Discussion
Have had my eyes on a clean facelift 330i as a new daily driver for a while now, but have realised that a M3 isn't going to be to far a reach for me now...
The plan is to buy an earlier high mileage one that's been looked after. The car will purely be for weekend and some track driving so will probably be doing less then 5000 miles a year if that. Own a van and highline bora tdi for everything else.
Have heard a lot about running costs (MPG and tyre costs isn't a worry) have had a look on euro parts etc and the prices of the parts don't look to bad, even ungraded parts (within reason) are not as bad as I was lead to believe... So what are the real world running costs like? I would be doing all the work I could on it myself, fitting new parts, servicing etc so the only thing that would cost me money is the parts which makes it seem a lot more affordable to me!
So how much should I be paying for a early one with 100k+ on the clocks. Or is it false economy to buy a m3 at the bottom of the market and bring it up to standard/spec even thought I could uprate all the bushes etc when they needed done and be left with a better sorted car for less in the long run?
Cheers
The plan is to buy an earlier high mileage one that's been looked after. The car will purely be for weekend and some track driving so will probably be doing less then 5000 miles a year if that. Own a van and highline bora tdi for everything else.
Have heard a lot about running costs (MPG and tyre costs isn't a worry) have had a look on euro parts etc and the prices of the parts don't look to bad, even ungraded parts (within reason) are not as bad as I was lead to believe... So what are the real world running costs like? I would be doing all the work I could on it myself, fitting new parts, servicing etc so the only thing that would cost me money is the parts which makes it seem a lot more affordable to me!
So how much should I be paying for a early one with 100k+ on the clocks. Or is it false economy to buy a m3 at the bottom of the market and bring it up to standard/spec even thought I could uprate all the bushes etc when they needed done and be left with a better sorted car for less in the long run?
Cheers
Buy the best example you can afford is my advice, those specific parts soon start to add up as you need to replace them.
Check for boot floor replacement/fix on pre 2004 cars as they are now out of the 10 year fix offered by BMW
They are cheaper to run than they used to be but still expensive.
Check for boot floor replacement/fix on pre 2004 cars as they are now out of the 10 year fix offered by BMW
They are cheaper to run than they used to be but still expensive.
Make sure the example you buy is priced right for the wear of its consumables. e.g. factor in £500 for a pair of back tyres. £400 for a pair of front brake discs+£80 for front pads. If a front toe rod ball-joint wears (as one did on my Z4M) they new rod is £175 instead of £25 for the regular 3 series.
Thanks for the advice guys.
The way am looking at it just now is I could buy one at the bottom end of the market for about £6-7k (have seen some go for as low as 5k but they must be really ropy at that price!) That will been a bit of work done and I could get it to the spec/standard I wanted with updated parts etc for the same price a good one goes for... So in the long run it would be better off buying the older higher mileage in my eyes?
Am not looking for a show standard car anyway. Looking at a car I can have fun in and do a few track days in and even take it the ring next year if all goes to plan...
Had my eyes on a mx5 and turboing it as a long term project but would be looking at £4-5k to get it where I would want it, so I might as well stretch the budget and get the car I actually want....
The way am looking at it just now is I could buy one at the bottom end of the market for about £6-7k (have seen some go for as low as 5k but they must be really ropy at that price!) That will been a bit of work done and I could get it to the spec/standard I wanted with updated parts etc for the same price a good one goes for... So in the long run it would be better off buying the older higher mileage in my eyes?
Am not looking for a show standard car anyway. Looking at a car I can have fun in and do a few track days in and even take it the ring next year if all goes to plan...
Had my eyes on a mx5 and turboing it as a long term project but would be looking at £4-5k to get it where I would want it, so I might as well stretch the budget and get the car I actually want....
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171193597408?ssPageName=...
Could be good - newer but high miles to keep the price sweet - not much of an issue if you don't do much
Could be good - newer but high miles to keep the price sweet - not much of an issue if you don't do much
kiethton said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171193597408?ssPageName=...
Could be good - newer but high miles to keep the price sweet - not much of an issue if you don't do much
Looks nice. I was wondering about the issue with miles. I do cover a lot of miles a year and am also looking for an M3. I didn't know whether to spend every bit of money I have and a bit more besides on a low mileage example and probably lose more when I come to sell it, or get a cheaper, but looked after, higher mileage car that has already lost as much money as it's going to. This would leave me in a better position to pay for some repairs that might arise.Could be good - newer but high miles to keep the price sweet - not much of an issue if you don't do much
Just how reliable are they once they start racking up the miles? I suppose it's pot luck, whether you're buying an old high-miler or a nearly new car if you get a dog or not.
I'd buy a higher mileage car, I've seen quite a few with over 120k. Engines are strong, it's just a case of keeping on top of consumables.
I'd rather by a low owner car (2 or 3) with loads of paperwork/good history that's done 120k than one that's had 7 owners and mainly oil services at various random garages but only 75k miles.
Have a search on here, there are dozens of threads on e46 buying advice.
I'd rather by a low owner car (2 or 3) with loads of paperwork/good history that's done 120k than one that's had 7 owners and mainly oil services at various random garages but only 75k miles.
Have a search on here, there are dozens of threads on e46 buying advice.
I bought mine nearly two years ago when it was on 126k with BMWFSH. It just seemed an honest car (too many out there with suspiciously low mileage for my liking). I bought it privately, so didn't bother with a warranty either.
Anyway, it's only had relatively light use in my hands (have a van for work), and it is currently on just shy of 134k. It's been faultless really, apart from rear top mounts which were £20 for the pair, and were easy to fit. I also replaced the front pads and they were only £40. I take it to Noel at Autokraft for servicing, which also isn't overly expensive.
I use GSF for bits and bobs. It will never see a track in my ownership, so I have just replaced consumables with ordinary road stuff.
I had no qualms about buying a higher mileage one. I would recommend it.
Anyway, it's only had relatively light use in my hands (have a van for work), and it is currently on just shy of 134k. It's been faultless really, apart from rear top mounts which were £20 for the pair, and were easy to fit. I also replaced the front pads and they were only £40. I take it to Noel at Autokraft for servicing, which also isn't overly expensive.
I use GSF for bits and bobs. It will never see a track in my ownership, so I have just replaced consumables with ordinary road stuff.
I had no qualms about buying a higher mileage one. I would recommend it.
Edited by Baz Tench on Friday 20th December 00:24
Awesome cars, my 2 owner 6 speed, late 2003 M3 has now notched up 164k on its original engine and it still pulls like a train, the only thing showing wear is the drivers seat belt.
So dont worry re high miles as long as the history and the seller stack up. In fact I personally, would happily buy one with no history / star ship miles, but I generally know what I'm looking at.
So dont worry re high miles as long as the history and the seller stack up. In fact I personally, would happily buy one with no history / star ship miles, but I generally know what I'm looking at.
Remember they may be fiesta money but running costs are the same as when they are new.
So if I'm being honest, if youre looking at the bottom end of the market I'd have a serious think if you can afford the service costs.
Tyres are going to be approx £800 for a set.
Inspection II bill I last had was for nearly £2k. Service alone was £700 but then you add on bushes, clutches etc it adds up!
While no means bad on fuel. average 23mpg and I do a lot of mixed so is normal i guess, doing loads of miles is going to get expensive. If the majority of those trips are sat at 70mph you it's going to seem like theres little point having it.
I have 2 cars so dont have to put the miles or fuel in so I'm fortunate.
So if I'm being honest, if youre looking at the bottom end of the market I'd have a serious think if you can afford the service costs.
Tyres are going to be approx £800 for a set.
Inspection II bill I last had was for nearly £2k. Service alone was £700 but then you add on bushes, clutches etc it adds up!
While no means bad on fuel. average 23mpg and I do a lot of mixed so is normal i guess, doing loads of miles is going to get expensive. If the majority of those trips are sat at 70mph you it's going to seem like theres little point having it.
I have 2 cars so dont have to put the miles or fuel in so I'm fortunate.
I've been trying to buy a M3 in the £6-8k range and have struggled to find anything decent as yet at that price within a sensible range of my house (I appreciate that this isn't critical, but when feeling out what standard I could afford I wanted to stay local to see a few).
The things I found most prevelant were:
1) Wheels curbed and/or refurbished in non-OEM finish - may bother you, may not.
2) As noted above consumables needing refreshed, cheapest I could see tyres for was around £650 all round and even then that's before fitting etc.
3) Rust spots on arches
4) Damage to the interior (scratches and bolster damage).
5) When someone says FSH, they rarely mean it.
I have no doubt there are bargains out there when/if I look further afield. As you identified, a higher miler would be worth looking into.
Good luck!
The things I found most prevelant were:
1) Wheels curbed and/or refurbished in non-OEM finish - may bother you, may not.
2) As noted above consumables needing refreshed, cheapest I could see tyres for was around £650 all round and even then that's before fitting etc.
3) Rust spots on arches
4) Damage to the interior (scratches and bolster damage).
5) When someone says FSH, they rarely mean it.
I have no doubt there are bargains out there when/if I look further afield. As you identified, a higher miler would be worth looking into.
Good luck!
High miles isn't an issue for me. Had 2 cars with over 130k and they drove better and where more reliable then any lower mileage cars I have had.
What I have found is cars start needing all their bushes etc done at 50-80k/10years. Which is what is putting me of a mint lower mileage one as well....
Also I would be servicing it and doing 90% of the work myself. Have changed clutches and gearboxes in the pasted. So that is going to lower the running costs by some bit! It's also not the case I couldn't afford to get a garage to do the work. Just makes it more justifiable to own one if I some the work myself.
What I have found is cars start needing all their bushes etc done at 50-80k/10years. Which is what is putting me of a mint lower mileage one as well....
joema said:
Remember they may be fiesta money but running costs are the same as when they are new.
So if I'm being honest, if youre looking at the bottom end of the market I'd have a serious think if you can afford the service costs.
Tyres are going to be approx £800 for a set.
Inspection II bill I last had was for nearly £2k. Service alone was £700 but then you add on bushes, clutches etc it adds up!
While no means bad on fuel. average 23mpg and I do a lot of mixed so is normal i guess, doing loads of miles is going to get expensive. If the majority of those trips are sat at 70mph you it's going to seem like theres little point having it.
I have 2 cars so dont have to put the miles or fuel in so I'm fortunate.
Running costs aren't a problem got a van and other car so if I couldn't afford or didn't have the time to fix it, it's not really an issue for me. So if I'm being honest, if youre looking at the bottom end of the market I'd have a serious think if you can afford the service costs.
Tyres are going to be approx £800 for a set.
Inspection II bill I last had was for nearly £2k. Service alone was £700 but then you add on bushes, clutches etc it adds up!
While no means bad on fuel. average 23mpg and I do a lot of mixed so is normal i guess, doing loads of miles is going to get expensive. If the majority of those trips are sat at 70mph you it's going to seem like theres little point having it.
I have 2 cars so dont have to put the miles or fuel in so I'm fortunate.
Also I would be servicing it and doing 90% of the work myself. Have changed clutches and gearboxes in the pasted. So that is going to lower the running costs by some bit! It's also not the case I couldn't afford to get a garage to do the work. Just makes it more justifiable to own one if I some the work myself.
I personally would spend as much as you can getting a car as we'll sorted you can afford from the offset!! I like less miles but as others have said really buy on condition!! I bought a 2002 car with 32k on it paid a bit more but it had full bm history with all receipts and every single mot cert plus printout from BMW showing that the rod bearing recall was done!! Buy the best one you can afford!!
adaptive said:
martin mrt said:
Buy the best example you can afford is my advice
Really? As opposed to buying "not quite the best you can afford" or maybe "not the worst"? 
Damage to interior such as scratches and driver seat bolster are easily done both can easily be sorted with brand new BMW parts and for the seat at least specialist seat retrimmer
Ideally go for low owners.
FBMWSH with all invoices and stamps and MOTs
Get pre purchase inspection before buying
Check for accident damage
Standard and original cars are best
Nice to know ppl can find good high mileage ones out there
Ideally go for low owners.
FBMWSH with all invoices and stamps and MOTs
Get pre purchase inspection before buying
Check for accident damage
Standard and original cars are best
Nice to know ppl can find good high mileage ones out there
Still undecided on what to get. Have been looking at facelift 330ci sports. More and more having been put off a m3 because people say the running costs are double...
But have looked into and know someone that has went from a 330ci to an m3 and said the general running costs aren't that different. Apart from the tires and insurance. Even the parts dont look like they cost that much more looking on ECPs.
But good high mileage m3 seen to be non existent just now.... Was hoping to pick up a winter bargin!!!
But have looked into and know someone that has went from a 330ci to an m3 and said the general running costs aren't that different. Apart from the tires and insurance. Even the parts dont look like they cost that much more looking on ECPs.
But good high mileage m3 seen to be non existent just now.... Was hoping to pick up a winter bargin!!!
They are out there. I've known of two tidy ones go for £5.5k. One was advertised on here two years ago, a 2002 plate, serviced by Bexleys, 80k on the clock, fresh brakes and tyres, subframe sorted and has since done numerous track days and 'ring trips.
Many people will let them go for just over part ex price.
Good luck and keep looking.
Many people will let them go for just over part ex price.
Good luck and keep looking.
Now look here.........you know what you want so just go and buy one. Last summer I was looking for a 330 and drove a couple and was just about do to a deal on one. Then a couple of PH mates told new stop mucking about with a girlie model and buy an M3. It was the best advice I've had about buying cars and the best £10000 I have ever spent.
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