Higher Mileage E46 M3s....
Discussion
Having perused both PH Classifieds and AutoTrader over the weekend I can see there is an every-increasing number of sub-£10K cars offered...
Obviously these are earlier cars and usually those without SatNav / HK / 19s etc. Not unexpectedly however, they're up on miles...
So, my question to the PH Populous is, what work should one look for evidence of in a car with circa 100K? I mean things other than those which would be due for the second time like clutches, brakes all-round, subframe bushes etc... Or what might one expect to have to do SOON with this kind of distance covered...
I wont be buying an £8.5K car, but nor can I stretch to £14K... I am thinking I can get what I want for 11-12K and this would include the options above and FBMWSH... I've seen some cars which have nice specs and unusual colours/leather eg,
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/898590.htm
I quite like the look of this one, but is that spec resale prohibitive?
Thanks in advance - Nico
Obviously these are earlier cars and usually those without SatNav / HK / 19s etc. Not unexpectedly however, they're up on miles...
So, my question to the PH Populous is, what work should one look for evidence of in a car with circa 100K? I mean things other than those which would be due for the second time like clutches, brakes all-round, subframe bushes etc... Or what might one expect to have to do SOON with this kind of distance covered...
I wont be buying an £8.5K car, but nor can I stretch to £14K... I am thinking I can get what I want for 11-12K and this would include the options above and FBMWSH... I've seen some cars which have nice specs and unusual colours/leather eg,
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/898590.htm
I quite like the look of this one, but is that spec resale prohibitive?
Thanks in advance - Nico
Avoid that vendor like the Plague.
I think you've basically answerd your own question there though.
However, I should also think that as the miles pile on, the suspension will require a refresh. 75k is usually the given milage for this on the older cars. I'm not sure how the E46 fairs in this regard, but suffice to say it won't be as fresh as it used to.
Also check for oil leaks on and around the back of the block, make sure gearbox oil has been refreshed and the diff also. Check for worn input and output seals too.
I think you've basically answerd your own question there though.
However, I should also think that as the miles pile on, the suspension will require a refresh. 75k is usually the given milage for this on the older cars. I'm not sure how the E46 fairs in this regard, but suffice to say it won't be as fresh as it used to.
Also check for oil leaks on and around the back of the block, make sure gearbox oil has been refreshed and the diff also. Check for worn input and output seals too.
Can't comment on the dealer but that cars interior is awful.
On MTorque guys have got 100K miles plus cars and provided they're properly serviced I don't think there are too many issues.
For £12K you should be able to get a decent car with 19's and nav although it might have to be pre facelift.
Autotrader shows cars with 60-70K miles sub £11K, my car has done 60k miles and is very tight.
On MTorque guys have got 100K miles plus cars and provided they're properly serviced I don't think there are too many issues.
For £12K you should be able to get a decent car with 19's and nav although it might have to be pre facelift.
Autotrader shows cars with 60-70K miles sub £11K, my car has done 60k miles and is very tight.
Thanks so far guys
To be honest, There are tooooo many cars around for me to consider driving to Bradford to see one, If you go that far, you feel compelled to buy!! But thanks for the heads up about the seller...
Also I guess some leather colours are marmite and I did intend to avoid wooden trim but that low-gloss trim looks ok I thought...
I dont really have the need to to more than about 5K per year with my 15 mile round trip commute so it's npt as if I would be piling more miles on..
I'm trying to work out whether or not to go for low mileage in an ''ok-spec'' car, or to go for the car I like the best potentially with higher miles... Obviously Nav and HK and 19's would be good w.r.t. ease of resale, but If I end up with a car on 18s with all the other boxes ticked, it give me a 'reason' to find some Hartge Nova or BBS CH wheels... Or even some LMs if I am prepared to sacrifice a low-value organ of some sort. I think having two kidneys is over-rated frankly...
To be honest, There are tooooo many cars around for me to consider driving to Bradford to see one, If you go that far, you feel compelled to buy!! But thanks for the heads up about the seller...
Also I guess some leather colours are marmite and I did intend to avoid wooden trim but that low-gloss trim looks ok I thought...
I dont really have the need to to more than about 5K per year with my 15 mile round trip commute so it's npt as if I would be piling more miles on..
I'm trying to work out whether or not to go for low mileage in an ''ok-spec'' car, or to go for the car I like the best potentially with higher miles... Obviously Nav and HK and 19's would be good w.r.t. ease of resale, but If I end up with a car on 18s with all the other boxes ticked, it give me a 'reason' to find some Hartge Nova or BBS CH wheels... Or even some LMs if I am prepared to sacrifice a low-value organ of some sort. I think having two kidneys is over-rated frankly...
Vee said:
MattOz said:
Carbon Black with Kiwi leather is a great combination. Love it 
About 3 years ago my bro in law had a black/kiwi.Took ages to get rid of it when he needed to sell and got hammered on price too.
). If I spec'd from new, reckon that would be towards the top of my choices.take a look at this. Can't be right?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
If that doesnt work, search auto trader refine to between £4K and £5K
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
If that doesnt work, search auto trader refine to between £4K and £5K
Travis Mcgee said:
take a look at this. Can't be right?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
If that doesnt work, search auto trader refine to between £4K and £5K
I doubt very much it will be right. Either they've missed a '1' from before the 4, or its a Nigeriam scam attack.http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...
If that doesnt work, search auto trader refine to between £4K and £5K
With regards to buying a high mileage older M3 i would - given my own recent personal disaster since buying one - get it thouroughly checked by someone in the know, regardless of whether its a reputable dealer you are buying from.
MattOz said:
Carbon Black with Kiwi leather is a great combination. Love it
WRT high mileage, provided the cars been regularly and properly serviced, then the S54 unit will go on and on. There's an early car in the States with over 300k miles on it without a rebuild.
Matt
I'd really love to drive that.WRT high mileage, provided the cars been regularly and properly serviced, then the S54 unit will go on and on. There's an early car in the States with over 300k miles on it without a rebuild.
Matt
Don't forget that it costs a lot to run these cars - so I'd imagine that some of the cheaper ones could be in line for a few big bills.
If you can, get one that has just had an inspection service, has new rear <decent> tyres and recent discs/pads. If you get stung with all of these at the same time you'll be in the severe s
t financially.
That said, it has to be the best car you can get for this kind of money at the moment. You're getting a huge amount of car here, especially if you get a fully loaded one.
(Also make sure the clutch/flywheel aren't buggered as this is £1.5 - £2k)
Good luck, enjoy it
Cheers
RS
If you can, get one that has just had an inspection service, has new rear <decent> tyres and recent discs/pads. If you get stung with all of these at the same time you'll be in the severe s
t financially.That said, it has to be the best car you can get for this kind of money at the moment. You're getting a huge amount of car here, especially if you get a fully loaded one.
(Also make sure the clutch/flywheel aren't buggered as this is £1.5 - £2k)
Good luck, enjoy it
Cheers
RS
Just bought an E46 M3, done 116k, has full bmwsh, last service was Inspection2, has just had new rear pads and new front wishbones and bushes. Its got satnav, harmon kardon, bluetooth, basically everything except heated seats!! Had it inspected by Munich Legends, and found it needed 4 new tyres, rear trailing arm bushes, and rear suspension top mounts... and paid 8K for it!!! Got four new goodyear eagle F1's and the probs fixed for £800. Oh and I love it!!
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