New Bmw M3 Convertable smg

[gareth589]

Hi guys,

just joined the site after being on Passion Ford. Have just sold my 440bhp Escort Rs Cosworth after it being in the Family from 1992, so was a sad day to see it go.

My new toy is a 2002 BMW M3 Convertable E46 SMG.
I have never owned one of these cars and being honest I do not know much on them, have started to read a few posts and seen some horror stories with snaped springs and cracked chasis.

Would really welcome any advice on ownership of this type of car and any problems that people have come across.
The car currently needs a Inspection 2 carried out, My local Ocean BMW Dealer has quoted me a £1000.00 pound and wants the car for 2 days. Is this right or is there any companies that can provide the correct maintance on the car but not at main dealer price?

I have a shopping list of things I would like to do to the car, this includes the fitting of genuine Bmw LED Lights.
Also would like to see if anyone has for sale the current dvd based sat nav unit, as mine is on the 2002 cd rom, so does not contain the upto date info.

Looking forward to making new friends in the BMW Circle.

Regards


Gareth

[LittleBro]

Hi Gareth, welcome M3 ownership, congratulations on a fine choice

There are a lot of knowledgable chaps on here, its a good place. I'd take a look here too - http://www.mtorque.co.uk/

[Deniz.S]

gareth589 said:

Hi guys,

just joined the site after being on Passion Ford. Have just sold my 440bhp Escort Rs Cosworth after it being in the Family from 1992, so was a sad day to see it go.

My new toy is a 2002 BMW M3 Convertable E46 SMG.
I have never owned one of these cars and being honest I do not know much on them, have started to read a few posts and seen some horror stories with snaped springs and cracked chasis.

Would really welcome any advice on ownership of this type of car and any problems that people have come across.
The car currently needs a Inspection 2 carried out, My local Ocean BMW Dealer has quoted me a £1000.00 pound and wants the car for 2 days. Is this right or is there any companies that can provide the correct maintance on the car but not at main dealer price?

I have a shopping list of things I would like to do to the car, this includes the fitting of genuine Bmw LED Lights.
Also would like to see if anyone has for sale the current dvd based sat nav unit, as mine is on the 2002 cd rom, so does not contain the upto date info.

Looking forward to making new friends in the BMW Circle.

Regards


Gareth

Hey Gareth, congratulations on the new car. £1000 is a little too much, BMW Cotswolds was offering Inspection 2 for £650 last year. In comparison BMW Taplow came in at £1100 and I got them to price match the Cotswolds offer, so I would recommend you try the same.

As for the LED lights, the cost could be upto £500 if your car also needs a LCM, though if you have auto lights you should be fine I think. Also, don't forget that you can pick up replica ones from fleabay for around £100 which are identical to the OEM ones in every respect, just involves hiding a few wires in the boot trim. Installation is a doddle too.