Running Costs - E46 M3

[cj_eds]

Currently considering my options for replacing an old Mondeo ST200. High on the list is an E46 M3, but I'm dubious about running costs compared to some other contenders (an ST220 for example). Can anyone give me an idea for running costs on an M3 :- typical stuff like price of services, commonn parts you'd expect like brakes etc etc?

Thanks!

[Jake.]

Here you go mate : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=676...

[cj_eds]

Just the sort of info I was looking for, thanks!

[foresterlad]

Over 2 years / 25000mls. in the E46 M3 I ran the costs were
oil service at 1000 mls.......free. Make sure the car you see has this service on time
oil service at 12,400mls.....£260
inspection one service at 23000...£680.00
2 sets of rear tyres £1060.00
1 set of front tyres £500.00
Brake fluid service plus new pads/discs at £740.00

I felt this expenditure was reasonable and reflected main dealer pricing since the car was new (CS)
No doubt costs could be less as the cars get older. My local BMW franchise offer cheaper labour rates on cars over 3 years.
Hope this info helps.

[foresterlad]

Over 2 years / 25000mls. in the E46 M3 I ran the costs were
oil service at 1000 mls.......free. Make sure the car you see has this service on time
oil service at 12,400mls.....£260
inspection one service at 23000...£680.00
2 sets of rear tyres £1060.00
1 set of front tyres £500.00
Brake fluid service plus new pads/discs at £740.00

I felt this expenditure was reasonable and reflected main dealer pricing since the car was new (CS)
No doubt costs could be less as the cars get older. My local BMW franchise offer cheaper labour rates on cars over 3 years.
Hope this info helps.

[deano23]

f*cking expensive but worth it

[Neil.D]

deano23 said:

f*cking expensive but worth it

I would say that is quite apt.

[rswheelnut]

If you're a true petrol head, it's worth it - no doubt about it.

motoring costs a fair bit anyway, so why not a couple of quid more and REALLY enjoy it.
I was a bit worried about running costs before i got my M5 but to be honest I don't think it's bad at all. OK it uses a bit more petrol, oil is pricey, tyres a bit more but really not much more expensive in the scheme of things - unless things start breaking or going wrong.
Buy a good one, and you'll be fine. There's plenty to choose from.

One thing's for sure, you wouldn't even give an ST220 driver a second glance. You'll be in a different league.

[ian in lancs]

rswheelnut said:

One thing's for sure, you wouldn't even give an ST220 driver a second glance. You'll be in a different league.

My wife has a 2008 Focus ST - 225hp a fantastic car that can be ragged senseless without much effort. However, my Z4M is dynamically better in every respect an E46M pretty much the same. M cars are definately in a league of their own.

Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 17th May 21:26

[cj_eds]

Sounds more and more like there could be a head vs heart tussle before I replace the ST...!

[RatBoy M3CS]

Not cheap...! I work on about a grand a month to own it inc depreciation.. everything considered.. track day costs on top..

[AlxM3]

1k a month! And I thought mine was expensive. All in all (including depreciation) cost roughly £550-600 a month or just over £2 a mile! A major factor in me parting company with it last week - fantastic cars, dont get me wrong, but for me just too much money for the amount of time it actually spent driving it. Looked good on the drive though...

[cj_eds]

AlxM3 said:

1k a month! And I thought mine was expensive. All in all (including depreciation) cost roughly £550-600 a month or just over £2 a mile! A major factor in me parting company with it last week - fantastic cars, dont get me wrong, but for me just too much money for the amount of time it actually spent driving it. Looked good on the drive though...

You see I had thought if I didn't buy an exciting every day car then the alternative would've been a shed for commuting and a real weekend toy for the summer (and inevitably every sunny day I go to work I suspect). That's even more difficult to justify though, thinking of a 5 figure sum on a car that will be in the garage for 5 days out of 7. And not only that, but knowing fine well I'd walk out the door in the morning and I'd never want to take the shed.

[RatBoy M3CS]

If you start with a 2/3 year old one for example..

I reckon on give or take a few quid: based on 12,000miles a yr @ 22mpg

Depreciation: £6000
Tyres: £1200
Mot: £50
Road Tax: £400
Service : £500
Brakes discs and pads 1/2 a set per year: £500
Fuel: £2500
Insurance: £750
A box of tins of stuff to clean it with: £100
Tracker : £125
(Optional year 4 warranty : £500)

Total £12,125 per year... plus anything that goes wrong or unscheduled dealership visits..

Track days are extra.. I work on about £800 a day to do one including entry / fuel / 1/3 set of tyres + 1/5th set of brake pads, 1/10th a set of discs for a day... + anything that goes wrong on the day..

Cheap it isnt.., but does it make ya smile on full tilt..
Just take my word for it...!

Edited by RatBoy M3CS on Saturday 23 May 17:44

[Welshbeef]

Biggest cost here is the depn. If you say buy a WXY51/52 reg example for c£10-11k then frankly in 5 years time its still going to be worth the best part of £4k in which case it has cost you £116pcm over the 5 years.

Tyres/Pads/discs assuming "normal" usage will last 60k just like any other car however if you drive this harder then clearly it will last less time. Also assume tyres last 30k Michelin an then factor in how hard you intend to drive it.

Servicing just look at the BMW main dealer site for older cars & then older M cars that will give you a clear indication of cost.

[mat205125]

30k miles for tyres, Welshbeef??????

Hardly worth buying an M car if you're going to drive that sedately

[Welshbeef]

mat205125 said:

30k miles for tyres, Welshbeef??????

Hardly worth buying an M car if you're going to drive that sedately

lol. Well they are £800 a pop and given you do 13k a year on commuting alone you could easily see best part of 2 years out of them. Im guessing most owners dont wheel spin off the line??

[cj_eds]

Similar thing said when I bought the ST a few years ago. I claimed I could get high 30's for fuel consumption, only to be asked why did I buy that car if I was going to drive like a Granny

In my defence, it was a looooong distance drive that got that high an mpg

[thehos]

dont think you would consider buying a m3 if you were asking about running costs. you buy one cos you want one.

Running costs didnt come into it when i bought mine, just sort of knew its going to be dearer to run than a "normal" car.

Anyway I had 32mpg before! cc at 80 on m/way

[Z4MPuss]

RatBoy M3CS said:

If you start with a 2/3 year old one for example..

I reckon on give or take a few quid:

Depreciation: £6000
Tyres: £1200
Mot: £50
Road Tax: £400
Service : £500
Brakes discs and pads 1/2 a set per year: £500
Fuel: £2500
Insurance: £750
A box of tins of stuff to clean it with: £100

Total £12,000 per year... plus anything that goes wrong or unscheduled dealership visits..

Track days.. I work on about £800 a day to do one including entry / fuel / 1/3 set of tyres + 1/5th set of brake pads, 1/10th a set of discs for a day... + anything that goes wrong on the day..

Cheap it isnt.., but does it make ya smile on full tilt..
Just take my word for it...!

I am falling off my chair laughing at an estimate of £12,000 a year to run an ///M car! I bought a fairly new Z4M 5 months ago. I am retired & my annual income is less than £7000. Apart from the exhorbitant £400 pa Road tax & 27mpg this car is very cheap to run. I only do 4-5000 miles a year & pay £320 insurance but £12,000 pa is an absolute joke, surely?

If you are such a strange person to go out, pay £800 for a day of sheer hell - & possibly losing your car, there is no hope for your family.