Trade in MK3 Ford Focus RS for E92 M3

[NeO]

Hellloooooo 🙂

Wanted to create an account now and found out I registered back in 2012 lol.

Anyways, as per title; for the past two years I got to enjoy the MK3 Focus RS, but the time has come for me to part with it and embrace the RWD. The E92 M3 has always caught my eye and I think its time to bite the bullet.

Came across this add and would like to know if any of you could shed some light. Im not looking for a buyers guide... just hoping that someone here personally knows the car > https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/bmw/m3/coupe-m-dynamic/25911648

I am based in Cape Town so wont be physically checking it out but the ad does look promising.

Anyways, looking forward to eventually getting my M 🙃

Cheerio

 

[swazi85]

Don't know the car, however its been on the market 3 months +

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[NeO]

Don't know the car, however its been on the market 3 months +

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Thanks for the feedback!

Cool. I'm in talks with the Dealership

Ok so I guess I do need buyers guide questions 🙈

Like I mentioned, wont get to see the car physically, so just want to ask the right questions that covers the big ones. Any input would be much appreciated.

I do plan to keep 50-100k for fixes

 

[KPM3_30]

Try to do as much homework as possible (service history, parts that have been replaced, accident damage, verify mileage, etc) and trace the owner history. There is a hell of a lot of information on the net for these cars, go through this and make a list of questions for the seller.

 

[NeO]

Try to do as much homework as possible (service history, parts that have been replaced, accident damage, verify mileage, etc) and trace the owner history. There is a hell of a lot of information on the net for these cars, go through this and make a list of questions for the seller.

Thank you Sir, will do.

 

[TBP88]

Assuming the car is decent your "fixing budget" is probably about right - if you're in CPT there are a number of indies guys like, personally I use Mike Bridge out behind Canal Walk area (montague side) but others go for Brilliant. If it's in a dealership it might be worth paying a JHB mechie to spend an hour of his time to check the car out for you? Not sure who in JHB would do this, but it might save you some $$$.

Good luck!

 

[Riaad]

Hellloooooo 🙂

Wanted to create an account now and found out I registered back in 2012 lol.

Anyways, as per title; for the past two years I got to enjoy the MK3 Focus RS, but the time has come for me to part with it and embrace the RWD. The E92 M3 has always caught my eye and I think its time to bite the bullet.

Came across this add and would like to know if any of you could shed some light. Im not looking for a buyers guide... just hoping that someone here personally knows the car > https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for-sale/bmw/m3/coupe-m-dynamic/25911648

I am based in Cape Town so wont be physically checking it out but the ad does look promising.

Anyways, looking forward to eventually getting my M 🙃

Cheerio

Over and above the advice from the other members, I would suggest getting a dekra test done ...these are surprisingly quite detailed and you can learn a lot about the vehicle in terms of condition, they arent so detailed when it comes to the actual engine, but you will get a diagnostics report.

Based on the pics, this is my opinion: I would say the front bumper has been painted, if you look at the condition of the headlights which have fine chips, the bumper should also indicate a similar wear, which it doesnt. Rear bumper also looks painted, noticed what appears to be paint drips above the exhaust, paint shade doesn't match the body. Wiper bolt covers are missing - which is odd. One of the tyres has chunk of rubber missing, possible rim was repaired and then painted gloss black, also they dont seem to have a lock nut - which is also odd.

 

[F21GP]

Let me know, I could go check it out for you. Have some basic knowledge based on owning one and preventative maintenance I did. Maybe a useful baseline to start with.


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[NeO]

Over and above the advice from the other members, I would suggest getting a dekra test done ...these are surprisingly quite detailed and you can learn a lot about the vehicle in terms of condition, they arent so detailed when it comes to the actual engine, but you will get a diagnostics report.

Based on the pics, this is my opinion: I would say the front bumper has been painted, if you look at the condition of the headlights which have fine chips, the bumper should also indicate a similar wear, which it doesnt. Rear bumper also looks painted, noticed what appears to be paint drips above the exhaust, paint shade doesn't match the body. Wiper bolt covers are missing - which is odd. One of the tyres has chunk of rubber missing, possible rim was repaired and then painted gloss black, also they dont seem to have a lock nut - which is also odd.

I think you suspected correctly with the repaints etc, see link https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PDV7eLDAleL6gPXl7kwdsstR01unRMdm/view?usp=sharing

4 previous owners and a few repaints done

Let me know, I could go check it out for you. Have some basic knowledge based on owning one and preventative maintenance I did. Maybe a useful baseline to start with.


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Wow thanks a bunch man, but just checked out the cars history and would probably be better skip this one

 

[individj]

well front suspension and bumper and airbag etc. did the dealership tell you about the accident at all?

 

[Nomad77]

Over and above the advice from the other members, I would suggest getting a dekra test done ...these are surprisingly quite detailed and you can learn a lot about the vehicle in terms of condition, they arent so detailed when it comes to the actual engine, but you will get a diagnostics report.

Based on the pics, this is my opinion: I would say the front bumper has been painted, if you look at the condition of the headlights which have fine chips, the bumper should also indicate a similar wear, which it doesnt. Rear bumper also looks painted, noticed what appears to be paint drips above the exhaust, paint shade doesn't match the body. Wiper bolt covers are missing - which is odd. One of the tyres has chunk of rubber missing, possible rim was repaired and then painted gloss black, also they dont seem to have a lock nut - which is also odd.

Wow! Just wow. Riaads ability to notice issues on cars never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Scott021]

This car has had a hard life. The only positive I can see here is that the dealer (I assume) has supplied a paper trail of all the work/history of the car and therefore isn't trying to hide anything. The fact of the matter is that there are better examples to be had for the same money, even if higher mileage but without any issues.

I bought a 2010 in Dec last year without seeing the car in person. The dealer answered every question I had and ended up sending me about 50 photos because I kept asking to see details of xyz. BMW were also very helpful in providing me with as much info on the car as they could, which lined up with what the dealer had told me. I didn't want any surprises and haven't had any to-date, so at least I know I did my homework correctly. I still had a slight worry that I might have made a royal stuff up in my purchase decision (😁) until the car rolled off the truck in my driveway and I could poke around for myself, but since then in the process of doing the usual maintenance there's been nothing found to be out of place or questionable.

I would recommend you go and see some examples as and when they come up for sale in CPT so you get an idea of what is good or bad condition for what mileage and year. I never intended to purchase any of them, but I took the time to go and look at two cars at different BMW dealers. I also went to go and see one at a dealer that I'd never touch with a barge pole, all to get an idea of the good, bad and ugly.

So just set your alerts on the usual gumtree, autotrader, etc so you don't miss anything, and in the meantime definitely read through posts on this forum relating to purchasing advice. Regardless of the car being looked at or how old the post is, because the advice and examples of what to look out for on pictures, etc from the members on the forum is really valuable (as witnessed above). Patience has its rewards.

 

[NeO]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this forum is extremely helpful!

So I have been thinking; since I have a daily already, I can opt for something cheaper... something I can buy cash... something I can use and drift around the track without a care in the world... something I can abuse, but still be roadworthy lol... something like... https://www.webuycars.co.za/buy-a-car/CDE997242

Yes, it probably will need TLC but thats fine

The guy from WeBuyCars will come inspect the RS on Friday. The offer they made for my car seems promising, we will see.

 

[VinceM]

The price is also attractive to take a chance provided the engine is 100%

I see the gearbox is problematic on this one, something to consider


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[///M Individual]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this forum is extremely helpful!

So I have been thinking; since I have a daily already, I can opt for something cheaper... something I can buy cash... something I can use and drift around the track without a care in the world... something I can abuse, but still be roadworthy lol... something like... https://www.webuycars.co.za/buy-a-car/CDE997242

Yes, it probably will need TLC but thats fine

The guy from WeBuyCars will come inspect the RS on Friday. The offer they made for my car seems promising, we will see.

Maybe you can do a manual conversion on this if viable and get rid of the troublesome SMG box.

WeBuyCars are offering some decent prices especially for limited editions like the RS.

 

[TBP88]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this forum is extremely helpful!

So I have been thinking; since I have a daily already, I can opt for something cheaper... something I can buy cash... something I can use and drift around the track without a care in the world... something I can abuse, but still be roadworthy lol... something like... https://www.webuycars.co.za/buy-a-car/CDE997242

Yes, it probably will need TLC but thats fine

The guy from WeBuyCars will come inspect the RS on Friday. The offer they made for my car seems promising, we will see.

That E46 looks like a parts car...

Just read the dekra report - so many issues, and none of them likely to be cheap - even if your aim is to turn it into a track-toy.

 

[Nick]

Those fall out of the ''TLC'' bracket.

 

[individj]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, this forum is extremely helpful!

So I have been thinking; since I have a daily already, I can opt for something cheaper... something I can buy cash... something I can use and drift around the track without a care in the world... something I can abuse, but still be roadworthy lol... something like... https://www.webuycars.co.za/buy-a-car/CDE997242

Yes, it probably will need TLC but thats fine

The guy from WeBuyCars will come inspect the RS on Friday. The offer they made for my car seems promising, we will see.

step away from the //M3.....youll have many cares in the world.

 

[NeO]

Geeewiz, this is not gonna be easy.

 

[KPM3_30]

Geeewiz, this is not gonna be easy.

@NeO there is no such thing as a cheap M car. Buying an M car isn't the problem, its the maintenance costs that catches most people out and often this is left to compound over time. It gets expensive real quick with M Tax.

You either pay the premium for a sorted one or spend a premium to get a cheap one sorted.