E46 M3 Pre-purchase inspection near Bramley, UK
Discussion
Hello,
I am considering buying a vehicle which is at a dealer in Bramley, 50 minutes south west of Heathrow by road.
Does anyone have a recommendation on someone who is a marque specialist and familiar with the E46 M3 who would be able to undertake this inspection? Any idea on cost?
Further, how do the arrangements normally work for a PPI? Do you have to convince the seller to drive it there and wait themselves (could be several hours), or do you have to pay the company performing the inspection to pick it up? Or inspect on site with jack stands?
Thank you
I am considering buying a vehicle which is at a dealer in Bramley, 50 minutes south west of Heathrow by road.
Does anyone have a recommendation on someone who is a marque specialist and familiar with the E46 M3 who would be able to undertake this inspection? Any idea on cost?
Further, how do the arrangements normally work for a PPI? Do you have to convince the seller to drive it there and wait themselves (could be several hours), or do you have to pay the company performing the inspection to pick it up? Or inspect on site with jack stands?
Thank you
The AA suggestion, if I read it right, says cars up to 8 years old. M3's are 12 plus. 
If this link work, it's pistonheads specialist BMW list. maybe find one in the area. if link does not work, you find it on the BMW General tab.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
How it works?
Depends, I know one person who got the seller to do it. With a sale agreed contingent on it passing.
I know someone who bought privately, got an inspector to carry out inspection at the seller's address. They were from a big company, but I don't recall name.
I can't see how you can legally take it there yourself (at least not on your own) as how will you be insured and the car won't be taxed?
So I suppose you'd have to agree for the trader to take it there, or if there are facilities maybe the BMW Specialist would be willing, but that would more likely add to your costs and if I were them, think I'd like to do it at my own workshop.
I have a E46 M3, awesome cars
If this link work, it's pistonheads specialist BMW list. maybe find one in the area. if link does not work, you find it on the BMW General tab.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
How it works?
Depends, I know one person who got the seller to do it. With a sale agreed contingent on it passing.
I know someone who bought privately, got an inspector to carry out inspection at the seller's address. They were from a big company, but I don't recall name.
I can't see how you can legally take it there yourself (at least not on your own) as how will you be insured and the car won't be taxed?
So I suppose you'd have to agree for the trader to take it there, or if there are facilities maybe the BMW Specialist would be willing, but that would more likely add to your costs and if I were them, think I'd like to do it at my own workshop.
I have a E46 M3, awesome cars
Its always a tricky one, because the issues the E46 has (Vanos/HG/Sub-frame) is more than likely not going to show up on a 45 mins AA inspection.
If you are buying from a dealer/specialist this would give you much more haggle room, and you can then set expectation that pre purchase its inspected before you commit funds.
Mr Vanos (http://www.mrvanos.com/index.htm) would be a good place to ask for some advice/inspection though hes Darlington way so may not suit this car for sale, Steve is well aware of the known issues (major ones that affect the S54 motor, and specifically to E46 M3's) and he did my VANOS checks, and a Leak down test, which ultimately identified my HG issue, but i already owned the car so it was my problem.
Buying private i suppose you take the risk, or get the seller on side and ask if they mind you taking it to a specialist for inspection.
To give you confidence in the car for sale, you are assessing the owner and not just the car, have they serviced it correctly, does it have budget tyres (some indicators money may not have been spent when needed) is it generally scruffy, diamond cut wheels needing refurbish, are there missing book packs, keys, wheel nuts, tool kits, etc etc a good fastidious owner wont cut corners and will cherish these things knowing their importance. But it may also be a reflection in the price of the car, a cheap car might need more work, you sort of get what you pay for with these cars, and its not just about low mileage either buy on condition, and history, not just a low mileage.
For the very best i suppose its the ones reputable dealers have for sale but you will need to pay a premium.
If you can find one with a full history (ensure Insp1/2 have been done, and that running in oil was changed before 1200 miles) has all the rights keys, toolkit, books, wheel nuts, first aid kit, and its going to be a massive bonus if its had bills or invoices for a new/refurbish VANOS, or had the HG done, or new sub frame/reinforcement work completed, or a new clutch, discs pads etc all big ish ticket items.
Good luck with the hunt.
P.S great cars, and still massively undervalued.
Andy
If you are buying from a dealer/specialist this would give you much more haggle room, and you can then set expectation that pre purchase its inspected before you commit funds.
Mr Vanos (http://www.mrvanos.com/index.htm) would be a good place to ask for some advice/inspection though hes Darlington way so may not suit this car for sale, Steve is well aware of the known issues (major ones that affect the S54 motor, and specifically to E46 M3's) and he did my VANOS checks, and a Leak down test, which ultimately identified my HG issue, but i already owned the car so it was my problem.
Buying private i suppose you take the risk, or get the seller on side and ask if they mind you taking it to a specialist for inspection.
To give you confidence in the car for sale, you are assessing the owner and not just the car, have they serviced it correctly, does it have budget tyres (some indicators money may not have been spent when needed) is it generally scruffy, diamond cut wheels needing refurbish, are there missing book packs, keys, wheel nuts, tool kits, etc etc a good fastidious owner wont cut corners and will cherish these things knowing their importance. But it may also be a reflection in the price of the car, a cheap car might need more work, you sort of get what you pay for with these cars, and its not just about low mileage either buy on condition, and history, not just a low mileage.
For the very best i suppose its the ones reputable dealers have for sale but you will need to pay a premium.
If you can find one with a full history (ensure Insp1/2 have been done, and that running in oil was changed before 1200 miles) has all the rights keys, toolkit, books, wheel nuts, first aid kit, and its going to be a massive bonus if its had bills or invoices for a new/refurbish VANOS, or had the HG done, or new sub frame/reinforcement work completed, or a new clutch, discs pads etc all big ish ticket items.
Good luck with the hunt.
P.S great cars, and still massively undervalued.
Andy
Edited by andyman_2006 on Wednesday 24th January 16:39
Myself and another BMW trained tech have just opened a BMW and MINI specialist based right next to Gatwick Airport and can carry out pre purchase inspections.
We have vast M power experience having both worked in the dealer network and for one of the countries most well know specialists.
www.bmperformance.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/BM-Performance-LTD-201797...
I have also owned many M power cars including a few E46 M3's.
We have vast M power experience having both worked in the dealer network and for one of the countries most well know specialists.
www.bmperformance.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/BM-Performance-LTD-201797...
I have also owned many M power cars including a few E46 M3's.
The car is actually being stored in a dealer's workshop (although it is a private sale, from an employee of the dealer), otherwise I'd have them perform the inspection themselves! They do have a ramp so ideally would find someone who could travel to inspect the car there, although I appreciate that may be difficult.
If the VANOS hasn't been touched at all in the car's history and it has 85k miles, is that considered a red flag?
If the VANOS hasn't been touched at all in the car's history and it has 85k miles, is that considered a red flag?
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