E46 M3 purchase advice

[AJL007]

Hi All,

After some advice..

I have found a 2003 plate, coupe, sat nav, manual, great condition.. 50k miles. Will need an oil service.

The car had its running in service late at 4700miles. (this is the only concern)
The rest of the service history is all BMW at the correct intervals,
The owner bought it from BMW 5 year ago so sold as an approved used bmw then.

Do you think i should avoid it? the car is perfect apart from the late running in.

Price is 11k - thoughts?

Thanks
Alex

Edited by AJL007 on Saturday 16th April 16:19

[tonys]

If your only concern is the late initial service, as it's done 45,000 miles since then, presumably over about 7-8 years, any issues should have come to light by now. I doubt it would have been sold as an approved BMW if there had been any real concerns.
I'd be more concerned how it's been treated/serviced since then.

[LJTS]

Mine never had the running in service done & is now on 100K miles so I wouldn't be too worried

I've owned the car for 5 years now & can highly recommend them

No doubt the scaremongers will be along to tell you that it will explode due to having a late service

[AJL007]

Thanks guys, phoned BMW as well to get there take on it.. They said the same pretty much

[prg1]

Sounds like a good buy to me.

[clabcon]

If over 1800 or 2000 miles (not sure) then the 1200 mile run in service is invalid and hence engine warranty void. The cost of a new engine, fitted will be more than the current purchase. IMHO, its a buyers market so buying a car that was running around with swarf from a new engine build on the break-in oil 4x longer than intended would be stupid. Would much rather have a 80K mile M3 of that era with a properly run in engine, and use the change to upgrade to CSL wheels, big brakes, coilovers etc.

[tjw110]

Your not buying a space ship, as said before, BMW require the first service before 1200 miles but if it's lasted 50k with no issues, it should be OK, look at the condition of the car, and go with your gut instinct

[thehos]

LJTS said:

Mine never had the running in service done & is now on 100K miles so I wouldn't be too worried

I've owned the car for 5 years now & can highly recommend them

No doubt the scaremongers will be along to tell you that it will explode due to having a late service

it wont "explode" as you say, but it does affect resale and bmw wont stand by any "engine" claims.



I for one would rather wait and have one with the running in service

[Toilet Duck]

Its not exactly a rare car, there are thousands out there for sale. Why buy one that had an owner who couldn't be bothered to service it properly? If they couldn't be bothered to get the first service done on time, it would make me wondered what else they neglected during their ownership (letting it warm up properly etc).

[Big E 118]

As has already been said if it has done 45k since and it's problem free I don't see it as an issue as long as you are aware you can't get a warranty.

BUT

It will be more difficult to sell on when the time comes. Look at the responses you've had on this thread, probably about 50% say they wouldn't touch it.

So it may be trouble free ownership but it might hit your pocket hard when you go to shift it. There are plenty of M3's out there that don't have this issue!

[pilchardthecat]

BMW will not sell a car as approved used unless it has has the 1200 mile service done within the set window, so I don't believe that part of the alleged history/or the vehicles identity

As said though it's done some miles since then so not necessarily a bad 'un

[Pork]

How long is the engine warranty on an M3? Surely, at 8 years old whether the RI service was done or not, BMW will tell you to whistle if you have engine problems.

Does the car come with a warranty?

I know this has been debated before, but for me, the RI service is important when the car is 2,3,4 or maybe even 5 years old....after that, I really dont think its relevant. Perhaps to use to barter down on the price under the guise that it will be hard to sell on later, but thats it IMO.