Discussion
How long do you plan on keeping it? Getting in is easy, getting out is much harder currently.
If it’s a keeper I’d focus less on mileage and more on condition, service history etc. Also on options you care about.
If you’re looking to own it for a short period then Full BMWSH, Options and Mileage are king.
I’ve looked at loads in the past 12 months. All the ones I dismissed as a bit rough sold, but they had EDC, Harmon Kardon, Comfort Access etc.
ETA - the above is for E90/92/93. If E46 then look at the well documented issues. Main one for me is rust. Unless you get a rust free one and garage it, it’ll always be an issue. IMHO of course.
If it’s a keeper I’d focus less on mileage and more on condition, service history etc. Also on options you care about.
If you’re looking to own it for a short period then Full BMWSH, Options and Mileage are king.
I’ve looked at loads in the past 12 months. All the ones I dismissed as a bit rough sold, but they had EDC, Harmon Kardon, Comfort Access etc.
ETA - the above is for E90/92/93. If E46 then look at the well documented issues. Main one for me is rust. Unless you get a rust free one and garage it, it’ll always be an issue. IMHO of course.
Edited by survivalist on Monday 22 April 18:00
Just sold my e46 - sold in less than 24hrs but as said above, some sit around for ages.
Maintenance is expensive but most cars should have had all the best jobs done by now.
Your budget will get you into the bottom of the e92 market and the top of the 46 market. The 46 is a great great car - I really didn’t like the 92 at all.
Buy with selling in mind - rare colour, manual, big jobs done, as standard as possible - these are easiest to sell.
Maintenance is expensive but most cars should have had all the best jobs done by now.
Your budget will get you into the bottom of the e92 market and the top of the 46 market. The 46 is a great great car - I really didn’t like the 92 at all.
Buy with selling in mind - rare colour, manual, big jobs done, as standard as possible - these are easiest to sell.
Looking to keep for a few years, weekends and some commuting. Something like this maybe ?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
I'd add to the above and say an Inspection II just being done, is a big cost saving for future.
I presume CSL type alloys mean replicas. Some people like reps. others prefer real thing.
Could you really buy without test driving? Anyways, you should really drive a few before buying. I nearly bought one , but it just did not drive as sweet as one I eventually bought. I can't really define why and that was from driving. You've got no chance as a passenger, surely !! Or maybe that's a generic comment to put off the "test pilots," and genuine people, once sussed out, are allowed.
The comment on exhaust brackets in maintenance section made me smile. I've had mine replaced, plus cracked springs, plus numerous little niggles on a car otherwise running sweet. It adds up, which is why this one could be a good price as it's below budget allowing for a slush fund for maintenance.
Titanium Silver is much maligned, but does look great in the sun,
I presume CSL type alloys mean replicas. Some people like reps. others prefer real thing.
Could you really buy without test driving? Anyways, you should really drive a few before buying. I nearly bought one , but it just did not drive as sweet as one I eventually bought. I can't really define why and that was from driving. You've got no chance as a passenger, surely !! Or maybe that's a generic comment to put off the "test pilots," and genuine people, once sussed out, are allowed.
The comment on exhaust brackets in maintenance section made me smile. I've had mine replaced, plus cracked springs, plus numerous little niggles on a car otherwise running sweet. It adds up, which is why this one could be a good price as it's below budget allowing for a slush fund for maintenance.
Titanium Silver is much maligned, but does look great in the sun,
There’s a lovely E46 M3 CS for sale on M3Cutters.
Might be worth a look?
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/2005-m3-cs-...
If I had room for it I’d be very tempted myself.
Might be worth a look?
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/2005-m3-cs-...
If I had room for it I’d be very tempted myself.
PorkInsider said:
There’s a lovely E46 M3 CS for sale on M3Cutters.
Might be worth a look?
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/2005-m3-cs-...
If I had room for it I’d be very tempted myself.
Was going to link that till I saw the mileage unless the OP doesn't give two hoots lolMight be worth a look?
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threads/2005-m3-cs-...
If I had room for it I’d be very tempted myself.
OP - for the budget you're quoting, a lot of E9x are likely to be early ones, so 10 years + old. I would add to the above that you should look for remedial work carried out - throttle actuators especially, but also stuff like calipers, brakes etc. Perhaps even invest £40 in a code reader before you go looking. It might uncover some underlying sensor issues which can be very expensive to rectify on M-cars.
My last one was a £14.5k, immaculate, FbmwSH, 61k, manual car. Terrible gearbox aside it drove beautifully, but within days was throwing error codes, two calipers started binding, the battery failed etc. A lot was covered under warranty but at massive inconvenience to myself.
If I went down the E9x route again i'd buy a privately-owned car with 70 - 80k miles, DCT with the actuators replaced and oil analysis done.
My last one was a £14.5k, immaculate, FbmwSH, 61k, manual car. Terrible gearbox aside it drove beautifully, but within days was throwing error codes, two calipers started binding, the battery failed etc. A lot was covered under warranty but at massive inconvenience to myself.
If I went down the E9x route again i'd buy a privately-owned car with 70 - 80k miles, DCT with the actuators replaced and oil analysis done.
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