e46 M3 how leggy do I let it get before I change?

e46 M3 how leggy do I let it get before I change?

Author
Discussion

wilftwo

Original Poster:

90 posts

210 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
My e46 M3 now has 48K on it and is coming up for inspection 2. Question is do I chop it for the new shape e92 now or wait another year by which time it will be well into the 60k?

Its been pretty reliable to date and depreciated at about 6.5k p.a. I dont want to be kicking myself in 6 months time when its run up large bills.

Housey

2,079 posts

233 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
You shouldn't get large bills Wilf as the E46 M3 is a very reliable car if well looked after and maintained. I did over 50K in my first in 18 months from new and the chap who bought it was well over 130K when I last checked and that included many serious track days. In terms of the engine assuming the recalls have been done (if needed based on age of production) then the engine should last to 150K plus before any manjor work is needed.


Deutscher

1,430 posts

225 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
wilftwo said:
My e46 M3 now has 48K on it and is coming up for inspection 2. Question is do I chop it for the new shape e92 now or wait another year by which time it will be well into the 60k?

Its been pretty reliable to date and depreciated at about 6.5k p.a. I dont want to be kicking myself in 6 months time when its run up large bills.
E92s depreciate at nearly £2k per month in their first year – that's what I'd call a large bill!

Vixpy1

42,664 posts

270 months

Monday 20th October 2008
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Mine is almost at 90K, and apart from snapped rear springs has had almost no work other than routine servicing

dan101smith

16,857 posts

217 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
60K is hardly leggy!

Neil.D

2,878 posts

212 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
dan101smith said:
60K is hardly leggy!
Agreed.

Would the jump of 20k more purchase price not far exceed any possible bill on your current car?
What large bills are you expecting anyway? Apart from the routine consumables, things like suspension bushes and gear linkages can be replaced and you wouldnt really know it was a higher milage car and they are not exactly expensive.
Engines, diffs and gearboxes can go pop anytime.
If you do decide to keep it then changing the oils twice as often will increase its longevity.
Im afraid that only you can decide if your wallet and desire to own the E92 is the best decision.
People on mtorque are still loving theirs at well over 100k miles.

Neil

Twincharged

1,851 posts

211 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
wilftwo said:
My e46 M3 now has 48K on it and is coming up for inspection 2. Question is do I chop it for the new shape e92 now or wait another year by which time it will be well into the 60k?

Its been pretty reliable to date and depreciated at about 6.5k p.a. I dont want to be kicking myself in 6 months time when its run up large bills.
Maybe chop it in for one like this:
Link
It's been looked after, low mileage approved used and you're getting the newer version that you want without losing a big chunk of depreciation.

Link stolen shamelessly from another thread to give example of 1 y/o bargains

paoloh

8,617 posts

210 months

Tuesday 21st October 2008
quotequote all
wilftwo said:
My e46 M3 now has 48K on it and is coming up for inspection 2. Question is do I chop it for the new shape e92 now or wait another year by which time it will be well into the 60k?

Its been pretty reliable to date and depreciated at about 6.5k p.a. I dont want to be kicking myself in 6 months time when its run up large bills.
Try and do a trade before it gets to 60k. Main dealer can then forecourt it easier and you might be able to push for a better deal.

jonlwright

1,825 posts

245 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
quotequote all
Chop it in for a low mileage M6 - cheaper than a new M3 and totally awesome for the money - plus it has already had the worst of its depreciation kicking.

Deutscher

1,430 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
quotequote all
jonlwright said:
Chop it in for a low mileage M6 - cheaper than a new M3 and totally awesome for the money - plus it has already had the worst of its depreciation kicking.
This makes fun sense, but not money sense.

It's nearly always cheaper to put more miles on the car you've already got than a new one.

paoloh

8,617 posts

210 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
quotequote all
Deutscher said:
jonlwright said:
Chop it in for a low mileage M6 - cheaper than a new M3 and totally awesome for the money - plus it has already had the worst of its depreciation kicking.
This makes fun sense, but not money sense.

It's nearly always cheaper to put more miles on the car you've already got than a new one.
Have you actually ever bought a car?

Or ventured out of your Mother's spare bedroom?

jonlwright

1,825 posts

245 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
quotequote all
Deutscher said:
jonlwright said:
Chop it in for a low mileage M6 - cheaper than a new M3 and totally awesome for the money - plus it has already had the worst of its depreciation kicking.
This makes fun sense, but not money sense.

It's nearly always cheaper to put more miles on the car you've already got than a new one.
I was comparing to the option of changing to a new M3 that the OP mentioned. I think an M6 offers much better value right now.

Also, if the M3 goes over 60K it can no longer be an AUC limiting your p/x value and always has the potential of having something major going wrong out of warranty.

Yes, the old M3 will be cheaper, probably, but there is more to changing to a newer, warranty covered, faster, higher specced car than just the basic cost smile

Deutscher

1,430 posts

225 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
quotequote all
paoloh said:
Deutscher said:
jonlwright said:
Chop it in for a low mileage M6 - cheaper than a new M3 and totally awesome for the money - plus it has already had the worst of its depreciation kicking.
This makes fun sense, but not money sense.

It's nearly always cheaper to put more miles on the car you've already got than a new one.
Have you actually ever bought a car?

Or ventured out of your Mother's spare bedroom?
Obviously touched a sore spot!

Are you challenging the fact that 99% of the time greater depreciation plus dealer margin when you swap will be more than any repairs on your existing car.

Frik

13,547 posts

249 months

Wednesday 22nd October 2008
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Deutscher said:
Obviously touched a sore spot!
Hardly surprising.

poaloh wouldn't make any money if everyone did this.

Zead

377 posts

213 months

Friday 24th October 2008
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E92s depreciate at nearly £2k per month in their first year – that's what I'd call a large bill!
[/quote]

most of that is VAT, if a new car is worth 50K you'll pay nearly 9K tax on that.

If you are talking high miles = hard to sell then you may have a point, but most BM buyers esp M buyers will take into account servicing and bills and how well you looked after your ride.

Edited by Zead on Friday 24th October 13:57