is a 90K mileage E46 M3 a bad idea?
Discussion
..ooh, these E46 M3s keep tempting me and may have the cash soon to take the plunge but at my budget they have all done close to 100K miles..
Is this the road to ruin, buying a reasonably high mileage M3? I should I just go for it.
Seen one for sale down the road for £8995 with warranty and 90K miles, manual too in black, my favourite colour...
Is this the road to ruin, buying a reasonably high mileage M3? I should I just go for it.
Seen one for sale down the road for £8995 with warranty and 90K miles, manual too in black, my favourite colour...
I bought mine with just under this mileage and ran it to 130k. In that time I had (amongst other things)....
Countless rear springs lost due to rust.
SMG pump (that REALLY hurt the bank balance)
Brake pressure sensor
Both drive shaft speed sensors due to corrosion.
Corrosion around the wheel arch (done on warranty).
Corrosion around the boot key hole (done on warranty @ cost of 1600 for BMW UK - needed new boot).
Corrosion on the wing mirror fixing to the car (warranty doesn't cover trim).
My best advice: if you're going to go high mileage, make sure it's a late car so it has the 12 year rust warranty AND avoid SMG at all costs. If you can find that, then buy on condition and service history.
Countless rear springs lost due to rust.
SMG pump (that REALLY hurt the bank balance)
Brake pressure sensor
Both drive shaft speed sensors due to corrosion.
Corrosion around the wheel arch (done on warranty).
Corrosion around the boot key hole (done on warranty @ cost of 1600 for BMW UK - needed new boot).
Corrosion on the wing mirror fixing to the car (warranty doesn't cover trim).
My best advice: if you're going to go high mileage, make sure it's a late car so it has the 12 year rust warranty AND avoid SMG at all costs. If you can find that, then buy on condition and service history.
Provided it had its running in service, boot floor done and a full service history they are good for 200,000 plus miles without major worrys. Just your usual consumables like clutches, discs, pads etc.
Consumables arent all cheap though so make sure you factor in a couple of grand a year minimum to keep it running sweetly.
They are a great if somewhat over rated - dont buy one if you want a sports car IMO
Consumables arent all cheap though so make sure you factor in a couple of grand a year minimum to keep it running sweetly.
They are a great if somewhat over rated - dont buy one if you want a sports car IMO
I can remember about 10 years ago Thorney Motorsport purchased a leggy but well serviced customers car, to use in their race series.
I mention it as I recall them telling me it had 176k on the clock, and to my knowledge it went on to complete for quite a few seasons.
I think that speaks volumes for the longevity of the E46 M3 as both a well engineered car and engine.
I mention it as I recall them telling me it had 176k on the clock, and to my knowledge it went on to complete for quite a few seasons.
I think that speaks volumes for the longevity of the E46 M3 as both a well engineered car and engine.
hughcam said:
They are a great if somewhat over rated - dont buy one if you want a sports car IMO
Care to explain?Mine's a 2004, just gone past 83k, handles well, stops well and (mostly) keeps up with my mates 911 which is lighter and more powerful.
It's certainly not a modern sports car, but it's bloody good fun!
OK, it could do with a tad more steering feel but new bushes/coilovers would improve that...
Jim1556 said:
Care to explain?
Mine's a 2004, just gone past 83k, handles well, stops well and (mostly) keeps up with my mates 911 which is lighter and more powerful.
It's certainly not a modern sports car, but it's bloody good fun!
OK, it could do with a tad more steering feel but new bushes/coilovers would improve that...
Yep no problem. Mine's a 2004, just gone past 83k, handles well, stops well and (mostly) keeps up with my mates 911 which is lighter and more powerful.
It's certainly not a modern sports car, but it's bloody good fun!
OK, it could do with a tad more steering feel but new bushes/coilovers would improve that...
Its a heavy car and the brakes as standard are only 'adequate' for fast driving and definetely not for any track use. The leather seats even when adjusted lack support and the bolsters let you slide all over the seat. There is quite alot of pitch and yaw when making real progress. The car is set up much more as a fast (for the early noughties) gt car and not a sports car as some buyers might think they are getting.
Having owned a Techno Violet manual e46 m3, Lotus Elise 111r and access to the wifes R53 cooper s at the smae time the M3 only got used on monthly trips down from sunny Yorkshire to London and the odd mid week night roundabout slide session....
In all honesty the mini r53 is a FAR more enjoyable car to take down a back roads due to the handling, weight and size.
Im glad I scratched the M3 itch but as standard it got 7/10 from me - cracking engine but not really what I expected as a package.
Have you actually driven your mates 911? Just because you can keep up doesnt mean your having as much fun and also you could just be a better driver...
GreenArrow said:
..ooh, these E46 M3s keep tempting me and may have the cash soon to take the plunge but at my budget they have all done close to 100K miles..
Is this the road to ruin, buying a reasonably high mileage M3? I should I just go for it.
Seen one for sale down the road for £8995 with warranty and 90K miles, manual too in black, my favourite colour...
Not being funny but if you have to save up to buy one then maybe it's not the car for you?Is this the road to ruin, buying a reasonably high mileage M3? I should I just go for it.
Seen one for sale down the road for £8995 with warranty and 90K miles, manual too in black, my favourite colour...
I bought one with 90,000 miles for £7k and I would describe it as very reliable but it still cost me a pretty penny to look after properly.
They're expensive to run .... a set of tyres and brakes is nigh on £2000. An Inspection 1 service is £500 ... they do 20-24mpg combined ... they eat rear springs the smg system reliability if questionable (ming was perfect btw) and they're now rusting quite badly.
Plus finding a good one is VERY difficult in my experience.
Just to provide some balance; A full set of Contis can be had for less than £800 and a full set of OEM discs and pads for £750. Everyone knows the rear springs are crap so why fit them when Eibachs are around £170 a set and will last for ages. Inspection 1 at a good indy will be £400 and average that out with an oil service the next year comes to £250/year. Over four years factoring in an inpection 2 it's still only £350/year. I'll bet my wife's 320D isn't much cheaper.
I had mine three years, using it every day and kept it in great condition. It's not that ruinous to run one on a budget.
I had mine three years, using it every day and kept it in great condition. It's not that ruinous to run one on a budget.
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 17th November 15:04
hughcam said:
Yep no problem.
Its a heavy car and the brakes as standard are only 'adequate' for fast driving and definetely not for any track use. The leather seats even when adjusted lack support and the bolsters let you slide all over the seat. There is quite alot of pitch and yaw when making real progress. The car is set up much more as a fast (for the early noughties) gt car and not a sports car as some buyers might think they are getting.
Having owned a Techno Violet manual e46 m3, Lotus Elise 111r and access to the wifes R53 cooper s at the smae time the M3 only got used on monthly trips down from sunny Yorkshire to London and the odd mid week night roundabout slide session....
In all honesty the mini r53 is a FAR more enjoyable car to take down a back roads due to the handling, weight and size.
Im glad I scratched the M3 itch but as standard it got 7/10 from me - cracking engine but not really what I expected as a package.
Have you actually driven your mates 911? Just because you can keep up doesnt mean your having as much fun and also you could just be a better driver...
I'll give you the brakes are sIts a heavy car and the brakes as standard are only 'adequate' for fast driving and definetely not for any track use. The leather seats even when adjusted lack support and the bolsters let you slide all over the seat. There is quite alot of pitch and yaw when making real progress. The car is set up much more as a fast (for the early noughties) gt car and not a sports car as some buyers might think they are getting.
Having owned a Techno Violet manual e46 m3, Lotus Elise 111r and access to the wifes R53 cooper s at the smae time the M3 only got used on monthly trips down from sunny Yorkshire to London and the odd mid week night roundabout slide session....
In all honesty the mini r53 is a FAR more enjoyable car to take down a back roads due to the handling, weight and size.
Im glad I scratched the M3 itch but as standard it got 7/10 from me - cracking engine but not really what I expected as a package.
Have you actually driven your mates 911? Just because you can keep up doesnt mean your having as much fun and also you could just be a better driver...
te on track as standard, and they're a bit lardy, but for fast road, it's still fun.I have driven my mate's 911, and it's lightyears ahead in terms of feel, turn in, braking, noise, traction, etc, etc.
Small matter of funding - although, they're a similar cost to maintain.
I am saving up for one, but I spent a year without a toy and nearly bored myself to death, so the M3 is a good go between...
I bought my AVUS Blue Manual Vert with 105k miles on it last year and its a great car, the boot floor had previously been sorted and reinforced by Reddish, and it had just had its inspection 2. I average 26-28mpg and will have all of the servicing except the inspection 2 done by my local mechanic.
They really don't have to cost a fortune to run, but I would advise taking out the AA breakdown warranty, mines already covered the cost of a starter and both fuel pumps.
They really don't have to cost a fortune to run, but I would advise taking out the AA breakdown warranty, mines already covered the cost of a starter and both fuel pumps.
Edited by wiggycerb on Tuesday 17th November 16:17
John Laverick said:
GreenArrow said:
..ooh, these E46 M3s keep tempting me and may have the cash soon to take the plunge but at my budget they have all done close to 100K miles..
Is this the road to ruin, buying a reasonably high mileage M3? I should I just go for it.
Seen one for sale down the road for £8995 with warranty and 90K miles, manual too in black, my favourite colour...
Not being funny but if you have to save up to buy one then maybe it's not the car for you?Is this the road to ruin, buying a reasonably high mileage M3? I should I just go for it.
Seen one for sale down the road for £8995 with warranty and 90K miles, manual too in black, my favourite colour...
I bought one with 90,000 miles for £7k and I would describe it as very reliable but it still cost me a pretty penny to look after properly.
They're expensive to run .... a set of tyres and brakes is nigh on £2000. An Inspection 1 service is £500 ... they do 20-24mpg combined ... they eat rear springs the smg system reliability if questionable (ming was perfect btw) and they're now rusting quite badly.
Plus finding a good one is VERY difficult in my experience.
I quite fancy one of the cars I lusted after as a younger man which are now in reach but really cant be done with cars that will cost an arm and a leg to run!!
Perhaps I should stick with my old Mazda Mx-5 for fun and get something less likely to burn a whole in my pockets as a daily driver...
....its just that I do love these old M3s.
benny.c said:
I purchased mine at 117K for just over £6K. I used it every day for three years and moved it on last year. The new owner has just taken it past 150K and it's still going strong. I certainly wouldn't be put off buyng another high mileage one.
I have had this car for around 4 months and put 4000 miles on it, its been awesome and feels like its done half the miles. Had no worries jumping in it and doing 600 miles in a weekend. The maintenance is key. I have had 2 M3's in the last 3 months one with 144k and this one with 150K both with FSH and a pampered life and both were epic cars. Ended up keeping the 150k one and will continue to rack up the miles next spring. benny.c said:
Just to provide some balance; A full set of Contis can be had for less than £800 and a full set of OEM discs and pads for £750. Everyone knows the rear springs are crap so why fit them when Eibachs are around £170 a set and will last for ages. Inspection 1 at a good indy will be £400 and average that out with an oil service the next year comes to £250/year. Over four years factoring in an inpection 2 it's still only £350/year. I'll bet my wife's 320D isn't much cheaper.
I had mine three years, using it every day and kept it in great condition. It's not that ruinous to run one on a budget.
I couldn't find a set of tyres for less than £1000 fitted last time I got mine (ok maybe £940).I had mine three years, using it every day and kept it in great condition. It's not that ruinous to run one on a budget.
Edited by benny.c on Tuesday 17th November 15:04
Everyone of my local BMW 'specialists' stated they wouldn't do valve clearances on an Inspection 1 so my only option was BMW which was about £500 if memory serves right.
Eibachs .... yes I fitted them but I thought the ride deteriorated on the back lanes and I didn't like the chav ride height. My OEM spring failed and punctured a brand new tyre, penetrated the inner/outer arch and ripped half the rear bumper off!
Sorting rust (lots of them have it, mine didn't) is very expensive.
John Laverick said:
I couldn't find a set of tyres for less than £1000 fitted last time I got mine (ok maybe £940).
Standard 18" sizes or upgraded 19" sizes.You can get a full set of Michelin PSS in standard sizes from places like LoveTyre for less than £600 (which I do about once a year).
225/45r18 - £130 each
255/40r18 - £160 each
GreenArrow said:
Its a fair point and hence why I ask for feedback from people like you who have owned them. My situation is that I am getting made redundant and have a good chance of immediate work, so I bank a big wedge of cash, pay off the mortgage first and have some cash spare. More than enough for an E46 M3, but I don't want to blow it all on a car to be honest!
I quite fancy one of the cars I lusted after as a younger man which are now in reach but really cant be done with cars that will cost an arm and a leg to run!!
Perhaps I should stick with my old Mazda Mx-5 for fun and get something less likely to burn a whole in my pockets as a daily driver...
....its just that I do love these old M3s.
Sorry I read 'may have the cash soon' as saving up rather than receiving a big lump sum.I quite fancy one of the cars I lusted after as a younger man which are now in reach but really cant be done with cars that will cost an arm and a leg to run!!
Perhaps I should stick with my old Mazda Mx-5 for fun and get something less likely to burn a whole in my pockets as a daily driver...
....its just that I do love these old M3s.
A 90k M3 can be a very good reliable car that doesn't cost the earth as long as it doesn't go wrong. General maintenance is more expensive due to the M tax as pointed out. Buying a good one will be the hard part I suspect.
mmm-five said:
Standard 18" sizes or upgraded 19" sizes.
You can get a full set of Michelin PSS in standard sizes from places like LoveTyre for less than £600 (which I do about once a year).
225/45r18 - £130 each
255/40r18 - £160 each
19", that's what the vast majority of E46 M3's have fitted.You can get a full set of Michelin PSS in standard sizes from places like LoveTyre for less than £600 (which I do about once a year).
225/45r18 - £130 each
255/40r18 - £160 each
Tyre prices may vary but I never paid more than £200/corner. I preferred the Eibachs as they took some roll out of the car but we all have different priorities on that front. The 15mm drop was barely noticeable on my car, not "chav" in the slightest. It's subjective but I've not heard too many people complaining about the slight drop the Pro-line kit gives.
Whilst they can have issues with rusty front wings they are hardly rot boxes and have few issues elsewhere. A new wing is about £300 painted.
You could have gone to Darren Wood for servicing, he's only an hour away
M stuff is more expensive there's no doubt, but I didn't find it an exceptionally expensive car to run. Mind you, if my bumper had been ripped off by a failed spring I may have felt differently!
Whilst they can have issues with rusty front wings they are hardly rot boxes and have few issues elsewhere. A new wing is about £300 painted.
You could have gone to Darren Wood for servicing, he's only an hour away
M stuff is more expensive there's no doubt, but I didn't find it an exceptionally expensive car to run. Mind you, if my bumper had been ripped off by a failed spring I may have felt differently!
Edited by benny.c on Wednesday 18th November 10:26
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