advice on potential purchase needed

[xcentric]

Hi all,

considering first M3 purchase and want your advice: seen a 2004 M3, 37k miles, Harmon-Kardon, SMG II, FSH inc running in service, at main BMW dealer for just under £20k inc 1 year warranty.

Is it worth the extra cost in buying from dealer to get the warranty? Is the warranty worthwhile - or is there a good aftermarket one (that *will* pay out if needed) - or would it be eligible for BMW approved warranty anyway?

Or am I better off buying privately and saving the money to spend on repairs as and when? Specialist inspections worthwhile? Advice on good independent dealers selling cars welcome too (if within forum rules). Live in Midlands, happy to travel for right car.

Am also not yet sold on the SMG but suspect I'll get used to it - have read a lot of comments and reviews so have an idea of what I'm getting into.

thanks in advance.

[arfur daley]

If you were xcentric you would'nt be buying a BMW like everyone else.

[AliV6]

Absolutely no chance it's worth 20k!!!

[SPORTSTER]

When i bought my CSL new back in 2003, it was piece of mind obviously it came with, you really have to hound them to get work done it as they will try & fob u off.
My legal profession is a lawyer, so i just cobbled up some rubbish and they bought it.

But its good to have mate, or you can just put the money into a bank account & have it ready to use. Find out what type it is & what excess you have to pay.

Parts will be expensive, ive had a new SMG gearbox in my car twice & im sure you can imagine what price these come in at. New diffs at £1400 3 times.

My car is now pushing 150k and still going strong. BMW M3s build quality is very good mate & engines are bulletproof.

Good luck, what the spec of the M3

[xcentric]

SPORTSTER] said:

Good luck, what the spec of the M3

Thanks for input:

In addition to standard:
Elec Fold Exterior Mirrors
Climate Comfort windscreen
Armrest - front. centre
Seat heating. front
Third 3-Point Rear Seat Belt
Nav System Professional + TV
Harman Kardon - Hi-Fi
Exterior trim. High-gloss Shadowline
19" M Double Spoke 67M 8/9.5Jx19"
SMG Drivelogic

[mossco]

thats a lot of money for an 04 plate, if i was you i'd get a cheaper car and stick the money in the bank for anything which crops up.

i have an 02 manual, i tried the smg but didn't like it much.

try the m3 cutters forum i know there is a guy who is in a rush to sell his car due to buying a house, so you may get a good price on this

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1766042.htm

[Vroomer]

SPORTSTER said:

When i bought my CSL new back in 2003, it was piece of mind obviously it came with, you really have to hound them to get work done it as they will try & fob u off.
My legal profession is a lawyer, so i just cobbled up some rubbish and they bought it.

But its good to have mate, or you can just put the money into a bank account & have it ready to use. Find out what type it is & what excess you have to pay.

Parts will be expensive, ive had a new SMG gearbox in my car twice & im sure you can imagine what price these come in at. New diffs at £1400 3 times.

My car is now pushing 150k and still going strong. BMW M3s build quality is very good mate & engines are bulletproof.

Good luck, what the spec of the M3

What sort of lawyer are you Sportster? Presumably a very successful one if you have an E30 M3 as well as your CSL

SPORTSTER said:

Id say manual, i love to push my e30 m3 Evos hard, but on the other hand my csl is great in SMG, even though ive pushed it hard enough for the diff to fall out
(that was a great day lol)

And you needed a 330 as well!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

I'm impressed!

[Vroomer]

Are you running the CSL as a taxi as a sideline?

April 27th

SPORTSTER said:

Ive got a 03 csl with 139k on it.. if that counts lol and still going strong

June 15th

SPORTSTER said:

You can but mine at £13k, done 149k now 03 plate BLACK and is as tight as a virgins a**
Looking to upgrade to the new E9* now...

10,000 miles in 7 weeks – that's some going!

[SPORTSTER]

Vroomer said:

SPORTSTER said:

When i bought my CSL new back in 2003, it was piece of mind obviously it came with, you really have to hound them to get work done it as they will try & fob u off.
My legal profession is a lawyer, so i just cobbled up some rubbish and they bought it.

But its good to have mate, or you can just put the money into a bank account & have it ready to use. Find out what type it is & what excess you have to pay.

Parts will be expensive, ive had a new SMG gearbox in my car twice & im sure you can imagine what price these come in at. New diffs at £1400 3 times.

My car is now pushing 150k and still going strong. BMW M3s build quality is very good mate & engines are bulletproof.

Good luck, what the spec of the M3

What sort of lawyer are you Sportster? Presumably a very successful one if you have an E30 M3 as well as your CSL

SPORTSTER said:

Id say manual, i love to push my e30 m3 Evos hard, but on the other hand my csl is great in SMG, even though ive pushed it hard enough for the diff to fall out
(that was a great day lol)

And you needed a 330 as well!

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

I'm impressed!

lol doing some homwork on me...lol

The 330 was going to be for my nephew, he said he saw one & just wanted to get everyones opinions.

The 2 EVOs are just for fun, someone really wants one, so im considering in letting one go.
Ive had a few nice cars (mainly bmw) but the CSL i cant seem to let go, i think its gna be a keeper.

[SPORTSTER]

Vroomer said:

Are you running the CSL as a taxi as a sideline?

April 27th

SPORTSTER said:

Ive got a 03 csl with 139k on it.. if that counts lol and still going strong

June 15th

SPORTSTER said:

You can but mine at £13k, done 149k now 03 plate BLACK and is as tight as a virgins a**
Looking to upgrade to the new E9* now...

10,000 miles in 7 weeks – that's some going!

Car has been on the track quite a few times, plus dynos too. Did a tour of europe too if that helps.. which was amazing. I remember going up & down on the autobahn at incredible speeds just to see if this thing is built like BMW say.. the ultimate driving machine!

[xcentric]

mossco said:

try the m3 cutters forum i know there is a guy who is in a rush to sell his car due to buying a house, so you may get a good price on this

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1766042.htm

emailed him

seems like a warranty is well worth it though, from comments here and elsewhere.....

[Vroomer]

xcentric said:

Hi all,

considering first M3 purchase and want your advice: seen a 2004 M3, 37k miles, Harmon-Kardon, SMG II, FSH inc running in service, at main BMW dealer for just under £20k inc 1 year warranty.

Can you post a link?

[xcentric]

nope, sorry - problems with session management: if I send the link it'll not work for you - but it's on the BMW AUC website at Synter's in Oldbury, B'ham.