Viewing an E46 M3, what to look for
Discussion
There's a great buying guide here, which I found a great help when shopping for mine. Key thing to check for are broken rear coils, since this seems to happen to every M3 beyond a certain age. Listen for a metallic rattle from the rear when driving over bumps if you can't get access to see the coils themselves. Check out the service history in the book, and it's worth actually phoning at least one of the dealerships from the stamps to confirm that they know the car and it's had the work carried out.
It'll be hard to not just instantly buy the car the moment you drive it, but think of this as due diligence - a few extra minutes checking and phoning might save you a big bill down the road. I found it was also helpful to have a 'neutral' mate along with you to keep your enthusiasm in check!
Best of luck!
It'll be hard to not just instantly buy the car the moment you drive it, but think of this as due diligence - a few extra minutes checking and phoning might save you a big bill down the road. I found it was also helpful to have a 'neutral' mate along with you to keep your enthusiasm in check!
Best of luck!
Rear springs do break but are only £170 and pretty easy to fix,they usually last around 50k miles so see when they were last done.
Obvious visual checks are tyres and brakes-make sure there is plenty left as they are not cheap to replace.
Pre 2003 cars had an engine recall-make sure this has been done.
Check running in service has been done @ 1200 miles-also check when and what service is due nxt Insp 1+2 are quite pricey.
If you are not going to get the car inspected ie. up on the ramps,have a look when it was last mot'd.If it was recently then it is a good bet that the things you cant see,steering suspension etc are in good health.
I would also recommend that you have a look at a few.The golden rule is to buy on condition and the condition can vary massively regardless of mileage.They wear their miles well and if it is a bit tatty dont just think they are all like this at that mileage because they are not.
Best of luck.
Obvious visual checks are tyres and brakes-make sure there is plenty left as they are not cheap to replace.
Pre 2003 cars had an engine recall-make sure this has been done.
Check running in service has been done @ 1200 miles-also check when and what service is due nxt Insp 1+2 are quite pricey.
If you are not going to get the car inspected ie. up on the ramps,have a look when it was last mot'd.If it was recently then it is a good bet that the things you cant see,steering suspension etc are in good health.
I would also recommend that you have a look at a few.The golden rule is to buy on condition and the condition can vary massively regardless of mileage.They wear their miles well and if it is a bit tatty dont just think they are all like this at that mileage because they are not.
Best of luck.
Nedz said:
Rear springs do break but are only £170 and pretty easy to fix,they usually last around 50k miles so see when they were last done.
Obvious visual checks are tyres and brakes-make sure there is plenty left as they are not cheap to replace.
Pre 2003 cars had an engine recall-make sure this has been done.
Check running in service has been done @ 1200 miles-also check when and what service is due nxt Insp 1+2 are quite pricey.
If you are not going to get the car inspected ie. up on the ramps,have a look when it was last mot'd.If it was recently then it is a good bet that the things you cant see,steering suspension etc are in good health.
I would also recommend that you have a look at a few.The golden rule is to buy on condition and the condition can vary massively regardless of mileage.They wear their miles well and if it is a bit tatty dont just think they are all like this at that mileage because they are not.
Best of luck.
I just bought a 2003 car and a day after I picked it up, and after the MOT a rear spring snapped.Obvious visual checks are tyres and brakes-make sure there is plenty left as they are not cheap to replace.
Pre 2003 cars had an engine recall-make sure this has been done.
Check running in service has been done @ 1200 miles-also check when and what service is due nxt Insp 1+2 are quite pricey.
If you are not going to get the car inspected ie. up on the ramps,have a look when it was last mot'd.If it was recently then it is a good bet that the things you cant see,steering suspension etc are in good health.
I would also recommend that you have a look at a few.The golden rule is to buy on condition and the condition can vary massively regardless of mileage.They wear their miles well and if it is a bit tatty dont just think they are all like this at that mileage because they are not.
Best of luck.
BMW only,Motor factor couldnt supply them and they are just over £80 each + vat, and of course you should change pairs. It was £202 a pair all in, plus fitting.
nottyash said:
Nedz said:
Rear springs do break but are only £170 and pretty easy to fix,they usually last around 50k miles so see when they were last done.
Obvious visual checks are tyres and brakes-make sure there is plenty left as they are not cheap to replace.
Pre 2003 cars had an engine recall-make sure this has been done.
Check running in service has been done @ 1200 miles-also check when and what service is due nxt Insp 1+2 are quite pricey.
If you are not going to get the car inspected ie. up on the ramps,have a look when it was last mot'd.If it was recently then it is a good bet that the things you cant see,steering suspension etc are in good health.
I would also recommend that you have a look at a few.The golden rule is to buy on condition and the condition can vary massively regardless of mileage.They wear their miles well and if it is a bit tatty dont just think they are all like this at that mileage because they are not.
Best of luck.
I just bought a 2003 car and a day after I picked it up, and after the MOT a rear spring snapped.Obvious visual checks are tyres and brakes-make sure there is plenty left as they are not cheap to replace.
Pre 2003 cars had an engine recall-make sure this has been done.
Check running in service has been done @ 1200 miles-also check when and what service is due nxt Insp 1+2 are quite pricey.
If you are not going to get the car inspected ie. up on the ramps,have a look when it was last mot'd.If it was recently then it is a good bet that the things you cant see,steering suspension etc are in good health.
I would also recommend that you have a look at a few.The golden rule is to buy on condition and the condition can vary massively regardless of mileage.They wear their miles well and if it is a bit tatty dont just think they are all like this at that mileage because they are not.
Best of luck.
BMW only,Motor factor couldnt supply them and they are just over £80 each + vat, and of course you should change pairs. It was £202 a pair all in, plus fitting.
Edited by Nedz on Friday 17th June 12:37
playalistic said:
bmminiparts.com are always cheapest for OEM parts in my experience, unless you have a good relationship with your stealer!
I second that!Also don't worry about the bearing recall, if your car's done 90,000 miles and hasn't had a problem then I would suggest something else would break before the big ends go.
playalistic said:
bmminiparts.com are always cheapest for OEM parts in my experience, unless you have a good relationship with your stealer!
And another +1 to that - Toby et al do a grand job, supplied me a couple of times in a couple of days and very well priced vs. BMW for genuine parts. Recommended.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff