Need buying advice on M3 cuurent shape - SMG?

[red uk]

Dear All,

I am new to the BMW world and am looking at buying an M3. I only intend to keep it for max 12 months so am keen to buy the right one as I want to be able to sell it without any hassle, so no red interiors!

Are there any general rules other than the sensible colours etc.? Any stigma on the SMG gearbox? Any changes from launch that is important? Is Sat Nav a must?

Look forward to hearing the advice!

Thanks
Rob

[Zod]

Go to www.bm3w.com and ask.

[burwoodman]

What year are u after? Id say avoid non Sat Nav cars and SMG is def a plus

[foz01]

Carbon Black/Silver Grey and Red interior are THE most popular combinations out there, the red leathers lovely!!!!

[damianc4s]

Imola Red interior, a truely wonderful colour! The ideal combination is Steel Grey and Imola Just a pity Steel Grey was delisted in April 2003

[Egbert Nobacon]

burwoodman said:

What year are u after? Id say avoid non Sat Nav cars and SMG is def a plus

Agree about the Sat Nav, but I think SMG is a personal thing - I tried both on a number of occasions and opted for a manual on the basis that I felt it better suited me and the type of use the car was going to get.

As for colour - Carbon Black or Steel Grey with Imola Leather look terrific.

[Dave Dax builder]

I have an SMG M3 and although I love it there are the odd niggle that i miss from a manual car. The rapid gear change and the punch in the back is brilliant and If I bought another i would definately go for it again S6 heaven!. I think sequential gearboxes are the future in the same way the pnumatic tyre, the 4+ speed gearbox, Mc phearson struts,twin cams.....You get the idea. Whethere the future is right, now who knows? But I'm enjoying it.

[Deutscher]

burwoodman said:

What year are u after? Id say avoid non Sat Nav cars and SMG is def a plus

Totally disagree.

Fitted Sat Nav becoming less and less relevant and SMG not rated by most (proof: maual and SMG cars go for the same price, notwithstanding the fact SMG was a very expensive extra).

Best colours: silver, grey, black. (In that order.)

Safe interior option is black, but some do like red.

[whoami]

Deutscher said:

burwoodman said: What year are u after? Id say avoid non Sat Nav cars and SMG is def a plus Totally disagree. Fitted Sat Nav becoming less and less relevant and SMG not rated by most (proof: maual and SMG cars go for the same price, notwithstanding the fact SMG was a very expensive extra). Best colours: silver, grey, black. (In that order.) Safe interior option is black, but some do like red.

No Sat Nav is fine is you want to get less (and pay less initially) for the car. A car with no sat nav is listed separately in Glass's guide.

SMG cars do not go for the same price as non-SMG. That's pure fiction I'm afraid.

[Zod]

Deutscher said:

burwoodman said: What year are u after? Id say avoid non Sat Nav cars and SMG is def a plus Totally disagree. Fitted Sat Nav becoming less and less relevant and SMG not rated by most (proof: maual and SMG cars go for the same price, notwithstanding the fact SMG was a very expensive extra). Best colours: silver, grey, black. (In that order.) Safe interior option is black, but some do like red.

You are missing the point: it's not about price, but ease of shifting the car. SatNav and SMG cars sell quicker.

[deutscher]

Zod said:

You are missing the point: it's not about price, but ease of shifting the car. SatNav and SMG cars sell quicker.

Not if you paid a lot more to get sat nav plus SMG and then want to recover your money. A cheaper non-sat nav manual car will sell quicker.

[deutscher]

whoami said:

SMG cars do not go for the same price as non-SMG. That's pure fiction I'm afraid.

It's not - check out the classifieds or these examples from Autotrader.

2001 51 Reg BMW M3 SMG 38,000 miles, Metallic Carbon Black . Leather Interior, Climate Control, Alloy wheels, Electric Seats, Memory Seats, Professional COMMS Satellite Navigation, TV, Park distance control, . . . . (trade) £22,490

2001 Y Reg BMW M3 Manual, Coupe, 43,000 miles, Carbon Black. black leather, TV/sat nav, 19" alloys, sunroof, centre armrest, electric memory seats, pdc, xenons, cruise control, climate control, immaculate . . . . (trade) £22,495

>> Edited by deutscher on Thursday 16th March 21:02

[whoami]

deutscher said:

whoami said: SMG cars do not go for the same price as non-SMG. That's pure fiction I'm afraid. It's not - check out the classifieds or these examples from Autotrader. 2001 51 Reg BMW M3 SMG 38,000 miles, Metallic Carbon Black . Leather Interior, Climate Control, Alloy wheels, Electric Seats, Memory Seats, Professional COMMS Satellite Navigation, TV, Park distance control, . . . . (trade) £22,490 2001 Y Reg BMW M3 Manual, Coupe, 43,000 miles, Carbon Black. black leather, TV/sat nav, 19" alloys, sunroof, centre armrest, electric memory seats, pdc, xenons, cruise control, climate control, immaculate . . . . (trade) £22,495 >> Edited by deutscher on Thursday 16th March 21:02

Anyone can find a couple of random adverts to make a case.

The fact is that an SMG equipped car will sell for more than a standard manual in most cases.

As previously stated, Glass's even have a separate category. This clearly shows that SMG cars are more expensive.

[Deutscher]

whoami said:

Anyone can find a couple of random adverts to make a case. The fact is that an SMG equipped car will sell for more than a standard manual in most cases.

Again, just not true.

Those two ads were the first I came across and were right next to each other.

Look at Autotrader and you'll find lots more. Here are another two examples (again, right next to each other - I haven't 'picked and chosen' to make my case).

2001 BMW M3 M3 2dr Coupe,
6 Speed Manual with 61'000 Miles & Full BMW Service History. Features Include Sat-Nav, Television, Harmon Cardon stereo,6 CD Multi Changer,Black Leather Interior, 19 Inch Alloys, £21,200. Ono

2002 BMW M3 SMG Auto Coupe,
51,000 miles, 02 reg, Topaz Blue, grey leather, FBMWSH, 2 careful owners from new, Tracker, new spoiler, F1 style gear change, 19"wheels, SAT NAV, Original BMW sunroof costing £3000, One of the BEST examples around, first to see will buy!. £21,350. ono

Anyone who pays more for SMG has just not looked hard enough. In fact, the more I look, it appears SMG is CHEAPER, if anything.

And manual enthusiasts wouldn't even buy an SMG car if it was cheaper.

>> Edited by Deutscher on Friday 17th March 08:35