Problems With Buying a Hardly Used E46 M3?
Discussion
Hi All
I recently moved out to the Far East with the missus, and am looking at getting an M3. The only one for sale here has been for sale since at least June 2006, maybe earlier, meaning its not been driven regularly since then, apart from the odd test drive.
The cars been sat for so long just because nobody really knows much about M cars here.Not even a single one on the road. That and cars here are dear (This M3 is an 03 prefacelift, and for sale at £57k, £50k after discount)
There were no obvious problems on the test drive (brakes, engine etc seemed fine) but I am just wondering if there are any problems at all that could arise during ownership from the car having been sat for so long, or anything to look out for, check etc
Just wondering if anyone could shed any light?
Cheers
JKay
I recently moved out to the Far East with the missus, and am looking at getting an M3. The only one for sale here has been for sale since at least June 2006, maybe earlier, meaning its not been driven regularly since then, apart from the odd test drive.
The cars been sat for so long just because nobody really knows much about M cars here.Not even a single one on the road. That and cars here are dear (This M3 is an 03 prefacelift, and for sale at £57k, £50k after discount)
There were no obvious problems on the test drive (brakes, engine etc seemed fine) but I am just wondering if there are any problems at all that could arise during ownership from the car having been sat for so long, or anything to look out for, check etc
Just wondering if anyone could shed any light?
Cheers
JKay
Zead said:
Just 1 as far as I can tell, the price.
Cheaper to ship one bought in a cheaper market. Also if they are rare, servicing and running cost are going to be outrageous, just a thought
+1. Unless there is a very enthusiastic M following (which there appears not to be given that the particular car has been unsold since 2006), I would expect this to be a very expensive experience. Mechanically I would have preferred one that got a regular exercise, rather than a very low mileage one that occassionally was taken for test-drives by (probably) less than mechanically sympathetic "drivers"...Cheaper to ship one bought in a cheaper market. Also if they are rare, servicing and running cost are going to be outrageous, just a thought
rassi said:
Zead said:
Just 1 as far as I can tell, the price.
Cheaper to ship one bought in a cheaper market. Also if they are rare, servicing and running cost are going to be outrageous, just a thought
+1. Unless there is a very enthusiastic M following (which there appears not to be given that the particular car has been unsold since 2006), I would expect this to be a very expensive experience. Mechanically I would have preferred one that got a regular exercise, rather than a very low mileage one that occassionally was taken for test-drives by (probably) less than mechanically sympathetic "drivers"...Cheaper to ship one bought in a cheaper market. Also if they are rare, servicing and running cost are going to be outrageous, just a thought
. Believe it or not however, servicing is not that dear. They're building an official BMW dealership here this year. ALL cars are dear here tho, not just M cars.There is something of an M following, but in another part of the country, so there are parts and knowledge not too far away. Looks like I may have to extend my search there for a more regularly driven one
If that's the price and you are willing to pay, then I'll retract my comment.
There is not much to worry about having a stored car, as long as it was stored well. Water can be a problem. Condensation in the engine and box makes the oil sludgy, it would normally evaporate during use. Brake fluid attracts water, unless it's dot 5 and above. But it's worth changing all of the fluids. The water hoses can get corroded around their junctions and spring leaks when the temperature gets up. Tyres should be inflated to 50 psi when stored to prevent the bottoms bulging. So it made need new boots. Car batteries like being used, ie discharging and charging, lack of use can make them fail when most needed.
Generally though BMs are well made in the first place so lack of use should not be a problem. The above is just general information. HTH
Z
There is not much to worry about having a stored car, as long as it was stored well. Water can be a problem. Condensation in the engine and box makes the oil sludgy, it would normally evaporate during use. Brake fluid attracts water, unless it's dot 5 and above. But it's worth changing all of the fluids. The water hoses can get corroded around their junctions and spring leaks when the temperature gets up. Tyres should be inflated to 50 psi when stored to prevent the bottoms bulging. So it made need new boots. Car batteries like being used, ie discharging and charging, lack of use can make them fail when most needed.
Generally though BMs are well made in the first place so lack of use should not be a problem. The above is just general information. HTH
Z
Zead said:
If that's the price and you are willing to pay, then I'll retract my comment.
Z
Thanks for the info, about the fluids, tyres brakes etc. Well about the price I am willing to pay, out here, I dont have much of a choice, its either that, or not have a nice car. Z
I dont have the option of an abundance of cars to choose from at very reasonable prices like I did in the UK. The only 2 options for European cars are BMW or Merc, as they have the parts and dealers here. Was looking at getting a Porker (996), but the ones I have seen start from £90 to £100k. The SLK 280 I test drove (nowhere near as nice an an M3) was £65k
So you see, at £50k, no other car will tick all the boxes for that price
(£18k in the UK )I don't feel that buying a low-mileage car, particularly in the far east, is going against the grain here. Because of the high value (ie. import tax) of these cars, they tend to be cherished and used as weekend's toys, you are never meant to see them on tracks.
Depending on which sample you are looking at as well as its history, but genrally just think of an E46 M3 that has been stored and pampered in a similar fashion to a Ferrari. There ain't much wrong with that.
Depending on which sample you are looking at as well as its history, but genrally just think of an E46 M3 that has been stored and pampered in a similar fashion to a Ferrari. There ain't much wrong with that.
Ayde said:
Depending on which sample you are looking at as well as its history, but genrally just think of an E46 M3 that has been stored and pampered in a similar fashion to a Ferrari.
Totally agree about even M3's being pampered like Ferraris here. However, as to the history of the vehicle, I think it has been imported from Japan, and has not got any service history in this country.Hwever, if all goes well, I do think I want it
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