M3 E46 - Do they age well?
Discussion
Went into my local BMW dealer to have a look an E46 M3. The one I wanted to look at had sold but they had one priced up at £17.5K for a 65K miles example.
On the face of it, it looked like a good car, not too many stone chips, cheaper than I was expecting to pay etc etc.
The only thing that stuck me was that the interior wasn't in a condition I would expect for a 4/5 year old car with 65K on the clock, especially given the original price. As this car was from a main agent I am going to make the bold assumption the mileage was correct but....
- Paint work was bubbling on the wing mirror
- The leather had begun to crack
- The alloys looked like they had been used as sanding discs
- The rubber behind the drivers door hand was loose
- The lacquer on the passenger door grab had cracked
- The lacquer on the gear knob was peeling (very like it did on my old 165K, 18 year old e34)
- Passenger door card had a small tear in it
Now this stuff can all be fixed fairly cheaply and the dealer offered to get this done but surely the car shouldn’t need this kind of work or do my expectations need reassessing.
I was tempted because the price was good and for another £500 he would give me a comprehensive 15 month warranty.
The questions I have is,
- Should the interior degrade like that?
- Despite the warranty and the fact it is a BMW dealer, is this a red flag and should I spend a few more grand to avoid potentially expensive bills in the future.
On the face of it, it looked like a good car, not too many stone chips, cheaper than I was expecting to pay etc etc.
The only thing that stuck me was that the interior wasn't in a condition I would expect for a 4/5 year old car with 65K on the clock, especially given the original price. As this car was from a main agent I am going to make the bold assumption the mileage was correct but....
- Paint work was bubbling on the wing mirror
- The leather had begun to crack
- The alloys looked like they had been used as sanding discs
- The rubber behind the drivers door hand was loose
- The lacquer on the passenger door grab had cracked
- The lacquer on the gear knob was peeling (very like it did on my old 165K, 18 year old e34)
- Passenger door card had a small tear in it
Now this stuff can all be fixed fairly cheaply and the dealer offered to get this done but surely the car shouldn’t need this kind of work or do my expectations need reassessing.
I was tempted because the price was good and for another £500 he would give me a comprehensive 15 month warranty.
The questions I have is,
- Should the interior degrade like that?
- Despite the warranty and the fact it is a BMW dealer, is this a red flag and should I spend a few more grand to avoid potentially expensive bills in the future.
Sounds like the last owner of the car wasnt particularily bothered about looking after their car. My M5 has 75k and is 7 years old and the interior is immaculate. Not a mark on it.
People think that leather seats are maintence free but they require regular treatment of leather care to keep them in good nick. Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin. Once a month is about normal but this should be done from new.
From what you describe the last owner was very poor in car maintenence and the dealer is pricing the car accordingly to get it sold.
My ethos was that I would want to get into a car every day and not have to think to myself, "If only I had waited" whilst looking around at scuffs, tears and scratches.
People think that leather seats are maintence free but they require regular treatment of leather care to keep them in good nick. Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin. Once a month is about normal but this should be done from new.
From what you describe the last owner was very poor in car maintenence and the dealer is pricing the car accordingly to get it sold.
My ethos was that I would want to get into a car every day and not have to think to myself, "If only I had waited" whilst looking around at scuffs, tears and scratches.
steven said:
I was tempted because the price was good and for another £500 he would give me a comprehensive 15 month warranty.
Don't understand this. If it was BMW Approved Used you get a 12-month warranty anyway. I didn't think BMW dealer were allowed to sell cars that weren't 'Approved Used'.The car is unusally cheap - and from a dealer too !! You only have to look on autotrader to get a feel for prices.
I wouldn't touch with a barge pole - all seems a bit iffy. A motor thats been trashed, cheap and a dealer who is not offering a warranty? I mean the only other thing you need is a big sign in flashing lights saying "dodgy motor" !!
I wouldn't touch with a barge pole - all seems a bit iffy. A motor thats been trashed, cheap and a dealer who is not offering a warranty? I mean the only other thing you need is a big sign in flashing lights saying "dodgy motor" !!
blackcab said:
different types of warranty on offer on M3's some cover absolute basics, there is a premium one, well worth the peace of Mind, also cars over 4 years get 25% off labour rates - right con for newer car owners!
I have never heard of this. I thought BMW Approved Used was in a standard form.Quote from website:
Every Approved Used BMW comes with:
Minimum 12 month unlimited mileage BMW Warranty
12 month BMW Emergency Service cover
12 month MOT cover
Independent vehicle history and mileage check
Edited by Deutscher on Monday 10th December 10:55
Neil.D said:
Sounds like the last owner of the car wasnt particularily bothered about looking after their car. My M5 has 75k and is 7 years old and the interior is immaculate. Not a mark on it.
People think that leather seats are maintence free but they require regular treatment of leather care to keep them in good nick. Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin. Once a month is about normal but this should be done from new.
From what you describe the last owner was very poor in car maintenence and the dealer is pricing the car accordingly to get it sold.
My ethos was that I would want to get into a car every day and not have to think to myself, "If only I had waited" whilst looking around at scuffs, tears and scratches.
I dont see how "Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin" -unless of course you drive around in the nude??..People think that leather seats are maintence free but they require regular treatment of leather care to keep them in good nick. Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin. Once a month is about normal but this should be done from new.
From what you describe the last owner was very poor in car maintenence and the dealer is pricing the car accordingly to get it sold.
My ethos was that I would want to get into a car every day and not have to think to myself, "If only I had waited" whilst looking around at scuffs, tears and scratches.
5 wh said:
Neil.D said:
Sounds like the last owner of the car wasnt particularily bothered about looking after their car. My M5 has 75k and is 7 years old and the interior is immaculate. Not a mark on it.
People think that leather seats are maintence free but they require regular treatment of leather care to keep them in good nick. Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin. Once a month is about normal but this should be done from new.
From what you describe the last owner was very poor in car maintenence and the dealer is pricing the car accordingly to get it sold.
My ethos was that I would want to get into a car every day and not have to think to myself, "If only I had waited" whilst looking around at scuffs, tears and scratches.
I dont see how "Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin" -unless of course you drive around in the nude??..People think that leather seats are maintence free but they require regular treatment of leather care to keep them in good nick. Sweat from our bodies is absorbed into the leather and kills the moisutre of what is effectivley dead skin. Once a month is about normal but this should be done from new.
From what you describe the last owner was very poor in car maintenence and the dealer is pricing the car accordingly to get it sold.
My ethos was that I would want to get into a car every day and not have to think to myself, "If only I had waited" whilst looking around at scuffs, tears and scratches.
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