BMW E46 M3

[KnightRider2000]

Hello Guys

I’m in the market for a BMW E46 M3 manual soft top. I have been looking for nearly a year now but can’t seem to get one for sensible money with low miles low owners.

Any advice you can give on places to buy and anything else I should be looking out for in terms of issues with these cars.

Thanks

[Lannister902]

Unfortunately you've missed the boat on this one. Prices have gone up the the e46 m3 over the past few years, and any nice examples you're looking at +£15k

Edited by Lannister902 on Saturday 17th April 16:02

[E63eeeeee...]

Yeah, you're probably about a year late, if not more, depending on what your idea of reasonable money is.

Convertible E46 M3s are actually noticeably cheaper than coupes, I think because they make more sense as a lighter, more hardcore car. If you only want to cruise around in something that looks pretty I'd say have a look at a 330ci, most of the time you wouldn't notice the difference in performance and prices are much more sensible, but don't hang around this time because they're only going one way at the moment too. Also, buying a convertible in spring or early summer doesn't get you a good deal.

I'm biased though, I have two 330Cis, and aiming to sell one soon, once I've fixed its roof.

There's loads of buyers guides for the M3 and E46s in general, so not going to go over all the common stuff, but I'd share two bits of painful experience. Whatever a fault looks like it's almost certainly a vacuum leak. And don't trust the petrol gauge if it's reading between a quarter and a half. They are dead easy to diy though.

[KnightRider2000]

Thank you guys.

You’re right, I think I have missed the boat on this. Even at £15k you’re not getting great examples.

I know the coupe is better car all round, I’ve always liked soft tops especially in this weather and the nice exhaust note too. 330i is a good shout but for me it has to be the M3.

Will keep looking.

[Mr Tidy]

If 2 seats would work for you good Z4M Roadsters are around for £15K with the same S54 engine, and they are all manuals.

[twokcc]

Thinking on Mr Tidy's line is a Z4 2 seater would work look at an E89 35i or E89 35is base on E90 . Far more rust resistant than E46 and 6 cylinder turbo engine may not be in same league as a 8000rpm M3 but in real terms(apart from the twisty's) will cover ground just as quick as an E46 M3. Twin turbo engine works really well with DCT gearbox and will hit 100mph just as quick as M3(11 secs)
Prices already starting to pick up (but maybe summer and covid causing this).
Get on z4 foum if it would work for you' lots of info including buying guide.HTH

PS just sold my facelift 2003 E46 330ci (owned for 13yrs) and bought a 2009 Z4 35i DCT - not easy to find a good Z4 and they can throw big bills your way so careful choice needed.

Edited by twokcc on Saturday 17th April 21:08

[KnightRider2000]

Thanks guys, didn’t think of those cars, will look at those too.

[lewisf182]

Timely thread, these are piquing my interest to as a usable ‘modern classic’ but as per anything else thats a modern classic prices have gone a bit silly. What was near £10k are now heading towards £20k with very best at £25 plus.. at that price point lots of other cars start to come in, m2’s etc...

[Jonstar]

lewisf182 said:

Timely thread, these are piquing my interest to as a usable ‘modern classic’ but as per anything else thats a modern classic prices have gone a bit silly. What was near £10k are now heading towards £20k with very best at £25 plus.. at that price point lots of other cars start to come in, m2’s etc...

Agreed, at 10k yes at 20k not a chance, they just aren't special or good enough for that. Unfortunately it seems people's perception of how good a car is increases proportionately to it's current value...

[E63eeeeee...]

I kind of doubt that people are buying the £20k ones to drive them. There's so many out there that you can get perfectly usable ones from 10k upwards (just not unrealistically low mileage ones, given they're now 15-20 years old). Low teens for well looked after ones. The £20k ones with 50k miles are surely being bought as investments, or just people pushing their luck / being optimistic.

[Mr Tidy]

twokcc said:

Thinking on Mr Tidy's line is a Z4 2 seater would work look at an E89 35i or E89 35is base on E90 . Far more rust resistant than E46 and 6 cylinder turbo engine may not be in same league as a 8000rpm M3 but in real terms(apart from the twisty's) will cover ground just as quick as an E46 M3. Twin turbo engine works really well with DCT gearbox and will hit 100mph just as quick as M3(11 secs)
Prices already starting to pick up (but maybe summer and covid causing this).
Get on z4 foum if it would work for you' lots of info including buying guide.HTH

PS just sold my facelift 2003 E46 330ci (owned for 13yrs) and bought a 2009 Z4 35i DCT - not easy to find a good Z4 and they can throw big bills your way so careful choice needed.

Edited by twokcc on Saturday 17th April 21:08

If you consider the E89 Z4 just be aware that only the 35i could be bought new with a manual gearbox, although many weren't, but 35is are all DCTs with adaptive dampers that cost loads to replace when (not if) they stop working.

But the E85 Z4M has the 8,000 rpm S54 engine like the E46 M3, with no turbos, manual gearbox, Hydraulic PAS and an LSD.

And with only about 600 sold in the UK they must surely be rarer than Convertible M3s.