This car is haunting me

[Ratslaaf]

Theres not much details in the ad, but I'm just loving the look.

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bak...ull-service-history/1001188071920910005506609

Anyone know of this car? It's in Durban though and I'm based in JHB. No problem flying out to go check it though. Never had an M before so wouldn't even know what questions to ask. It won't be a daily driver, more to scratch an itch. And my missus will probably have my balls...

Thoughts?

 

[Magneto]

Seems like a lot of money for a 2003 model with mileage.

 

[Elton_LV]

Theres not much details in the ad, but I'm just loving the look.

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars-bak...ull-service-history/1001188071920910005506609

Anyone know of this car? It's in Durban though and I'm based in JHB. No problem flying out to go check it though. Never had an M before so wouldn't even know what questions to ask. It won't be a daily driver, more to scratch an itch. And my missus will probably have my balls...

Thoughts?

There should be a few knowledgeable Fanatics down there, post and ask someone to go have a look see for you

 

[Ratslaaf]

Seems like a lot of money for a 2003 model with mileage.

Ah, ok. This part I was not sure of. Clearly I've not waited long enough for the right car to come past then.

But based on the above comment, is something with 130k on the odo something to be avoided then? Or does this mean the price is too high? Also, was there ever a facelift on the E46 M3? I see most of them have LED clusters in the back, was this an option or was this the facelift?

I've also seen a 2006 model for around R220k with just under 100k on the odo. This a better deal? Ideally I want to do a private purchase and not go through some dealer.

Just trying to get to grips with where I should be focusing on.

Thanks for the comments!

 

[ChrisBrand]

Aftermarket exhaust. Probably tuned and driven spiritedly for those 130 odd km. But obviously one would never know. Best to have the VIN sent to someone like coisman to check out for accident damage. Take it for a test drive and listen for knocks at the suspension components and od sounds from the engine bay. Otherwise you should be okay

 

[Dhp507]

Too much money .................should be closer to 150K - 160K max

 

[Jeremy]

I love a white E46, but i agree that the price is abit high...

 

[Bugger]

There was a mild facelift in 2003, it was mainly around the rear tail light cluster when the LED rears were introduced. Also in cars with navigation the wider screen display was brought in to replace the narrow one.

 

[slotcars1]

I don't think it is a bad price at all ??? :fencelook:

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And guys don't fool yourselves, you will NOT find an e46 M that has not been ripped through its own ass a few times in it's life...

In addition, I have a theory (which may be incorrect) that if you buy a car like this with over 100k on the clock, a lot of parts that were ever going to break, have broken and have been replaced...

you buy one with 40k on the clock, and there is still a lot that will still reveal itself along with the usual wear and tear items.... (clutch etc.)

Just a thought

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you are getting a lot of car for 185k

 

[JodyD]

I also think that's a good price

Might be wrong but 180k sounds lekker

 

[Ga-3M]

I don't think it is a bad price at all ??? :fencelook:

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And guys don't fool yourselves, you will NOT find an e46 M that has not been ripped through its own ass a few times in it's life...

In addition, I have a theory (which may be incorrect) that if you buy a car like this with over 100k on the clock, a lot of parts that were ever going to break, have broken and have been replaced...

you buy one with 40k on the clock, and there is still a lot that will still reveal itself along with the usual wear and tear items.... (clutch etc.)

Just a thought

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you are getting a lot of car for 185k

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+10000

The price is not bad at all if the car is clean! As guys have said, you would have to either go down and check it out yourself, or have someone knowledgeable on the E46 M's down there have a look.

Check basic things like discs, shocks, clutch, etc, if stuff like this checks out alright then the price is decent. It does look like a pre-facelift, so check motorplan for the bearing recall as well.

As Slotcars has said, you're getting a lot of car for your money. Also E46 M's have reached that point where they can't be guided by book values anymore and condition plays a much more important role.

130K kms is also not too high for the mileage.:thumbs:

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The badge is also slightly out of place at the back so just check for accident damage at the back, but again if it was light this is not a deal killer.

 

[Ratslaaf]

Thanks gents. What drew me to the car is that it's white. All the M3's I'm seeing are either black or silver. White just looks so fresh (for an M3) and if you had to paint those rims black it would really look mean.

Anyway, I'll give this a little thought some more. My main reason for starting this thread is to get some insights into these cars and to understand how the car is valued.

 

[Blue Shirt]

PM Fordkoppie for advice on what to look out mechanically as well as the price. What he does not know about E46 M3's is not worth knowing.

The only advice I can give is to listen for the infamous VANOS rattle on the engine. Most S54 engines require an upgrade of the VANOS oil pump disc to fix.