value so I wasn't to anal about having to buy cheap. I did very well with the sale of my 964 so all in all very happy.
I will have time to spend with the car at the end of the month so will be able to post my thoughts then but first impressions are good. A little tame in the exhaust note department as I had come from TVR (sleeved end cans Tuscan) and the 964 had de-cat and cup pipes so the M3 may be singing a new tune at some stage this summer :-)

[Steve Devaney]

m3sye said:

So glad I didn't sell mine last summer

As a guide to the current sports car market, my 964 would have made only 66% of what it sold for this year. Not sure how the M car market is reflective of this trend as I have only very recently been looking at them. One thing is for sure, you did well not to sell last year unless you had your eye on something like a 964 that which may well be out of comfortable reach! :-)

[Steve Devaney]

m3sye said:

Nope was gonna try th RS4 cab

This may be my next car also! :-)

[Steve Devaney]

Fab looking motor M3sye,
Tell us a bit more about it and feel free to bombard us with luscious photos.....

[Steve Devaney]

m3sye said:

Steve Devaney said:

Fab looking motor M3sye,
Tell us a bit more about it and feel free to bombard us with luscious photos.....

Manual , 50k miles, 3 owners , FSH, Velvet Blue (got to be my fave colour)

Some pics here Steve -- http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Yes, that's my new favourite colour!
I had an immaculate TVR Tuscan a few years back in 'Aston Martin Caledonian Blue' which was a nice purpley colour and changed dependant on cloud cover and time of day the sun was falling on it.
My M3 is boggo Titan Silver but it suits the shape and black hood/interior nicely.