Discussion
After making 2 huge mistakes recently with our car buying (starting with a new import Porsche Boxster) I am seriously looking at buying an E46 M3.
I probably will buy a used example because I am fed up with being hit with herrendous verging on rediculous depreciation.
Can people point out to me any pitfalls with the M3, that I should no about?
I probably will buy a used example because I am fed up with being hit with herrendous verging on rediculous depreciation.
Can people point out to me any pitfalls with the M3, that I should no about?
Hey Catherine, seems our choice in cars matches once again. 
Have a look at the forums on b3mw.co.uk and tyresmoke.net, I can't remember which one it was, but there was someone who had worked out the anticipated depreciation on the E46 M3 for the next 5 years. A search through their forums should find it for you.
Jo
Have a look at the forums on b3mw.co.uk and tyresmoke.net, I can't remember which one it was, but there was someone who had worked out the anticipated depreciation on the E46 M3 for the next 5 years. A search through their forums should find it for you.
JoJo you have changed your name. I had been searching for you because I saw a little while ago that you had an M3.
Do tell me about it wont you e.g what you have got.
I am thinking of something with either cinamon or imola red for an interior.
>> Edited by cnjohnson_uk on Sunday 24th April 20:32
Do tell me about it wont you e.g what you have got.
I am thinking of something with either cinamon or imola red for an interior.
>> Edited by cnjohnson_uk on Sunday 24th April 20:32
Mustard said:
Cinnamon or Red...... afraid Jo's not going to be favourable on those two!
Reds quite nice with Silver Grey Met or Titanium Silver, possibly Carbon black
Cinnamon, is not to everyones taste
Yes I don't think the red would go with many other colours.
I am going to see a car with Cinnamon this week, I must admit to only having seen it from a distance.
I've had two M3's, I had an E36 over the winter and then bought the E46 about a month ago.
I've got an 02 plate E46 convertible, with all the toys, it is a great car although I miss the handling of my previous one. Don't misunderstand me, the handling is fantastic for a 4 seat car but won't be as good as you are used to in the Boxster. One of the reasons I went for the M3 was that I was tired of having a weekend sports car and and sensible car. The M3 is a combination of both, it can cope with both my day to day commute and a tear across the countryside at the weekend.
As for depreciation, the new M3 is due out in 2006 so this model will take a drop then. I'm planning to keep mine for a couple of years (famous last words) so have taken this into consideration.
The other major factor to consider is colour choice, some of the metallic yellow (can't remember the name of the colour but it looks like bile) with Kiwi leather are selling for ~£1500 less than an equivalent car in silver/black. Mine is black with black leather btw.
If you want to know any more, feel free to drop me an email.
I've got an 02 plate E46 convertible, with all the toys, it is a great car although I miss the handling of my previous one. Don't misunderstand me, the handling is fantastic for a 4 seat car but won't be as good as you are used to in the Boxster. One of the reasons I went for the M3 was that I was tired of having a weekend sports car and and sensible car. The M3 is a combination of both, it can cope with both my day to day commute and a tear across the countryside at the weekend.
As for depreciation, the new M3 is due out in 2006 so this model will take a drop then. I'm planning to keep mine for a couple of years (famous last words) so have taken this into consideration.
The other major factor to consider is colour choice, some of the metallic yellow (can't remember the name of the colour but it looks like bile) with Kiwi leather are selling for ~£1500 less than an equivalent car in silver/black. Mine is black with black leather btw.
If you want to know any more, feel free to drop me an email.
Mustard where do you work? Not at a certain Midlands Sports Car dealer that I have emailed today about a car with a cinnamon interior?
Doh no need to respond, I have read your profile. The answer to my question is yes it is you.
>> Edited by cnjohnson_uk on Sunday 24th April 21:25
>> Edited by cnjohnson_uk on Sunday 24th April 21:26
Doh no need to respond, I have read your profile. The answer to my question is yes it is you.
>> Edited by cnjohnson_uk on Sunday 24th April 21:25
>> Edited by cnjohnson_uk on Sunday 24th April 21:26
The E36 was a stop gap to get me through the winter as I had sold my Tuscan towards the end of last year.
The E46 is far more refined than the E36, having a much quieter cabin and, in my case, it has a much softer suspension. Although the trade-off is the handling on the E46 it isn't a patch on the my old one, but I can't have everything! The E36, although a great car, was starting to feel a little dated and likely to start needing bits replacing sometime in the next couple of years.
Before I sold the E36 Mr C_G and I took them both out for a side by side "road test", the chipped E36 was quicker off the blocks, it left the E46 standing upto 30mph, after that the new one caught up and continued to stand head and shoulders above.
In summary, ~£20k difference to move from a 8 year old car to a 2 year old one. Worth it? You bet it was!
>> Edited by Chav Girl on Monday 25th April 00:59
The E46 is far more refined than the E36, having a much quieter cabin and, in my case, it has a much softer suspension. Although the trade-off is the handling on the E46 it isn't a patch on the my old one, but I can't have everything! The E36, although a great car, was starting to feel a little dated and likely to start needing bits replacing sometime in the next couple of years.
Before I sold the E36 Mr C_G and I took them both out for a side by side "road test", the chipped E36 was quicker off the blocks, it left the E46 standing upto 30mph, after that the new one caught up and continued to stand head and shoulders above.
In summary, ~£20k difference to move from a 8 year old car to a 2 year old one. Worth it? You bet it was!
>> Edited by Chav Girl on Monday 25th April 00:59
I was always under the impression that there wasn't much in the straight line performance of them both, and evo quote 0-100 within half a second of each other.
Drove an E46 (coupe) at Rockingham and it did feel quicker, though that could be due to being on track I suppose.
Wonder if it comes down to good ones and bad ones? I have a friend with an E36 coupe which is chipped and has an ACS exhaust & air box - felt slower (and was!) than my boggo standard saloon!
Drove an E46 (coupe) at Rockingham and it did feel quicker, though that could be due to being on track I suppose.
Wonder if it comes down to good ones and bad ones? I have a friend with an E36 coupe which is chipped and has an ACS exhaust & air box - felt slower (and was!) than my boggo standard saloon!
Perhaps it was down to driver ability, god I hope Mr C_G doesn't read that! From a standing start the E36 got the power down and away from the lights quicker than I did. However from 30 to the 'speed limit' the E46 was a good couple of car lengths ahead. Clearly this wasn't done in any scientific way, it goes without saying that we were observing the relevant speed limits at the time of our 'test'. 
One thing is for certain, the E36 handled better, but then again it did have some specialist suspension mods done to it.
One thing is for certain, the E36 handled better, but then again it did have some specialist suspension mods done to it.
cnjohnson_uk said:Sounds great. Hope you enjoy it.
Well I have bought one today.
From a main dealer in Taplow. It is Titanium Grey with Imola Red Leather. It is an 03 plate with 25,000 miles on the clock and full history with Sytner in Leicester.
I am so excited, I have to collect at the end of this week,
With regards to the comment on adjusting to the SMG, I used to run a manual E46 and then got to drive an SMG a couple of times.
On one occasion, I disliked the SMG and was happy to get back in a manual. On another occasion, when I had time to get used to it a bit more, I really REALLY liked the SMG. I think it compliments anyone who is anything less than a fantastic, highly skilled driver.
Sadly, I dont have an M3 anymore, so I envy you both of the decision. The red interior is a grower!
On one occasion, I disliked the SMG and was happy to get back in a manual. On another occasion, when I had time to get used to it a bit more, I really REALLY liked the SMG. I think it compliments anyone who is anything less than a fantastic, highly skilled driver.
Sadly, I dont have an M3 anymore, so I envy you both of the decision. The red interior is a grower!
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