E46 M3 search

[Tshakhuma]

Good day gentlemen,

As mentioned previously that I am on the search for E46 M3 preferably manual. Been searching the internet for about two weeks now, I need some advise here, which year model and mileage should one look at considering that I may have to finance at least half the cost of the car and have some reserves to take care of all maintenance issues.

My E90 M3 honetly was a garage queen:roflol: but this time I am looking for something I can pull out of the garage every Friday and Saturday if need be seeing that I will be letting go of the Golf 6 GTI and that will result in me using Yaris Monday to Thursday, then M3 on weekends meaning I may put a lot of mileage on it.

I find it easy to make decisions on buying newer cars than old cars, that's why I have no idea how to start etc

 

[tman]

Hens teeth!

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[Woodies]

2003.5 is when the facelift came out. It had better traction control, LED tail lights etc. But to be honest I'd just look for a lowish mileage in good condition and manual. Some guys enjoy the SMG, but it's just a personal choice. Good luck hunting as everyone is looking for good condition ones.


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[AdiS]

Be patient, this really isn't an exercise you should rush. Also, make sure you have a large surplus in your budget for maintenance (R60-100k).

If you haven't already, read this: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=80657

 

[Tshakhuma]

2003.5 is when the facelift came out. It had better traction control, LED tail lights etc. But to be honest I'd just look for a lowish mileage in good condition and manual. Some guys enjoy the SMG, but it's just a personal choice. Good luck hunting as everyone is looking for good condition ones.


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Thanks for the insight especially on when the face lift came out, had no idea.

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Be patient, this really isn't an exercise you should rush. Also, make sure you have a large surplus in your budget for maintenance (R60-100k).

If you haven't already, read this: https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=80657

Thanks will go through the thread thoroughly. I am not in the rush as well, I feel I need to make a good decision on this purchase that's why I am skeptical and need to research enough.

 

[BeemerFanatic]

What i have seen is that there is alot of knowledgeable people on the forum and many willing to help.

Checking a car before you buy, checking Natis documents, BMW history of the car and also servicing the car after purchasing.

Good luck with your search.

 

[wilsonep]

Adis, also add the fact that M drivers are super paranoid...and that can be an unmeasured, unbudgetted cost. However, nothing like an M...

 

[Tshakhuma]

What i have seen is that there is alot of knowledgeable people on the forum and many willing to help.

Checking a car before you buy, checking Natis documents, BMW history of the car and also servicing the car after purchasing.

Good luck with your search.

I think for me this will be a purchase that have to go through all the checks thoroughly ,thank you for pointing the necessary checks out.

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

E46 M is nice machine, you will enjoy it... But be prepared if its over 100k on the clock, you will be due for some maintenance...budget 50k ..

Also check for rear subframe cracks... so many M3's are being sold with cracked subframes...

Check ADI's M3 Buyer guide thread... all the info you need is in there...

Good Luck.... :thumbs:

 

[Tshakhuma]

E46 M is nice machine, you will enjoy it... But be prepared if its over 100k on the clock, you will be due for some maintenance...budget 50k ..

Also check for rear subframe cracks... so many M3's are being sold with cracked subframes...

Check ADI's M3 Buyer guide thread... all the info you need is in there...

Good Luck.... :thumbs:

I have read through the thread, sub frame issue is new to me and I wonder how that check can be carried out, but I guess when I find one I am really interested in I will come back here for some pointers.

 

[AdiS]

E46 M is nice machine, you will enjoy it... But be prepared if its over 100k on the clock, you will be due for some maintenance...budget 50k ..

Also check for rear subframe cracks... so many M3's are being sold with cracked subframes...

Check ADI's M3 Buyer guide thread... all the info you need is in there...

Good Luck.... :thumbs:

I have read through the thread, sub frame issue is new to me and I wonder how that check can be carried out, but I guess when I find one I am really interested in I will come back here for some pointers.

There's a video linked in the thread on how to check the left rear mount underneath the car. Unfortunately the rest is near impossible to assess without removing the entire subframe and cleaning away the dirt and sealer.


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[Bernard///M3]

You do find good clean low mileage ones every now and then, but be prepared to pay top dollar!!

Do your checks properly!

 

[Tshakhuma]

E46 M is nice machine, you will enjoy it... But be prepared if its over 100k on the clock, you will be due for some maintenance...budget 50k ..

Also check for rear subframe cracks... so many M3's are being sold with cracked subframes...

Check ADI's M3 Buyer guide thread... all the info you need is in there...

Good Luck.... :thumbs:

I have read through the thread, sub frame issue is new to me and I wonder how that check can be carried out, but I guess when I find one I am really interested in I will come back here for some pointers.

There's a video linked in the thread on how to check the left rear mount underneath the car. Unfortunately the rest is near impossible to assess without removing the entire subframe and cleaning away the dirt and sealer.


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Went through the video thanks.

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You do find good clean low mileage ones every now and then, but be prepared to pay top dollar!!

Do your checks properly!

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.

 

[supertramp]

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

 

[AdiS]

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

 

[camzm3]

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

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[AdiS]

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".

 

[Straight six]

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\\

 

[camzm3]

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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[AdiS]

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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