E46 M3 Convertible
Discussion
I'm interested in an M3 convertible, I have seen the following car in classified's on here. What are your thoughts, and what should I consider regarding weak points etc?
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2852999.htm
http://pistonheads.com/sales/2852999.htm
I owned a 2003 E46 Convertible for 4 years from 2005-2009, fantastic car , i went through a set of tyres every 12,000 miles and other than that i had an issue with the roof mechanism which was fixed by BMW for free as the car was only just out warranty - I didn't renew the warranty and saved the £1k per year for
the next 3 years. I also replaced the Discs / pads - all round cost +-£800 i think.
Tyres are expensive to replace (decent ones that is) , but i see it has 4 new tyres on it.
Get a car with full Service History and make sure the service book had the 1200 mile check done.
A surprising amount of these cars did not have the 1200 service for some reason. If it doesn't have
this - then walk away ! Vanos problem can be expensive to repair.
It looks a nice example - but NO sat nav (which isn't all that great anyway ) , but does integrate nicely into the dash and looks better than a tomtom in my opinion.
Mine had the Sat Nav / TV / Teletext function - was a nice feature.
Check the electrics , roof mechanism works ok etc....
They are fantastic cars for not a lot of money nowadays. Just take your time , there's loads of them around for sale , so find yourself a good one , get it checked over by an independent garage and then look forward to hours of fun driving a rear wheel drive 343bhp 4 seater convertible.
Oh and buy a wind deflector for when you don't have any rear passengers and you have the roof down - It really makes a difference. It's a shame the car doesn't have heated seats , kind of strange as it has heated mirrors !
the next 3 years. I also replaced the Discs / pads - all round cost +-£800 i think.
Tyres are expensive to replace (decent ones that is) , but i see it has 4 new tyres on it.
Get a car with full Service History and make sure the service book had the 1200 mile check done.
A surprising amount of these cars did not have the 1200 service for some reason. If it doesn't have
this - then walk away ! Vanos problem can be expensive to repair.
It looks a nice example - but NO sat nav (which isn't all that great anyway ) , but does integrate nicely into the dash and looks better than a tomtom in my opinion.
Mine had the Sat Nav / TV / Teletext function - was a nice feature.
Check the electrics , roof mechanism works ok etc....
They are fantastic cars for not a lot of money nowadays. Just take your time , there's loads of them around for sale , so find yourself a good one , get it checked over by an independent garage and then look forward to hours of fun driving a rear wheel drive 343bhp 4 seater convertible.
Oh and buy a wind deflector for when you don't have any rear passengers and you have the roof down - It really makes a difference. It's a shame the car doesn't have heated seats , kind of strange as it has heated mirrors !
nw28840 said:
I owned a 2003 E46 Convertible for 4 years from 2005-2009, fantastic car , i went through a set of tyres every 12,000 miles and other than that i had an issue with the roof mechanism which was fixed by BMW for free as the car was only just out warranty - I didn't renew the warranty and saved the £1k per year for
the next 3 years. I also replaced the Discs / pads - all round cost +-£800 i think.
Tyres are expensive to replace (decent ones that is) , but i see it has 4 new tyres on it.
Get a car with full Service History and make sure the service book had the 1200 mile check done.
A surprising amount of these cars did not have the 1200 service for some reason. If it doesn't have
this - then walk away ! Vanos problem can be expensive to repair.
It looks a nice example - but NO sat nav (which isn't all that great anyway ) , but does integrate nicely into the dash and looks better than a tomtom in my opinion.
Mine had the Sat Nav / TV / Teletext function - was a nice feature.
Check the electrics , roof mechanism works ok etc....
They are fantastic cars for not a lot of money nowadays. Just take your time , there's loads of them around for sale , so find yourself a good one , get it checked over by an independent garage and then look forward to hours of fun driving a rear wheel drive 343bhp 4 seater convertible.
Oh and buy a wind deflector for when you don't have any rear passengers and you have the roof down - It really makes a difference. It's a shame the car doesn't have heated seats , kind of strange as it has heated mirrors !
What Vanos problem?the next 3 years. I also replaced the Discs / pads - all round cost +-£800 i think.
Tyres are expensive to replace (decent ones that is) , but i see it has 4 new tyres on it.
Get a car with full Service History and make sure the service book had the 1200 mile check done.
A surprising amount of these cars did not have the 1200 service for some reason. If it doesn't have
this - then walk away ! Vanos problem can be expensive to repair.
It looks a nice example - but NO sat nav (which isn't all that great anyway ) , but does integrate nicely into the dash and looks better than a tomtom in my opinion.
Mine had the Sat Nav / TV / Teletext function - was a nice feature.
Check the electrics , roof mechanism works ok etc....
They are fantastic cars for not a lot of money nowadays. Just take your time , there's loads of them around for sale , so find yourself a good one , get it checked over by an independent garage and then look forward to hours of fun driving a rear wheel drive 343bhp 4 seater convertible.
Oh and buy a wind deflector for when you don't have any rear passengers and you have the roof down - It really makes a difference. It's a shame the car doesn't have heated seats , kind of strange as it has heated mirrors !
For God's sake, whatever you do, don't get a p**fy convertible. Get a coupe. CSL if you can afford it. I've got a manual, and the gearbox is awful, but the car is epic. Not so much the engine, which is excellent, but the overall feeling of togetherness, with all the different parts of the car working in harmony, is hard to find elsewhere. The handling is sublime.
I've also driven E39 M5's which were brilliant, but felt a bit lazy. E60 M5 was superb. Had a real edge to it. P-cars are too poser, Audi's and Merc's don't cut the mustard. M-Cars are where it's at, but for God sake, buy one with a roof!
I've also driven E39 M5's which were brilliant, but felt a bit lazy. E60 M5 was superb. Had a real edge to it. P-cars are too poser, Audi's and Merc's don't cut the mustard. M-Cars are where it's at, but for God sake, buy one with a roof!
Being a 964T man you obviously have taste! Where do you stay? Im a Scotsman, so we obviously have the best roads, along with the Welsh!
Legacy must sound like a beast. I take it that's your family car? Is it an estate?
What needs do you have to fulfil with an M3 vert? I presume your P-car has all out hooning covered?!
Legacy must sound like a beast. I take it that's your family car? Is it an estate?
What needs do you have to fulfil with an M3 vert? I presume your P-car has all out hooning covered?!
Despite owning an M3 coupe, which I rescued from a mate when he went all "off-roader" on me, and was offered a sh*t trade-in from Toyota!... I prefer saloons.
Although, every week, when I'm driving to the supermarket with the Mrs, I see a Z4 with a double-spoke hayoooge alloy wheel, that looks shexy as f*ck...
What is your dream car? Mine would be a white GT3 RS 4.0 for track, an F10 M5 / blue E90 M3 for road, and a Landcruiser V8 Diesel for off-road hooning fun!
Although, every week, when I'm driving to the supermarket with the Mrs, I see a Z4 with a double-spoke hayoooge alloy wheel, that looks shexy as f*ck...
What is your dream car? Mine would be a white GT3 RS 4.0 for track, an F10 M5 / blue E90 M3 for road, and a Landcruiser V8 Diesel for off-road hooning fun!
Why do people get irate when someone says they want an M3 convertible?Yes we all know the convertible doesn't drive anywhere near as well as the coupe but that isn't the reason people want one.
I bought an M3 converible four years ago BECAUSE I WANTED A CONVERTIBLE!!! and still have it today.
Like the OP i have access to other cars which will more than fullfil my hooning needs which maybe the M3 cab doesn't quite cover,but it will still more than make up for it on a nice sunny day when your cruising with the roof down.
Dont listen to anyone else,IF YOU WANT A CONVERTIBLE get one,they are great cars.
I bought an M3 converible four years ago BECAUSE I WANTED A CONVERTIBLE!!! and still have it today.
Like the OP i have access to other cars which will more than fullfil my hooning needs which maybe the M3 cab doesn't quite cover,but it will still more than make up for it on a nice sunny day when your cruising with the roof down.
Dont listen to anyone else,IF YOU WANT A CONVERTIBLE get one,they are great cars.
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