E46 M3 - The right time?
Discussion
Having been on the hunt for a new car for what must be about 2 years now, I'm trying to make some real progress towards getting it all sorted. One of the potentials is an E46 M3, especially due to the favourable prices that seem to be appearing now.
My biggest question is......is this a good time to buy one? The prices suggest it might be, but with the new M3 on the way are they likely to drop another few £k when that one lands? After buying an absolute lemon-esque money-pit of a car a few years back (not a Beemer, nor a TVR like my handle might suggest!), I'm trying to avoid losing another stack of cash just after buying it. Normal depreciation is fine!
Any thoughts?
My biggest question is......is this a good time to buy one? The prices suggest it might be, but with the new M3 on the way are they likely to drop another few £k when that one lands? After buying an absolute lemon-esque money-pit of a car a few years back (not a Beemer, nor a TVR like my handle might suggest!), I'm trying to avoid losing another stack of cash just after buying it. Normal depreciation is fine!
Any thoughts?
Marko,
It's always a good time to buy if the price is right. E46 M3's are having a bit of a hard time at the moment, as are E46's in general.
Don't spend more than £25k on one. Get one with FSH, warranty and satnav/bluetooth (if possible). Avoid gaudy, non saleable colours and then basically just enjoy it!
I bought mine when it was just a year old and it was probably a bit too expensive from the main dealers. Still, I enjoyed it for a 6 months and managed a reasonable trade in. Basically I got cold feet with depreciation being my biggest concern. If I'd bought a slightly older car for about £10k less, I'd probably still have it. You live and learn!
Happy Hunting
Matt
It's always a good time to buy if the price is right. E46 M3's are having a bit of a hard time at the moment, as are E46's in general.
Don't spend more than £25k on one. Get one with FSH, warranty and satnav/bluetooth (if possible). Avoid gaudy, non saleable colours and then basically just enjoy it!
I bought mine when it was just a year old and it was probably a bit too expensive from the main dealers. Still, I enjoyed it for a 6 months and managed a reasonable trade in. Basically I got cold feet with depreciation being my biggest concern. If I'd bought a slightly older car for about £10k less, I'd probably still have it. You live and learn!
Happy Hunting
Matt
Now is the best time loads for sale no buyers unless they are very cheap.Tried to sell mine a bit of a waste of time really as everyone seems to wants something for nothing.
As the previous poster stated those are the kind of cars you should be looking at and forget anything without a long warranty as the cars are expensive to fix if they go wrong.
Nice car lots of fast fun to be had.
As the previous poster stated those are the kind of cars you should be looking at and forget anything without a long warranty as the cars are expensive to fix if they go wrong.
Nice car lots of fast fun to be had.
Cheers for the info, guys!
I'm going to avoid touching one which hasn't got a FBMWSH and at least some warranty left. Same goes for the colours really, it's most likely to be black, silver or the dark blue (Imola Blue?). The boldest colour I like the the Laguna Seca Blue, not too fond of the green. Interior will either be black or grey leather, with a push to the red only if the car was ridiculously good everywhere else and couldn't be missed.
Seems like an ideal motor for my current situation. I want something that's good for a bit of fun, but is also pretty reliable as I'll need it for everyday. I know there are a few things to watch for, but there is with anything that's worth having on the driveway!
I'm going to avoid touching one which hasn't got a FBMWSH and at least some warranty left. Same goes for the colours really, it's most likely to be black, silver or the dark blue (Imola Blue?). The boldest colour I like the the Laguna Seca Blue, not too fond of the green. Interior will either be black or grey leather, with a push to the red only if the car was ridiculously good everywhere else and couldn't be missed.
Seems like an ideal motor for my current situation. I want something that's good for a bit of fun, but is also pretty reliable as I'll need it for everyday. I know there are a few things to watch for, but there is with anything that's worth having on the driveway!
Edited by MarkoTVR on Wednesday 26th July 16:10
Marko,
Good resale Colours.....
Carbon Black
Silver Grey
Titanium Silver
Estoril Blue (individual)
Velvet Blue (individual)
Imola Red, in my opinion.
Not so good
Smurf Blue
Phoenix Yellow ( can look great, but probably only in California!)
Oxford Green
Brass Metallic (individual)
Topaz Blue
There are loads more, but essentially the silvers and black are most popular. Interiors in black or red leather are most common. Avoid the grey as it gets dirty very quickly and the lower dash in grey looks awful.
19 inch wheels look great. 18's make the car handle better, apparently. Have driven on both and not noticed any real difference. Post April (?) 2003 cars had LED's and a wider boot handle.
Basically, for resale, its
Silver or Silver grey with black or red leather
Carbon Black with red or black leather
Satnav
Warranty (extended or otherwise)
FBMWSH, but don't discount a BMW specialist stamp.
There are loads about. Take your time and get a friend to come along with you to keep your feet on the ground and offer an un-biased 2nd opinion.
Cheers
Matt
Good resale Colours.....
Carbon Black
Silver Grey
Titanium Silver
Estoril Blue (individual)
Velvet Blue (individual)
Imola Red, in my opinion.
Not so good
Smurf Blue
Phoenix Yellow ( can look great, but probably only in California!)
Oxford Green
Brass Metallic (individual)
Topaz Blue
There are loads more, but essentially the silvers and black are most popular. Interiors in black or red leather are most common. Avoid the grey as it gets dirty very quickly and the lower dash in grey looks awful.
19 inch wheels look great. 18's make the car handle better, apparently. Have driven on both and not noticed any real difference. Post April (?) 2003 cars had LED's and a wider boot handle.
Basically, for resale, its
Silver or Silver grey with black or red leather
Carbon Black with red or black leather
Satnav
Warranty (extended or otherwise)
FBMWSH, but don't discount a BMW specialist stamp.
There are loads about. Take your time and get a friend to come along with you to keep your feet on the ground and offer an un-biased 2nd opinion.
Cheers
Matt
MarkoTVR said:
Having been on the hunt for a new car for what must be about 2 years now, I'm trying to make some real progress towards getting it all sorted. One of the potentials is an E46 M3, especially due to the favourable prices that seem to be appearing now
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
just bought one myself marko what a awsome car ,i got a 52 plate silver, black leather , with all the bells except sat/nav just spend £6 on a AA map and save yourself £1,not the best colour combo but the most descrite (i park mine street side}.
remmeber to get one with a tracker already fitted otherwise it will cost you another £350 to have one fitted,nearly all insurance companys require one!. also try a specialist dealer i recon i saved between £2-3k not buying from a main dealer.you can also buy a indipendant warranty for £500 for a year that covers everthing that the main dealer one covers.
happy hunting, just dont by one in LSB,otherwise known as paddling pool blue
food for thought,is the e46 really going to drop in price much more ??me thinks not ,there is not that many folk who can afford £46k+ for the new model,go buy one you wont regret it
toplad said:
food for thought,is the e46 really going to drop in price much more ??me thinks not ,there is not that many folk who can afford £46k+ for the new model,go buy one you wont regret it
If not that many people can afford £46K+ plus for the new model how come there are soooooooo many M3's around now considering each one would have cost at least £44K each??????
Prices will drop slowly imo firstly because the new model wont be available till early next year and secondly because it takes a bit of time for the new model to become widely available as a good used buy.Just look at the used prices for the new M5 so expect more of the same.
What you are seeing is a period of panic selling just like there was when the new boxster was due,eventually when people realise that there 53 plate is'nt going to drop 10k in two minutes things should become a bit more sensible with good spec cars in demand again.
What you are seeing is a period of panic selling just like there was when the new boxster was due,eventually when people realise that there 53 plate is'nt going to drop 10k in two minutes things should become a bit more sensible with good spec cars in demand again.
Edited by rob05 on Thursday 27th July 08:26
Don't forget just because you can pick up a bargain on the car doesn't mean that parts and servicing will be an equal bargain.
Your looking at £300 + VAT for front discs and pads, if you choose the more favourable 19" wheels, your looking at around £385 for a replacement front and £450 for a replacement rear, without the tyres.
We see it everyday, people buy the cars because they're a bargain but don't realise how much they are to when something breaks. Whilst I have no doubt that the running costs won't be a problem for you, my post is a friendly warning of what to expect when buying parts.
Your looking at £300 + VAT for front discs and pads, if you choose the more favourable 19" wheels, your looking at around £385 for a replacement front and £450 for a replacement rear, without the tyres.
We see it everyday, people buy the cars because they're a bargain but don't realise how much they are to when something breaks. Whilst I have no doubt that the running costs won't be a problem for you, my post is a friendly warning of what to expect when buying parts.
off_again said:
MattOz said:
Smurf Blue
Oh god, you are soooo right... behind one the other day on the motorway... Just kept thinking of that plastic blue that Ford used to have on the run-out Sierra's and a few early Mondeos.... Its god awful....
Also known as Laguna Seca Blue and its awful!
Thanks for all the other replies, certainly seems to be all good for the M3. I had it in my head that the red leather wasn't as bright as it looks in some pics, so cheers for the comment backing that up. I'm not going senile after all.
As for the running costs, parts and servicing, I'm coming from a Mitsubishi GTO....so I'm used to extortion. MPG is about 23-24 if you behave, considerably less if you don't. Insurance is right up there, Group 19 if I remember correctly. Parts are horrendously expensive in many cases, and as it's an import you can forget about dealer servicing. Take it just anywhere and there's a good chance it'll come back 
as they're fickle creatures to say the least. Anyway, to cut the waffle I know an M3 won't be pocket money, but I'm happy to spend on it if it's worth it.
Interesting comment about the 18s too, as I'd heard they're better for handling too. Is that due to unsprung weight, as I'd have thought the lower profile of the 19s would have meant slightly less sidewall flex? Either way it's not likely to bother me too much, my driving skills aren't likely to worry Alonso quite yet!
for all the info though folks!
As for the running costs, parts and servicing, I'm coming from a Mitsubishi GTO....so I'm used to extortion.
MPG is about 23-24 if you behave, considerably less if you don't. Insurance is right up there, Group 19 if I remember correctly. Parts are horrendously expensive in many cases, and as it's an import you can forget about dealer servicing. Take it just anywhere and there's a good chance it'll come back as they're fickle creatures to say the least. Anyway, to cut the waffle I know an M3 won't be pocket money, but I'm happy to spend on it if it's worth it. Interesting comment about the 18s too, as I'd heard they're better for handling too. Is that due to unsprung weight, as I'd have thought the lower profile of the 19s would have meant slightly less sidewall flex? Either way it's not likely to bother me too much, my driving skills aren't likely to worry Alonso quite yet!
for all the info though folks!Try and avoid poor spec cars as they are a bast.rd to sell on.I don't know whether it does ride better on 18's but what i do know is they looks crap.You should be able to find a top spec car with sat/nav with around 30 thousand miles on a 03 or 53 plate for 24-25k.
27k from BMW.
Or there are plenty of cheap cars on 02 plates but caution is advised.
Like I've already said buy one only with the BMW warranty in place as you might need it also the car will re sell better long term.
Its a great all rounder.
Good luck.
27k from BMW.
Or there are plenty of cheap cars on 02 plates but caution is advised.
Like I've already said buy one only with the BMW warranty in place as you might need it also the car will re sell better long term.
Its a great all rounder.
Good luck.
18's are slightly better for handling, hence the CSL being fitted special 18's, but unless your going to track it (please upgrade the break discs first) I'd go for the 19's as the do look Much better on the M3.
Its a pretty good time to buy one, they will depreciate more though so don't expect them not to. When I bought mine a year ago I knew I'd take a fair depreciate hit on it, but I had the money and it was 'now or I'll never get round to it.'
Its a pretty good time to buy one, they will depreciate more though so don't expect them not to. When I bought mine a year ago I knew I'd take a fair depreciate hit on it, but I had the money and it was 'now or I'll never get round to it.'
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