E46 M3 Warranties
Discussion
G'day all
I'm looking for advice on warranties for 2002/03 M3's. Hopefully I'll be purchasing a 2002/03 (pre facelift) M3 in the next few weeks. I'm looking for a manual (or SMG if the money adds up) coupe with between 60 and 80k on the clock. Will def have 19" alloys (because I can't face being mocked by all but the nerdiest M3 owners), the rest of the spec is a luxury I don't really need.
Insurance/maintenance/fuel costs don't bother me but I am concerned about complete mechanical failure due to engine bearing/drivetrain failure or similar. As such I've contacted a few warranty companies and had a mixed bag of responses. I made it clear that I wanted to be covered incase of machanical failure due to wear and tear (example being an engine bearing) and the quotes I was given varried from £900 to £2400 for 3 years cover (the more expensive option covering me to 10 yrs old and 130k miles).
Firstly am I being a paranoid shandy drinking Audi driver by worrying about catastrophic mechanical failure?
Secondly do you think I'll be getting value for money going with a warranty?
Thirdly can anybody recommend a warranty company that does a genuine "wear and tear" warranty?
(Fourthly on a completely separate note how much will it cost to have a standard tape player swapped for a dash mounted CD head unit)
Much obliged
Jimmy
I'm looking for advice on warranties for 2002/03 M3's. Hopefully I'll be purchasing a 2002/03 (pre facelift) M3 in the next few weeks. I'm looking for a manual (or SMG if the money adds up) coupe with between 60 and 80k on the clock. Will def have 19" alloys (because I can't face being mocked by all but the nerdiest M3 owners), the rest of the spec is a luxury I don't really need.
Insurance/maintenance/fuel costs don't bother me but I am concerned about complete mechanical failure due to engine bearing/drivetrain failure or similar. As such I've contacted a few warranty companies and had a mixed bag of responses. I made it clear that I wanted to be covered incase of machanical failure due to wear and tear (example being an engine bearing) and the quotes I was given varried from £900 to £2400 for 3 years cover (the more expensive option covering me to 10 yrs old and 130k miles).
Firstly am I being a paranoid shandy drinking Audi driver by worrying about catastrophic mechanical failure?
Secondly do you think I'll be getting value for money going with a warranty?
Thirdly can anybody recommend a warranty company that does a genuine "wear and tear" warranty?
(Fourthly on a completely separate note how much will it cost to have a standard tape player swapped for a dash mounted CD head unit)
Much obliged
Jimmy
A few years ago you could just pop a standard 3 series BMW warranty on it for reasonable money and job done.
Sadly, since BMW decided these M cars are too pricey to cover in that way, you now have to buy an M series warranty at great expense which also include an excess for each claim.
Personally, for the money the car will cost, I would just risk it. Third party warranties are ok for small claims, but as soon as the bill gets large they ususally wrangle out of a claim leaving you to try and fight it in the courts.
All IMO of course.
Sadly, since BMW decided these M cars are too pricey to cover in that way, you now have to buy an M series warranty at great expense which also include an excess for each claim.
Personally, for the money the car will cost, I would just risk it. Third party warranties are ok for small claims, but as soon as the bill gets large they ususally wrangle out of a claim leaving you to try and fight it in the courts.
All IMO of course.
I would join the BMW Car Club, offhand I think it cost me about £60 or so.
That gets you a discounted warranty with Warranty Direct (you'll hear good things and bad things) but all the BMW car club members seem to get on ok with them.
Also pretty sure they do 'wear and tear' but again you'll have to check directly.
The membership will also get you 10% off OEM parts from your local dealer as well.
Alternatively as some on the site do, put the money in the bank, get your vehicle serviced by a knowledgeable independent and if it goes wrong you'll have funds to cover it.
Not heard of too many total catastrophic failures on the E46.
That gets you a discounted warranty with Warranty Direct (you'll hear good things and bad things) but all the BMW car club members seem to get on ok with them.
Also pretty sure they do 'wear and tear' but again you'll have to check directly.
The membership will also get you 10% off OEM parts from your local dealer as well.
Alternatively as some on the site do, put the money in the bank, get your vehicle serviced by a knowledgeable independent and if it goes wrong you'll have funds to cover it.
Not heard of too many total catastrophic failures on the E46.
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