E46 M3 cab - how much should I spend + other Q's....
Discussion
I'm decided to take the plunge and look at investing in my teenage obsession - an E46 M3 convertible.
I'm not going to be buying till the autumn and winter months but still I've decided to start doing some research now so I'm as prepared as possible when I have the cash in my hand and go shopping.
Budget - £12,000 with + £1,000 contingency for the right car.
Car will be weekend and fun car only - I have access to other vehicles for day to day chores and an 04 impreza sti for weekend hooning - so will be just a treat to myself. I expect mileage to be around 5,000 miles a year.
Things I'm aware of so far, apart from normal 2nd hand buying simples:
Running in service and to ensure this had been done
Boot floor issues - although I'm aware I'd like clarification onto how to ensure this has been done and if not, the best way to approach a resolution. Also, if this has been done, is BMW's fix enough or should I seek out a car that has had "extra" work done by an independent? If it hasn't been done, what do I do?
Smg or manual? Before the recession bit my industry I had an R8 with the automated manual and although I thought it suited the car I had a lucky escape from a potential £10,000 bill due to inherit design issues (software and such). What are your recommendations? Is it a dog or a god send for the high revving engine? Does it go bang, go through clutches in half the mileage of the manual or is generally just a bit rubbish and should be avoided? I'd appreciate your opinions although I have no real preference. I believe the pumps go wrong from time to time? How do i tell and what do I need to budget for repairs?
Budget?
Is £12,000 enough or am I going to be buying a bucket of trouble and need to up my budget? Again, all opinions welcome.
Servicing?
Assuming the mileages are correct would you choose a 90,000 mile FSH car or a 50,000 mile car with some stamps missing? Everything else being equal. I tend to lean towards FSH but, again, opinions welcome.
Rust?
I know some E46's suffer from front wings but is there any rust prone areas I need to check for body shop repairs?
Are there any major or minor issues I need to be aware off and add to the Bork fund?
Finally, any other opinions are welcome. I'm going to start searching PH, other forums and the net to find out as much as possible, but thought I'd get this thread started early so those in the know can get the replies going.
Cheers
I'm not going to be buying till the autumn and winter months but still I've decided to start doing some research now so I'm as prepared as possible when I have the cash in my hand and go shopping.
Budget - £12,000 with + £1,000 contingency for the right car.
Car will be weekend and fun car only - I have access to other vehicles for day to day chores and an 04 impreza sti for weekend hooning - so will be just a treat to myself. I expect mileage to be around 5,000 miles a year.
Things I'm aware of so far, apart from normal 2nd hand buying simples:
Running in service and to ensure this had been done
Boot floor issues - although I'm aware I'd like clarification onto how to ensure this has been done and if not, the best way to approach a resolution. Also, if this has been done, is BMW's fix enough or should I seek out a car that has had "extra" work done by an independent? If it hasn't been done, what do I do?
Smg or manual? Before the recession bit my industry I had an R8 with the automated manual and although I thought it suited the car I had a lucky escape from a potential £10,000 bill due to inherit design issues (software and such). What are your recommendations? Is it a dog or a god send for the high revving engine? Does it go bang, go through clutches in half the mileage of the manual or is generally just a bit rubbish and should be avoided? I'd appreciate your opinions although I have no real preference. I believe the pumps go wrong from time to time? How do i tell and what do I need to budget for repairs?
Budget?
Is £12,000 enough or am I going to be buying a bucket of trouble and need to up my budget? Again, all opinions welcome.
Servicing?
Assuming the mileages are correct would you choose a 90,000 mile FSH car or a 50,000 mile car with some stamps missing? Everything else being equal. I tend to lean towards FSH but, again, opinions welcome.
Rust?
I know some E46's suffer from front wings but is there any rust prone areas I need to check for body shop repairs?
Are there any major or minor issues I need to be aware off and add to the Bork fund?
Finally, any other opinions are welcome. I'm going to start searching PH, other forums and the net to find out as much as possible, but thought I'd get this thread started early so those in the know can get the replies going.
Cheers
Just my opinion:
Running in service - vital.
Boot floor cracking - IMHO this is completely overblown on this forum. (3 M3 E46s and no issues)
Service history - important and ensure the correct Castrol is used.
Budget - £12k will get you a very good low mileage car e.g. just checked Autotrader and put £13k and this was the most impressive I think http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Run your fingers behind the wheel arches at the rear to feel for rust.
Make sure everything works as it should.
SMG or Manual? You really need to drive them both to decide. SMG is ideal for fast motoring, less so if all you do is drive in stop start in city centres but on an A road, excellent.
Manual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
Running in service - vital.
Boot floor cracking - IMHO this is completely overblown on this forum. (3 M3 E46s and no issues)
Service history - important and ensure the correct Castrol is used.
Budget - £12k will get you a very good low mileage car e.g. just checked Autotrader and put £13k and this was the most impressive I think http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Run your fingers behind the wheel arches at the rear to feel for rust.
Make sure everything works as it should.
SMG or Manual? You really need to drive them both to decide. SMG is ideal for fast motoring, less so if all you do is drive in stop start in city centres but on an A road, excellent.
Manual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
N7GTX said:
SMG or Manual? You really need to drive them both to decide. SMG is ideal for fast motoring, less so if all you do is drive in stop start in city centres but on an A road, excellent.
Manual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
What would you choose if it did involve more stop start city drivingManual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
p1tse said:
N7GTX said:
SMG or Manual? You really need to drive them both to decide. SMG is ideal for fast motoring, less so if all you do is drive in stop start in city centres but on an A road, excellent.
Manual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
What would you choose if it did involve more stop start city drivingManual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
ks. I drive an SMG M3 and the wife's manual Audi. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather drive an SMG in town. Once you learn how to drive it properly, it is very smooth and really does make heavy traffic a joy (well, maybe that's taking it a bit too far). All this 'being involved' thing is a load of rubbish too, sounds like someone who hasn't actually spent a lot of time with an SMG box or just hasn't bothered to learn how to use it properly. If you treat an SMG box like a modern auto then yes it is crap. It is old tech and therefore you have to help it, the extra little helping movements may be subtle but once you get used to the techniques needed to drive it smoothly you would find it just as involving/satisfying as a manual, probably be going a bit faster and would have a sore clutch leg every time you ran into traffic.Captainawesome said:
p1tse said:
N7GTX said:
SMG or Manual? You really need to drive them both to decide. SMG is ideal for fast motoring, less so if all you do is drive in stop start in city centres but on an A road, excellent.
Manual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
What would you choose if it did involve more stop start city drivingManual if you like the total control thing and being 'involved'.
Have fun.
ks. I drive an SMG M3 and the wife's manual Audi. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather drive an SMG in town. Once you learn how to drive it properly, it is very smooth and really does make heavy traffic a joy (well, maybe that's taking it a bit too far). All this 'being involved' thing is a load of rubbish too, sounds like someone who hasn't actually spent a lot of time with an SMG box or just hasn't bothered to learn how to use it properly. If you treat an SMG box like a modern auto then yes it is crap. It is old tech and therefore you have to help it, the extra little helping movements may be subtle but once you get used to the techniques needed to drive it smoothly you would find it just as involving/satisfying as a manual, probably be going a bit faster and would have a sore clutch leg every time you ran into traffic.OP, I was just giving you my opinion. I based it on what I found during the years I have owned my M3s. Each to their own and that is why I suggested you might try one of each before deciding. Unfortunately, PH is full of opinionated people where no one else has a say.
Good luck with your choice, whatever it may be, and I will no longer contribute on this part of PH. Please feel free to PM me if you wish. Cheers.
To be fair to everyone I understand the auto aspect of the SMG argument. The R-tronic automated manual in the R8 was truly woeful in town IF you treated it like a regular automatic. Switch it to manual, learn to lift the throttle slightly before you change gear and effectively "learn" how to use it properly and it's actually useable everyday.
I will try both before I buy as although manuals and slush box autos tend to lend themselves towards big capacity torquey engines, the automated manual clutches can be very good fun on a high revving NA engine, and as it will be used primarily as a toy, I don't mind putting up with its inherit in town issues.
Are there any horror stories with the E46 incarnation of the SMG? I think I've read a rumour that's it's much more reliable than the E36 version, but still, I don't want to be landed with a £2,000 bill within the first few months due a failed pump, actuator, switch or whatever.
I will try both before I buy as although manuals and slush box autos tend to lend themselves towards big capacity torquey engines, the automated manual clutches can be very good fun on a high revving NA engine, and as it will be used primarily as a toy, I don't mind putting up with its inherit in town issues.
Are there any horror stories with the E46 incarnation of the SMG? I think I've read a rumour that's it's much more reliable than the E36 version, but still, I don't want to be landed with a £2,000 bill within the first few months due a failed pump, actuator, switch or whatever.
I picked up an 06 E46 Vert BMW AUC December last year for £13k 57,000 miles silver grey, SMG inc the hardtop
I would have the SMG every time and personally I think it is better than a manual in every respect (except of course cost if it goes wrong) but........ Regardless of what driving you do, set it at level 3 for 'normal' driving and level 2 for auto mode and take your time to get used to it, some people say a slight lift helps the change but I am not convinced it makes too much difference in the settings above
Happy hunting you will love it when you find/get it
I would have the SMG every time and personally I think it is better than a manual in every respect (except of course cost if it goes wrong) but........ Regardless of what driving you do, set it at level 3 for 'normal' driving and level 2 for auto mode and take your time to get used to it, some people say a slight lift helps the change but I am not convinced it makes too much difference in the settings above
Happy hunting you will love it when you find/get it
Captainawesome said:
Absolute bks. I drive an SMG M3 and the wife's manual Audi. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather drive an SMG in town. Once you learn how to drive it properly, it is very smooth and really does make heavy traffic a joy (well, maybe that's taking it a bit too far). All this 'being involved' thing is a load of rubbish too, sounds like someone who hasn't actually spent a lot of time with an SMG box or just hasn't bothered to learn how to use it properly. If you treat an SMG box like a modern auto then yes it is crap. It is old tech and therefore you have to help it, the extra little helping movements may be subtle but once you get used to the techniques needed to drive it smoothly you would find it just as involving/satisfying as a manual, probably be going a bit faster and would have a sore clutch leg every time you ran into traffic.
This is spot on imo. ks. I drive an SMG M3 and the wife's manual Audi. I would MUCH MUCH MUCH rather drive an SMG in town. Once you learn how to drive it properly, it is very smooth and really does make heavy traffic a joy (well, maybe that's taking it a bit too far). All this 'being involved' thing is a load of rubbish too, sounds like someone who hasn't actually spent a lot of time with an SMG box or just hasn't bothered to learn how to use it properly. If you treat an SMG box like a modern auto then yes it is crap. It is old tech and therefore you have to help it, the extra little helping movements may be subtle but once you get used to the techniques needed to drive it smoothly you would find it just as involving/satisfying as a manual, probably be going a bit faster and would have a sore clutch leg every time you ran into traffic.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff