Why is this M3 so cheap?!

[Darren156]

Whilst on the hunt for a decent E36 M3, this popped up:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-M3-SILVER-CONVE...

Am I missing something here...? Is this not extremely 'cheap' for an E46 M3??? With my budget of £5,000 this car could sit on my drive nicely, lol

But after already being told by fellow PHers to steer clear of £5000 E46 M3's is this a sack of spuds that I'm not seeing clearly? I would sell those wheels straight away and replace them with genuine M3 wheels though, lol

[krisdelta]

If it looks too good to be true...

"unmolested example" - except for lowering, X5 wheels (really?!) and LED lights.

I'd want a very good look at history, subframe, engine oil and all the bushes etc.

And seriously, X5 wheels?

[Darren156]

krisdelta said:

If it looks too good to be true...

"unmolested example" - except for lowering, X5 wheels (really?!) and LED lights.

I'd want a very good look at history, subframe, engine oil and all the bushes etc.

And seriously, X5 wheels?

I know, that did make me chuckle his 'unmolested' comment, lol. The X5 wheels are horrendous looking, the M3 is a car that in my opinion doesn't 'need' modifying yet people do it anyway. If all the usual E46 M3 problems are looked through such as boot floor cracking etc and all is well this could be a great bargain. Or a bloody nightmare, lol

[chatuge]

Stitching coming apart on the drivers seat half way up side bolster too..

[Rollcage]

The cheaper E46 M3s are usually Cabs, often with SMG. Gotta ask yourself why......

[Darren156]

Rollcage said:

The cheaper E46 M3s are usually Cabs, often with SMG. Gotta ask yourself why......

This is a 6 Speed manual though isn't it...?

[E30M3SE]

Darren156 said:

Rollcage said:

The cheaper E46 M3s are usually Cabs, often with SMG. Gotta ask yourself why......

This is a 6 Speed manual though isn't it...?

Ad says so, as does Glass's, given the car I don't think it is that cheap, no mention of a full service history other that the run in service and the 'recent' work on clutch and W/Pump and as dates haven't been provided for that work it's probably not all that recent.......

It's the typical example of a 10+ year old M3........

[krisdelta]

E30M3SE said:

Darren156 said:

Rollcage said:

The cheaper E46 M3s are usually Cabs, often with SMG. Gotta ask yourself why......

This is a 6 Speed manual though isn't it...?

Ad says so, as does Glass's, given the car I don't think it is that cheap, no mention of a full service history other that the run in service and the 'recent' work on clutch and W/Pump and as dates haven't been provided for that work it's probably not all that recent.......

It's the typical example of a 10+ year old M3........

That said, I ran my 2004 for 2.5 years with no issues at all, but mine WAS unmolested. If you fancy a punt, look it over, check the history and if all good - clench buttocks and purchase

[kds keltec]

An advert from Detailing world of a much better car (well the photos show)with correct wheels etc and got an M3 plate too.

so the OP's link is not that cheap really.



After owning her for almost four years, the time has come to finally move on to something a bit more practical for the family

FULL DETAILS AND SPEC BELOW:

Stunning example of a clean, tidy and well kept iconic M3. Owned by genuine M3 enthusiast for the last four years. No expenses spared in keeping the car at optimum condition. Bodywork and interior are excellent. No dents, scratches, scrapes, rips, tears or scuff on the exterior or interior. VERY TIDY EXAMPLE. Must be seen to appreciate how it has been cared for during its ownership with me. Never been involved in any accidents etc, fully HPI clear.

- 3 previous owners
- 2002 reg (will come with private plate as in pics)
- Full BMW service history
- 1 year MOT
- 10 months tax
- Titan Silver with black leather
- 6 speed SMG II gearbox with adjustable ferocity
- Genuine LED upgraded rear lights, really set the car off
- 6000K Xenon headlights with LED halo rings. Give a mean, aggresive, crisp look.
- Harman Kardon sound system
- 6 CD changer
- Multi function steering wheel
- Cruise control
- Sport mode button which increases throttle sensitivity and allows the traction control to let you have a bit of fun round the corners
- Pirelli tyres with plenty of tread
- Genuine BMW 19" M3 alloys
- 105,000 miles

Will be genuinely gutted to see her go. Have been holding on to the car for many, many months as I did not want to sell it. However, need to part with my love for fast cars and get something a bit more practical. Viewings welcome and highly recommended so you can see how good condition it has been kept in all its life.

PM me for much more pictures.

£6495. Open to SENSIBLE offers.

[duff]

I wouldn't mind betting that car is being sold by a Slough based, part time trader who takes pics of the cars in front of posh/old buildings to give the car a sense of quality. I'd be looking for a car with an OEM suspension refresh, good history and decent branded tyres over a badly lowered (I'll assume) car with angel eyes and a Scorpion exhaust.

[E30M3SE]

krisdelta said:

E30M3SE said:

Darren156 said:

Rollcage said:

The cheaper E46 M3s are usually Cabs, often with SMG. Gotta ask yourself why......

This is a 6 Speed manual though isn't it...?

Ad says so, as does Glass's, given the car I don't think it is that cheap, no mention of a full service history other that the run in service and the 'recent' work on clutch and W/Pump and as dates haven't been provided for that work it's probably not all that recent.......

It's the typical example of a 10+ year old M3........

That said, I ran my 2004 for 2.5 years with no issues at all, but mine WAS unmolested. If you fancy a punt, look it over, check the history and if all good - clench buttocks and purchase

There's nothing wrong with old M3's, mines 23 years old , but many E36's and 46's fall in to the same category that one has, the good one survive and come out the other end, bit like this one,

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

[Darren156]

Ugh, like Natalie Imbruglia I'm torn, because everybody pretty much warded me off £5000 circa E46 M3's, and now it seems everybody is saying you can get a decent one for around the £6,000 figure, lol

I MAY have a few grand more than I first thought so could stretch to around £6000, plus £500 or so for any servicing or repairs for the first year. I'd want to keep the car for 5 years and ideally want the car to be worth near enough the same price after 5 years that I pay today. Hence why I changed course and started looking at E36 M3's instead.

Whatever I get it needs to be an M3 and have a manual gearbox, lol. Whether it is a 1995 3.0i 5 Speed E36, or the 3.2 E36 6 Speed Evo, or if I can stretch my money enough an E46 M3 Coupe / Convertible.

[E30M3SE]

My £5-6K would go into a sorted well kept 'immaculate' E36 rather than a barry'd basket case of an E46, from a ad lacking in the important details. jmho.

[Darren156]

E30M3SE said:

My £5-6K would go into a sorted well kept 'immaculate' E36 rather than a barry'd basket case of an E46, from a ad lacking in the important details. jmho.

I agree 100% with that mate, I am now remembering why I opted for a 3.2 E36 Evo instead, lol. As long as the Vanos doesn't get me!!!

[E30M3SE]

The VANOS can get you on an E46 too.

You need to look for details in the service history.

[Darren156]

3.0 E36 it is then lol

[duff]

I wouldn't be put off by the Vanos, I've had 2 and they've both been fine plus now they're not that much more expensive to fix then a new set of decent tyres or discs and pads all round. The 3.2 looks nicer imo, it's only subtle differences (and that awful steering wheel on the 3.0) but I much prefer it and there's a lot more to choose from - more dogs too, granted.

[161BMW]

E30M3SE said:

My £5-6K would go into a sorted well kept 'immaculate' E36 rather than a barry'd basket case of an E46, from a ad lacking in the important details. jmho.

Well said :-)

[Darren156]

Browsing both eBay and PH I find alot of sellers like shouting about their M3's, such as:

'I HAV HAD THIS KAR 4 YEARS AND IT IZ VERY GUD'

I'm trying to avoid this type of advert and seller, is it wrong of me to do so? If someone can barely grasp the English language then I doubt their ability to grasp 'Vehicular Maintainence', lol

Ideally I want to avoid any modified cars as well, making my OP pointless as those X5 wheels were an abomination.

But yeah, looking for a looked after Evo Convertible Manual with about £5000 budget... There are a few for sale but it's trying to weed out the dogs, lol

Example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E36-3-0-M3-CONVERTIB...

Edited by Darren156 on Thursday 7th March 14:07

[duff]

Darren156 said:

Browsing both eBay and PH I find alot of sellers like shouting about their M3's, such as:

'I HAV HAD THIS KAR 4 YEARS AND IT IZ VERY GUD'

I'm trying to avoid this type of advert and seller, is it wrong of me to do so?

Absolutely not, I'd be exactly the same. These are the sort of idiots that claim "as new, showroom condition" etc when clearly no car of that age can be, or FSH when it isn't. Look for a car from a mature, or at least sensible sounding owner in a reasonable area and ideally had it a long time. This might mean a long wait for the right car though!!!