E46 M3 Buying

[gazzab]

Hi ! I am considering a 911 or an M3 (or even another Cerbera). To help me with the M3 options I have a couple of questions that I hope you can answer?:-
a) there have been some recalls , I think one was block related? anyone know what to look out for re recalls when buying?
b) What spec ? A non 19, non sat nav car seems to be better 'value'. Is it madness to buy without?
c) What is the right amount to spend on a 2002 car with avg miles, manual and avg spec (and non-offensive colours eg black n black).? Real prices rather then optimistic enthusiasts? (duck!)
d) will the new shape hit prices hard !?
e) I assume the advice is to get a car with BMW warranty left to run.
Cheers
Gary

[pdavison]

gazzab said:

Hi ! I am considering a 911 or an M3 (or even another Cerbera). To help me with the M3 options I have a couple of questions that I hope you can answer?:- a) there have been some recalls , I think one was block related? anyone know what to look out for re recalls when buying? b) What spec ? A non 19, non sat nav car seems to be better 'value'. Is it madness to buy without? c) What is the right amount to spend on a 2002 car with avg miles, manual and avg spec (and non-offensive colours eg black n black).? Real prices rather then optimistic enthusiasts? (duck!) d) will the new shape hit prices hard !? e) I assume the advice is to get a car with BMW warranty left to run. Cheers Gary

I'll try to answer your queries one by one:

a - The main recall that most cars will need does involve the bottom end, mine has had it done but I'm not entirely sure what it involves. It's all done under warrantee and I believe most cars up to 2003 require it.

b - I bought a car with 18's with no sat nav because it was better value but some say resale will be a problem but judging by the number of enquiries I'm getting on mine (it's for sale) it doesn't appear to be an issue. The ride on 18's is better (IMO) and I bought a map!

c - I would say somewhere between £25-28k depending on mileage and whether it's a private, dealer or BMW franchise sale.

d - New M3 doesn't come out until 2007 so it shouldn't be too bad but any new model will effect prices. I think this has probably already happened as they have fallen in price dramatically in the last 6 months.

e - Always renew the BMW warrantee, it covers almost everything and resale without will be a big issue. When these cars go wrong they are expensive to fix but as stated the warrantee should cover most issue not related to wear and tear.

Happy hunting!

[gazzab]

Ta
Good luck with your sale!
Sounds like your experience and interest means that unusal specs and no 19s and no sat nav mean that the threads here are not always so accurate.
You seem to be priced near to the Reading indie dealer prices so I guess private prices are good compared to indie dealers as well!
So bodes well for my plan to consider a trade for my p1 at a dealer for standard colours and no sat nav.