Thoughts on the e46 Cab SMG
Discussion
Hi All
Ive always been a believer that there should be no such thing as a convertible M3 due to the loss of rigidity and weight gain. However...
Ive just had a drive in a friends 2002 e46 M3 Convertible and found it pretty good - far better than Id expected to be honest.
He's thinking of selling it on but I have some concerns on spec/colour cobo and wondered if they are just due to personable preference or wether they are the kiss of death and Ill struggle to sell it when I get bored. First off, the condition is absolutely 1st class in every respect
2002
79k
Carbon Black
Grey Leather
SMG
18's
Heated seats
Thats about it.
Its got full history, 4 owners and in the last 5 years he's lavished care and attention upon it. Full front end repaint at BMW, full re-connolising of leather interior and every maint aspect taken care of.
It's the condition that sells it to me - he's a BMW club member and it goes in the concours shows etc
Am I being blinded by the condition and overlooking what could be a hard sell come resale time?
He wants 11500 for it.
Just to add - I own a few cars at the moment and have had loads over the years and my behaviour tells me it will be a passing fad that I'll tire of and want to sell it without losing too mucn.
Any thoughts?
Ive always been a believer that there should be no such thing as a convertible M3 due to the loss of rigidity and weight gain. However...
Ive just had a drive in a friends 2002 e46 M3 Convertible and found it pretty good - far better than Id expected to be honest.
He's thinking of selling it on but I have some concerns on spec/colour cobo and wondered if they are just due to personable preference or wether they are the kiss of death and Ill struggle to sell it when I get bored. First off, the condition is absolutely 1st class in every respect
2002
79k
Carbon Black
Grey Leather
SMG
18's
Heated seats
Thats about it.
Its got full history, 4 owners and in the last 5 years he's lavished care and attention upon it. Full front end repaint at BMW, full re-connolising of leather interior and every maint aspect taken care of.
It's the condition that sells it to me - he's a BMW club member and it goes in the concours shows etc
Am I being blinded by the condition and overlooking what could be a hard sell come resale time?
He wants 11500 for it.
Just to add - I own a few cars at the moment and have had loads over the years and my behaviour tells me it will be a passing fad that I'll tire of and want to sell it without losing too mucn.
Any thoughts?
Have a trawl through this section. Been raised plenty of times - you’ll find avid supporters of both viewpoints.
Mine is a coupe as I didn’t like the flex over those tiny but firm speed bumps.
Price is in line with everything else out there but has it had the big jobs done?
Mine is a coupe as I didn’t like the flex over those tiny but firm speed bumps.
Price is in line with everything else out there but has it had the big jobs done?
Edited by pidsy on Wednesday 8th August 19:33
Thanksfor the reply
I guess I'm OK with a convertible. I was more looking for feedback on this particular one.
I feel the SMG is a little more acceptable with the 'softer' nature of the convertible
It's more the lowish spec and grey leather (it looks rather nice to be fair but I wonder if it's a kiss of death come resale time)
I guess I'm OK with a convertible. I was more looking for feedback on this particular one.
I feel the SMG is a little more acceptable with the 'softer' nature of the convertible
It's more the lowish spec and grey leather (it looks rather nice to be fair but I wonder if it's a kiss of death come resale time)
The grey leather is very marmite - personally I’m not a fan and I think it hasn’t aged as well as the shape of the car in terms of looks but it’s personal preference. Resale wise - it’ll turn some people off.
I think the e46 M3 cab is one of the best looking 4 seater verts ever made. It’s a stunning thing with the roof down. I spent a lot of time testing one (I went to view and buy a particular silver vert) but as mentioned before, I didn’t like the scuttle shake and the chassis flex at low speed was something I wasn’t keen on.
I think the e46 M3 cab is one of the best looking 4 seater verts ever made. It’s a stunning thing with the roof down. I spent a lot of time testing one (I went to view and buy a particular silver vert) but as mentioned before, I didn’t like the scuttle shake and the chassis flex at low speed was something I wasn’t keen on.
Carbon black , love it as my coupe’s that color.
Agree with Pidsy that grey is marmite. But who knows , future buyer might like or maybe swap out if car is otherwise what they want.
Heated seats is main spec need which it has. Nav is pretty dated , folding mirrors okay but not essential. A better stereo , maybe. But surely it’s about the noise with top down.
If you’re happy with condition , owning a vert and SMG the other issues seem minor.
Agree with Pidsy that grey is marmite. But who knows , future buyer might like or maybe swap out if car is otherwise what they want.
Heated seats is main spec need which it has. Nav is pretty dated , folding mirrors okay but not essential. A better stereo , maybe. But surely it’s about the noise with top down.
If you’re happy with condition , owning a vert and SMG the other issues seem minor.
Edited by Smuler on Thursday 9th August 18:01
Thanks for the feedback
Ive decided to buy it - it's just far too nice not to.
I've had it up on my ramp in the workshop - it's dry as a bone underneath - no weeping from the input/output seals on the diff.
No PAS hose weep
No CPV leak
And most importantly the rear axel carrier panel is unblemished - not a single crack, rusty spot weld or anything. I cleaned it all up around the rear left and had a good look with the borascope front right subframe bushes and i'm happy.
The SMG pump primes quickly from cold (timed at 6 secs) and within 2 secs on the random door opening.
It's recently had an inspection 2 ( a proper one with all driveline fluids and valve shims done - 3 changed)
The RI service done on time
Vanos quiet
New front discs and pads (ATE not BMW but they are the same items just without the M3 in the hub casting)
No rust anywhere
Ive decided to buy it - it's just far too nice not to.
I've had it up on my ramp in the workshop - it's dry as a bone underneath - no weeping from the input/output seals on the diff.
No PAS hose weep
No CPV leak
And most importantly the rear axel carrier panel is unblemished - not a single crack, rusty spot weld or anything. I cleaned it all up around the rear left and had a good look with the borascope front right subframe bushes and i'm happy.
The SMG pump primes quickly from cold (timed at 6 secs) and within 2 secs on the random door opening.
It's recently had an inspection 2 ( a proper one with all driveline fluids and valve shims done - 3 changed)
The RI service done on time
Vanos quiet
New front discs and pads (ATE not BMW but they are the same items just without the M3 in the hub casting)
No rust anywhere
lord trumpton said:
I own a few cars at the moment and have had loads over the years and my behaviour tells me it will be a passing fad that I'll tire of and want to sell it without losing too mucn.
Assuming this ad isn't your friend being lax on ending auctions, full marks for self awareness. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153137868004
I've driven a few M3s and the best I drove was oddly a Cabrio SMG. It's been head and shoulders over many I've driven! Mine drives nicely but I reckon his engine was sweeter, sweeter than any I have previously driven. This has an impact on enjoyment and with an SMG how it works, as does the clutch/flywheel etc.
I've driven a 70k Manual 'vert, an '03 110k Coupe SMG, mine and a couple of others and the car above just felt so 'right'. The engine just pulled and pulled, the gearbox worked as you wanted and it was clunk free! Sure it had scuttle shake at lower speeds but nothing to get in a twist over.
That interior looks lovely! It's given me some motivation to titivate mine! Blue and Grey do work well mind you.
Put it this way. I seriously gave some thoughts as to chopping my M3 in for the 'vert I drove. From now on I'd say if you're stuck on a spec, be prepared to wait for the 'right' car to come along or to do things to make it right. Otherwise, wait for the best car you drive ; there are now alot of dogs out there, both high and low mileage; remember the youngest example is 12 years old now.
I've driven a 70k Manual 'vert, an '03 110k Coupe SMG, mine and a couple of others and the car above just felt so 'right'. The engine just pulled and pulled, the gearbox worked as you wanted and it was clunk free! Sure it had scuttle shake at lower speeds but nothing to get in a twist over.
That interior looks lovely! It's given me some motivation to titivate mine! Blue and Grey do work well mind you.
Put it this way. I seriously gave some thoughts as to chopping my M3 in for the 'vert I drove. From now on I'd say if you're stuck on a spec, be prepared to wait for the 'right' car to come along or to do things to make it right. Otherwise, wait for the best car you drive ; there are now alot of dogs out there, both high and low mileage; remember the youngest example is 12 years old now.
No it's not my advert but it is the same car in the advert
I did 'buy' it, and had it detailed etc. My detailer chap made me an offer that was a quick grand profit so I took it!
It's a great car and all but we are currently moving house and 'every little helps'
He's already sold it apparently
I did 'buy' it, and had it detailed etc. My detailer chap made me an offer that was a quick grand profit so I took it!
It's a great car and all but we are currently moving house and 'every little helps'
He's already sold it apparently
There is a lot of hype on these at the moment.
I've had my manual coupe for 7 years and it hasn't attracted much attention until the last 12 months or so where I've had numerous comments, offers to buy and at a Shelsley Walsh breakfast meet people taking photos. Felt a bit weird seeing that last one happen but that's where we are.
I'd say that car will turn up at somewhere like SJ Speialist cars at £14-15k and it'll probably go at that too.
I've had my manual coupe for 7 years and it hasn't attracted much attention until the last 12 months or so where I've had numerous comments, offers to buy and at a Shelsley Walsh breakfast meet people taking photos. Felt a bit weird seeing that last one happen but that's where we are.
I'd say that car will turn up at somewhere like SJ Speialist cars at £14-15k and it'll probably go at that too.
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