M3 TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY.....THAT IS THE QUESTION

[drfrank]

Dear All,

I know this thread must have been answered a hundred times, but please help a young man who is:

1) A new member

and

2) Considering upgrading from a peugeot 306 turbo diesel to an M3

Obviously this is a fairly sizeable leap and I am keen to do it right.

A friend has an M3 and I have been suitably impressed, he suggested to look out for the following when buying a used M3

1) Sat Nav
2) 19' alloys

He suggested these were essential for future resale.

I have around £22K to spend +/- a couple of grand.

I have considered the 330Ci, but I prefer the pedigree of the M3 although I am quite sure I will never experience just what the M3 can do.

Having had a quick look round a nice, 2004, fully loaded 330Ci comes in close to a fully loaded 2003 M3 (all be it with a few more miles). I have however wanted an M3 for >15 years has anyone got any tips ?

I won't be looking to buy it until September (forthcoming Wedding Day) so hopefully the E92 will have pushed prices down.

Any help greatfully received !!!

Drfrank

[Deutscher]

19s are for tarts, 18s are for drivers.

A Tom Tom for £200 is better that the factory-fit unit.

[Vixpy1]

As someone who has 19's and Nav, i would say the ride on the 19's is terrible and the Nav is rubbish..

But the M3 looks shite on the 18's, and the nav looks cool.

[M3John]

drfrank said:

1) Sat Nav
2) 19' alloys

He suggested these were essential for future resale.

Welcome to PH

If your worried about the future resale value then these two factors will cirtianly help.

Personally, if the right car came along for me that didn't have these i wouldn't be to bothered about not having them then go for that car.

Edited by M3John on Thursday 14th June 01:14

[Feldspar]

Vixpy1 said:

As someone who has 19's and Nav, i would say the ride on the 19's is terrible and the Nav is rubbish..

But the M3 looks shite on the 18's, and the nav looks cool.

I thought you were all for hard rides

So...

I have 19's and no Sat Nav (cheapskate TomTom 1 - does just as well). Though i believe SatNAv is worth around 1500 more at present on values.

I would got for 19's look far better. thought very easy to kerb and not easy to get refurbed.
Also try and find one shod with PS2's rather than the standard Conti's (harder wearing but less grip)

Things to look for
Initial Run in Service this should be done at 1200 miles +\- 500. IF it's over that walk away.
There has a been a lot of debate regarding engine warrenties if the service was carried out in excess of 2000 miles
There are probably plenty of cars available that have had the service done on time.

Rear Springs - another issue with them having a tendency to snap - cue grinding noises.

Cold start - often sounds like a tractor - also known for kangeroo response when cold.

Services Costs Inspection I around 300-400 Inspection II 500-800 (2 day job).

Guys who track their cars also tend to upgrade brakes to AP and braided hoses.

I take your mate has yet to give you a test drive in his?. Worth an arm twister.

Hopefully you can come back in Sept with a huge grin on your face

[m3pilot]

When my boss was selling his E46 i was supprised how many people wouldn't even look at it once he'd told them it didn't have sat nav or harmon hardon.

But if you don't want the options and can get enough of a discount on a car that doesn't have them then the resale being lower isn't the end of the world.

[paoloh]

Deutscher said:

19s are for tarts, 18s are for drivers.

A Tom Tom for £200 is better that the factory-fit unit.

Here we go again... LOL

I would disagree, consider both to be very important!

[darreni]

paoloh said:

Deutscher said:

19s are for tarts, 18s are for drivers.

A Tom Tom for £200 is better that the factory-fit unit.

Here we go again... LOL

I would disagree, consider both to be very important!

I agree, the 19's look the biz, & the factory fit nav is pretty good & looks the part. I accept the latest tom tom /garmin are better units at 1/10 the price, but i dont want something stuck to my windscreen with wires trailing down the dash. Also, as i use the car daily, i dont want to be removing/refitting the unit every time i park.

For decent resale, nav & 19's are a must, HK for me was also a must have as was the smg gearbox. BMW warranty worth the money too imho, & as more let the warranty lapse, they'll be harder to find.

[968CSReading]

If you buy an M3 from outside the franchised BMW dealer network can you take it to BMW and get a warranty? If so what is the maximum age/mileage that they allow?

[darreni]

968CSReading said:

If you buy an M3 from outside the franchised BMW dealer network can you take it to BMW and get a warranty? If so what is the maximum age/mileage that they allow?

No, you cant. The car must be covered by a current BMW warranty, which you can then extend. If the BMW warranty has lapsed, you cannot renew it.

If you purchase a private sale & the car has a remaining BM warranty, it is transferrable & you have the option to renew.

[paoloh]

darreni said:

968CSReading said:

If you buy an M3 from outside the franchised BMW dealer network can you take it to BMW and get a warranty? If so what is the maximum age/mileage that they allow?

No, you cant. The car must be covered by a current BMW warranty, which you can then extend. If the BMW warranty has lapsed, you cannot renew it.

If you purchase a private sale & the car has a remaining BM warranty, it is transferrable & you have the option to renew.

Unless you are friendly with a salesman at BMW

[968CSReading]

darreni said:

968CSReading said:

If you buy an M3 from outside the franchised BMW dealer network can you take it to BMW and get a warranty? If so what is the maximum age/mileage that they allow?

No, you cant. The car must be covered by a current BMW warranty, which you can then extend. If the BMW warranty has lapsed, you cannot renew it.

If you purchase a private sale & the car has a remaining BM warranty, it is transferrable & you have the option to renew.

OK, thats good to know.

[M3Miller]

In my opinion there is no comparison between the 330Ci and the M3.
My current car is an M3 with CSL alloys and sat nav, my previous car was a 330Ci, also with sat nav. The 330 was a nice car to drive, but the M3 is a great car to drive and puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. If you can afford it I would go for the M3 every time, well worth it. Sat nav / 19s will certainly help your resale value, and in my opinion the 19s look better on the car than the 18s, though they give it a firmer ride.

[paoloh]

M3Miller said:

In my opinion there is no comparison between the 330Ci and the M3.
My current car is an M3 with CSL alloys and sat nav, my previous car was a 330Ci, also with sat nav. The 330 was a nice car to drive, but the M3 is a great car to drive and puts a smile on my face every time I get in it. If you can afford it I would go for the M3 every time, well worth it. Sat nav / 19s will certainly help your resale value, and in my opinion the 19s look better on the car than the 18s, though they give it a firmer ride.

The 330 is easier to get on with on, on a day to day basis. It's plug and play whilst the M3 requires your attention.

Decide what factors are important to you and then make decision.

[Mattt]

paoloh said:

darreni said:

968CSReading said:

If you buy an M3 from outside the franchised BMW dealer network can you take it to BMW and get a warranty? If so what is the maximum age/mileage that they allow?

No, you cant. The car must be covered by a current BMW warranty, which you can then extend. If the BMW warranty has lapsed, you cannot renew it.

If you purchase a private sale & the car has a remaining BM warranty, it is transferrable & you have the option to renew.

Unless you are friendly with a salesman at BMW

Is it not the case that under the Block exemption ruling that as long as the car is serviced at a VAT registered garage to correct BMW specs and with BMW approved parts, the warranty should remain intact?

[Deutscher]

paoloh said:

The 330 is easier to get on with on, on a day to day basis. It's plug and play whilst the M3 requires your attention.

Decide what factors are important to you and then make decision.

This is good advice. I have both cars (the 330 is a Touring auto for load-lugging and relaxed driving, the M3 is for pleasure!) and completely agree.

[Jase k]

No contest, M3 without a doubt!! 19;s are a touch harsh (on ride) but put them side to side with 18's and i reckon most people would choose the 19's purely on looks alone! THEY LOOK MILES BETTER
Buy what your heart tells you as you will always regret not buying what you really want, the money is forgotten about very quickly!! Oh nav as well if you fancy it??

[drfrank]

Thanks guys/gals for the advice.

Will the E92 M3 impact on E46 prices ? if so anyone any ideas how much ?

[Hongkongfooi]

drfrank said:

Thanks guys/gals for the advice.

Will the E92 M3 impact on E46 prices ? if so anyone any ideas how much ?

Difficult one this as the new M3 will be near 50k to buy so people may hang on to their current weapon of choice.

I can only imagine that E46 prices will truly start to lower after the E92 has been around for a year. imho.

[stuthemong]

I agree with the above poster, I Think it will take a little while for E46's to tumble, as the second hand market will have very few e92's kicking around (there will only be something like 300 m3s comign into the UK in the first year).

After they become more prevalent, the 25K++ E46 m3s will surely start looking like a bad deal (CSL excepted).

The cheaper M3 you buy, the less you will lose is probably the best way of looking at it I think (the 16K second hand 01's cant lose more than 6K, I cant see <10K e46's for a while)