Advice on E46 M3 Purchase

[Bullrock]

Firstly I wanted to say Hi as I am quite new to this forum (Although have browsed Pistonheads for quite some time).
I currently own a Boxster S but due to a change in circumstances and plans to start a family soon (needing 4 seats), I will shortly be selling the box.
I now looking for.......U guessed it........an E46 BMW M3 Coupe.

I wondered if I could ask my 1st bit of advice?
I think my budget should stretch to a 02/03 car and I think I will end up buying privately.
Is there a specialist company that anyone can recommend that inspects M cars (M3's) and provides a detailed report on any problems found. I know the AA/RAC provide this sort of inspection service but I really wanted to use a company that had detailed knowledge of the E46 M3?

Thanks in advance!
Adam

Adamw

[houlbt]

I see you are in Kent... best you speak to these guys I think. They will do an inspection on the car and can stick it on the rollers if you want. Bexleys are familiar with E46 M3's and indeed look after my M3 CSL

www.bmsport.com

Edited by houlbt on Tuesday 15th January 14:28

[Bullrock]

Thanks for the response.
I no longer live in Kent (DOH, forgot to update my profile)
I now live in West Sussex but my friends/family still live in Kent so bmsport may well be an option.
No specific M Car vehicle inspectors that operate anywhere in the south East?

[houlbt]

How do you mean..... it can be tricky to get people to go to see the car without the cost really escalating. I would think an inspection would cost around £100 or so but if you want to use an experienced technicians time to travel too/from a car then that could easily be £300/£400 no??

I normally get the seller of the car to go to the inspector.

If they want to sell and you agree to buy subject to a positive inspection and the car being as described what is their downside (I mena you are paying for the inspection) ? They are only going to be hesitant if the car is somehow not as described or the inspection is an unreasonable distance away.

[Paul_Dids]

I might be wrong but when I bought my E36 I was told that BMW dealerships would do an inspection for you, to the same standards as if they were taking the car in part ex

Could be worth a phone call to your local dealership... won't be cheap though

[PSJKXP]

I've you're interested in low mileage 02 plate, I have a black/black M3 Convertible SMG with 26k and two owners to date.
What would you offer me for that?
It's clean , never been raced and only on sale as my kids don't fit in the back anymore

Let me know if you're interested.

[E36GUY]

I just had an accident.

[stuthemong]

houlbt,

Someone seems to have 'chavved' your CSL when you weren't looking!!

(nah, not really, looks great )

Stu

[houlbt]

I confess it isn't low key... but then it serves a purpose

I love this car so much and I would recommend a CSL to anyone who wants to buy into a true future classic with real modern manners and performance.

[Vixpy1]

E36GUY said:

I just had an accident.

Its accident central here

[paoloh]

PSJKXP said:

I've you're interested in low mileage 02 plate, I have a black/black M3 Convertible SMG with 26k and two owners to date.
What would you offer me for that?
It's clean , never been raced and only on sale as my kids don't fit in the back anymore

Let me know if you're interested.

In trade that is worth about £17k

[PK1990]

I used Peter Morgan [Porsche Specialist, edits one of Porsche Magazines] before buying a Boxster S a few years ago [great service - costs a bit but I think the written report effectively paid for most of itself when I sold the car in October - via PH]

Was looking at an M3 Cab at an independant dealer after I sold Boxster but had a couple of doubts about this particular car, so contacted Peter again and he put me in touch with a guy called Steve Lee. Again, great service, although this time the car wasn't, so I steered clear. It's still for sale now [not on PH thankfully], so again feels like money well spent.

Good luck with search

[alz]

I'm in the procces of selling my TVR Tuscan S and am looking at buying an E46 M3 convertible. What kind of mods are available at a decent price to upgrade the power on the car?

[kusee pee]

Try

http://sportscarguides.com/

I've used them a few times for Porsche inspections and found their service very good. I'm not sure if they do M3s but they probably do.