Finally my first ///M3 !
Discussion
After months of debating whether its worth it and that i can afford it, I have just purchased my first ///M car. A 2002 E46 M3 Estoril blue 76,000 miles.
Was wanting to find a newer model but found mine from a local garage with all the extras and couldn't resist the colour.
I previously had a 330ci M sport and read for months on everyone's comparison Vs M3 and there certainly is a big difference.
The car felt very fragile going over bumps and potholes so i took it to my local BMW specialist (which I planned to do in a week or so anyway) He advised me that a new ball joint was needed and also a brake pipe was corroded.
Having the work done under warranty tomorrow now by the dealer i bought it from.
Local Specialist also advised that either the Instrument cluster has been replaced or removed and fitted again as the "little orange dot appears next to the mileage"
As the cars last 15,000 miles or so was not maintained by BMW or a specialist I did my research, phoning the garage that had done the last few stamps, checked mileage, MOT history etc. Everything checks out fine.
I was planning a warranty but i knew it would be limited as the age of the car, Warranty wise quoted £650 but only for mechanical failures. All electrics, Sub-frame, suspension not included. They also said the VANOS unit would not be covered (but my guy says this is mechanical and should be) although the rep didn't know what it was and had to check with someone else.
So should i get the warranty anyway? or just start saving for a potential problem?
Warranty direct quoted £1100 (£700 when i checked 2 months ago) but i seem to remember seeing that you have to contribute hundreds if making a claim.
Thoughts on all..
Was wanting to find a newer model but found mine from a local garage with all the extras and couldn't resist the colour.
I previously had a 330ci M sport and read for months on everyone's comparison Vs M3 and there certainly is a big difference.
The car felt very fragile going over bumps and potholes so i took it to my local BMW specialist (which I planned to do in a week or so anyway) He advised me that a new ball joint was needed and also a brake pipe was corroded.
Having the work done under warranty tomorrow now by the dealer i bought it from.
Local Specialist also advised that either the Instrument cluster has been replaced or removed and fitted again as the "little orange dot appears next to the mileage"
As the cars last 15,000 miles or so was not maintained by BMW or a specialist I did my research, phoning the garage that had done the last few stamps, checked mileage, MOT history etc. Everything checks out fine.
I was planning a warranty but i knew it would be limited as the age of the car, Warranty wise quoted £650 but only for mechanical failures. All electrics, Sub-frame, suspension not included. They also said the VANOS unit would not be covered (but my guy says this is mechanical and should be) although the rep didn't know what it was and had to check with someone else.
So should i get the warranty anyway? or just start saving for a potential problem?
Warranty direct quoted £1100 (£700 when i checked 2 months ago) but i seem to remember seeing that you have to contribute hundreds if making a claim.
Thoughts on all..
Congratulations! They are great cars but then i would say that! 
You didn't say whether the car was a manual or SMG?
Brake lines and worn suspension bushes are all usual items requiring chaning at that age/mileage.
I cannot comment on the aftermarket warranty as i only have experience of BMW AUC scheme which is very good indeed.
Enjoy your car
You didn't say whether the car was a manual or SMG?
Brake lines and worn suspension bushes are all usual items requiring chaning at that age/mileage.
I cannot comment on the aftermarket warranty as i only have experience of BMW AUC scheme which is very good indeed.
Enjoy your car
glendog74 said:
Congratulations! They are great cars but then i would say that!
You didn't say whether the car was a manual or SMG?
Brake lines and worn suspension bushes are all usual items requiring chaning at that age/mileage.
I cannot comment on the aftermarket warranty as i only have experience of BMW AUC scheme which is very good indeed.
Enjoy your car
Manual ! So no worrying about SMG parts. It puts a huge grin on my face just looking at it. I did enquire on the BMW warranty - £4k ! my cars over the 75000 mark she said You didn't say whether the car was a manual or SMG?
Brake lines and worn suspension bushes are all usual items requiring chaning at that age/mileage.
I cannot comment on the aftermarket warranty as i only have experience of BMW AUC scheme which is very good indeed.
Enjoy your car
LC23 - I understand this but i thought i had verified it by checking MOT mileage, DVLA website mileage, mytextcheck . How else can the correct mileage be verified?
I assume you've read up on the cracked boot floor / subframe issue? 2002 cars are past the ten year good will repair from BMW so if it has issues you'll have to sort it yourself (circa £800 at an indy).
I see you're on the Wirral - Will keep my eyes peeled. If you see an unwashed, carbon black one on 18's, sounding like a CSL, it's me
I see you're on the Wirral - Will keep my eyes peeled. If you see an unwashed, carbon black one on 18's, sounding like a CSL, it's me
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 31st October 10:28
I'd forget the warranty for that mileage. Obviously, you will experience broken rear springs in your time with it, but they're only a couple of hundred quid, so cheap to replace compared to the cost of the warranty for a few years.
In my years with the M3, I only ever replaced consumables (and springs) and was confident that the car wouldn't break anything major with the exception of the rear subframe. I still miss that car.
Congratulations on purchasing a legendary car!
In my years with the M3, I only ever replaced consumables (and springs) and was confident that the car wouldn't break anything major with the exception of the rear subframe. I still miss that car.
Congratulations on purchasing a legendary car!
benny.c said:
I assume you've read up on the cracked boot floor / subframe issue? 2002 cars are past the ten year good will repair from BMW so if it has issues you'll have to sort it yourself (circa £800 at an indy).
I see you're on the Wirral - Will keep my eyes peeled. If you see an unwashed, carbon black one on 18's, sounding like a CSL, it's me
Sounding like a CSL...elaborate?I see you're on the Wirral - Will keep my eyes peeled. If you see an unwashed, carbon black one on 18's, sounding like a CSL, it's me
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 31st October 10:28
bennyboysvuk said:
I'd forget the warranty for that mileage. Obviously, you will experience broken rear springs in your time with it, but they're only a couple of hundred quid, so cheap to replace compared to the cost of the warranty for a few years.
In my years with the M3, I only ever replaced consumables (and springs) and was confident that the car wouldn't break anything major with the exception of the rear subframe. I still miss that car.
Congratulations on purchasing a legendary car!
Its not the subframe, its the floor, isn't it?. The problem is the massive torsional rigidity acting on the very compliant floor.In my years with the M3, I only ever replaced consumables (and springs) and was confident that the car wouldn't break anything major with the exception of the rear subframe. I still miss that car.
Congratulations on purchasing a legendary car!
Thanks for replies people.
I am aware of the subframe yes I mentioned that when talking about the warranty ( which doesn't cover it )Just have to keep having it looked at whenever its being serviced/oil changed.
I understand these engines are exceptionally good and nothing major should occur but just the fact i now have an "M" car has got me thinking **** what if something goes wrong!
My local BM specialist will do Inspection 2 for £495, quite a steal it seems. Hes had great reviews as well.
Its in the garage overnight now getting ball joint and corroded brake pipe replaced. Feel lost without it already.
Anyone had to fork out for this infamous VANOS unit?
I am aware of the subframe yes I mentioned that when talking about the warranty ( which doesn't cover it )Just have to keep having it looked at whenever its being serviced/oil changed.
I understand these engines are exceptionally good and nothing major should occur but just the fact i now have an "M" car has got me thinking **** what if something goes wrong!
My local BM specialist will do Inspection 2 for £495, quite a steal it seems. Hes had great reviews as well.
Its in the garage overnight now getting ball joint and corroded brake pipe replaced. Feel lost without it already.
Anyone had to fork out for this infamous VANOS unit?
Who's your local Indy? I've used BMWirral in Hoylake a few times and always had good service.
Although you do read about VANOS issues on the E46, it doesn't seem to be an overly common problem. Certainly not as common as the E36's anyway.
Although you do read about VANOS issues on the E46, it doesn't seem to be an overly common problem. Certainly not as common as the E36's anyway.
Edited by benny.c on Thursday 31st October 21:56
Trtj said:
bennyboysvuk said:
In my years with the M3, I only ever replaced consumables (and springs) and was confident that the car wouldn't break anything major with the exception of the rear subframe. I still miss that car.
Its not the subframe, its the floor, isn't it?. The problem is the massive torsional rigidity acting on the very compliant floor.
Nice one, mate. It's a great car. You'll love it. Be careful where you try out its performance though. I got pulled last night on the top Chester high road by an unmarked black bmw 5 series whilst "making progress". Must have been my lucky day though as he let me off with a warning! Top bloke and definitely a lesson learned!
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