What can I expect

[drfrank]

Dear All

Many thanks for helping me with regard to what I should be looking for in an M3.

Now I know there are people on here in 'the trade' and I am keen to know what to expect for the money I have......

I have £25000 tops for an E46 M3 (inc £1200 insurance) so in reality I am talking £23.5K for the car.

Ideally I want:
2003/2004 M3 Coupe (not sure if SMG or manual at the mo)
lowish miles (sub 50K)
19' alloys
Colour (not black or grey or phoenix) the bronze (individual colour?) looks class though I have only ever seen 2 M3s in this colour. Coupled with the cream or kiwi leather it looks great.

The Sat Nav I am not too bothered about but Bluetooth is a must and HK stereo would be nice.

A warranty of some description would be nice too.

I am just curious as to what a car like this would fetch at trade....so I can go in a negotiate a good deal.

Any help greatly appreciated.


Thanks

Drfrank

[paoloh]

If you have cash, go to an auction and save £serious amounts, Make sure it is under 3 years old with FBMWSH and even if it has issues, it is under warranty

[drfrank]

Thanks Paoloh,

I was thinking of this but I wasn't sure as I am no mechanic and with the M3 I would be worried about picking up a 'bargain' undeclared Cat D or some other such sh*t.

Never having attended an auction any tips ?

Also where can I find out where and when an M3 is likely to come up ?

Is it best to go to British Car Auctions (Sports and performance type auction) or will they come up in a general auction ?

Thanks Again

Drfrank

[paoloh]

All auctions HPI the cars, if it has been a write off, it will be stated. You also pay a fee to protect against, stolen, write off etc when you actually buy from auction.

Finding one can be a little work, call all local auctions to you that do sport and prestige. Go early, fully check the car over, go into office and ask to see history. Then set yourself a limit and do NOT go above it. Even us in the trade get carried away some times.....

[M5Dave]

drfrank said:

Thanks Paoloh,

I was thinking of this but I wasn't sure as I am no mechanic and with the M3 I would be worried about picking up a 'bargain' undeclared Cat D or some other such sh*t.

Never having attended an auction any tips ?

Also where can I find out where and when an M3 is likely to come up ?

Is it best to go to British Car Auctions (Sports and performance type auction) or will they come up in a general auction ?

Thanks Again

Drfrank

I would go onto the websites of the big car auction groups. A few days before the sales they usually have a list of cars that are going through.

Most of these auction groups have tie ups with the major finance and leasing companies, so I would imagine there will be a few ex contract hire, or reposessed cars around the sites, only thing is you may have to be prepared to travel.

[paoloh]

only problem with that is some auction houses require a log in password for catalogues. If so, just call and ask if they have any M3's going thru and they will tell you. You will save an absolute fortune, good luck but please please check that FBMWSH in office before bidding.

[mrklaw]

I just bought a June 2003 (03 reg) E46 M3 from my local BMW dealer.

43k miles
Titanium silver
SMG
19" wheels
Harmon Kardon stereo
Heated seats
folding mirrors
Sat Nav + TV
Bluetooth

12 months AUC warranty + BMW assist
new discs and pads all round, MOT'd and oil inspection done as it was close.

Worth shopping around as another dealer had a much lower spec but 6 months newer car for £26,950

with the money you are spending I was recommended buying from a main dealer for the warranty value.

Edited by mrklaw on Tuesday 26th June 10:54

[paoloh]

mrklaw said:

I just bought a June 2003 (03 reg) E46 M3 from my local BMW dealer.

43k miles
Titanium silver
SMG
19" wheels
Harmon Kardon stereo
Heated seats
folding mirrors
Sat Nav + TV
Bluetooth

12 months AUC warranty + BMW assist
new discs and pads all round, MOT'd and oil inspection done as it was close.

Worth shopping around as another dealer had a much lower spec but 6 months newer car for £26,950

with the money you are spending I was recommended buying from a main dealer for the warranty value.

Edited by mrklaw on Tuesday 26th June 10:54

Anything under 3 years old at auction will have same warranty!

[jezzaaa]

paoloh said:

If you have cash, go to an auction and save £serious amounts, Make sure it is under 3 years old with FBMWSH and even if it has issues, it is under warranty

And make damned sure that the FBMWSH includes the 1200 mile 'M' Service.