Need some advice on buying an E46 M3 for circa £10-£11k

[26jcd]

Hi all,

Need some advice on buying an E46 M3. My budget is fairly limited (sold my last car when prices hit their lowest point, doh!) but I'm looking for something I can get at least 2 years out of. What are your opinions on Phoenix Yellow as a colour? Would this be financial suicide for residual value in a couple of years?

So far after scouting about the net it looks like it would be a 2001 model that would be within my budget. Would this car be expensive to run - my annual mileage would be 5-6k miles max as it would be a weekend car? Also I'm really keen on the CSL wheels as I think they set the car off very nicely!

What sort of tell tale signs should I look out for? Is there anything I should pay particular attention to in the service history of the car? I've seen from forums about recalls and the vital running in service at a 1000 miles.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[darreni]

Phoenix is a marmite colour i think.

10-11k is the bottom of the market for these & there are some real stters out there.

If you are in Guernsey, you are welcome to have a look at mine to see haw a nice one should drive & feel.

[VB666]

I have a PY car, on CSLs and it looks brilliant if you ask me. As stated though, some people simply don't like the colour - it took me longer to search out a PY car with the black interior, and ended up travelling half way across the country to buy mine.

Very pleased with it though. You might struggle to get a really nice one for the bottom end of the budget though, I woudl always try and scrape together a bit more and get a sorted car.





I seem to recall some helpful posts on here for things to look out for, there was a buyers guide floating around I think...

[sunnybono]

You can have my '03 for 11.5K

[M5Dave]

I think if you're going to buy a BMW M car on a fairly tight budget, then the E46 M3 is the one to get.

If you avoid SMG(others will probably disagree with me here), and make sure the engine recall has been done if it's pre 2003, then there are no real problems with these cars, and they seem to be fairly robust.

I like Pheonix Yellow, but as others have said, you're buying near to the bottom of the market, so I would suggest buying first and foremost on condition and history, even if that means you don't get the colour you want, and have to make do with 18" wheels and no sat nav.

Edited by M5Dave on Monday 7th September 18:37

[Jake.]

M5Dave said:

I think if you're going to buy a BMW M car on a fairly tight budget, then the E46 M3 is the one to get.

no real problems with these cars, and they seem to be fairly robust.

I not sure that's quite true, Dave. They do have a fair few common problems:
Broken rear springs seems to happen to most of them.
Knackered ARBs is another one,
Front wishbone bushes ditto
Alternators packing up between 40-50k miles seems not unusual too.

Also the servicing is very expensive. My Inspection II last month cost £850
A regular Oil and Filter change service is over £200
Decent quality 19" tyres are over £500 a pair.

[Scottie - NW]

Why do so many people seem to see the 18 inch wheels as inferior to the 19's?

I've always gone for the lightest and smallest in diameter (but wide) wheels that I can get away with on my cars that clear the largest brakes I need to fit.

On my current car, runnning 8 pot front brakes, I use 17x9 wheels all round.

[Vroomer]

Real drivers have always preferred 18s on the M3; 19s are for the blingers!

[Vroomer]

PY has a very small fan base; if you want easy re-sale, choose a popular colour.

[M5Dave]

Jake. said:

M5Dave said:

I think if you're going to buy a BMW M car on a fairly tight budget, then the E46 M3 is the one to get.

no real problems with these cars, and they seem to be fairly robust.

I not sure that's quite true, Dave. They do have a fair few common problems:
Broken rear springs seems to happen to most of them.
Knackered ARBs is another one,
Front wishbone bushes ditto
Alternators packing up between 40-50k miles seems not unusual too.

Also the servicing is very expensive. My Inspection II last month cost £850
A regular Oil and Filter change service is over £200
Decent quality 19" tyres are over £500 a pair.

What I'm saying is, that if the engine recall has been done, and it has a standard manual gearbox, then the E46 M3 generally has no major mechanical issues that cost thousands of pounds to put right.

That's not something that could be said about its predecessor.

Broken springs, knackered ARBs and front wishbone bushes are wear and tear items that affect all E46 3 Series cars, and in the grand scheme of things don't cost that much to put right.

Servicing and tyre costs are a known quantity, which you should be aware of and make sure you can afford prior to buying the car.

[darreni]

Vroomer said:

Real drivers have always preferred 18s on the M3; 19s are for the blingers!

I've heard this often.

Often from owners that have 18"'s but wish they had 19"'s.

If the car really does handle better on 18"'s, it makes you wonder why BMW fitted 19"'s to the CSL, given that weight & performance were key criteria.

Maybe its true that the smaller wheels are better, i don't know as mine came fitted with 19"'s.