Off to view ( buy) an e46 m3 convertible tomorrow.
Discussion
Ok, after going from pillar to post i have settled on an m3, the car in question is an 04 m3 convertible, it has full bmw history and been owned for 5 years with the same guy, mileage is 55k and its an smg. After spending hours surfing through the adds you tend to get a feel for the market, the good, the bad , and the ugly 
. I have never even sat in one of these cars let alone drove one so can anyone ( or more) give me some basic checks to feel and look for, i won't be going down in overalls armed with a snap-on tool kit to strip the thing down so just some basic stuff that's easy to do will be fine 
.
. I have never even sat in one of these cars let alone drove one so can anyone ( or more) give me some basic checks to feel and look for, i won't be going down in overalls armed with a snap-on tool kit to strip the thing down so just some basic stuff that's easy to do will be fine .I think you need to get it to a specialist and pay them an hours labour to give the car a good going over. No offence intended but if you're looking at spending what must be £13k at least, on a car that you admit you have no (first hand) knowledge of (that can be painfully expensive to correct problems on) in a private sale, you need someone who knows their stuff. Recognised independents are much cheaper and vastly more knowledgable on these cars than the likes of AA/RAC.
If the seller is genuine, he shouldn't have a problem with this. If you can't arrange by tomorrow, make sure deal is dependant on it.
If the seller is genuine, he shouldn't have a problem with this. If you can't arrange by tomorrow, make sure deal is dependant on it.
Buy a coupe. It feels so much better than a cab. The scuttle shake on the one I test drove a few years ago was horrendous.
The engine is mega and that is why I bought the coupe.
And now own a Z4MC.
But each to there own. Just make sure it has fsh and the all important 1200 mile running in service.
The engine is mega and that is why I bought the coupe.
And now own a Z4MC.
But each to there own. Just make sure it has fsh and the all important 1200 mile running in service.
Zebrs said:
I think you need to get it to a specialist and pay them an hours labour to give the car a good going over. No offence intended but if you're looking at spending what must be £13k at least, on a car that you admit you have no (first hand) knowledge of (that can be painfully expensive to correct problems on) in a private sale, you need someone who knows their stuff. Recognised independents are much cheaper and vastly more knowledgable on these cars than the likes of AA/RAC.
If the seller is genuine, he shouldn't have a problem with this. If you can't arrange by tomorrow, make sure deal is dependant on it.
This^If the seller is genuine, he shouldn't have a problem with this. If you can't arrange by tomorrow, make sure deal is dependant on it.
Even better would be to get it to a main dealer & ask the to perform the AUC check, this is the same check that they do prior to retailing cars & covers just about everything. Cost will be aroung the £150 - £200 mark. Its worth it.
I've just copied this from a post i made yesterday:
I've had mine for 5 years & its been 100%, though it has been pampered.
Avoid the bottom end of the market, there are loads bought by people without the means to look after them correctly.
Discs & pads are £1k
decent tyres are £1k a set
Big service due can easily be £1k+
Bear the above in mind if looking at a cheap one & thinking that a few quid will see it right.
Other things: rear springs, rear trailing arm bushes, diff, alternator, dampers, make sure the air con works, engine should not be overly noisty at idle, SMG can be clunky at slow speeds but should shift quickly & cleanly as speed increases.
BMW warranty well worth having if you can find one that still has it.
Good luck, but be picky, there are loads out there & remember that most will polish up well & sound great. Have a look at a few so you have a point of reference.
I've had mine for 5 years & its been 100%, though it has been pampered.
Avoid the bottom end of the market, there are loads bought by people without the means to look after them correctly.
Discs & pads are £1k
decent tyres are £1k a set
Big service due can easily be £1k+
Bear the above in mind if looking at a cheap one & thinking that a few quid will see it right.
Other things: rear springs, rear trailing arm bushes, diff, alternator, dampers, make sure the air con works, engine should not be overly noisty at idle, SMG can be clunky at slow speeds but should shift quickly & cleanly as speed increases.
BMW warranty well worth having if you can find one that still has it.
Good luck, but be picky, there are loads out there & remember that most will polish up well & sound great. Have a look at a few so you have a point of reference.
darreni said:
I've just copied this from a post i made yesterday:
I've had mine for 5 years & its been 100%, though it has been pampered.
Avoid the bottom end of the market, there are loads bought by people without the means to look after them correctly.
Discs & pads are £1k
decent tyres are £1k a set
Big service due can easily be £1k+
Bear the above in mind if looking at a cheap one & thinking that a few quid will see it right.
Other things: rear springs, rear trailing arm bushes, diff, alternator, dampers, make sure the air con works, engine should not be overly noisty at idle, SMG can be clunky at slow speeds but should shift quickly & cleanly as speed increases.
BMW warranty well worth having if you can find one that still has it.
Good luck, but be picky, there are loads out there & remember that most will polish up well & sound great. Have a look at a few so you have a point of reference.
You cant polish a turd is my motto I've had mine for 5 years & its been 100%, though it has been pampered.
Avoid the bottom end of the market, there are loads bought by people without the means to look after them correctly.
Discs & pads are £1k
decent tyres are £1k a set
Big service due can easily be £1k+
Bear the above in mind if looking at a cheap one & thinking that a few quid will see it right.
Other things: rear springs, rear trailing arm bushes, diff, alternator, dampers, make sure the air con works, engine should not be overly noisty at idle, SMG can be clunky at slow speeds but should shift quickly & cleanly as speed increases.
BMW warranty well worth having if you can find one that still has it.
Good luck, but be picky, there are loads out there & remember that most will polish up well & sound great. Have a look at a few so you have a point of reference.
To be honest my pic of cars has been at the higher price end of things so we shall see.If it looks right buy it!! Thats what i did when i bought my M3 cab 4 years ago,£26k,didnt even bother with an hpi check and its been spot on,still got it now.
Seriously though,if the service history is present and correct and you are happy with the condition of the car,check theres plenty left on tyres and brakes as they are costly items,rear springs do break though are only a couple of hundred quid to fix.
Front and rear suspension bushes can start to go around this mileage.My rtab's are still fine although both front wishbones have been replaced,car has done 70k miles.Have a look when the car was last mot'd as any of these issues would be a fail so you could assume they are still ok or have been sorted.
Also see when the next service is due.My insp 2 service was done at about 55k and this will cost at least a grand at a main dealer,£700ish at a good indy.
If its a convertible you want go for it.People will tell you they dont drive as well as the coupe and this is very true but thats not the reason you buy a convertible for in the first place is it....
Good luck
Seriously though,if the service history is present and correct and you are happy with the condition of the car,check theres plenty left on tyres and brakes as they are costly items,rear springs do break though are only a couple of hundred quid to fix.
Front and rear suspension bushes can start to go around this mileage.My rtab's are still fine although both front wishbones have been replaced,car has done 70k miles.Have a look when the car was last mot'd as any of these issues would be a fail so you could assume they are still ok or have been sorted.
Also see when the next service is due.My insp 2 service was done at about 55k and this will cost at least a grand at a main dealer,£700ish at a good indy.
If its a convertible you want go for it.People will tell you they dont drive as well as the coupe and this is very true but thats not the reason you buy a convertible for in the first place is it....
Good luck
Buying a E46 M3 Convertible was one of the most disappointing cars that I've owned; kept it for only 3 months before part exchanging it (at a massive loss). The first thing you want to do, if your first impressions don't disappoint, is to take a long test drive; you'll need insurance because you don't want the owner to drive. Also, consider the running costs; a 7 years old 343 HP car with SMG, albeit relatively low mileage for the year, is not going to be cheap to run! Clearly there are many on here who will speak extremely positively about the E46 M3 - and they're right to do so - if they're impressed; however, if it's going to be a costly purchase that you'll live with then don't get carried away by the hype. Make your own decision based on your own evaluation!
I also made a similar mistake with a Porsche 996 Turbo; like the M3 Cab, I listened to the hype and bought both on that basis; expensive mistakes on both occasions - not because the cars were bad - just not as good as I was led to believe. Sure the test drives impressed, because each car was unfamiliar to me and had positive traits; it's only when you have a longer exposure to a car that you can realise the error of your decision.
I hope that you can make an informed choice and, if you buy the M3, enjoy the driving experience and associated costs. Let us know how you get on.
Del
I also made a similar mistake with a Porsche 996 Turbo; like the M3 Cab, I listened to the hype and bought both on that basis; expensive mistakes on both occasions - not because the cars were bad - just not as good as I was led to believe. Sure the test drives impressed, because each car was unfamiliar to me and had positive traits; it's only when you have a longer exposure to a car that you can realise the error of your decision.
I hope that you can make an informed choice and, if you buy the M3, enjoy the driving experience and associated costs. Let us know how you get on.
Del
Delbox said:
Buying a E46 M3 Convertible was one of the most disappointing cars that I've owned; kept it for only 3 months before part exchanging it (at a massive loss). The first thing you want to do, if your first impressions don't disappoint, is to take a long test drive; you'll need insurance because you don't want the owner to drive. Also, consider the running costs; a 7 years old 343 HP car with SMG, albeit relatively low mileage for the year, is not going to be cheap to run! Clearly there are many on here who will speak extremely positively about the E46 M3 - and they're right to do so - if they're impressed; however, if it's going to be a costly purchase that you'll live with then don't get carried away by the hype. Make your own decision based on your own evaluation!
I also made a similar mistake with a Porsche 996 Turbo; like the M3 Cab, I listened to the hype and bought both on that basis; expensive mistakes on both occasions - not because the cars were bad - just not as good as I was led to believe. Sure the test drives impressed, because each car was unfamiliar to me and had positive traits; it's only when you have a longer exposure to a car that you can realise the error of your decision.
I hope that you can make an informed choice and, if you buy the M3, enjoy the driving experience and associated costs. Let us know how you get on.
Del
So what was wrong with it then? I'm curious.I also made a similar mistake with a Porsche 996 Turbo; like the M3 Cab, I listened to the hype and bought both on that basis; expensive mistakes on both occasions - not because the cars were bad - just not as good as I was led to believe. Sure the test drives impressed, because each car was unfamiliar to me and had positive traits; it's only when you have a longer exposure to a car that you can realise the error of your decision.
I hope that you can make an informed choice and, if you buy the M3, enjoy the driving experience and associated costs. Let us know how you get on.
Del
To be completely honest, it didn't blow me away for a NA car with 343 HP; everybody said that the drive would be intoxicating, the punch on accelerating would be impressive and the overall drive and roadholding second to none - or similar comments. However, it didn't and wasn't - in my opinion; I should have made up my own mind before parting with my money!
I'm sure that many will say that I'm talking b*****ks, and it's only my opinion; however, when you buy a car like an M3 or 996TT then you will have expectations of it; if those are not realised then you'll be disappointed. I note that the OP seems to own a Porsche already, from his profile photo; if that's the case, he is experienced with performance already and will have something to measure the M3 against. I too had owned many performance cars - but chose to accept the hype rather than make my own judgement until it was too late. For those who haven't owned high performance cars then the M3 will impress - and that's great because they'll enjoy the drive thereafter, notwithstanding the inevitable high running costs.
I'm not saying that the E46 M3 isn't a great car - because it is; it just didn't do it for me.
Del
I'm sure that many will say that I'm talking b*****ks, and it's only my opinion; however, when you buy a car like an M3 or 996TT then you will have expectations of it; if those are not realised then you'll be disappointed. I note that the OP seems to own a Porsche already, from his profile photo; if that's the case, he is experienced with performance already and will have something to measure the M3 against. I too had owned many performance cars - but chose to accept the hype rather than make my own judgement until it was too late. For those who haven't owned high performance cars then the M3 will impress - and that's great because they'll enjoy the drive thereafter, notwithstanding the inevitable high running costs.
I'm not saying that the E46 M3 isn't a great car - because it is; it just didn't do it for me.
Del
Delbox said:
To be completely honest, it didn't blow me away for a NA car with 343 HP; everybody said that the drive would be intoxicating, the punch on accelerating would be impressive and the overall drive and roadholding second to none - or similar comments. However, it didn't and wasn't - in my opinion; I should have made up my own mind before parting with my money!
I'm sure that many will say that I'm talking b*****ks, and it's only my opinion; however, when you buy a car like an M3 or 996TT then you will have expectations of it; if those are not realised then you'll be disappointed. I note that the OP seems to own a Porsche already, from his profile photo; if that's the case, he is experienced with performance already and will have something to measure the M3 against. I too had owned many performance cars - but chose to accept the hype rather than make my own judgement until it was too late. For those who haven't owned high performance cars then the M3 will impress - and that's great because they'll enjoy the drive thereafter, notwithstanding the inevitable high running costs.
I'm not saying that the E46 M3 isn't a great car - because it is; it just didn't do it for me.
Del
You my friend have made some very valid points from a 1st hand experience, and it seems you have had the toys to make a valid point. Today was the 1st time i have actually been close up and personal with an old m3 and have to admit for a 340 bhp car it does seem lacking in the kick in the pants wow factor. Don't get me wrong , i think the weight and the size of the car helps to detract from what is indeed a very quick pace should you stand on the loud peddle. I am batting from a slightly different side, i'm 42, have 6 points, sick to death of police hiding in hedges and need a different kind of car experience other than a point to point rag on a sunday afternoon with a fast tin top. I'm sure that many will say that I'm talking b*****ks, and it's only my opinion; however, when you buy a car like an M3 or 996TT then you will have expectations of it; if those are not realised then you'll be disappointed. I note that the OP seems to own a Porsche already, from his profile photo; if that's the case, he is experienced with performance already and will have something to measure the M3 against. I too had owned many performance cars - but chose to accept the hype rather than make my own judgement until it was too late. For those who haven't owned high performance cars then the M3 will impress - and that's great because they'll enjoy the drive thereafter, notwithstanding the inevitable high running costs.
I'm not saying that the E46 M3 isn't a great car - because it is; it just didn't do it for me.
Del
What can i say! The moment it pulled out the garage to the moment i got home and pulled it in my garage has been an utter pleasure
I think i have reached the age and wisdom to appreciate my new toy for what it is 
Edited by mak on Saturday 14th May 22:53
mak said:
You my friend have made some very valid points from a 1st hand experience, and it seems you have had the toys to make a valid point. Today was the 1st time i have actually been close up and personal with an old m3 and have to admit for a 340 bhp car it does seem lacking in the kick in the pants wow factor. Don't get me wrong , i think the weight and the size of the car helps to detract from what is indeed a very quick pace should you stand on the loud peddle. I am batting from a slightly different side, i'm 42, have 6 points, sick to death of police hiding in hedges and need a different kind of car experience other than a point to point rag on a sunday afternoon with a fast tin top.
What can i say! The moment it pulled out the garage to the moment i got home and pulled it in my garage has been an utter pleasure I think i have reached the age and wisdom to appreciate my new toy for what it is
It is what it is. IMO it's a mature all-rounder that - especially in SMG convertible form - overs many different types of driving experience in 1 relatively cheap package. I miss my TVR for outright performance and sense of occassion, but I don't miss the running costs. I too am on the wrong side of 40, and I find the M3 pretty much the perfect car for all my needs. I'm very pleased with my purchase What can i say! The moment it pulled out the garage to the moment i got home and pulled it in my garage has been an utter pleasure
I think i have reached the age and wisdom to appreciate my new toy for what it is Edited by mak on Saturday 14th May 22:53
This is the best advice I can give you:
Don't buy the first car that you drive (of said model), it just isn't smart. You need to drive at least 3, to know if what your about to buy is any good. There's are LOADS of decent E46 M3's out there (and loads of dogs also). Don't get impatient and buy this one because your scared of "losing" it while you spend time driving a few others.
Don't buy the first car that you drive (of said model), it just isn't smart. You need to drive at least 3, to know if what your about to buy is any good. There's are LOADS of decent E46 M3's out there (and loads of dogs also). Don't get impatient and buy this one because your scared of "losing" it while you spend time driving a few others.
Nedz said:
If it looks right buy it!! Thats what i did when i bought my M3 cab 4 years ago,£26k,didnt even bother with an hpi check and its been spot on,still got it now.
Absolutely terrible advice. ALWAYS do a HPI. Anyone who's happy to spunk £26k without investing £10 on a HPI check should not be giving advice to the opening poster, IMO. Sorry to sound harsh.Edited by SE24 on Monday 16th May 23:36
Delbox said:
To be completely honest, it didn't blow me away for a NA car with 343 HP; everybody said that the drive would be intoxicating, the punch on accelerating would be impressive and the overall drive and roadholding second to none - or similar comments. However, it didn't and wasn't - in my opinion; I should have made up my own mind before parting with my money!
I'm sure that many will say that I'm talking b*****ks, and it's only my opinion; however, when you buy a car like an M3 or 996TT then you will have expectations of it; if those are not realised then you'll be disappointed. I note that the OP seems to own a Porsche already, from his profile photo; if that's the case, he is experienced with performance already and will have something to measure the M3 against. I too had owned many performance cars - but chose to accept the hype rather than make my own judgement until it was too late. For those who haven't owned high performance cars then the M3 will impress - and that's great because they'll enjoy the drive thereafter, notwithstanding the inevitable high running costs.
I'm not saying that the E46 M3 isn't a great car - because it is; it just didn't do it for me.
Del
Cheers, it's funny how sometimes you just don't 'click' with a car either it doesn't have the wow factor you thought it would or you're on the hype wagon as you say. Either way I don't think you're talking b****ksI'm sure that many will say that I'm talking b*****ks, and it's only my opinion; however, when you buy a car like an M3 or 996TT then you will have expectations of it; if those are not realised then you'll be disappointed. I note that the OP seems to own a Porsche already, from his profile photo; if that's the case, he is experienced with performance already and will have something to measure the M3 against. I too had owned many performance cars - but chose to accept the hype rather than make my own judgement until it was too late. For those who haven't owned high performance cars then the M3 will impress - and that's great because they'll enjoy the drive thereafter, notwithstanding the inevitable high running costs.
I'm not saying that the E46 M3 isn't a great car - because it is; it just didn't do it for me.
Del
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