Low mileage E36 M3 Convertible SMG

[kentmotorcompany]

Just bought a cracking example of the above model. Basic details are on my website for now(may be a couple of hours from now before they are live)
I used to work at BMW but after these cars were new, so I never sold them before.

Does anyone know about exact spec details?
I.E what year the engine became 321bhp?
When did the SMG gearbox get the upgraded software?(called SMG 2 I think) Or did this only come in with the E46?
It does not appear to have a DSC/ASC button, was this not standard at this time?

Any other useful titbits very welcome.

Ill proberbly advertise on here too, once it is valeted and I have taken my photos.

P.S. I will admit this is partly a Shameless plug, but I genuinely would also like to be spot on with my product knowledge as anyone who is interested in buying this car, will have done their own homework.(here most likely )

[Vixpy1]

kentmotorcompany said:

Just bought a cracking example of the above model. Basic details are on my website for now(may be a couple of hours from now before they are live)
I used to work at BMW but after these cars were new, so I never sold them before.

Does anyone know about exact spec details?
I.E what year the engine became 321bhp?
When did the SMG gearbox get the upgraded software?(called SMG 2 I think) Or did this only come in with the E46?
It does not appear to have a DSC/ASC button, was this not standard at this time?

Any other useful titbits very welcome.

Ill proberbly advertise on here too, once it is valeted and I have taken my photos.

P.S. I will admit this is partly a Shameless plug, but I genuinely would also like to be spot on with my product knowledge as anyone who is interested in buying this car, will have done their own homework.(here most likely )

All Evo's had the 321bhp 3.2 (of which yours with the SMG will be one)
SMG 2 only on E46 M3
None of the E36 evos had traction control. Though i've seen one strangely with the button, not connected to anything!

[kentmotorcompany]

Thanks for your help.

Full details can now be found here: http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/330454.htm and on my website.

[M3Kevin]

Nice car! Only one problem SMG If you get 11500 for it you can sell mine!

Edited by M3Kevin on Sunday 6th January 19:09

Edited by M3Kevin on Monday 7th January 21:23

Edited by M3Kevin on Monday 7th January 21:26

[paoloh]

I've just sold an 02 M3 smg cab with full spec and 50k miles for £17k. I think £11.5 is a tad rich but there is a customer for every car....

[kentmotorcompany]

Have a look at this: http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+...

There are only 2 other similar cars, mine is priced right in the middle and is the only one with a 6 month warranty.

[E36GUY]

Phew. Expensive for a model which is now 2 shapes old!

You might be lucky but as someone that watches the e36 market like a hawk having had three of them I think it'll be a while until you sell that. The biggest problem is that the SMGs don't sell very quickly. The box is not brilliant and if it goes wrong (which they do) they are almost a mortgage to fix.

But lovely car nontheless!

[kentmotorcompany]

Oh well, I guess thats a couple of people here I wont be selling it to.

I will let you know when and how much it goes for.(i wont exaggerate either) Ive had 2 enquiry's so far.

[M3Kevin]

I had loads of enquirys The problem is getting them to turn up Most of them are time wasters I would'nt like to sell cars for a living! Good luck with the sale mate

[kentmotorcompany]

M3Kevin said:

I had loads of enquirys The problem is getting them to turn up Most of them are time wasters I would'nt like to sell cars for a living! Good luck with the sale mate

Yes its the same with almost every car, even the ordinary stuff. But once they turn up, if the car is nice 8/9 out of 10 will buy.

[E36GUY]

kentmotorcompany said:

Oh well, I guess thats a couple of people here I wont be selling it to.

I will let you know when and how much it goes for.(i wont exaggerate either) Ive had 2 enquiry's so far.

Would be very interested to know!

[derin100]

The price is high.

BUT (!)...I'm a great believer that when it comes to exceptional cars (which this is...or will be once the details in the ad have been done)normal market prices do not apply.

In the past I've paid far more percentage-wise for the 'right car' than this is advertisied above the 'norm'!

Thus...

Yes, the price is high...but I don't think outlandishly so.

And as 'Poalah' said...or words to the effect: "It only takes one buyer who wants 'that' car etc..."

A "little bit better" can mean "a lot more £" in terms of initial purchase price at this end of the spectrum.

If that car had a hard-top in with the deal....and (crucially) wasn't an SMG I'd buy it myself...right now!

I actually quite fancied a convertible with SMG. I'm not a track racer (read: "Old Fart&quot and actually thought to myself that an SMG gearbox and a convertible would be a well suited combination.

I know various people here have "slagged" the early SMG 1 for its function...that doesn't worry me too much and I can't comment as I have never driven one. I've also spoken to owners who have this gearbox and thus whilst it may not be the cleverest bit of kit that doesn't bother me too much.

My concern has been what seems to be the reported all too frequent FAILURE of the SMG 1 and more so what seems to be the lack of knowledge that exists anywhere to fix these problems thus leading to the potential for HUGE bills to recifty problems. £SEVEN-Grand bills have been mentioned!!!

So...Yes, it is quite a bit above the normal market price....but I think if someone is prepared to risk the SMG issue I don't think normal market prices should apply to this car. (SMG aside) I think it's a fair price for an exceptionally nice car.

Good luck!

[Christoffer]

Nice looking car mate.
Did you sell that Enzo?
How many cars a year do you sell?

[kentmotorcompany]

Christoffer said:

Nice looking car mate.
Did you sell that Enzo?
How many cars a year do you sell?

Thanks.

No I wish, its just a picture from when used to work at Maranello.

Are you the VAT man?

[RichBurley]

kentmotorcompany said:

The VAT Man said:

Nice looking car mate.
Did you sell that Enzo?
How many cars a year do you sell?

Thanks.

No I wish, its just a picture from when used to work at Maranello.

Are you the VAT man?

No he isn't. So how many do you sell, and how much is your profit margin?

[Christoffer]

Haha alright sorry about the question - I am NOT in any way a VAT man!!! I trade stocks for a living, but I am thinking about starting up a small independent used cars company, so it was just "professional" interest. I love cars and might work with them someday.

Nice to hear you worked for Ferrari!!!

[kentmotorcompany]

RichBurley said:

kentmotorcompany said:

The VAT Man said:

Nice looking car mate.
Did you sell that Enzo?
How many cars a year do you sell?

Thanks.

No I wish, its just a picture from when used to work at Maranello.

Are you the VAT man?

No he isn't. So how many do you sell, and how much is your profit margin?

Come and buy the M3 from me and Ill tell you everything you want to know!

[kentmotorcompany]

Christoffer said:

Haha alright sorry about the question - I am NOT in any way a VAT man!!! I trade stocks for a living, but I am thinking about starting up a small independent used cars company, so it was just "professional" interest. I love cars and might work with them someday.

Nice to hear you worked for Ferrari!!!

No problem.

Dont even think about putting your own money into used cars without having worked for someone else for a few years. Which if you trade stocks for a living, I guess its unlikely you will want to go and sell used cars for someone else. Maybe you could invest in a small independent dealer?

[Christoffer]

Haha No why I wanted to trade cars as well at stocks ( at some point in the future perhaps ) is because all my life I just loved cars. So the possibility of trying lots of different ones is appealing!

But thanks for the advice!

I live in Denmark by the way - so won't be buying a right hand drive car - but good luck with the sale! The car looks very nice!

Edited by Christoffer on Wednesday 9th January 17:46

[kentmotorcompany]

derin100 said:

The price is high.

BUT (!)...I'm a great believer that when it comes to exceptional cars (which this is...or will be once the details in the ad have been done)normal market prices do not apply.

In the past I've paid far more percentage-wise for the 'right car' than this is advertisied above the 'norm'!

Thus...

Yes, the price is high...but I don't think outlandishly so.

And as 'Poalah' said...or words to the effect: "It only takes one buyer who wants 'that' car etc..."

A "little bit better" can mean "a lot more £" in terms of initial purchase price at this end of the spectrum.

If that car had a hard-top in with the deal....and (crucially) wasn't an SMG I'd buy it myself...right now!

I actually quite fancied a convertible with SMG. I'm not a track racer (read: "Old Fart&quot and actually thought to myself that an SMG gearbox and a convertible would be a well suited combination.

I know various people here have "slagged" the early SMG 1 for its function...that doesn't worry me too much and I can't comment as I have never driven one. I've also spoken to owners who have this gearbox and thus whilst it may not be the cleverest bit of kit that doesn't bother me too much.

My concern has been what seems to be the reported all too frequent FAILURE of the SMG 1 and more so what seems to be the lack of knowledge that exists anywhere to fix these problems thus leading to the potential for HUGE bills to recifty problems. £SEVEN-Grand bills have been mentioned!!!

So...Yes, it is quite a bit above the normal market price....but I think if someone is prepared to risk the SMG issue I don't think normal market prices should apply to this car. (SMG aside) I think it's a fair price for an exceptionally nice car.

Good luck!

Thanks.

I think the weather is not really helping, not too many people think about buying convertibles when its like this.