E46 M3 - How low would you go?
Discussion
I remember last year (or maybe the start of this year) people saying that they wouldn't buy an M3 under £10k as it was likely to have been ragged/not looked after. Now that there are around 150 for sale on PH for this price or less, would you still not touch one? I'm considering a purchase around May next year (circumstances permitting) but worry that a low priced example is more likely to be a money pit.
Anyone taken the plunge and had trouble free motoring?
Anyone taken the plunge and had trouble free motoring?
I personally wouldn't let that put you off.The price of the cars now is more to do with just how they have depreciated over the years rather than a reflection of the condition/mechanical state of the cars at this age.
I bought my 53 plate E46 M3 convertible nearly 5 yrs ago for £25k and and i am guessing today it is only worth around £10-£11k.Despite being 5 yrs older with another 35,000 miles on the clock the car is every bit as good as the day i bought it and as far as i am aware should give nothing to worry about but routine maintainance for the foreseeable future.
As with any used car there are good and bad examples out there.Find yourself a good one and you will be getting an awful lot of car for £10k!!
I bought my 53 plate E46 M3 convertible nearly 5 yrs ago for £25k and and i am guessing today it is only worth around £10-£11k.Despite being 5 yrs older with another 35,000 miles on the clock the car is every bit as good as the day i bought it and as far as i am aware should give nothing to worry about but routine maintainance for the foreseeable future.
As with any used car there are good and bad examples out there.Find yourself a good one and you will be getting an awful lot of car for £10k!!
I bought a 2003 52 plate manual for £9000 in June with 70000 miles on, which i think is a bargain.
I have spent £1500 on it,within a month of buying it.
I had Einbach springs fitted all around (Rear 2 had snapped)
New clutch- Difficult to get into 1st and reverse, clutch done while gbox was off.
Inspection 1 and new belts
and 2 front continental Tyres (Michelins fitted were not worn but caused tramlining).
Its been fantastic, ive done 4000 miles,it runs like a dream. No difference between this one and my last one which had 38000 miles on and was less than 4 years old.
I have spent £1500 on it,within a month of buying it.
I had Einbach springs fitted all around (Rear 2 had snapped)
New clutch- Difficult to get into 1st and reverse, clutch done while gbox was off.
Inspection 1 and new belts
and 2 front continental Tyres (Michelins fitted were not worn but caused tramlining).
Its been fantastic, ive done 4000 miles,it runs like a dream. No difference between this one and my last one which had 38000 miles on and was less than 4 years old.
Edited by nottyash on Monday 12th December 12:01
Edited by nottyash on Monday 12th December 12:04
I got mine this July for £9k. Its a 2002 with 96k. The car is in fantastic condition apart from the wheels that could do with a refurb.
I took it to the ring shortly after buying it and had no issues. I have since had to 2 ignition coils fail and I had a rather catastrophic oil leak a couple of weeks ago. It was a £50 pipe which was changed by my local indy.
It had been remapped a week before that and I think the rolling road upset it! Got some good power from it. It was running 319bhp before the map and had a csl map loaded and upped it to 331bhp. Its a bit of a handful now
I drive it in sport mode and most of the time with the traction control off as the TC doesnt let you have any fun! (My e36 didnt have traction control and was better for it.)
Other then that it has been fantastic, I owned a 95 e36 M3 before this car for 3 years so I know what its like owning an older M motor.
I had the indy look over it and I will need to change the front disks soon, pads all round. All in all its in good shape and I expect to change these things anyway.
Will be booking a track day soon to destroy my brake disks
I took it to the ring shortly after buying it and had no issues. I have since had to 2 ignition coils fail and I had a rather catastrophic oil leak a couple of weeks ago. It was a £50 pipe which was changed by my local indy.
It had been remapped a week before that and I think the rolling road upset it! Got some good power from it. It was running 319bhp before the map and had a csl map loaded and upped it to 331bhp. Its a bit of a handful now
I drive it in sport mode and most of the time with the traction control off as the TC doesnt let you have any fun! (My e36 didnt have traction control and was better for it.)Other then that it has been fantastic, I owned a 95 e36 M3 before this car for 3 years so I know what its like owning an older M motor.
I had the indy look over it and I will need to change the front disks soon, pads all round. All in all its in good shape and I expect to change these things anyway.
Will be booking a track day soon to destroy my brake disks
I've had mine for about 3 months now. It's an '02, black on black, 114K miles, manual, FBMWSH, 2 owners, Insp I due in 12K miles, HK (no nav) and lovely 18's - won't be changing them 
Recently had new disks/pads, rear springs, RTAB, FCAB.......and all this for £1,800 less than a new KIA Picanto 
Not planning on changing anything (no, really!) other than the clubsport shorter gear knob and I'll need to replace my door card pull handles as they've cracked/blistered. I've fitted a Connects2 ipod adapter, a new front indicator, new badges and that'll do me for now. Maybe I'll treat it to clear indicator bulbs it it's lucky.
I've had quicker, better looking and more comfy cars, but not one that does everything so well in one package. It's a great daily driver.
Completely standard M3 lovelyness
Recently had new disks/pads, rear springs, RTAB, FCAB.......and all this for £1,800 less than a new KIA Picanto Not planning on changing anything (no, really!) other than the clubsport shorter gear knob and I'll need to replace my door card pull handles as they've cracked/blistered. I've fitted a Connects2 ipod adapter, a new front indicator, new badges and that'll do me for now. Maybe I'll treat it to clear indicator bulbs it it's lucky.
I've had quicker, better looking and more comfy cars, but not one that does everything so well in one package. It's a great daily driver.
Completely standard M3 lovelyness
benny.c said:
I've had mine for about 3 months now. It's an '02, black on black, 114K miles, manual, FBMWSH, 2 owners, Insp I due in 12K miles, HK (no nav) and lovely 18's - won't be changing them Recently had new disks/pads, rear springs, RTAB, FCAB.......and all this for £1,800 less than a new KIA Picanto
Not planning on changing anything (no, really!) other than the clubsport shorter gear knob and I'll need to replace my door card pull handles as they've cracked/blistered. I've fitted a Connects2 ipod adapter, a new front indicator, new badges and that'll do me for now. Maybe I'll treat it to clear indicator bulbs it it's lucky.
I've had quicker, better looking and more comfy cars, but not one that does everything so well in one package. It's a great daily driver.
Completely standard M3 lovelyness
Thats lovely, much prefer those wheels. Recently had new disks/pads, rear springs, RTAB, FCAB.......and all this for £1,800 less than a new KIA Picanto Not planning on changing anything (no, really!) other than the clubsport shorter gear knob and I'll need to replace my door card pull handles as they've cracked/blistered. I've fitted a Connects2 ipod adapter, a new front indicator, new badges and that'll do me for now. Maybe I'll treat it to clear indicator bulbs it it's lucky.
I've had quicker, better looking and more comfy cars, but not one that does everything so well in one package. It's a great daily driver.
Completely standard M3 lovelyness
benny.c said:
VinceFox said:
Thats lovely, much prefer those wheels.
Me too. It makes the car very understated and that suits me. Everyone knows the car was designed to run 18's and handles and rides better on them. Most folk just can't resist those shiny 19's though Still quite like the CSL alloy
benny.c said:
I've had mine for about 3 months now. It's an '02, black on black, 114K miles, manual, FBMWSH, 2 owners, Insp I due in 12K miles, HK (no nav) and lovely 18's - won't be changing them Recently had new disks/pads, rear springs, RTAB, FCAB.......and all this for £1,800 less than a new KIA Picanto
Not planning on changing anything (no, really!) other than the clubsport shorter gear knob and I'll need to replace my door card pull handles as they've cracked/blistered. I've fitted a Connects2 ipod adapter, a new front indicator, new badges and that'll do me for now. Maybe I'll treat it to clear indicator bulbs it it's lucky.
I've had quicker, better looking and more comfy cars, but not one that does everything so well in one package. It's a great daily driver.
Completely standard M3 lovelyness
6 grand!? Recently had new disks/pads, rear springs, RTAB, FCAB.......and all this for £1,800 less than a new KIA PicantoNot planning on changing anything (no, really!) other than the clubsport shorter gear knob and I'll need to replace my door card pull handles as they've cracked/blistered. I've fitted a Connects2 ipod adapter, a new front indicator, new badges and that'll do me for now. Maybe I'll treat it to clear indicator bulbs it it's lucky.
I've had quicker, better looking and more comfy cars, but not one that does everything so well in one package. It's a great daily driver.
Completely standard M3 lovelyness
These cars are serious performance bargains at the moment. I'm sure long term I'll have to shell out a little but it looks like it's been well looked after Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff