Buying a 2001 - 2003 M3.

[ZR1cliff]

I've been looking at the classifieds for some time now and am considering buying an M3 in the next 6 months, but before I make a decision I want to do my homework. I am looking at buying one as a long term keeper and everyday car. I cover around 5,000 private, mainly motorway miles per year and my budget will be around the 2001 to 2003 Coupe/convertible,low mileage mark. what should I be aware off, downside as well as upside, do they have any weak costly points.
Thanks in advance.

Edited by ZR1cliff on Tuesday 19th February 16:17

[nutcase]

Do it, you won't regret it. I've had my M3 for about two and a half years now- it's superb for blasts, weekends, commuting etc. Quick enough to embarrass 99% of stuff on the roads, yet now you can get decent examples for 16-18k.

The only thing i'd say is that the extended warranty (whilst nice to have) are a rip-off (£1200 P/A up to 60,000 miles and then £1800 P/A thereafter, with a £500 excess per event), compared to Porsche at £895 P/A...makes no sense!

The usual things like history/stamps etc and if it's an SMG- make sure it's had the software updates. Otherwise- it'll be fairly reasonable on consumables (say up to 10k miles from the rears) for a car of it's performance.

Give me a shout if you've got any other questions!

[Deniz.S]

Go for it, you will love it.

However nutcase has his figures wrong. BMW extended warranty used to be £1050 upto 60000 miles and £1800 above that. It has recently been reduced to £772 and £1554 respectively, with a £250 excess, figures which make sense. Even though indies can often provide better service than main dealers, the warranty gives you the peace of mind to drive your car as it should be, without the fear of anything going wrong. The M3 is pretty bullet proof, but as with any performance car, you can't replace the freedom of mind that comes with knowing that you're covered in the event of big bills.

I would aim for a late 03 model with the revised rear lights, and ensure that it has had the engine recall if you opt for an 01 car (though I assume they all have by now). Consumables come in the way or rtab's which have a habit of breaking, though it's not a costly repair. I (will) do around 8000 miles a year and the tyre wear is pretty decent so far. Get yourself over to www.mtorque.co.uk and read through the relevant forums, any question you have will have been asked and answered

Edited by Deniz.S on Tuesday 19th February 20:05

[nutcase]

I stand corrected :0)

I still think that's a bit steep though (for 60k miles +)

[M15ley]

The BMW warranty (even after the recent price drop) does not stack up since they introduced the £250 excess.

As mentioned make sure it has had all recall work done - simply give BMW UK a call with the VIN number and they will tell you the entire history of the car. The 1200 mile running in service is also essential and check out the rear springs which have a habit of breaking.

[ZR1cliff]

Thanks for the responses, some of the next questions will probably be age old ones that have been asked over and over, my apologies. Feel free to correct.
What is SMG, is this Semi Manual Gearbox ?
I see the variations for 01-03 cars are; Gearbox, Auto, 6 Sp Manual, Paddle shift.
Engine sizes, [from reading ads in Top marques etc,so could be mis-quoted]
3.2 3.3 and 3.6 liter.
In one advert It was mentioned a 3.2 engine was replaced in an 01 car at 30k, would this have been an exception or was there any problems with earlier cars?
Do Convertibles come with a hard top as standard ?
I've also caught on to the 'Running in' service.
Are the Brakes adequate. Fortunately I have a new massive front/back brembo 6 pot brake kit in storage if needed although my intentions are not to drive it hard, more of a long term keeper as already mentioned.
I've also read it's possible to get around 30mpg when driven sedately, is this true.
Colours; I prefer Blacks, Silvers and blues, but I notice the Phoenix yellow cars seem to be more reasonabley priced for some reason, coincidence ?
Thanks again for your time, they certainly are one hell of a car.

[darreni]

SMG is sequential manual gearbox, the same box as the 6sp manual.

All s54 engines are 3.2

Cabs don't come with a hardtop as std. I haven't bothered witha hardtop, the BM softops are very good, & dont leak. Glass rear screen too.

PY & laguna cars are an acquired taste & less easy to resale than the common colours.

Do try to get one with the BM warranty intact, it very good.
Nav, 19's & HK make resale easier & worth the premium, unless you are looking for a track/very cheap car.

[ZR1cliff]

Thanks Darren.
I read in another advert that 18" wheels on M3's gave the car a better feel than the 19" wheels, or was that a misleading selling technique ?

[darreni]

Probably true, but the 19's look sooo much better.

[Deutscher]

18s vs 19s is an endless debate.

My view is 18s are for drivers and 19s for tarts!

And stay well clear of PY and LSB unless you personally like the colours as you could well get stuck with the car.

[M15ley]

Standard brakes are perfectly adequate for normal road use although the big brake kits are a popular upgrade for the regular track user. For some reason Sat Nav does command a premium at resale but all that means is you'll pay more initially which will then only balance out if you ship it on again, the Sat Nav is rubbish anyway

[ZR1cliff]

Thanks again.

I would imagine there's quite a Queue for this one, even though it's only 3 hours old.

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/384847.htm

[ZR1cliff]

It's re-emerged again under a different name after the last advert was withdrawn for what ever reason

http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/385230.htm

[paoloh]

DO NOTS,

SMG
Laguna Seca Blue
Phoenix Yellow
No Nav
18s I am now running and taking cover
Kiwi Leather

DO's

FSH
19s
Nav
Harmon Kardon
Wind Deflector
Hard Top is nice


Check for

Nail it in 2nd, if back end slides around, it will near, rear trailing arm bushes £300.
Nothing else really apart from HPI check

[nutcase]

paoloh said:

DO NOTS,

SMG
Laguna Seca Blue
Phoenix Yellow
No Nav
18s I am now running and taking cover
Kiwi Leather

DO's

FSH
19s
Nav
Harmon Kardon
Wind Deflector
Hard Top is nice


Check for

Nail it in 2nd, if back end slides around, it will near, rear trailing arm bushes £300.
Nothing else really apart from HPI check

Good post, like it. Especially the bit about 19's.

[markymark34]

whats wrong with the SMG box? Im in the process of trying to find a car 02-03 myself and have driven a couple with SMG and really like it. Adds to the fun!

has to be th 19s regardless of handling they look miles better!!

Mark

[paoloh]

The SMG in D is awful. I want to accelerate, I press the loud pedal.......... and I accelerate.
SMG is great on a track but a pain in the arse, day to day. IMO

[Deutscher]

DON'Ts

Convertible
SMG
Laguna Seca Blue
Phoenix Yellow
Kiwi Leather

DO's

Coupe
FSH
Harmon Kardon

A Tom Tom for £125 is better than the factory sat nav. 18ins drive much better than 19s, which look tarty and kerb even more easily.

[paoloh]

Deutscher said:

DON'Ts

Convertible
SMG
Laguna Seca Blue
Phoenix Yellow
Kiwi Leather

DO's

Coupe
FSH
Harmon Kardon

A Tom Tom for £125 is better than the factory sat nav. 18ins drive much better than 19s, which look tarty and kerb even more easily.

A fking tom tom won't add value, in fact Deutscher, I'm not even going here again with you.

[Deutscher]

A Tom Tom works better than the factory unit.

Any supposed improvement on resale with a factory unit is negated by the same premium on purchase.

(I don't actually think sat nav makes much difference on older cars anyway – condition is much more important.)