Advice On Buying E46 M3 Cab This Week

[mikeknivett]

Hi everyone

A few years ago I had an e46 m3 cab with smg and and am now thinking of getting something for the summer, I have seen loads for sale but having read quite a few postings I am now a bit concerned about service history and smg issues. I personally had no probs but was a brand new car and only had for a year before going to a 911 GT3 but various people are telling me to avoid.

I am happy with a manual, ideally want it as standard as possible.

I have seen these 2 ads on here and just wondered if someone would possible venture an opinion?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2652535.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2492716.htm

Also as I am not in the country is there anyone out there who specialieses in these who could poss inspect for me beforehand?

Thanks

[WEHGuy]

I have just bought a M3. I wanted it inspected before I travelled to buy one so, I just got the sellers address and went on to yell.com and searched for a local BMW specialist. I arranged a day for the seller to drop it off to them. The first one I had inspected had a few issues. It only cost about £50+VAT for the inspection which saved me considerably more than travelling 300 miles to be disappointed. The 2nd car I had inspected was slightly cheaper to get inspected and only 1 small issue came up. The next day I drove about 150 miles and picked it. The £100 odd pound I spent, I feel was well worth for the piece of mind. Good luck on your search, I'm loving mine.

[darreni]

MIke, i've had my SMG cab over 5 yrs now & never had an issue.

I keep up the BMW warranty though just in case!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1686131.htm

Possible connection to seller!

[mikeknivett]

Blimey thats a very cheap inspection, i assume they prob charge 50 quid or so an hour so must hav ebeen v quick checkover or am I just used to pay Porsche specialist prices and the M3 guys are far more reasonable??

Good advice and makes perfect sense, thanks.

[mikeknivett]

Darren mate that would be a perfect car that i would 99% def be making a bid on tonight, except....the red interior, sorry just not my cup of tea

I replaced the interior in a previous car as was only the seats that were wrong as such, does anyone know if this is huge money or do breakers have sets???

Come up with a solution and I will be very very interested.

[WEHGuy]

mikeknivett said:

Blimey thats a very cheap inspection, i assume they prob charge 50 quid or so an hour so must hav ebeen v quick checkover or am I just used to pay Porsche specialist prices and the M3 guys are far more reasonable??

Good advice and makes perfect sense, thanks.

I would imagine it's the fact they know the cars really well so, no what bits to give special attention.

[bob-in-toon]

You should see what BMW have for sale in their dealer network.

I bought a highly spec'd cab a few months ago from a BMW dealer with less miles than the second car in your post for a bit less money and it comes with a 1 yr warranty - which at least coming from the manufacturer is worth a bit more on paper than what most independent garages will offer.

[darreni]

mikeknivett said:

Darren mate that would be a perfect car that i would 99% def be making a bid on tonight, except....the red interior, sorry just not my cup of tea

I replaced the interior in a previous car as was only the seats that were wrong as such, does anyone know if this is huge money or do breakers have sets???

Come up with a solution and I will be very very interested.

I think they are fairly esy to swap over if you really are against red. Its not as bright as the interior shot makes it look.

Its always a compromise with these cars, Exterior colour, interior colour, warranty, spec, history, miles, price etc.
I must have looked at dozens before i bought, but there was always a piece of the puzzle missing. Buying the CSL ws easy in comparison!
Black or Grey, xenons, aircon & pdc, sorted!

[FamilyDub]

No that my opinion means squat here (was looking at E46 M3 cab's recently), but I thought black leather interiors were just so... well... dull.

Those pics really make the red leather look brighter than it actually is.

I'd go for red, especially on a cabrio.

[Nedz]

Black interiors tend to go with any exterior colour but can look a bit plain.Cant stand the grey leather with any colour.Red interior looks superb with silver grey or black.I searched for months many yrs ago to find a silver grey-red car as it is my personal fav combo but as with anything in the end it is all down to personal preference.

[The Ferret]

mikeknivett said:

Darren mate that would be a perfect car that i would 99% def be making a bid on tonight, except....the red interior, sorry just not my cup of tea

I replaced the interior in a previous car as was only the seats that were wrong as such, does anyone know if this is huge money or do breakers have sets???

Come up with a solution and I will be very very interested.

There is a full black leather set over on M3Cutters for sale, £900 incl door cards and DVD screens in the headrests.

If that's all that's putting you off then I'd seriously consider it.