E46 M3 search

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Ok gents i hear you.

Theoretically speaking. I buy an M . We talking e46 . 220k for a decent on . Its still a 10 year old + car ... it is going to give shit . In this case later then sooner .

My logic . I buy one at R120k and pump that extra R100k into what would be basically a bullet proof motor (Emphasis on basically) that should give me a lot more stress free km's ..

Why not ?


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The issue is that you can blow through R100k quite easily without accomplishing nearly as much as you think. An m3 that sells for R120k will need much more than 100k to get it to the standard of a better example that sells for 220k, so it is almost always a false economy to buy a cheap one and use the 'saving' as extra budget for maintenance and restoration.

There are exceptions, but those are very few and far between.

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a 120k E46 M3 will end up being close to a 250-300K M3 when you have to address engine, drivetrain, suspension, cosmetics.ect. M Parts are not cheap.. and we are forgetting about the cracked subframe issue that wont be cheap to fix either as its labor intensive... chances are a 120k car will more than likely suffer with this too...

Lets be realistic, what M3 you going to get for 120k? no one wanted to even touch the shitty resprayed pearl white one that was on sale here for 135k and that car had already addressed alot of the issues.

 

[camzm3]

I was actually referring to that white one lol . And for sake of debate is your R220k M not going to give you shit eventually it is an old car after all ... so why not just get on with it from the get go and bite the bullet ... we do buy these cars to drive them ... and drive them hard

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[AdiS]

I was actually referring to that white one lol . And for sake of debate is your R220k M not going to give you shit eventually it is an old car after all ... so why not just get on with it from the get go and bite the bullet ... we do buy these cars to drive them ... and drive them hard

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Yes, any M3, even clean ones will require a certain level of work. That is a given. But buying a cheap one almost always comes with a proportionally larger backlog of costly maintenance and restoration than the discount you got on the price. So to reiterate, it is usually a false economy to buy a cheap example as you have to spend much more money than you saved on the cheaper price just to get it back to baseline.

As always, there are exceptions, but those are usually only if you are well networked and get lucky on the purchase. It also helps if you can do the work yourself, and if you have contacts who can do jobs at cheaper rates.

So by all means, pursue your strategy, but do so with extreme caution and with the understanding that it can very easily backfire.

 

[Tshakhuma]

Have a look at this bud, have spoken to this guy, he is not on our Forum but this is something special and these are "hoender tande" to find in this condition, worth checking out as he says this car is unbelievable, I was forunate to have the exact same model some Years back and what a car ................ hence the price although he is NEG within limits - these are becoming collectors items so worth spending the money depending on what the other guys have told you in the thread to look out for!!!!

https://www.olx.co.za/item/bmw-m3-e46-iid-1051252204

Thanks, I will look at the link and talk to the guy.

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I will definitely pay the premium if I come across one with low mileage, so far only seen one with 90 000km but its a 2001 model, age puts me off a bit honestly, wish I could find 2003 on wards as someone suggested face lift came out during that period.

I wouldn't get too caught up on age and mileage - buy the car with the best condition and maintenance history.

There is this one in Cape Town - I've seen it and cosmetically its very clean. I don't know anything about the mechanical condition.

https://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-ba...2-e46-bmw-m3-manual/1002094526760910267296709

Thanks bud, looked at the car on internet. I will contact the owner although I prefer black leather.

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I reckon go cheap as hell and redo motor ect with excess cash ??

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Not a bad idea at all, especially if it can be a cash deal I would definitely do that.

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I reckon go cheap as hell and redo motor ect with excess cash ??

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It rarely works like that in reality. "The most expensive M car you can buy, is a cheap M car".

I have seen this quote before

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I reckon go cheap as hell and redo motor ect with excess cash ??

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It rarely works like that in reality. "The most expensive M car you can buy, is a cheap M car".

+1...

Rule 1...never buy Cheap M\\

something to take note of, Thanks.

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I was actually referring to that white one lol . And for sake of debate is your R220k M not going to give you shit eventually it is an old car after all ... so why not just get on with it from the get go and bite the bullet ... we do buy these cars to drive them ... and drive them hard

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Yes, any M3, even clean ones will require a certain level of work. That is a given. But buying a cheap one almost always comes with a proportionally larger backlog of costly maintenance and restoration than the discount you got on the price. So to reiterate, it is usually a false economy to buy a cheap example as you have to spend much more money than you saved on the cheaper price just to get it back to baseline.

As always, there are exceptions, but those are usually only if you are well networked and get lucky on the purchase. It also helps if you can do the work yourself, and if you have contacts who can do jobs at cheaper rates.

So by all means, pursue your strategy, but do so with extreme caution and with the understanding that it can very easily backfire.

I read the debate and honestly I think both of you have facts depending on what perspective one is coming from, one may go cheap and spend on bringing the car to mint condition and that way you will be comfortable as you have been the one taking care of the car unlike buying a bit more expensive and take a word for it from the seller that all issues have been attended to,most of the time the sellers that are not on the forum or dealerships selling the cars, are not aware of the issues been debated here on this cars,some even try to convince me that the information I have on issues on this cars is not accurate etc, which scares me unless I buy from the forum member.

I must admit that due to that, I found myself looking at some of the E92 & E93 M3 and most 2008 models are selling in the price territory of what are considered good condition E46 M3. I am familiar with bearing and actuator issues on E series M3's unless I missed something during ownership.