Audi A4 3.0 convertible versus BMW M3 purchase circa £12-15K

[jo strummer]

Looking to get one of the above, any obvious problems I should be aware of with either car, looking at a manual A4 3.0 convertible black 40000 miles for £13.5K and a red 2.4 Sport Con at £11.5 with 36000 miles in red.

Quite a bit of choice around the M3, not fussed about that being a convertible, any obvious problems I should be aware of? A few examples of 2002 models around £14K mileages between 55000-110000. Should mileage concern me if complete service history? I'm not too fussed about manual or auto or colour.

I'm looking to spend around the £300-350 a month mark and will be doing a daily commute around 60-70 miles, not had to drive to work for about 9 years so looking for something that might be good fun hence roof off.

[jo strummer]

Thanks for the comments, I like the idea of the BMW performance, concerned about service costs but I suppose the A4 would be on a similar cost

[jo strummer]

Thats interesting, I will be doing about 50 miles a day on the A12, so a BMW would beat the Audi on mpg.....

[jo strummer]

Well a dealer close to me has a very high mileage 02 330Ci for £6K so I may check that out tomorrow

[jo strummer]

I'll know more tomorrow the ad simply said "high mileage" hence price.

[jo strummer]

You make a number of good points, hadn't considered that. I don't need the car till late August, given all that is going on M prices may fall a little more and that gives me more choice, seems to be a few around the £12.5K mark mileages 60K plus ( to avoid confusion these are not cabs). On picking a top performer like whats the essential check to have done, what are the obvious pitfalls?