Some E46 M3 Questions
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Coming out of an SL55, had BMs previously and I always had a love of the E46 M3. I'm interested in buying one as a daily for the next 6 months at least.
Firstly, depreciation. I like to go into purchases with my eyes open. So how much would one expect, say a 9k, 2004 car with 80,000 miles on the clock to depreciate in the next 6 months? A year? How close are they to bottom?
Secondly, What is considered high mileage for these cars? How long will they last? I ran an E92 330 from 46k to 63k and it still drove like a new car, but I still lost 6k on it! So I've been thinking buying higher mileage examples could be a better idea?
Finally, Do any colours carry a premium. Having a browse on auto trader it seems Red cars are priced considerable higher than others. If i was going to buy it would have to be in Laguna Seca Blue or Estroril.
Many thanks for your replies,
Rich
Coming out of an SL55, had BMs previously and I always had a love of the E46 M3. I'm interested in buying one as a daily for the next 6 months at least.
Firstly, depreciation. I like to go into purchases with my eyes open. So how much would one expect, say a 9k, 2004 car with 80,000 miles on the clock to depreciate in the next 6 months? A year? How close are they to bottom?
Secondly, What is considered high mileage for these cars? How long will they last? I ran an E92 330 from 46k to 63k and it still drove like a new car, but I still lost 6k on it! So I've been thinking buying higher mileage examples could be a better idea?
Finally, Do any colours carry a premium. Having a browse on auto trader it seems Red cars are priced considerable higher than others. If i was going to buy it would have to be in Laguna Seca Blue or Estroril.
Many thanks for your replies,
Rich
Hi Rich
Ref depreciation I personally can't see a good spec 2004 car with that mileage dropping much in the next 6 months but very difficult to tell.
On the mileage front the general consensus is that if properly maintained the s54 engine is very strong and good for 150k+.
With the colours I've not noticed colour making much difference to price. I don't think they did a 2004 Laguna Seca but may be wrong there.
Here's a useful link: http://m3.madrussian.net/modelchanges.shtml
Ref depreciation I personally can't see a good spec 2004 car with that mileage dropping much in the next 6 months but very difficult to tell.
On the mileage front the general consensus is that if properly maintained the s54 engine is very strong and good for 150k+.
With the colours I've not noticed colour making much difference to price. I don't think they did a 2004 Laguna Seca but may be wrong there.
Here's a useful link: http://m3.madrussian.net/modelchanges.shtml
Rich you are bound to lose on an e90 330. Its a lot newer for a start and also its not a particularly desirable model from the range.
Depreciation generally slows with age and factors like model, spec and provenance influence things more.
E46 M3's are starting to level out. Don't become fixated with year or reg - pick your colour and aim for a well cared for example with good history and be thorough.
Depreciation generally slows with age and factors like model, spec and provenance influence things more.
E46 M3's are starting to level out. Don't become fixated with year or reg - pick your colour and aim for a well cared for example with good history and be thorough.
Pig Skill said:
I like Estoril as a colour, but to me its a '90's colour for the E36 M3 Evo and Z3M cars. It just looks wrong on the e46 but hey thats just what I think!
I agree 100% with this, I used to long for an E36 Evo vert in the late 90s, but it's not for me on the E46. OP, there are a couple of chaps selling 03/04 Estoril blue E46s on M3cutters. LSB was phased out around the facelift iirc.
Ok Guys, I've been doing some research on prices and it seems Coupes hold a premium over Convertibles. There are many more convertibles on the market. Personally, I prefer the looks of the coupe and my last car was a convertible, but I haven't really had much chance to get the roof down with the weather. What are people's thoughts on Coupe vs Convertible in regards to the m3?
Buzzmeister said:
I have been told by a dealer that Estoril commands a premium.
This is because a) it is rare and b) it looks amazing esp. when clean!
I bet, when trading one in, you get told (by the same dealer) that Estoril is worth less because it's a nightmare to keep clean and too few people want it and that's why they're rare.This is because a) it is rare and b) it looks amazing esp. when clean!
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