M3 Buyers Guide or advuce (E46)
Discussion
Right ive decided on an M3...........Im going to buy it tomoz and i need advice - what do i need to look out for?
not just physical but also recals and service stuff
please help
cheers
heres the car:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/662512.htm
not just physical but also recals and service stuff
please help
cheers
heres the car:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/662512.htm
Pre-facelift so there was the recall for the shells I think.
It may only have 50k but it isn't cheap. A bag of sand off that sounds reasonable for starters.
Check the running in service was done - 1200 miles from memory.
Unrelated, but how stupid to make the last line in the spec list say "the list goes on" - I can see it doesn't, but if it should then bloody well list it! You're trying to sell it FFS!
It may only have 50k but it isn't cheap. A bag of sand off that sounds reasonable for starters.
Check the running in service was done - 1200 miles from memory.
Unrelated, but how stupid to make the last line in the spec list say "the list goes on" - I can see it doesn't, but if it should then bloody well list it! You're trying to sell it FFS!
Has all the ticks in the right boxes and looks OK.
Silver cars seem to be a lot cheaper for some reason so i would not buy one, but thats a personal thing. Its black or blue for me.
Mine has had suspension parts replaced under warranty so check that out,I dont know what to look for but it is an issue.
Silver cars seem to be a lot cheaper for some reason so i would not buy one, but thats a personal thing. Its black or blue for me.
Mine has had suspension parts replaced under warranty so check that out,I dont know what to look for but it is an issue.
nottyash said:
thehos said:
smg adds a grand, as does sat nav
Not second hand it dont!Looks like the car has been for sale a while, so should be some room for moveemnt on the price.
Good luck! The only advice I'd give is dont get giddy. There's loads of M3's around to choose from!
SMG does add a grand, even now, when you are looking for an SMG car you soon notice just how much cheaper a manual is.
Anyway, things to look out for...
Make sure it has had the 1200 mile service.
Then make sure it has had the Big End Recall done, phone your local dealer with the plate to check recalls and specifically ask this. It is important, if it hasn't been done you may get engine failure well before time.
I would guess the clutch would need replacing pretty soon if not already done.
Engine mounts tend to go, as do the rubbers like the rear trailing arm bushes.
Springs may need replacing soon as well.
Brakes, check them as you are looking at a grand to replace, same with tyres.
It should feel like a brand new car if looked after, these parts listed above are not cheap to replace, and on a normal car, even a normal 3 series you wouldn't bother as they would cost more than the car is worth, that's why 8 year old 318i's feel 8 years old, but an M3 should feel absolutely brand new.
If all these things have been done then the price is not too bad.
If it needs new tyes soon, new bushes fitted in a few thousand miles, new suspension in the not too distant future, and maybe a new clutch then that little lot will cost you £3500 at least, and then it does look over priced.
Problem is most people see M3's starting at £10k that look really good, but go and see them, they feel tired and look tired, they need serious money to get them feeling how they should, so £10k is not quite the bargain they first seemed.
I looked at 6 cars, had to be a 2005+ and had to have less than 50k miles.
They were all crap!
In the end I bought a 2002 car with 65k miles on it, it had a folder of history that showed if something needed doing it was done, and the car felt like it was 3 months old.
Prices are a guide, you need to do your homework before shaking on a car or you might get your fingers burnt.
Anyway, things to look out for...
Make sure it has had the 1200 mile service.
Then make sure it has had the Big End Recall done, phone your local dealer with the plate to check recalls and specifically ask this. It is important, if it hasn't been done you may get engine failure well before time.
I would guess the clutch would need replacing pretty soon if not already done.
Engine mounts tend to go, as do the rubbers like the rear trailing arm bushes.
Springs may need replacing soon as well.
Brakes, check them as you are looking at a grand to replace, same with tyres.
It should feel like a brand new car if looked after, these parts listed above are not cheap to replace, and on a normal car, even a normal 3 series you wouldn't bother as they would cost more than the car is worth, that's why 8 year old 318i's feel 8 years old, but an M3 should feel absolutely brand new.
If all these things have been done then the price is not too bad.
If it needs new tyes soon, new bushes fitted in a few thousand miles, new suspension in the not too distant future, and maybe a new clutch then that little lot will cost you £3500 at least, and then it does look over priced.
Problem is most people see M3's starting at £10k that look really good, but go and see them, they feel tired and look tired, they need serious money to get them feeling how they should, so £10k is not quite the bargain they first seemed.
I looked at 6 cars, had to be a 2005+ and had to have less than 50k miles.
They were all crap!
In the end I bought a 2002 car with 65k miles on it, it had a folder of history that showed if something needed doing it was done, and the car felt like it was 3 months old.
Prices are a guide, you need to do your homework before shaking on a car or you might get your fingers burnt.
My 54 plate carbon black manual had 38000 miles on and was £18000 in the dealer I bought it from. He also has a SMG 04 with same spec and colour but 50000 miles for the same price, its still there and so price dropped £500.They are fetching a little more, but I think its a buyers market so haggle.
gizlaroc said:
SMG does add a grand, even now, when you are looking for an SMG car you soon notice just how much cheaper a manual is.
In the end I bought a 2002 car with 65k miles on it, it had a folder of history that showed if something needed doing it was done, and the car felt like it was 3 months old.
Prices are a guide, you need to do your homework before shaking on a car or you might get your fingers burnt.
Agree with this entirely. Nav and SMG cars are definately a lot more than manuals. I ended up buying an 02 car which had been facelifted. Fully loaded with everything and around 55k and BMW warranty. I paid top dollar (close to 15k) for it as it was immaculate and has everything on it. Even the dealers point out how nice it is.In the end I bought a 2002 car with 65k miles on it, it had a folder of history that showed if something needed doing it was done, and the car felt like it was 3 months old.
Prices are a guide, you need to do your homework before shaking on a car or you might get your fingers burnt.
It reminds me of porsche ownership. The good cars are not cheap. The cheap cars need money spent on them and there are not amazing bargains out there for no good reason.
Good luck. I'm very happy with my car.
Edited by Rawhide on Saturday 10th January 20:57
At that price level sat nav, SMG or 19s do not add a grand.
The sat nav at that age is cr@p anyway.
And many people are deterred by SMG and such cars may even be cheaper.
And 18s drive better than 19s.
Buy on condition, condition and condition. And invest £100 in a Tom Tom.
The sat nav at that age is cr@p anyway.
And many people are deterred by SMG and such cars may even be cheaper.
And 18s drive better than 19s.
Buy on condition, condition and condition. And invest £100 in a Tom Tom.
Edited by Deutscher on Saturday 10th January 21:11
Deutscher said:
At that price level sat nav, SMG or 19s do not add a grand.
The sat nav at that age is cr@p anyway.
And many people are deterred by SMG and such cars may even be cheaper.
And 18s drive better than 19s.
Buy on condition, condition and condition. And invest £100 in a Tom Tom.
The sat nav at that age is cr@p anyway.
And many people are deterred by SMG and such cars may even be cheaper.
And 18s drive better than 19s.
Buy on condition, condition and condition. And invest £100 in a Tom Tom.
Edited by Deutscher on Saturday 10th January 21:11
Deutscher said:
At that price level sat nav, SMG or 19s do not add a grand.
The sat nav at that age is cr@p anyway.
And many people are deterred by SMG and such cars may even be cheaper.
And 18s drive better than 19s.
Buy on condition, condition and condition. And invest £100 in a Tom Tom.
Glad to see my old friend is still talking TOSHThe sat nav at that age is cr@p anyway.
And many people are deterred by SMG and such cars may even be cheaper.
And 18s drive better than 19s.
Buy on condition, condition and condition. And invest £100 in a Tom Tom.
Edited by Deutscher on Saturday 10th January 21:11
Huliganov said:
thehos said:
smg adds a grand, as does sat nav
£13k for an 8 year old M3?They're pushing £9k in private sales. Some can be bought for £8k with negotiation.
Sounds good to me anyway...as a buyer, I would choose to avoid the complexity of SMG, but that's just me.
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