Buying an E46 M3 in the USA (California)
Discussion
Wondering if anyone had any recommendations for where to find decent E46 M3s without the usual adornment of tasteless aftermarket pauper-spec spoilers, headlamps, gangster wheels, and other detritus?
cars.com seem generally better than autotrader.com but I'd love to know of any other sources.
Thanks in advance.
cars.com seem generally better than autotrader.com but I'd love to know of any other sources.
Thanks in advance.
Hi,
Are you actually in CA? or are you in the UK and wishing to bring back an M3 from the USA?
Keep looking at the usual sites for cars as not 'all' M3's are modified ones! plenty of oem, standard cars running around as well. A good idea is to keep tabs with local BMW dealers and local reputable independent dealers there as a larger proportion than compared to the UK perhaps are where owners on a whim, will simply ring up the dealer and arrange a 'trade in'.
If you are thinking of importing a car over, then with the added expense of shipping and insurance, then converting the car to be UK road legal and having it tested etc will add significantly to the costs.
Cheers, Dennis!
Are you actually in CA? or are you in the UK and wishing to bring back an M3 from the USA?
Keep looking at the usual sites for cars as not 'all' M3's are modified ones! plenty of oem, standard cars running around as well. A good idea is to keep tabs with local BMW dealers and local reputable independent dealers there as a larger proportion than compared to the UK perhaps are where owners on a whim, will simply ring up the dealer and arrange a 'trade in'.
If you are thinking of importing a car over, then with the added expense of shipping and insurance, then converting the car to be UK road legal and having it tested etc will add significantly to the costs.
Cheers, Dennis!
Hi Dennis - thanks for that. Yep I'm in CA right now and looking to buy in the next few months so started looking early to get an idea of what I need to save up.
I've setup an inventory alert on cars.com but I was wondering if there were other US focused enthusiast sites where the best cars might change hands in a similar vane to Pistonheads vs. Autotrader. I'd rather pay another $1k+ for a car that's been loved and serviced properly.
I've setup an inventory alert on cars.com but I was wondering if there were other US focused enthusiast sites where the best cars might change hands in a similar vane to Pistonheads vs. Autotrader. I'd rather pay another $1k+ for a car that's been loved and serviced properly.
Hi,
I guess you are looking for the car whilst you are in the USA only and don't intend to import it back to the UK if/when you return ?
California is a big place, so the rest of the US! what I tend to find is that many enthusiasts will extend their search for cars nationwide and 'ideally' in the lower warmer/hotter states which tend to provide better condition cars due to the lack of salt on the roads for wet/snowy winter weather etc.
If you look on the M5board, and xoutpost.com, bimmerforums.com and perhaps bimmerfest.com, you'll hear of members posting about dealers they've had a good experience from. Also, look at the classifieds in these forums as there's very often fantastically well maintained oem level only cars for sale. Combine the enthusiast sites like these with the usual car selling sites and nationwide, you should pick up an E46 M3 quite easily as they're a common model.
Cheers, Dennis!
I guess you are looking for the car whilst you are in the USA only and don't intend to import it back to the UK if/when you return ?
California is a big place, so the rest of the US! what I tend to find is that many enthusiasts will extend their search for cars nationwide and 'ideally' in the lower warmer/hotter states which tend to provide better condition cars due to the lack of salt on the roads for wet/snowy winter weather etc.
If you look on the M5board, and xoutpost.com, bimmerforums.com and perhaps bimmerfest.com, you'll hear of members posting about dealers they've had a good experience from. Also, look at the classifieds in these forums as there's very often fantastically well maintained oem level only cars for sale. Combine the enthusiast sites like these with the usual car selling sites and nationwide, you should pick up an E46 M3 quite easily as they're a common model.
Cheers, Dennis!
check out craiglist - every now and then unmolested examples pop up there as well. Also good chance to score a better deal buying from a private person - once you visit couple of dealers you will know where the term "sleazy car salesman" comes from 
ebay is also your friend.
you will have to pay sales and registration tax in CA and it's quite high, you can check it online in advance to avoid surprises.
ebay is also your friend.you will have to pay sales and registration tax in CA and it's quite high, you can check it online in advance to avoid surprises.
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