E46 M3 on eBay: Bargain or Money Pit?

[Darren156]

Guys, this is tempting me way too much:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-M3-SILVER-/1611...

My saved cash is £5000 with a further £10,000 available on an MBNA credit card. And when I say 'available', I mean I can dip into that amount a bit. Like £2000 at most,

Does this look like a decent enough example to spend £5000 saving £2000 to one side for any unsuspected faults, or will this end up bankrupting me? The main thing putting me off is the fact the chap has only owned it for a month or so, but apparently he needs a new driveway or something. The K&N induction kit would ideally be replaced with an OEM unit as I want a 100% stock car.

Am I better off looking at cars priced at £7000 that have had a FORTUNE spent in the last few years, clutch etc?

[E30M3SE]

Nothing screams out 'don't buy it', from the info given. The rear arches need going but he's been up front about that. If it localish to you then it's worth going to have a look at deciding once seen in the metal

[MOTK]

Crucially no mention of subframe condition. As this car will now be out of the 10 year good will period you will be looking at a bill of at least 1k for a repair or considerably more if it needs to be replaced.
It is important you get this checked before buying.
Search for 'e46 m3 rear subframe crack' and prepare to do some reading!

[Darren156]

That's what I thought, I've liased with him via messaging on ebay and he seems very honest and upfront about everything. He also said he checked the boot floor when he bought it as not to buy one with an exploding subframe, but as has been said you can't really 'check' all that well.

It's the only having owned it for a month that puts me off the most, but I suppose alot of people have bought cars and not been able to afford them or have had something unexpected pop up.

Ive also been looking at 350Z's but the practicality of 4 seats and large boot hedge me closer towards the E46 M3.

[av185]

Darren156 said:

Guys, this is tempting me way too much:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-BMW-M3-SILVER-/1611...

My saved cash is £5000 with a further £10,000 available on an MBNA credit card. And when I say 'available', I mean I can dip into that amount a bit. Like £2000 at most,

Does this look like a decent enough example to spend £5000 saving £2000 to one side for any unsuspected faults, or will this end up bankrupting me? The main thing putting me off is the fact the chap has only owned it for a month or so, but apparently he needs a new driveway or something. The K&N induction kit would ideally be replaced with an OEM unit as I want a 100% stock car.

Am I better off looking at cars priced at £7000 that have had a FORTUNE spent in the last few years, clutch etc?

Mmm the 18 inch wheels as opposed to better 19inch (far nicer with no detriment to ride quality) and bubbling front wheelarch paint suggesting not original would put me off. As would selling in short space of time.....

The front strut tie suggests the car is post main bearing engine problems which afflicted earlier cars.

Check the boot floor for cracking and corrosion.

The free 1500 mile running in service is crucial, many were missed.

Scripts on forums re these cars which are fantastic if you can get a good one, but a nightmare and moneypit if you end up with a dog.......

[nw28840]

Agrre a sale price with the Seller on the proviso it all checks out after an Inspection is done on the car.
Next find a good BMW Independent near the seller who will do an inspection, or use the local BMW dealership to him.

Yes, it will cost a couple of hundred quid but the outlay on the inspection will be worth it in the long run.

If Seller doesn't agree to having the car inspected.....walk away ! There are other good M3's out there.

[Darren156]

Are the 18" wheels not stock wheels then? Should all E46 M3s come with 19"s?

[av185]

Darren156 said:

Are the 18" wheels not stock wheels then? Should all E46 M3s come with 19"s?

The majority came with 19s but most of the press cars were 18s. Lots of bull in the motoring press about 19s wrecking the ride. On later cars 19s are essential for residuals largely cos of looks and not dissimilar to e90 and 92 wheels.

Like lots of extras on the older versions, you are better goinig for a better condition car overall rather than deciding on which option some of which are more desirable than others......

[benny.c]

I wouldn't get too hung up on the wheels. Lots of owners prefer the looks and ride of the 18's and both 18's and 19's are readily available used. It might cost you £3-400 to swap the 18's for 19's later so factor that in if you must have 19's.

[rm163603]

nw28840 said:

Agrre a sale price with the Seller on the proviso it all checks out after an Inspection is done on the car.
Next find a good BMW Independent near the seller who will do an inspection, or use the local BMW dealership to him.

Yes, it will cost a couple of hundred quid but the outlay on the inspection will be worth it in the long run.

If Seller doesn't agree to having the car inspected.....walk away ! There are other good M3's out there.

Redish Motorsport in Bristol charge less than £50 for a detailed boot floor inspection. If you're not far from them it's worth every penny.

[joema]

Budget for a floor repair it would still be reasonably priced
If brakes and tyres are good you could be on for a reasonable trouble free stretch of motoring.

Only thing that would make me nervous is the owned for the 1 month bit.

[E30M3SE]

Darren156 said:

Are the 18" wheels not stock wheels then? Should all E46 M3s come with 19"s?

18's were standard and that car is wearing stanard BMW 18's (althought the centre bagdes aren't BMW items), 19's were a cost option, ride/handle better on 18's look better on 19's.

At 136k miles I wouldn't get too hung up about a late running in service.

[JRBM5]

Could be a great starting place for a track-car....

[Darren156]

av185 said:

The front strut tie suggests the car is post main bearing engine problems which afflicted earlier cars :

What does this mean?

[E30M3SE]

Darren156 said:

av185 said:

The front strut tie suggests the car is post main bearing engine problems which afflicted earlier cars :

What does this mean?

He's referring to the strut brace.

[av185]

Darren156 said:

av185 said:

The front strut tie suggests the car is post main bearing engine problems which afflicted earlier cars :

What does this mean?

The e46 M3 was subject to an expensive recall for models up to the end of 02 in relation to renewal of main engine bearings as BMW thought they were a weak point although I never heard of any that failed.

The cars recalled coincided with BMW fitting a stability arm between the front suspension struts as shown in photo 11. This car is a Jan 03. My new Estoril blue M3 in March 03 had the strut tie but was not subject to the engine recall whereas my mates 02 52 Topaz blue did not have the tie but was subject to the engine recall......

[benny.c]

My car is a late 02 and was subject to the recall. It also has a strut brace

[av185]

benny.c said:

My car is a late 02 and was subject to the recall. It also has a strut brace

Topaz M3 referred to was registered 1 September 02.....

[helix402]

For some reason the car has non BMW wheel bolts.

[Babw]

Personally the Avon ZZ3 and K&N induction kits would be tell tale sign to move on.

I would much prefer to see better tyres instead of the unnecessary intake.