Thinking of buying a e46 m3 in the next month
Discussion
I have owned a audi s3 8p 2007 for the last 8 months its been a ok car but its really dull to drive and just has no excitement. I am selling my car soon so will be on the look for a m3. I am looking to spend 9k and i want no more miles than 75k. How reliable are they? i have no clue about bmws i have never owned one before. Just wondering if any m3 owners can give me any feedback cheers jon
They are great cars but dont expect to own an M car and have zero ongoing outlay. They can eat up your wallet but that ofcourse depends on how much you want to personalise your car / maintain your car and/or drive it like a tit. In the 2 years of owning my E60 M5, I recon I've spent less than £1000 in general maintenance (incl front discs & pads) The rest of the outlay has been purely by choice, Eibach suspension (E46 M3 looks the biz on Eibachs) I had the alloys refurbed and fitted new tyres. I know I'm writing about an M5 but believe me, the M3 can have the same running costs. Only use TWS (Castrol 10 W 60) for example.
Buy the car though, you'll love it.
Buy the car though, you'll love it.
They can be exceptionally reliable and 9k should if you look carefully find you a good one.
As said it may be the case that 'things' need 'doing'. Have a look on m3cutters.co.uk for a lot of useful and not useful information.
Search for 'rear subframe' and set some time aside.
You should also really have 1k (2 if you choose smg) set aside and not bother with a warranty.
A great car though imo.
As said it may be the case that 'things' need 'doing'. Have a look on m3cutters.co.uk for a lot of useful and not useful information.
Search for 'rear subframe' and set some time aside.
You should also really have 1k (2 if you choose smg) set aside and not bother with a warranty.
A great car though imo.
Have had a couple and they've be spot on. Did the SMG box first in an 03 and then straight into an 05 manual. Driving them back to back the SMG was more fun and really went when you got up it. If you look after them and make sure you buy an unmolested example I can't think of a better buy. Surprisingly economical - got 32.1mpg on a Glasgow - Leicester run doing a fair 80mph. Like other people say make certain the subframe has been checked and set aside some dollar for a new 'box. Had such a good time in them I just about another one today!!
Looking to buy one too and its virtually impossible to find a decent spec one, and the price varies massively. There are plenty for 7/8k that look a bit ragged. Cars that look as though they have been looked after are still over 10k.
As others have said the subframe is the big worry but if you get an 04 plate car you can have the subframe repaired by BMW if it goes with a 10 year warranty which is good peace of mind.
As others have said the subframe is the big worry but if you get an 04 plate car you can have the subframe repaired by BMW if it goes with a 10 year warranty which is good peace of mind.
I've recently reacquainted myself with an E46 M3, a 2004 54 plate car with good spec, fbmwsh and it has been looked after properly, more importantly it's 100% standard, however
It's needing some minor areas of paint, stone chip rusting and a rear arch starting to break through, not surprising given the dirt I removed from there. Its currently running on OEM 18s as the 19s require a refurb, but with this taken into account, along with the paint and a paint correction I'm looking at having a near perfect aesthetically E46 M3 for 10k
Other than that I've replaced some minor consumables, such as exhaust hangers, front drop links, headlight bulbs and up to now that's it.
It's worth noting that my current car has done 87k and drives better than my previous 40k example.
The boot floor issue is something to have checked BEFORE purchase on any cars registered before or in 2003, as BMW are only honouring repairs on cars up to 10 years old, and they must be stock with a complete history, it doesn't matter if it's not all BMW stamps, the history must be complete.
There are some dogs out there, but choose carefully and you will get the right one, just don't let your heart rule your head.
Servicing is expensive for what it is, but buying the oils yourself and getting a good indie to carry out the work will save a few £s
Suspension arms are still expensive, but they have came down in price over the past few years, it was something my last car required and I recall an estimate of over £1300 to do both at the dealer, I think lemfjoder arms are roughly £260 a side with bushes and are best replaced in pairs.
Brake discs are around £350 from the dealer, but I'd only use genuine discs if it's still running the OEM brake set up.
Cars with sat nav IMO are only worth more now if the rest of the cars condition is up to standard, but on condition first and spec 2nd is my advice.
Get a good one and they are cracking cars, mine still makes me smile, aesthetically it's beginning to annoy but it's just the minor bits of paint that need rectified and a full paint correction carried out.
Good luck in your search
It's needing some minor areas of paint, stone chip rusting and a rear arch starting to break through, not surprising given the dirt I removed from there. Its currently running on OEM 18s as the 19s require a refurb, but with this taken into account, along with the paint and a paint correction I'm looking at having a near perfect aesthetically E46 M3 for 10k
Other than that I've replaced some minor consumables, such as exhaust hangers, front drop links, headlight bulbs and up to now that's it.
It's worth noting that my current car has done 87k and drives better than my previous 40k example.
The boot floor issue is something to have checked BEFORE purchase on any cars registered before or in 2003, as BMW are only honouring repairs on cars up to 10 years old, and they must be stock with a complete history, it doesn't matter if it's not all BMW stamps, the history must be complete.
There are some dogs out there, but choose carefully and you will get the right one, just don't let your heart rule your head.
Servicing is expensive for what it is, but buying the oils yourself and getting a good indie to carry out the work will save a few £s
Suspension arms are still expensive, but they have came down in price over the past few years, it was something my last car required and I recall an estimate of over £1300 to do both at the dealer, I think lemfjoder arms are roughly £260 a side with bushes and are best replaced in pairs.
Brake discs are around £350 from the dealer, but I'd only use genuine discs if it's still running the OEM brake set up.
Cars with sat nav IMO are only worth more now if the rest of the cars condition is up to standard, but on condition first and spec 2nd is my advice.
Get a good one and they are cracking cars, mine still makes me smile, aesthetically it's beginning to annoy but it's just the minor bits of paint that need rectified and a full paint correction carried out.
Good luck in your search
Looking for a 4 seater convertible and whilst I keep telling myself an M3 (E36 or E46) are too extreme for what I really need I keep coming back to them. I prefer RWD and have owned an E30 M3 in the past as well as TVR etc.
The E36 is apparently the easier for home maintenance but while I like the E36 shape as a car, the M3 version doesn't add to that whereas the E46 M3 has a bit of extra stance on the lesser models.
Is the E46 a suitable car for every day use and is everything a Dealer/Indie job with everything linked to computers etc. Would it survive standing outside (safe area) in all weathers. I might not bother with a hard top as I tend to use a drop top with the roof down whenever possible. (Years of TVR/Caterham/MG etc).
Colourwise it has to be Estoril Blue or Imola Red as I don't want Black/Silver/Grey
The E36 is apparently the easier for home maintenance but while I like the E36 shape as a car, the M3 version doesn't add to that whereas the E46 M3 has a bit of extra stance on the lesser models.
Is the E46 a suitable car for every day use and is everything a Dealer/Indie job with everything linked to computers etc. Would it survive standing outside (safe area) in all weathers. I might not bother with a hard top as I tend to use a drop top with the roof down whenever possible. (Years of TVR/Caterham/MG etc).
Colourwise it has to be Estoril Blue or Imola Red as I don't want Black/Silver/Grey
Skyedriver said:
Looking for a 4 seater convertible and whilst I keep telling myself an M3 (E36 or E46) are too extreme for what I really need I keep coming back to them. I prefer RWD and have owned an E30 M3 in the past as well as TVR etc.
The E36 is apparently the easier for home maintenance but while I like the E36 shape as a car, the M3 version doesn't add to that whereas the E46 M3 has a bit of extra stance on the lesser models.
Is the E46 a suitable car for every day use and is everything a Dealer/Indie job with everything linked to computers etc. Would it survive standing outside (safe area) in all weathers. I might not bother with a hard top as I tend to use a drop top with the roof down whenever possible. (Years of TVR/Caterham/MG etc).
Colourwise it has to be Estoril Blue or Imola Red as I don't want Black/Silver/Grey
Mystic blue is a nice colour too, though Imola Red is the daddy on an M car ;-)The E36 is apparently the easier for home maintenance but while I like the E36 shape as a car, the M3 version doesn't add to that whereas the E46 M3 has a bit of extra stance on the lesser models.
Is the E46 a suitable car for every day use and is everything a Dealer/Indie job with everything linked to computers etc. Would it survive standing outside (safe area) in all weathers. I might not bother with a hard top as I tend to use a drop top with the roof down whenever possible. (Years of TVR/Caterham/MG etc).
Colourwise it has to be Estoril Blue or Imola Red as I don't want Black/Silver/Grey
I picked mine up over a year ago for just under 10k at 43k miles. Totally mint, and has cost me nothing since I owned it other than an inspection 2 service which I did through choice rather than requirement.
Next service will be sub £200 in over 10,000 miles, so over a year away.
Brilliantly fun car to drive, I'm trying to convince myself to move on and get something new but I'm not sure I can part with it.
Just make sure the boot floor has been done, and if it's had a recent inspection 2 it should be cost free extreme motoring.
Next service will be sub £200 in over 10,000 miles, so over a year away.
Brilliantly fun car to drive, I'm trying to convince myself to move on and get something new but I'm not sure I can part with it.
Just make sure the boot floor has been done, and if it's had a recent inspection 2 it should be cost free extreme motoring.
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