Discussion
Quite fancy a E46 M as a classic that can sit alongside my Volvo 123gt. The BMW will be a 2002/3 car with 100,000 miles + but under the 150k. I will be paying around £8000.
Of course I have read about the rear mounting points on the BMW and understand that the cracking of these components is inherent in the design flaw but can be fixed. I would imagine that cars that have been fixed will have documentation that validates the repairs.mWould BMW have the cars that they have repaired be recorded on a database?
In the event that I find a car to purchase that has for some reason not been repaired how much money should I factor in for repairs. Of course I could walk away and find an alternative to purchase.
Of course I have read about the rear mounting points on the BMW and understand that the cracking of these components is inherent in the design flaw but can be fixed. I would imagine that cars that have been fixed will have documentation that validates the repairs.mWould BMW have the cars that they have repaired be recorded on a database?
In the event that I find a car to purchase that has for some reason not been repaired how much money should I factor in for repairs. Of course I could walk away and find an alternative to purchase.
krisdelta said:
Even now they're getting a bit old, it's still a very well engineered car once you get past the subframe issue. Really rewarding to drive and a very addictive noise. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Our lad wanted me to go for an M5, obviously a fabulous car but the budget starts to creep at an alarming rate ! As it is I have already lifted my budget to 10k, an additional 2k from original. Scanning the ad's though it seems the extra 2k is neither here or there such is the wide pricing structure on these cars. Googling brought up a couple of really helpful road test video's which confirmed my choice as the e46 model. Can't wait to get out there for a look!
Meanwhile can you advise what the parts availability is like, body parts and mechanical. Thank you.
Massive thanks to all contributers for some really good advise. My hunt has thus far been confined to the ad' s, I have noticed that it's a tiny % that mention the 'sub frame' issue, by saying 'recent inspection' carried out. At least I am now aware of the main issues with the E46 and they are top of my list of checks.
I have found a couple of cars which I intend to 'go see'. One of the dealers talks of the vanos pipes being replaced and the rear suspension areas inspected and crack free. The second dealer talks of only the usual sales talk.
But my question is, assuming the rear suspension areas have been properly repaired how long can the repairs be expected to last under normal conditions and maintenance. I as,K because my purchase will be a keeper for me..
Edit to correct vamps with vanos!!!L
But my question is, assuming the rear suspension areas have been properly repaired how long can the repairs be expected to last under normal conditions and maintenance. I as,K because my purchase will be a keeper for me..
Edit to correct vamps with vanos!!!L
Edited by crankedup on Wednesday 23 November 22:30
^^^^^^
For me the first service tells me that the original owner was at least concerned enough about his/her car to have the work carried out. Lack of first service, for me, indicates an original owner who didn't give a flyin fig.
Any way off to look at a car tomorrow, it's at 'bespokesportscars' on the south coast area. Car reads very well ticking my boxes, just hope it turns out a good'un.
For me the first service tells me that the original owner was at least concerned enough about his/her car to have the work carried out. Lack of first service, for me, indicates an original owner who didn't give a flyin fig.
Any way off to look at a car tomorrow, it's at 'bespokesportscars' on the south coast area. Car reads very well ticking my boxes, just hope it turns out a good'un.
www.bespokesportscars.co.uk
A choice of sub 15k BMW and I hope they may have the one I seek.
The car I am looking at is shown on the top row right hand side, blue with grey interior.
A choice of sub 15k BMW and I hope they may have the one I seek.
The car I am looking at is shown on the top row right hand side, blue with grey interior.
Edited by crankedup on Friday 25th November 10:25
It's getting really tough now, seems so many inherent faults with the design of this car that I am starting to ask myself why is it that I am interested in buying this classic"
Hopefully the early design faults are resolved, but thank you for the heads up and I will definitely be looking very closely at the history.
Strangely my old Vauxhall (1928) and my Volvo (1968) seem unremakeably strong, robust and a good turn of speed for there era. This I was hoping to find in a e46.
Hopefully the early design faults are resolved, but thank you for the heads up and I will definitely be looking very closely at the history.
Strangely my old Vauxhall (1928) and my Volvo (1968) seem unremakeably strong, robust and a good turn of speed for there era. This I was hoping to find in a e46.
Thanks for all the inputs, we decided to buy the car from bespokesportscars, good history and drove really well. For a car at 12 years of age it is in superb condition. Pick it up this Friday.
Our son is handy with spanners, most of the stuff on his Cerbera he spanners, he reckons he always will do a better job than a garage, but it takes longer sometimes. He can use our car in exchange for spanner hours maybe
Our son is handy with spanners, most of the stuff on his Cerbera he spanners, he reckons he always will do a better job than a garage, but it takes longer sometimes. He can use our car in exchange for spanner hours maybe
SebringMan said:
If he chose the one I thought he has great taste. Most aren't keen on the grey but I think it works very well with Mystic Blue.
Of course I am not biased, much.
Went for the Mystic Blue with grey leather. Beautiful diamond cut refurbed wheels, reasonable miles 103,000. No sunroof, but then we didn't want one particularly. I will post a few pic's at weekend. Lovely manual gearbox which is something that was a must for us giving that old Sokol feel to driving. Of course I am not biased, much.
Paid top dollar for the car at £10,300 but as is said the price is soon forgotten and I feel the car is worth it. Just need to sort out the tax and insurance now!!
andyman_2006 said:
I know which one now, i had a look at the link you posted, the first thing i noticed was the Mystic blue very nice, i had a le mans blue 1-coupe but this is nicer colour i think. I'm not a fan of the grey leather but totally see why it would be chosen with the blue, it does however look very tidy indeed. I clocked the wheels noticed they had been re-cut nicely and had continental tyres not a budget brand so plus there. Welcome to the club! you wont regret it, and £10K is a steal for a £40K car.
Andy
The one big draw back for us is the lack of a spare wheel, it has still got the pump things in the boot but I would rather have a proper spare. Do you guys buy a space saver ?
wiggycerb said:
Which Cerb has he got ?, I have the 4.2 AJP and use the e45 M3 as my daily.
Both completely different animals but equally enjoyable.
Matt
Certainly different animals, I drove Matts Cerb a couple of months back after a long lay off from performance cars. It shocked me just how quick the cerb is, lovely. His one is a 4.5 V8 all in original condition. He has had a few niggles to sort out, but then he likes his cars to be spot on. First job was the suspension, he said the car was almost undrivable when he first purchased it from a private sale. Price was good so allowed for bits to be sorted, door sensors was another. Both completely different animals but equally enjoyable.
Matt
One thing found was that TVR garage services are crap, not improved since I last owned a SEAC twenty years back! That's why he sorts the problems so they are done correctly.
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