M3 E46, Under 10K......money pit?

[snowen250]

Hello all

Really tempted with an E46 M3 as my next car, but as well as epic insurance, my budget is about 10K. Now there is plenty for this amount, but are they likely to be ropey? Money pits etc? Also opinions on these from those in the know please!

I also do 80 miles a day.....am i being silly? Opinions always listened to!

Cheers

Simon

[Jw Vw]

I would personally say sub £10k for a E46 M3 is a bit of a gamble. If you do get one you will need deep pockets for fuel if you're doing 80 miles a day! Also consider the price of fresh tyres, servicing, consumables etc.. Great cars though!

[winshent]

Are you swapping the 320d for an M3?

[snowen250]

My 197 currently does 27-28 mpg on average, Guessing the M3 will drop to about 22-25......current fuel bill is about £60 a week. hmmm buuttt i waaanntt oonneee

[prg1]

I am in a similar situation. A slightly larger budget but want an M car(M5e60, M3e46). Heart is telling me I must have one. Head is telling me, at the ages and prices I'm looking, I am getting in money pit territory.
I am interested to see how this thraed continues.

[snowen250]

Winshent - No, thats my dads company car that i use at weekends. i drive it as much as my own hence its in my garage I'll be swapping the Clio.

[winshent]

Have a read of this thread

Should have most of your questions covered..

I think, if you can stretch to 12k, then that woud see you into a good one..

Edited by winshent on Sunday 13th March 17:55

[Stu R]

You're buying right at the bottom of the market, and you're worrying about fuel bills.

Hate to say it, but I'm not sure you can afford it. They're reliable enough, but can you honestly say things like servicing and tyres, any MOT rectifications etc won't trash your bank balance?

If it's not going to ruin you, do it, they're amazing cars. If it is, keep some in the kitty and get an E36 Evo as a stop gap? Many would argue the E36 is the better drivers car, you'd be buying much higher up in the market than you would for E36, and there's no shortage of aftermarket bits for them.

[Fun Bus]

It's crossed my mind before too but, they have the potential to be massive money pits. I'd even worry that a well maintained version would potentially going to cost me big money.

[Y282]

try driving an evo first. unless it's the newness of the 46 that attracts you.

[Jw Vw]

Fun Bus said:

It's crossed my mind before too but, they have the potential to be massive money pits. I'd even worry that a well maintained version would potentially going to cost me big money.

Especially if it's got a SMG gearbox! Stick to the manuals on an M3 IMO

[snowen250]

E36s are also on the shortlist. I'm not sure i can afford it, but if i cant i'll sell it. Thanks for the honest opinions though. I'll have a read of the linked thread. Thanks a lot.

An E36 could be turned into rather a nice machine with the adding of some BBS alloys i must admit, better drivers car? That does swing the favour for me, age is no concern.

[Y282]

snowen250 said:

E36s are also on the shortlist. I'm not sure i can afford it, but if i cant i'll sell it. Thanks for the honest opinions though. I'll have a read of the linked thread. Thanks a lot.

An E36 could be turned into rather a nice machine with the adding of some BBS alloys i must admit, better drivers car? That does swing the favour for me, age is no concern.

going by personal experience, the 46m3 doesn't seem to be any quicker in real world terms than the 36 evo. it's slightly more powerful but a bit heavier. but then i'm biased, i have an e36 evo.

[Fun Bus]

Jw Vw said:

Especially if it's got a SMG gearbox! Stick to the manuals on an M3 IMO

I've been told SMG maintenance is main dealer only. Not sure how true this is.

[Jw Vw]

snowen250 said:

E36s are also on the shortlist. I'm not sure i can afford it, but if i cant i'll sell it. Thanks for the honest opinions though. I'll have a read of the linked thread. Thanks a lot.

An E36 could be turned into rather a nice machine with the adding of some BBS alloys i must admit, better drivers car? That does swing the favour for me, age is no concern.

If you get a E36 M3, non evo, so without the vanos problems, they will run to HUGE mileages with very little chance of nasty surprises thrown in!

[snowen250]

In terms of having work done to it a very well regardged and good value BMW specialist is just down the road from me, so i wont have to go down the main dealer route or search for a good servicer.

right, noob question, bear in mind here i was brought up on french cars, whats a VANOS? I know google is my friend but.....

[E30M3SE]

Your better off buying a really nice E36 Evo and have change out of your £10k rather that a not so nice E46 M3 and be stretching, running cost wish, tyres aside, not going to be that much difference.

ETA; VANOS is the variable valve timing system on the inlet and exhaust cams of the engine, can go wrong on both cars, engine are much the same, can cost ££££ to replace/repair.

Edited by E30M3SE on Sunday 13th March 18:10

[Jw Vw]

Fun Bus said:

Jw Vw said:

Especially if it's got a SMG gearbox! Stick to the manuals on an M3 IMO

I've been told SMG maintenance is main dealer only. Not sure how true this is.

Not to sure if that is the case. Reports on here and on other forums say they are quite tempramental to say the least!

[Y282]

i go through love hate moments with mine, but overall the e36 m3 is the best suited car to me that i've ever owned. big all rounder too. comfy, sport specific rarity, torquey when you're pottering and banzai when you push it. have to say the lines are looking better by the year too.

i shall now proceed with a bit of whoring...

[E30M3SE]

Jw Vw said:

Fun Bus said:

Jw Vw said:

Especially if it's got a SMG gearbox! Stick to the manuals on an M3 IMO

I've been told SMG maintenance is main dealer only. Not sure how true this is.

Not to sure if that is the case. Reports on here and on other forums say they are quite tempramental to say the least!

Specialist can sort SMG issues, if you're on a budget avoid buy a 6speed manual, less to go wrong.