are E46 M3's selling
Discussion
Yesterday I went to see an 04 plate Mystic blue with 56k miles FSH, HK stereo, Xenon, Sat Nav etc. Only had the 18" wheels,just MOTd and needed rear tyres.
It was up at £11k, but I offered £10k and the seller accepted for a deal this weekend.
I thought it sounded cheap at that so went yesterday with money and insurance ready.
The car looked good overall, interior mint but there was a rust blemish over the rear arch. I could see no other damage but I thought strange for an 04 car. Mirror also had scratches on and would need painting but the seller advised me of that over the phone.
There were a few other slight marks which would machine polish out, and to be expected for a 7 year old car.
I started it, and when I revved it there was a nasty raspy vibration at 2-3k revs sometimes. It was the back box baffles.......so I walked.
£10k is cheap, but add tyres, add paintwork add exhaust and the fact it had an advisory on the brakes made it not worth it to me.
Other things like the side fins on the front wings were tarnished, the car was dusty...how well was it looked after?
No reciepts only stamps put me off too, anyone can stamp a service book.
Its a shame as I liked the car.
There are loads overpriced and for sale weeks/ months, its a buyers market so shop around.
I will wait till the right one comes along.
It was up at £11k, but I offered £10k and the seller accepted for a deal this weekend.
I thought it sounded cheap at that so went yesterday with money and insurance ready.
The car looked good overall, interior mint but there was a rust blemish over the rear arch. I could see no other damage but I thought strange for an 04 car. Mirror also had scratches on and would need painting but the seller advised me of that over the phone.
There were a few other slight marks which would machine polish out, and to be expected for a 7 year old car.
I started it, and when I revved it there was a nasty raspy vibration at 2-3k revs sometimes. It was the back box baffles.......so I walked.
£10k is cheap, but add tyres, add paintwork add exhaust and the fact it had an advisory on the brakes made it not worth it to me.
Other things like the side fins on the front wings were tarnished, the car was dusty...how well was it looked after?
No reciepts only stamps put me off too, anyone can stamp a service book.
Its a shame as I liked the car.
There are loads overpriced and for sale weeks/ months, its a buyers market so shop around.
I will wait till the right one comes along.

Yeah sadly the E46 M3 is now dropping into the price bracket of people who can't afford to maintain them, so shop around if you're looking to buy as there are good ones but also quite a few dogs.
If you're looking to sell then make sure you stress the history of the vehicle, dig out all the service invoices and pay someone to machine polish the car so you get rid of any minor marks.
If you're looking to sell then make sure you stress the history of the vehicle, dig out all the service invoices and pay someone to machine polish the car so you get rid of any minor marks.
0836whimper said:
Just to be clear though, the initial harsh metallic rasp from cold is normal (don't rev it from cold), as is the lumpy throttle which can cause kangarooing.
Trust me this was a baffle. I owned a 54 plate years ago and know what they sound like
If you dont rev it from cold how are you supposed to drive it?

well i bought one from a german specialist, 54', manual, silver, not many options but 46k (unfortunately has a few issues) but all BMW dealer stamps and 3 month warranty, so will speak to them tomorrow to get them sorted.
feels tight compared to another one i tried which was 02 on 90k.
has the 12 year corrosion warranty too...so older an 04 might not be selling...
feels tight compared to another one i tried which was 02 on 90k.
has the 12 year corrosion warranty too...so older an 04 might not be selling...
Pig Skill said:
Well Ive just bought one!
As have I..2005 SMG II cab. Carbon black / black leather, 37k, fBMWsh, 19" alloys, heated seats, HK, digital freeview, Bluetooth, etc etc, and (importantly) had an Inspection 2 (£1,300) just before we bought it.
Probably paid top dollar, but she's in beautiful nick and, if you knock the cost of the recent service off the ticket price, then it came in below what other similar spec / age / mileage examples were going for.
Ours had only been with the dealer for a few days when we saw / bought her and already there was a lot of interest being generated..
0836whimper said:
Just to be clear though, the initial harsh metallic rasp from cold is normal (don't rev it from cold), as is the lumpy throttle which can cause kangarooing.
I thought they all do this?My old M3 did and my E39 M5 does too. I normally leave it a couple of minutes to allow the revs to settle before I drive. Otherwise I look silly kangarooing out the carpark.
SS2. said:
As have I..
2005 SMG II cab. Carbon black / black leather, 37k, fBMWsh, 19" alloys, heated seats, HK, digital freeview, Bluetooth, etc etc, and (importantly) had an Inspection 2 (£1,300) just before we bought it.
Probably paid top dollar, but she's in beautiful nick and, if you knock the cost of the recent service off the ticket price, then it came in below what other similar spec / age / mileage examples were going for.
Ours had only been with the dealer for a few days when we saw / bought her and already there was a lot of interest being generated..
Hi Chap,2005 SMG II cab. Carbon black / black leather, 37k, fBMWsh, 19" alloys, heated seats, HK, digital freeview, Bluetooth, etc etc, and (importantly) had an Inspection 2 (£1,300) just before we bought it.
Probably paid top dollar, but she's in beautiful nick and, if you knock the cost of the recent service off the ticket price, then it came in below what other similar spec / age / mileage examples were going for.
Ours had only been with the dealer for a few days when we saw / bought her and already there was a lot of interest being generated..
Mind if i ask how much you paid?
Im thinking of selling my M and im thinking 15-16k would be worth it.
Its 54 plate carbon black with lovely imola leather. full park lane bmw service history, all the options, smg, 19's etc. Absolutly mint. 48k on the clock. needs nothing.
How much do you rekon?
Edited by e46m3c on Monday 6th June 14:33
naefeart said:
0836whimper said:
Just to be clear though, the initial harsh metallic rasp from cold is normal (don't rev it from cold), as is the lumpy throttle which can cause kangarooing.
I thought they all do this?My old M3 did and my E39 M5 does too. I normally leave it a couple of minutes to allow the revs to settle before I drive. Otherwise I look silly kangarooing out the carpark.
Are you guys really saying that both the M3 and M5 do this? And I was really interested in these two up until then...

SS2. said:
Not at all.
We paid a little over £16k from an independent - but with the [£1,300] Inspection II having just been completed, it felt more like £15k.
I've never heard of an inspection 2 service being as much as that for an M3. I have heard of BMW dealers charging £1000 which is laughable for whats involved.We paid a little over £16k from an independent - but with the [£1,300] Inspection II having just been completed, it felt more like £15k.
I did an I2 on a 2005 M3 yesterday minus the shims and rear diff fluid and it cost about £180 and took an hour. Doing the shims and rear diff fluid would probably add another £400 to that.
Regarding M3's selling, I know 3 people selling theirs at the moment, one is a CSL too. It seems buyers are quite thin on the ground.
Cemesis said:
SS2. said:
..but with the [£1,300] Inspection II having just been completed, it felt more like £15k.
I've never heard of an inspection 2 service being as much as that for an M3. I have heard of BMW dealers charging £1000 which is laughable for whats involved.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


