what to look for when buying E46 M3 convertible - spec etc
Discussion
Seen a silver M3 cab locally
It's a 2003 car, led rear lights, 6 owners, black leather, 55k miles from new and looks in lovely condition. its up at £12500
had running in service and has got 5 stamps in the book (various non BMW dealers, just bog standard dealers other than first couple)
no other paperwork to support the car eg receipts of new parts/MOT's etc.
spec is low but has black leather and black electric hood and electric seats and new tyres.
it is a manual which is key for me as I have heard SMG are slower and more unreliable.
So chaps, please can you help me with the following:
does spec sell these as this has little spec?
would the lack of MOT's etc bother you if I were to get an inspection?
any know of any better cars for sale?
do you agree with the fact manual is more sought after?
anything to watch out for when buying these cars such as VANOS, expensive parts eg brake discs, boot floor etc?
is it 'worth this' ie is that what glass' says or is it underpriced or overpriced or about right?
Don't know much about E46 M3 cabs.
Thanks
It's a 2003 car, led rear lights, 6 owners, black leather, 55k miles from new and looks in lovely condition. its up at £12500
had running in service and has got 5 stamps in the book (various non BMW dealers, just bog standard dealers other than first couple)
no other paperwork to support the car eg receipts of new parts/MOT's etc.
spec is low but has black leather and black electric hood and electric seats and new tyres.
it is a manual which is key for me as I have heard SMG are slower and more unreliable.
So chaps, please can you help me with the following:
does spec sell these as this has little spec?
would the lack of MOT's etc bother you if I were to get an inspection?
any know of any better cars for sale?
do you agree with the fact manual is more sought after?
anything to watch out for when buying these cars such as VANOS, expensive parts eg brake discs, boot floor etc?
is it 'worth this' ie is that what glass' says or is it underpriced or overpriced or about right?
Don't know much about E46 M3 cabs.
Thanks
In terms of spec, I'd say go for the best you can. I'm a fan of heated seats in a 'vert and the standard E46 stereo set up isn't great so if one had the HK then it may be worth it.
Other than that, the Sat Nav isn't great but makes the dash look a lot more modern IMO so maybe worth looking out for. Will probably help when it comes to selling too.
It's a car to be driven at the end of the day and doesn't need a load of extras to over complicate things.
Other than that, the Sat Nav isn't great but makes the dash look a lot more modern IMO so maybe worth looking out for. Will probably help when it comes to selling too.
It's a car to be driven at the end of the day and doesn't need a load of extras to over complicate things.
IMO when you want one of these you want top spec really as it will aslo help when you wnt to move the car on.
When i bought mine i wanted leather, Sat nav/TV, Harmon Kardon upgrade stereo, 19's, Facelift Taillights as a minimu. Took a bit longer to find it but was worth it in the end.
When i bought mine i wanted leather, Sat nav/TV, Harmon Kardon upgrade stereo, 19's, Facelift Taillights as a minimu. Took a bit longer to find it but was worth it in the end.
Laird said:
My advice would be to look at a few before jumping into anything.
6 owners and a lack of decent history (any idiot can put a stamp in a book) is not something that immediately appeals to me.
There are approximately 6 billion M3 cabs for sale currently, so you can afford to be picky.
^ this.6 owners and a lack of decent history (any idiot can put a stamp in a book) is not something that immediately appeals to me.
There are approximately 6 billion M3 cabs for sale currently, so you can afford to be picky.
Best option for the M3 is the Harmon Kardon stereo is worth it compared to the standard system.
Heated seats are also good (most have these anyway)
jonah35 said:
6 owners
^^ This would put me off, TBH.I've been toying with getting an M3 cab of the same vintage and 'Nav, Harman Kardon, hardtop, red leather and a manual would be highlights for me.
There are a few nice ones on here around 12.5-13.5k, with low owners and a recent Inspection 2 done.
Remember, that whilst it costs around 12k to buy, it's still a 40k car, with the associated running costs...
Loads of owners is a shortish space of time? Distinct lack of paperwork? Surely not every owner is that lazy...or are they?
For that money, I don't think it's a huge amount of car either but if it suits you, fair enough. I'd probably give this one a miss though. It's a very young car to have such a poor service history. Imagine if the 1000 mile run in oil hadn't been changed, a frightening prospect!
For that money, I don't think it's a huge amount of car either but if it suits you, fair enough. I'd probably give this one a miss though. It's a very young car to have such a poor service history. Imagine if the 1000 mile run in oil hadn't been changed, a frightening prospect!
Baryonyx said:
Loads of owners is a shortish space of time? Distinct lack of paperwork? Surely not every owner is that lazy...or are they?
For that money, I don't think it's a huge amount of car either but if it suits you, fair enough. I'd probably give this one a miss though. It's a very young car to have such a poor service history. Imagine if the 1000 mile run in oil hadn't been changed, a frightening prospect!
This.For that money, I don't think it's a huge amount of car either but if it suits you, fair enough. I'd probably give this one a miss though. It's a very young car to have such a poor service history. Imagine if the 1000 mile run in oil hadn't been changed, a frightening prospect!
There are better examples on the market for your money.
Have a look at the following buyers guide for some useful info
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=285...
http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=285...
I love this forum 
thanks chaps, the nav and HK thing sounds interesting too.
The running in service has been done as it has a stamp in the book but the worry for me is the absolute lack of paperwork, surely even an old MOT or something.
I can check the mot history online and can call around the dealers but it seems you are all saying that due to the large number for sale i can afford to be picky, so I may look at others then.
post some links up if you can please to others for sale.
as to running costs yeah i'm aware of that thanks, it's more of a stop gap fun car to have for 6 months to a year before a weapon is delivered so running costs not overly an issue but obviously as any prudent man would want, I don't want any big bills etc.
thanks chaps, the nav and HK thing sounds interesting too.
The running in service has been done as it has a stamp in the book but the worry for me is the absolute lack of paperwork, surely even an old MOT or something.
I can check the mot history online and can call around the dealers but it seems you are all saying that due to the large number for sale i can afford to be picky, so I may look at others then.
post some links up if you can please to others for sale.
as to running costs yeah i'm aware of that thanks, it's more of a stop gap fun car to have for 6 months to a year before a weapon is delivered so running costs not overly an issue but obviously as any prudent man would want, I don't want any big bills etc.
i have also looked at common problems via the search button so am aware of suspension and brakes and boot floor etc so we don't need to go into detail on points to watch out for and it will get an inspection too
more the spec, cost and details about other cars service history's important now pls
more the spec, cost and details about other cars service history's important now pls
jonah35 said:
I love this forum
thanks chaps, the nav and HK thing sounds interesting too.
The running in service has been done as it has a stamp in the book but the worry for me is the absolute lack of paperwork, surely even an old MOT or something.
I can check the mot history online and can call around the dealers but it seems you are all saying that due to the large number for sale i can afford to be picky, so I may look at others then.
post some links up if you can please to others for sale.
as to running costs yeah i'm aware of that thanks, it's more of a stop gap fun car to have for 6 months to a year before a weapon is delivered so running costs not overly an issue but obviously as any prudent man would want, I don't want any big bills etc.
This is a much better option thanks chaps, the nav and HK thing sounds interesting too.
The running in service has been done as it has a stamp in the book but the worry for me is the absolute lack of paperwork, surely even an old MOT or something.
I can check the mot history online and can call around the dealers but it seems you are all saying that due to the large number for sale i can afford to be picky, so I may look at others then.
post some links up if you can please to others for sale.
as to running costs yeah i'm aware of that thanks, it's more of a stop gap fun car to have for 6 months to a year before a weapon is delivered so running costs not overly an issue but obviously as any prudent man would want, I don't want any big bills etc.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2814640.htm
Jw Vw said:
looks a lovely one and inspection 2 done not too long ago.needs to be a cab sadly which really lowers number of cars available
E30M3SE said:
You can check the MOT history here, all you need is the VRM and the MOT test number from the VT20/VT30 or the V5c Doc ref Number.
thanks yeah i'm going to do that but I think others are saying it's still not worth it if doesn't have receipts and the physical mot certificates etcjonah35 said:
thanks yeah i'm going to do that but I think others are saying it's still not worth it if doesn't have receipts and the physical mot certificates etc
A MOT history check tells you more than the previous MOT's as it show any fails and advisories, the certifcates on there own do not. Phone the garages that stamped the servicd book and see if they actually know the car.
ETA If the car has not had its 1200 mile running in service then move on and find another car.
Edited by E30M3SE on Monday 30th May 16:48
Edited by E30M3SE on Monday 30th May 16:48
E30M3SE said:
You can check the MOT history here, all you need is the VRM and the MOT test number from the VT20/VT30 or the V5c Doc ref Number.
This is an excellent thing to use online. I used it to check my Volvo out before I bought it. That reminds me, I'll get the documents posted for that now...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff