is it worth it to for around 1 year?

[b16a2_VTi]

Hi there,

I "think" Ive found a potental bargin m3 E46 (51 plate 2001)

Spec

4 months MOT
1 Months Tax
3 previous owners (so i will be the 5th)
topaz blue
around 90K
last too services have been from a indy (previous all BMW)
Sat Nav and DVD (smaller screen version)
HK Sound system
Parking sensors
Grey leather

I know the cars color is not the best color to have plus it needs a service (ive got someone who works in the motor trade so servicing cost is not an issue and will be using genuine BMW parts)

However ALL wheels need a refurb and the car does not have the o.e.m rubber on (think it has some budgets on)

Condition on the paint work is average few stone chips on the lower front bumper and the several scratches on the paintwork (im confident a buff will take them out)

Ive been offered the car as is for £8,500.00 im tempted i know i need to spend a few £100's on it but as long as i can sell it for "around" the same price next year say end of summer id be happy. Do you think looking at the current economic climate that this is possible or should i stay away?

Discuss..........

[dan101smith]

I'd imagine that's probably only got another £1000 or so to lose over the next year.

[b16a2_VTi]

£1000 on top off what im gona spend is abit too much.

o'well i can always ask for a few more hundred of the car.

dnt mind losing upto 1k aslong as it doesnt go over that as im taking money out of my "life" savings lol.

always fancied a e46 m3, even if i had it for a year or less!

[duff]

There is no way of telling how much it'll go down in a year in the current climate, however if you did assume £1k depreciation plus £1k in costs, that's only around £170 p/m (so long as you don't incur any other big bills during that year) - for an E46 M3 that seems pretty good value to me.


It's a proper performance car so is never going to be cheap motoring, depends if you can afford it and how much you want it...

[dan101smith]

You're talking about one of the earliest examples of an E46 M3 with (relatively) high miles, old sat nav and not the most popular colour. It's going to be down at the bottom end of the market.

Ignoring whether you'll lose much in depreciation, can you afford to run the car? Mid 20s MPG, cost of brakes, tyres etc etc, plus the possibility of a big bill during that year.

Sounds to me like you'd be taking a gamble, so perhaps now isn't the best time to take it on - you'll still be able to get one for that price or less from here on, so don't overstretch yourself would be my advice.

[b16a2_VTi]

hi,

thanks for the replies.

yes i can comfortably afford to run it i walk to work so its a evening / weekend car.

i do no more than 3k a year so fuel wont be a issue.

a very close friend works in a garage i normally get all the right bits from the dealer and i get mates rates

ur right in saying its one of the colour most people wnt buy along with highish miles. (ive spoken to the owner he is willing to take £8,250.00 as he has a company car plus he wants money before xmas)

temping me thinks

Edited by b16a2_VTi on Wednesday 10th December 19:03

Edited by b16a2_VTi on Wednesday 10th December 19:18

[968CSReading]

If you dont buy it give me his number....

Or, just offer him £8000, take it or leave it. Buyers market and all that

[Pork]

968CSReading said:

If you dont buy it give me his number....

Or, just offer him £8000, take it or leave it. Buyers market and all that

Aye, for £250, he'd be mad not to (unless he doenst really want or need to sell).


Mind, if you're already worrying about it, I perhaps wouldnt bother - you might not enjoy it!

[Rawhide]

I think thats stonking value if it's in good nick.

I think the market will seperate for E46 M3's next year. As the value has dropped it's available to a lot of people who can just afford to run it until the next service and the car will suffer. This will lead to either dogs or gems and a load of cars somewhere in the middle. The prices will reflect that too.

The dogs will pull the prices of the good cars down further but I think there will be a broad spread of prices.

Either way sometimes you have to take a step back and ignore the market and put your own value on the car. Thats a lot of car for the money even if it might not attract a lot of buyers.

Edited by Rawhide on Thursday 11th December 13:36

Edited by Rawhide on Thursday 11th December 13:36