I'm looking for an E46 M3 Cab. Manual or Auto?

[AudiSport]

Hi Guys,

I've decided I want to buy an E46 M3 convertible, however I have a limited budget of £10,000 (ish) so if anyone knows of any good examples for sale either on-line or their's personally please drop me a line!

Failing that, can anyone talk to me about the pros and cons of the auto box, should I go for it - or try and find a nice manual eaxmple?

Thanks in advance for any input..

Edited by AudiSport on Thursday 23 September 23:25

[SoliD]

Lots of advice and talk abotu the SMG and Manual boxes on here, I won't repeat most of it, as someone more knowledgable will come along shortly. But I would suggest trying the two and seeing which one you like, I would suspect for 10k for a cab you will be getting a bit of a ropey example, have you accounted for repairs/servicing, as they aren't exactly cheap cars to run.

[jontysafe]

There are some cars out there at that price level but personally I wouldn't go there. You'll get a lovely e36 for that money (or less) with money left over for repairs the performance difference is negligable. Get a manual as well, you'll be buying sans warranty so the simpler the car the better.
This probably isn't what you want to hear but the adage still stands; they might be 10K now but they are still 50K cars to run.

[AudiSport]

Thanks for the replies chaps!

As you point out there is a few E46 M3 Convertibles out there with around 65k miles for the 11k mark. What questions should I be asking when I ring up about such a car? Also, who is the warranty company you mention above and what kind of annual premium would that cost?

It maybe I walk away from an E46 M3 if you guys really think it is a bad idea to buy one with my limited budget...

[Liam79]

Go and view a few and check how condition varies. I'm in the same boat but I'm looking for a manual coupe. Would have thought the cabs might be a bit tatty for that money but you might get lucky, but remember if you don't they can be very expensive to fix. I will be buying on condition and history rather than low miles and book full of stamps with no receipts.

[john_p]

Get the word "auto" out of your head, it drives nothing like one
It is a manual gearbox, sequentially shifted, with an automated clutch, and drives like one ! I miss mine and would buy another SMG car in a heartbeat

[TEKNOPUG]

john_p said:

Get the word "auto" out of your head, it drives nothing like one
It is a manual gearbox, sequentially shifted, with an automated clutch, and drives like one ! I miss mine and would buy another SMG car in a heartbeat

Surely E46's come in Manual, SMG2 and full Auto flavours? There are certainly one of each parked on my road.

[sjj84]

TEKNOPUG said:

john_p said:

Get the word "auto" out of your head, it drives nothing like one
It is a manual gearbox, sequentially shifted, with an automated clutch, and drives like one ! I miss mine and would buy another SMG car in a heartbeat

Surely E46's come in Manual, SMG2 and full Auto flavours? There are certainly one of each parked on my road.

E46 M3's only come in manual or SMG2.

[TEKNOPUG]

sjj84 said:

TEKNOPUG said:

john_p said:

Get the word "auto" out of your head, it drives nothing like one
It is a manual gearbox, sequentially shifted, with an automated clutch, and drives like one ! I miss mine and would buy another SMG car in a heartbeat

Surely E46's come in Manual, SMG2 and full Auto flavours? There are certainly one of each parked on my road.

E46 M3's only come in manual or SMG2.

I'll take a pic of the one on my street. Maybe someone has really gone to town with the interior, exterior, exhaust, wheels, badges etc of non-M3.

[gmarks1]

TEKNOPUG said:

Surely E46's come in Manual, SMG2 and full Auto flavours? There are certainly one of each parked on my road.

Nope - E46 M3 available as traditional manual and SMG2 only

[nw28840]

Go for the SMG - i loved it , it was the best of both worlds !
Seriously , go test drive a car with SMG and see if it is for you.

Walk away if the car doesn't have the 1200 mile stamp in the service book.
In fact , any without full service history (either BMW or a good Independant) - just leave 'em alone.

Check the tyres - they're expensive.

Check alloys - if loads of scuff marks , in my opinion cars been driven hard and owner hasn't 'cared'
for his car.

Check all the electrics and the roof mechanism.


Great cars - just take your time and you'll find a good one.

[AudiSport]

How much should the steering wheel be worn on these at 63k. Also the gearbox was very nochy on the one I just drove?

[paoloh]

I have a 02 SMG in Silver with Grey leather, Nav, 19s, Harmon Kardon, 50ish K with full history, main agent and indy.

Alloys are all freshly refurbed by Spit and Polish.

It is in nice condition but was a cat D.

Needs a steering angle sensor and speed sensor.

I'd take £8500.

Edited by paoloh on Monday 27th September 15:08

[Porkie]

paoloh said:

I have a 02 SMG in Silver with Grey leather, Nav, 19s, Harmon Kardon, 50ish K with full history, main agent and indy.

Alloys are all freshly refurbed by Spit and Polish.

It is in nice condition but was a cat D.

Needs a steering angle sensor and speed sensor.

I'd take £8500.

Edited by paoloh on Monday 27th September 15:08

oh god... must resist!!!

sounds like perfect base for stripping out to make a trackcar

[paoloh]

Porkie said:

paoloh said:

I have a 02 SMG in Silver with Grey leather, Nav, 19s, Harmon Kardon, 50ish K with full history, main agent and indy.

Alloys are all freshly refurbed by Spit and Polish.

It is in nice condition but was a cat D.

Needs a steering angle sensor and speed sensor.

I'd take £8500.

Edited by paoloh on Monday 27th September 15:08

oh god... must resist!!!

sounds like perfect base for stripping out to make a trackcar

Really is too nice to do that to. You'd struggle to find a mark on it.

[TEKNOPUG]

gmarks1 said:

TEKNOPUG said:

Surely E46's come in Manual, SMG2 and full Auto flavours? There are certainly one of each parked on my road.

Nope - E46 M3 available as traditional manual and SMG2 only

My bad - it's a 330 Ci Sport Auto with full M3 trimmings, badges, wheels, interior, exhaust etc.