E46 M3, buyer questions
Discussion
k22wes said:
There is also hill start/assist on the SMG, think you have to hold left paddle for a second then you can release the brakes and it will hold the car for you to pull away.
Correct. You hold the left paddle for a couple of seconds when on a hill and it will hold the car for a few seconds by riding the clutch, as most would in a manual.I've very rarely needed to ever use it and that includes parking. As said the handbrake normally is fine.
If I am honest it's a little trickier leaving hills in my W124 manual. It's fine now I have the knack but that has a foot operated park brake.
I bought mine a as an '02 SMG car on 19s with 92k. Vanos, HG, boot floor etc. not done. Immediately found a crack on the boot floor but luckily the dealer had that sorted for me.
It's now on 108k nearly 3 years later. Vanos is getting rattly, but the HG is fine (regular compression tests to help me sleep at night)
Its been on a couple of sets of 18s, and yes it is much more compliant. Looked its best on E9x M3 18s except the 265/40 rears will scrub when fully laden and on a fun welsh B-road.
Also, SMG pump went pop. I always wanted it to be manual anyway so I had it converted instead of just replacing the pump. It's a much more fun car as a manual.
In my ownership its had:
Genuine discs and pad all round
4 19" Michelin PS4S tyres
Bilstein shocks and sings
Inspection 2
2x services
Boot floor welded and reinforced (FOC)
Manual conversion
Then usually stuff like bushes, wear and tear things, alignment etc.
And I've still got a huge shopping list...
So in short, it's an old car so expect to throw some money at it. They're not bulletproof but not as delicate as they're made out to be if looked after properly.
Regarding the Pheonix yellow, not THAT rare and an acquired taste. Don't seem to hold as much value as the rarer colours. Nor will you find a CS in that colour.
The ride is quite firm on 19s, but not much different to runflat equipped newer models. You'll find yourself going slower than most traffic over horrible road surfaces!
It's now on 108k nearly 3 years later. Vanos is getting rattly, but the HG is fine (regular compression tests to help me sleep at night)
Its been on a couple of sets of 18s, and yes it is much more compliant. Looked its best on E9x M3 18s except the 265/40 rears will scrub when fully laden and on a fun welsh B-road.
Also, SMG pump went pop. I always wanted it to be manual anyway so I had it converted instead of just replacing the pump. It's a much more fun car as a manual.
In my ownership its had:
Genuine discs and pad all round
4 19" Michelin PS4S tyres
Bilstein shocks and sings
Inspection 2
2x services
Boot floor welded and reinforced (FOC)
Manual conversion
Then usually stuff like bushes, wear and tear things, alignment etc.
And I've still got a huge shopping list...
So in short, it's an old car so expect to throw some money at it. They're not bulletproof but not as delicate as they're made out to be if looked after properly.
Regarding the Pheonix yellow, not THAT rare and an acquired taste. Don't seem to hold as much value as the rarer colours. Nor will you find a CS in that colour.
The ride is quite firm on 19s, but not much different to runflat equipped newer models. You'll find yourself going slower than most traffic over horrible road surfaces!
Edited by Coops90 on Friday 22 December 13:44
Edited by Coops90 on Friday 22 December 13:46
I know you can re-program the SMG and engines fairly cheaply and easily these days.
But will a CS have the best CSL SMG software?
And would a CS have had the rear sub mounts done/preventative fixed as they'd have been under BMW warranty till about 2008/9 ish, and I gather the issue was well known about by then...?
There is a CS fairly local to me. It has a grey interior but almost all CS I've seen are grey interior so I'd rather just go on quality than spec.
If it's a good one then the search is over haha.
My ideal would be a facelift coupe SMG titanium silver and coral red interior with CS/L wheels.
But will a CS have the best CSL SMG software?
And would a CS have had the rear sub mounts done/preventative fixed as they'd have been under BMW warranty till about 2008/9 ish, and I gather the issue was well known about by then...?
There is a CS fairly local to me. It has a grey interior but almost all CS I've seen are grey interior so I'd rather just go on quality than spec.
If it's a good one then the search is over haha.
My ideal would be a facelift coupe SMG titanium silver and coral red interior with CS/L wheels.
Boooo bitcoin has dropped. Too slow haha. Ah well. Will just have to use normal money.
I think I'll wait till the new year now anyhow but I'll report back with what I find when I start looking.
I definitely want to get one now though, it seems no one really has a bad thing to say, and the fact they absorb money hasn't tainted experiences too much!
I'm hoping to build a big garage and get a two post lift too, so want a car I can tinker with
I think I'll wait till the new year now anyhow but I'll report back with what I find when I start looking.
I definitely want to get one now though, it seems no one really has a bad thing to say, and the fact they absorb money hasn't tainted experiences too much!
I'm hoping to build a big garage and get a two post lift too, so want a car I can tinker with
I thought it was the rear lights , hence the picture I chose 
Um , don’t think I have high beam assist ?? Had that on 335i , was okay but I’m happy to do that myself.
Sat Nav is dire although I got a good update to do proper postcode searches from a chap on M3 Cutters.
Aux ? To be honest , I rarely have radio on and just listen to engine.
Somewhere in this thread , you mentioned E46 DNA; for 9 months my M3 had an old 325 as a buddy , swapping between the cars , they felt so so different. Hard to believe they were “ related “
I began my M3 search on 26 January 2016 , took me until 28 May after a couple fell through. Worth it in the end
Good luck and post up here if we can be of any help.
Um , don’t think I have high beam assist ?? Had that on 335i , was okay but I’m happy to do that myself.
Sat Nav is dire although I got a good update to do proper postcode searches from a chap on M3 Cutters.
Aux ? To be honest , I rarely have radio on and just listen to engine.
Somewhere in this thread , you mentioned E46 DNA; for 9 months my M3 had an old 325 as a buddy , swapping between the cars , they felt so so different. Hard to believe they were “ related “
I began my M3 search on 26 January 2016 , took me until 28 May after a couple fell through. Worth it in the end
Good luck and post up here if we can be of any help.
Mr Whippy said:
I know you can re-program the SMG and engines fairly cheaply and easily these days.
But will a CS have the best CSL SMG software?
And would a CS have had the rear sub mounts done/preventative fixed as they'd have been under BMW warranty till about 2008/9 ish, and I gather the issue was well known about by then...?
There is a CS fairly local to me. It has a grey interior but almost all CS I've seen are grey interior so I'd rather just go on quality than spec.
If it's a good one then the search is over haha.
My ideal would be a facelift coupe SMG titanium silver and coral red interior with CS/L wheels.
It is a surprising spec! I’m just going out to get mine oddly enough!But will a CS have the best CSL SMG software?
And would a CS have had the rear sub mounts done/preventative fixed as they'd have been under BMW warranty till about 2008/9 ish, and I gather the issue was well known about by then...?
There is a CS fairly local to me. It has a grey interior but almost all CS I've seen are grey interior so I'd rather just go on quality than spec.
If it's a good one then the search is over haha.
My ideal would be a facelift coupe SMG titanium silver and coral red interior with CS/L wheels.
As for your questions:
1) No, the CSL SMG software was exclusive to the CSL. There was an SMG update however on post -04 cars which mad things smoother.
2) Despite what anyone tells you all E46s will crack. I’m talking about when the subframe is dropped from the car, not a visual basis that BMW work off where you can only see the 2 rear mounts clearly. But ETA can fix this now for £700 with bushes on top.
I do think some owners can underestimate the cost of running an M3. Like any performance car they need proper maintenance and most will have had any floor / subframe mount issues spotted and remedied by now.
What is parts supply like for E46 M3? Are there any that are NLA or hard / expensive to source? There are so many E30 parts NLA that prices have just got ridiculous.
What is parts supply like for E46 M3? Are there any that are NLA or hard / expensive to source? There are so many E30 parts NLA that prices have just got ridiculous.
I'm happy to wait for a good car locally I think.
Or if I do go a long way I'll be needing full history in detail so I can make sure there are no surprises.
I might even just use a buying agent?
Does anyone know any good M3 sellers?
I've seen a trader over West Midlands way iirc, with 4 or so, one is an EB with yellow CSL Cup calipers for £20,000 ish.
I'd buy the right one tomorrow if I knew it was right.
It's just finding out it's right haha!
So on headunits. I'm not hugely concerned with sat nav, or multichanger.
As long as it's a CD head unit or better I'm ok. Or aux-in for iPhone.
Are these headunits easily swappable and re-code-able?
Is base hifi good enough? My Z4 one was standard 3.0i one and it was fine for me.
For me I'm not really bothered about anything except no obvious poverty spec stuff that will hurt later resale.
Are there any things to make sure I avoid?
Only one I can spot is tape players!
Oh it looks like they're all memory seats, but heating is optional?
I suppose there is always the option of swapping an interior if you wanted. Red interiors don't seem so rare, so could just wait for a nice one.
Or get a rough interior car and retrim.
In for a penny in for a pound with these cars!
Or if I do go a long way I'll be needing full history in detail so I can make sure there are no surprises.
I might even just use a buying agent?
Does anyone know any good M3 sellers?
I've seen a trader over West Midlands way iirc, with 4 or so, one is an EB with yellow CSL Cup calipers for £20,000 ish.
I'd buy the right one tomorrow if I knew it was right.
It's just finding out it's right haha!
So on headunits. I'm not hugely concerned with sat nav, or multichanger.
As long as it's a CD head unit or better I'm ok. Or aux-in for iPhone.
Are these headunits easily swappable and re-code-able?
Is base hifi good enough? My Z4 one was standard 3.0i one and it was fine for me.
For me I'm not really bothered about anything except no obvious poverty spec stuff that will hurt later resale.
Are there any things to make sure I avoid?
Only one I can spot is tape players!
Oh it looks like they're all memory seats, but heating is optional?
I suppose there is always the option of swapping an interior if you wanted. Red interiors don't seem so rare, so could just wait for a nice one.
Or get a rough interior car and retrim.
In for a penny in for a pound with these cars!
Edited by Mr Whippy on Saturday 23 December 15:34
Mr Whippy said:
I'm happy to wait for a good car locally I think.
Or if I do go a long way I'll be needing full history in detail so I can make sure there are no surprises.
I might even just use a buying agent?
Does anyone know any good M3 sellers?
I've seen a trader over West Midlands way iirc, with 4 or so, one is an EB with yellow CSL Cup calipers for £20,000 ish.
I'd buy the right one tomorrow if I knew it was right.
It's just finding out it's right haha!
So on headunits. I'm not hugely concerned with sat nav, or multichanger.
As long as it's a CD head unit or better I'm ok. Or aux-in for iPhone.
Are these headunits easily swappable and re-code-able?
Is base hifi good enough? My Z4 one was standard 3.0i one and it was fine for me.
For me I'm not really bothered about anything except no obvious poverty spec stuff that will hurt later resale.
Are there any things to make sure I avoid?
Only one I can spot is tape players!
Oh it looks like they're all memory seats, but heating is optional?
I suppose there is always the option of swapping an interior if you wanted. Red interiors don't seem so rare, so could just wait for a nice one.
Or get a rough interior car and retrim.
In for a penny in for a pound with these cars!
All elec seats, heating is an option but I saw it on most I looked at. You might want to double check if pre facelifts have folding rear seats, can't remember if I checked that. Or if I do go a long way I'll be needing full history in detail so I can make sure there are no surprises.
I might even just use a buying agent?
Does anyone know any good M3 sellers?
I've seen a trader over West Midlands way iirc, with 4 or so, one is an EB with yellow CSL Cup calipers for £20,000 ish.
I'd buy the right one tomorrow if I knew it was right.
It's just finding out it's right haha!
So on headunits. I'm not hugely concerned with sat nav, or multichanger.
As long as it's a CD head unit or better I'm ok. Or aux-in for iPhone.
Are these headunits easily swappable and re-code-able?
Is base hifi good enough? My Z4 one was standard 3.0i one and it was fine for me.
For me I'm not really bothered about anything except no obvious poverty spec stuff that will hurt later resale.
Are there any things to make sure I avoid?
Only one I can spot is tape players!
Oh it looks like they're all memory seats, but heating is optional?
I suppose there is always the option of swapping an interior if you wanted. Red interiors don't seem so rare, so could just wait for a nice one.
Or get a rough interior car and retrim.
In for a penny in for a pound with these cars!
Edited by Mr Whippy on Saturday 23 December 15:34
Base stereo is nothing special.
Quarry Motors in Sheffield were very helpful when I considered a new engine a few years ago for a 325; always have M3s in to break so maybe they'd be good for a fresh interior? Red is stunning
My local audio electrician swaps out the stereo /nav and can return for sale. So I imagine most can do it.
I wasn't too keen on a sunroof, it just felt wrong, so that might be an option to avoid?
e30m3Mark said:
I do think some owners can underestimate the cost of running an M3. Like any performance car they need proper maintenance and most will have had any floor / subframe mount issues spotted and remedied by now.
What is parts supply like for E46 M3? Are there any that are NLA or hard / expensive to source? There are so many E30 parts NLA that prices have just got ridiculous.
This is the thing. People think that a few parts from lesser E46s and never going to the dealer is the way forward. But that is not he case, with any BMW that is. The truth is you have to know where to go for the bits. Most of the time the dealers are but the other avenues aren't always so clear cut albeit in some cases are better. But that's getting off the point ; The M3 is not the only car in this situation.What is parts supply like for E46 M3? Are there any that are NLA or hard / expensive to source? There are so many E30 parts NLA that prices have just got ridiculous.
It is still a pretty quick car too with plenty of character. Sure it has its faults but which car doesn't? The Focus RS isn't exactly renowned for being reliable in its new guise and even the Mk2 had its share of issues. Look at the R32 Golf ; their engines have a few inherent problems. It's a question of what you are willing to deal with and ultimately what appeals to you. I admire the costs don't of the M3 but then I like a car with impossibly low running costs, but I am wise enough to know that you can't always have the moon on a stick
.Parts? They are fine there. IMHO it will be quite some time before the parts become NLA like the E30 but like anything it is down to the owners. Look at 80s Fords and what you can now get for them.
Mr Whippy said:
£700 isn't bad.
I wouldn't want to pay over £12,000 for one and need it doing though.
High priced cars should be good to go imo.
I've not seen one advert mention it yet, which isn't reassuring.
The thing is the advice is mixed out there ; people thought I was crazy for going to ETA to get mine plated despite being given the all clear from BMW ; to them BMW's opinion is best ; But I only did it as I did have noises from the rear (in this case the subframe bushings). Three fellow owners I know near me have never had theirs plated and are happy with the advice BMW gave them. I'll see if I can find the document for how the dealers check it.I wouldn't want to pay over £12,000 for one and need it doing though.
High priced cars should be good to go imo.
I've not seen one advert mention it yet, which isn't reassuring.
I'll admit my opinion is biased. It's formed from:
-What ETA told me
-What my local tester/garage has said ; he's seen an increasing number of E46s in now and he's not one to fix things just for the sake of it.
-My mate's E46 328i Touring has cracked in the past; again crushing the myth that Cabrios/Tourings are immune.
-Seeing a few videos of low milers, high milers and all sorts around the place.
-My own car ; it was given the all clear by my dealer during the airbag recall
It sounds like you know what to go for. I'm surprised my thread hasn't put you off!
Just reading eBay adverts.
Plenty of people selling them after sub-frame checks turned out 'ok' so nothing done.
Hmmm.
Including iirc a Silverstone special. Despite having loads of bodywork done under warranty.
Then another saying it was reinforced under warranty.
I can see this is going to be a fun exercise dragging the truth out of sellers before a visit haha!
Plenty of people selling them after sub-frame checks turned out 'ok' so nothing done.
Hmmm.
Including iirc a Silverstone special. Despite having loads of bodywork done under warranty.
Then another saying it was reinforced under warranty.
I can see this is going to be a fun exercise dragging the truth out of sellers before a visit haha!
I've still not gone to look at any cars yet, but I've been ringing around and trying to get a picture of some nearby cars.
Why owners and traders can't write really comprehensive ads is beyond me.
So far one private seller has what looks like a straight car.
He's said he'll take less for it, he has his new car already (second/third car for weekend), so just needs to get this one moved on but trying private first vs trade in, so good on him.
Only downside is really that the service history seems to have been done by non BMW and non-specialist since he bought it, so it now needs me to ring these guys and ask what they did (ie, did they do a proper INSP 2 or not)
Also because he's had it 4yrs and only done about 12k miles, I'm not entirely sure how the numbers stack up.
Ie, if it's had the right oil and the engine didn't need shim adjustment any way (maybe it had an INSP2 just before he got it), maybe an independent service will be ok.
Just needs lots of checking and rining around and basically making sure I'm happy. I'd say I'm pretty damn good at doing it, but I'm so annoyed when there are clear faults/issues that are material and haven't been disclosed and make the entire day a waste... it does happen and it puts me off.
THEN it's all the checking the car when I go see it etc. How do people go on with insurance and test drives these days for a private seller/buyer?
Nothing against the seller, but it surprises me when people skimp on FBMWSH on a car like this when that M engine deserves the job doing 100% right, especially from a resale reassurance POV.
Had it been FBMWSH I'd have probably been rushing to go see it... instead I'm sat here indifferent because I know if it is a good deal, it's also a lot of time/risk to go check it out, and THEN also reassure the next person who it's sold to (you never know) that it's 'all ok'
So I ran a trader selling a top money M3 CS (top money imo, the prices some traders are asking is bonkers given I could 'mintify' a cheap M3 for less and know it's 100% right!)
All great, but no service in the book since summer 2013! Last one was an INSP2 at BMW. BMW SH all through though.
But apparently just before it was traded in it had £3,000 ish spent at BMW and mention of oil/diff seals etc. So maybe it did have an INSP2 but it's simply not been added to the book?
So another job for me to ring BMW to find out this info... you'd think a dealer selling such a car would get this clarified... 4.5yrs and about 15k mile gap in service is seriously 'out' for such a car?
I have this feeling it's been serviced but the book is blank. I'm gonna try go see the car next week and have a drive and do digging to make sure it's 100% straight and then if I really like it I can haggle and try get it into the range of what I'd be happy paying.
It's also made me realise that my 04 Z4 on 3 owners (1st was BMW) and me for the last 9 years is pretty 'good' all considered. It's got all the paperwork from me and the last guy. I bought all new keys. It's got a FBMWSH.
I need to find a person like me selling an M3 haha
PS, does anyone else use Cazana? Does anyone know if an owner change entry is made when traders get cars sometimes?
Just I've seen some very odd entries with changes of owners and then re-advertised by the same dealer soon after. It's hard to draw a full picture but I'm baffled by the history of some cars.
There is a Phoenix Yellow facelift over Preston way on AutoTrader with a weird timeline.
At first it appealed to me but then these timelines put me off. Not entirely, but the idea of driving 2 hrs each way to have my worries justified isn't my idea of fun.
Why owners and traders can't write really comprehensive ads is beyond me.
So far one private seller has what looks like a straight car.
He's said he'll take less for it, he has his new car already (second/third car for weekend), so just needs to get this one moved on but trying private first vs trade in, so good on him.
Only downside is really that the service history seems to have been done by non BMW and non-specialist since he bought it, so it now needs me to ring these guys and ask what they did (ie, did they do a proper INSP 2 or not)
Also because he's had it 4yrs and only done about 12k miles, I'm not entirely sure how the numbers stack up.
Ie, if it's had the right oil and the engine didn't need shim adjustment any way (maybe it had an INSP2 just before he got it), maybe an independent service will be ok.
Just needs lots of checking and rining around and basically making sure I'm happy. I'd say I'm pretty damn good at doing it, but I'm so annoyed when there are clear faults/issues that are material and haven't been disclosed and make the entire day a waste... it does happen and it puts me off.
THEN it's all the checking the car when I go see it etc. How do people go on with insurance and test drives these days for a private seller/buyer?
Nothing against the seller, but it surprises me when people skimp on FBMWSH on a car like this when that M engine deserves the job doing 100% right, especially from a resale reassurance POV.
Had it been FBMWSH I'd have probably been rushing to go see it... instead I'm sat here indifferent because I know if it is a good deal, it's also a lot of time/risk to go check it out, and THEN also reassure the next person who it's sold to (you never know) that it's 'all ok'
So I ran a trader selling a top money M3 CS (top money imo, the prices some traders are asking is bonkers given I could 'mintify' a cheap M3 for less and know it's 100% right!)
All great, but no service in the book since summer 2013! Last one was an INSP2 at BMW. BMW SH all through though.
But apparently just before it was traded in it had £3,000 ish spent at BMW and mention of oil/diff seals etc. So maybe it did have an INSP2 but it's simply not been added to the book?
So another job for me to ring BMW to find out this info... you'd think a dealer selling such a car would get this clarified... 4.5yrs and about 15k mile gap in service is seriously 'out' for such a car?
I have this feeling it's been serviced but the book is blank. I'm gonna try go see the car next week and have a drive and do digging to make sure it's 100% straight and then if I really like it I can haggle and try get it into the range of what I'd be happy paying.
It's also made me realise that my 04 Z4 on 3 owners (1st was BMW) and me for the last 9 years is pretty 'good' all considered. It's got all the paperwork from me and the last guy. I bought all new keys. It's got a FBMWSH.
I need to find a person like me selling an M3 haha
PS, does anyone else use Cazana? Does anyone know if an owner change entry is made when traders get cars sometimes?
Just I've seen some very odd entries with changes of owners and then re-advertised by the same dealer soon after. It's hard to draw a full picture but I'm baffled by the history of some cars.
There is a Phoenix Yellow facelift over Preston way on AutoTrader with a weird timeline.
At first it appealed to me but then these timelines put me off. Not entirely, but the idea of driving 2 hrs each way to have my worries justified isn't my idea of fun.
Mr Whippy said:
I've still not gone to look at any cars yet, but I've been ringing around and trying to get a picture of some nearby cars.
Why owners and traders can't write really comprehensive ads is beyond me.
So far one private seller has what looks like a straight car.
He's said he'll take less for it, he has his new car already (second/third car for weekend), so just needs to get this one moved on but trying private first vs trade in, so good on him.
Only downside is really that the service history seems to have been done by non BMW and non-specialist since he bought it, so it now needs me to ring these guys and ask what they did (ie, did they do a proper INSP 2 or not)
Also because he's had it 4yrs and only done about 12k miles, I'm not entirely sure how the numbers stack up.
Ie, if it's had the right oil and the engine didn't need shim adjustment any way (maybe it had an INSP2 just before he got it), maybe an independent service will be ok.
Just needs lots of checking and rining around and basically making sure I'm happy. I'd say I'm pretty damn good at doing it, but I'm so annoyed when there are clear faults/issues that are material and haven't been disclosed and make the entire day a waste... it does happen and it puts me off.
THEN it's all the checking the car when I go see it etc. How do people go on with insurance and test drives these days for a private seller/buyer?
Nothing against the seller, but it surprises me when people skimp on FBMWSH on a car like this when that M engine deserves the job doing 100% right, especially from a resale reassurance POV.
Had it been FBMWSH I'd have probably been rushing to go see it... instead I'm sat here indifferent because I know if it is a good deal, it's also a lot of time/risk to go check it out, and THEN also reassure the next person who it's sold to (you never know) that it's 'all ok'
So I ran a trader selling a top money M3 CS (top money imo, the prices some traders are asking is bonkers given I could 'mintify' a cheap M3 for less and know it's 100% right!)
All great, but no service in the book since summer 2013! Last one was an INSP2 at BMW. BMW SH all through though.
But apparently just before it was traded in it had £3,000 ish spent at BMW and mention of oil/diff seals etc. So maybe it did have an INSP2 but it's simply not been added to the book?
So another job for me to ring BMW to find out this info... you'd think a dealer selling such a car would get this clarified... 4.5yrs and about 15k mile gap in service is seriously 'out' for such a car?
I have this feeling it's been serviced but the book is blank. I'm gonna try go see the car next week and have a drive and do digging to make sure it's 100% straight and then if I really like it I can haggle and try get it into the range of what I'd be happy paying.
It's also made me realise that my 04 Z4 on 3 owners (1st was BMW) and me for the last 9 years is pretty 'good' all considered. It's got all the paperwork from me and the last guy. I bought all new keys. It's got a FBMWSH.
I need to find a person like me selling an M3 haha
PS, does anyone else use Cazana? Does anyone know if an owner change entry is made when traders get cars sometimes?
Just I've seen some very odd entries with changes of owners and then re-advertised by the same dealer soon after. It's hard to draw a full picture but I'm baffled by the history of some cars.
There is a Phoenix Yellow facelift over Preston way on AutoTrader with a weird timeline.
At first it appealed to me but then these timelines put me off. Not entirely, but the idea of driving 2 hrs each way to have my worries justified isn't my idea of fun.
I'm a seller like you, so when my buyers came they had sufficient info to be confident that they'd insured my car fully comp in their name so could have a decent test drive. Had they changed their minds, they had a 14 day cooling off period to cancel insurance. Why owners and traders can't write really comprehensive ads is beyond me.
So far one private seller has what looks like a straight car.
He's said he'll take less for it, he has his new car already (second/third car for weekend), so just needs to get this one moved on but trying private first vs trade in, so good on him.
Only downside is really that the service history seems to have been done by non BMW and non-specialist since he bought it, so it now needs me to ring these guys and ask what they did (ie, did they do a proper INSP 2 or not)
Also because he's had it 4yrs and only done about 12k miles, I'm not entirely sure how the numbers stack up.
Ie, if it's had the right oil and the engine didn't need shim adjustment any way (maybe it had an INSP2 just before he got it), maybe an independent service will be ok.
Just needs lots of checking and rining around and basically making sure I'm happy. I'd say I'm pretty damn good at doing it, but I'm so annoyed when there are clear faults/issues that are material and haven't been disclosed and make the entire day a waste... it does happen and it puts me off.
THEN it's all the checking the car when I go see it etc. How do people go on with insurance and test drives these days for a private seller/buyer?
Nothing against the seller, but it surprises me when people skimp on FBMWSH on a car like this when that M engine deserves the job doing 100% right, especially from a resale reassurance POV.
Had it been FBMWSH I'd have probably been rushing to go see it... instead I'm sat here indifferent because I know if it is a good deal, it's also a lot of time/risk to go check it out, and THEN also reassure the next person who it's sold to (you never know) that it's 'all ok'
So I ran a trader selling a top money M3 CS (top money imo, the prices some traders are asking is bonkers given I could 'mintify' a cheap M3 for less and know it's 100% right!)
All great, but no service in the book since summer 2013! Last one was an INSP2 at BMW. BMW SH all through though.
But apparently just before it was traded in it had £3,000 ish spent at BMW and mention of oil/diff seals etc. So maybe it did have an INSP2 but it's simply not been added to the book?
So another job for me to ring BMW to find out this info... you'd think a dealer selling such a car would get this clarified... 4.5yrs and about 15k mile gap in service is seriously 'out' for such a car?
I have this feeling it's been serviced but the book is blank. I'm gonna try go see the car next week and have a drive and do digging to make sure it's 100% straight and then if I really like it I can haggle and try get it into the range of what I'd be happy paying.
It's also made me realise that my 04 Z4 on 3 owners (1st was BMW) and me for the last 9 years is pretty 'good' all considered. It's got all the paperwork from me and the last guy. I bought all new keys. It's got a FBMWSH.
I need to find a person like me selling an M3 haha
PS, does anyone else use Cazana? Does anyone know if an owner change entry is made when traders get cars sometimes?
Just I've seen some very odd entries with changes of owners and then re-advertised by the same dealer soon after. It's hard to draw a full picture but I'm baffled by the history of some cars.
There is a Phoenix Yellow facelift over Preston way on AutoTrader with a weird timeline.
At first it appealed to me but then these timelines put me off. Not entirely, but the idea of driving 2 hrs each way to have my worries justified isn't my idea of fun.
In one other case, as it wasn't a fast car (my old man's X1) and the old guy was really nice (and I'd checked him out as much as poss.) he had a test drive on a quiet back near me.
Some sellers don't seem to mind taking the risk though from what I've read.
I've checked all my old cars and being nosy some of neighbors' with cazanna and it's be 100% BUT when I've checked cars I've not been familiar with, i've had the same timeline issues as you.
I've used Total Car Check because they have a 1.99£ check which when I last used it gave everything but finance clear so was a cheap way of digging for info. Example, a mate was into a E92 and the owner was claiming he was the 2nd owner. We were able to prove he was the 4th.
Missing entries in service book sadly are common. After Insp 2 the CS should have had oil by 2015 at the latest and another oil within 2 years after that if insufficient miles incurred for an Inspection 1; so you do need to check. At the back of the service book there should, ideally, be stamps for brake fluid it's a separate indicator and for coolant.
When I was ringing round to get prices for an Inspection 2 on my M3, the Service Delartments for my two nearest BMW dealerships said they didn’t check the valve clearances as part of the service, but listened for any untoward noises then did the work if needed and at extra cost. So that’s ~£900 for oil, filters and plugs.
If that’s now common practice, it could be that the valve clearances haven’t been checked - never mind adjusted - for some time.
If that’s now common practice, it could be that the valve clearances haven’t been checked - never mind adjusted - for some time.
I wouldn't pay for an Inspection 1 or 2 without evidence of valve clearances.
My BMW dealer are excellent - here's a video they took of mine in for its last Ins 2: https://video.citnow.com/vtJY7GfPNb2
My BMW dealer are excellent - here's a video they took of mine in for its last Ins 2: https://video.citnow.com/vtJY7GfPNb2
ftypical said:
When I was ringing round to get prices for an Inspection 2 on my M3, the Service Delartments for my two nearest BMW dealerships said they didn’t check the valve clearances as part of the service, but listened for any untoward noises then did the work if needed and at extra cost. So that’s ~£900 for oil, filters and plugs.
If that’s now common practice, it could be that the valve clearances haven’t been checked - never mind adjusted - for some time.
The specialists are no better here. Two of the specialists near me said they didn't check them unless the car was noisy. One still charged a fair whack for an Inspection I and II.If that’s now common practice, it could be that the valve clearances haven’t been checked - never mind adjusted - for some time.
It's a shame as that leaves any decent specialist who can do work for me being 30+ miles away. It's one reason why I did the Inspection myself. Yes, it *may* devalue it but OTOH I have tons and tons of history and evidence of the clearances being down with an oily sheet I had at the time and a few photos.
But alot of owners would be swayed by the local specialists ; after all, if a bloke says a £200 job will be no different to a £500 one are you really going to turn his offer down?
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