E46 M3 on Trademe - thoughts/advice?

[Penelope 4]

Hi all, just joined to get your expert opinion on this car:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=802317911

I have been wanting to get one of these for years and have been looking seriously for a few months now waiting for this exact colour to come up. Apart from the wheels (ugh), it's exactly what I want.

However, I have zero confidence in my ability to assess whether this is a good thing or a bad thing, or to know what I should be asking and looking for. I don't want to play the "girl" card but what can I say, I prefer to research shoes and cats...

So, is anyone familiar with this car? Is it worth driving 3hrs to have a look at it and if I do, what do I look for?

I'm pretty sure these don't come up for sale in Laguna Seca very often so I don't want to miss out and wait another year, but I also don't want a lemon.

Any and all advice, comments and tips would be very much appreciated.

[qube 3570]

have seen this in real life many years ago. it was nice back then before it went into hiding somewhere lol.

you are very very very unlikely to find another lagunca seca blue e46 m3. they are super rare especially in nz.

get the owner to help out with anything u have to question, but 3 hrs is a long drive unless you're 80% certain you will be buying it.

[Penelope 4]

Thanks Nick!

Owning my current car for the last 4-5 years has conditioned me somewhat for the maintenance costs

But yeah I fully expect that this guy would be next level again.

Good to know you see no warning flags.

The wheels pain me but I guess nothing's perfect!

[RobD 41]

SMG, Vanos and subframe cracks are the big ones for these cars. If they haven't been done already then as above there is every chance they will need to be done soon. Additionally, being an M car instantly means that maintenance items such as brakes are dearer than cooking model BMWs. If you can afford around a grand a year in servicing and general maintenance (excluding the three big ticket items above) then go for it if it all checks out! Looks nice to me and the wheels can always be replaced. Great colour and a great car.

Edited November 3, 2014 by RobD

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

I would find a specialist in the area the car is located and have them inspect and scan it.

[Gaz 1061]

Factory wheels if you want them - http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/51009-e46-m3-18-inch-wheels-and-tyres-standard-sizing/

[Penelope 4]

have seen this in real life many years ago. it was nice back then before it went into hiding somewhere lol.

you are very very very unlikely to find another lagunca seca blue e46 m3. they are super rare especially in nz.

get the owner to help out with anything u have to question, but 3 hrs is a long drive unless you're 80% certain you will be buying it.

Yeah I guess it went into hiding in Te Puke hah!!

SMG, Vanos and subframe cracks are the big ones for these cars. If they haven't been done already then as above there is every chance they will need to be done soon. Additionally, being an M car instantly means that maintenance items such as brakes are dearer than cooking model BMWs. If you can afford around a grand a year in servicing and general maintenance (excluding the three big ticket items above) then go for it if it all checks out! Looks nice to me and the wheels can always be replaced. Great colour and a great car.

Roger.

Got those three things from the brief research I did, fingers crossed some of it has already been replaced but if not, I'll brace myself for it. Any idea what I'd be looking at if none of it has been done? Something like $2k or more like $5k or even crazier? It'll help to get a sense of it so I can weigh up the price etc.

$1k a year for maintenance is not bad compared to the temperamental POS I drive now..

I would find a specialist in the area the car is located and have them inspect and scan it.

Excellent idea. Anyone have any recommendations for contacts near Te Puke?

Factory wheels if you want them - http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/51009-e46-m3-18-inch-wheels-and-tyres-standard-sizing/

Thanks for the tip and seems like a great deal but I'm gonna need 19" for sure

Edited November 3, 2014 by Penelope

[RobD 41]

 

Yeah I guess it went into hiding in Te Puke hah!!

 

 

 

Roger. 

 

Got those three things from the brief research I did, fingers crossed some of it has already been replaced but if not, I'll brace myself for it. Any idea what I'd be looking at if none of it has been done? Something like $2k or more like $5k or even crazier? It'll help to get a sense of it so I can weigh up the price etc.

 

 

 

Excellent idea. Anyone have any recommendations for contacts near Te Puke?

 

 

 

Thanks for the tip and seems like a great deal but I'm gonna need 19" for sure

No worries. My thoughts are that for all three to be carried out it would be between 3 and 5 grand, (probably closer to 5) but your best bet would be to run some hypothetical repairs past a few specialists to get some indicative prices.

[kiwi535 538]

the BMW dealer in Tauraunga

[m325i 709]

Good to know you see no warning flags.

Didn't say that! lol.

As above you need a specialist to inspect.

[MD13 494]

From memory that sub frame problem could be found in all e46 models - not just the M3. Did you get your 325 checked?

As you're in Auckland give HellBM a call to get a quote for the big three. The seller does say he's gone above the usual servicing so ask too.

[Driftracewake 22]

If you don't know what your doing and it's out of town, Get them to take it to BMW in Tauranga for a full pre purchase inspection at your cost.

Get the problems rectified before you buy it, and don't think there isn't be issues, I've never seen one for sale that didn't have something that needed attention, it's 12 year old car.

There simply isn't another option in this case, if you don't do that, you may as well throw your money down a drain.

[Neal 544]

Haven't done the three above with mine ( driven mine 50,000 km) so could be fine on all items.

Smg is supposedly harder on subframes but easier on the gearbox so you'll never be up for 20k replacement.

Rotors do wear quickly but have more than likely been done at this mileage. Otherwise your looking at about $2.8k for the dealer to do rotors and pads.

Mate owned owned one in this color and sold it about a year ago. Find out if the car was owned in Wellington before this. If it's my mates old car then it's been better maintained than the majority of m3.

Fantastic car to own. Car has plefty of driving charisma. I haven't tired of mine in 3 years and hope to keep rather than replace at a later stage.

[Penelope 4]

Thanks everyone for your help, really appreciate it!

Spoke to the seller, lovely man.. Happy to come to Akl or meet half way, hopefully this weekend.

Also happy to take it somewhere for an inspection so I will get in touch with BMW Tauranga to organise.

Bonus is that the subframe has already been done (by original owner under warranty apparently) and he'll scan receipts of past services for any of the other high-risk items from the list I'll give him (thanks to you guys!). Apparently he's had it for 4yrs with no trouble and he thinks I'll fall in love with the wheels if I give them a chance. Don't think so!

I might have accidentally told him this is my dream car so have probably significantly reduced my bargaining power, oops...

[Penelope 4]

Oh - while I have your attention...

Do you have recommendations for good mechanics in Auckland, preferably central-ish that look after your M3s?

I'm currently in between mechanics so would be keen to find someone permanent that comes recommended.

[MD13 494]

BM Workshop in Grey Lynn.

[beemn 50]

BM Workshop in Grey Lynn.

+1

[MISS BM 712]

HellBM or BM Workshops

[Driftracewake 22]

+1

+2

[Haitoman 110]

I thoroughly recommend you buy 100% stock unless you can be sure the person that fitted them knows what they are doing. I say that because they are often tracked and some common mods may compromise your safety.

SMG pump, vanos etc. are all part of the M3 deal that we sign up to and if you are unlucky then you need to put your hand in your pocket. Having said that my M has done about the same as that one and has no issues at all so I'm sure you will be okay.

[Penelope 4]

Just an update for all you guys that helped make this happen - closed the deal last night and will be picking the car up in the next few days.

BMW Tauranga were incredibly thorough and helpful with the inspection and answering all my questions, and apart from a few little bits, the car is in excellent condition.

Now next mission is to find some OEM 19s..!

[HELLBM 1557]

Large stock of e46 M3 parts @ hellbm

[Tristan 338]

Just an update for all you guys that helped make this happen - closed the deal last night and will be picking the car up in the next few days.

BMW Tauranga were incredibly thorough and helpful with the inspection and answering all my questions, and apart from a few little bits, the car is in excellent condition.

Now next mission is to find some OEM 19s..!

Congrats. An awesome car for sure and glad to have an LSB in Auckland that I may get the chance to see around!

[MISS BM 712]

Just an update for all you guys that helped make this happen - closed the deal last night and will be picking the car up in the next few days.

BMW Tauranga were incredibly thorough and helpful with the inspection and answering all my questions, and apart from a few little bits, the car is in excellent condition.

Now next mission is to find some OEM 19s..!

I called up on Saturday to head down to look at this - first thing he said was 'Damn, not another female enquirying'

And then told me it had sold pending confirmation. So congrats

[Penelope 4]

Congrats. An awesome car for sure and glad to have an LSB in Auckland that I may get the chance to see around!

Thanks!

I called up on Saturday to head down to look at this - first thing he said was 'Damn, not another female enquirying'

And then told me it had sold pending confirmation. So congrats

Heh, he's a character! Sorry, but thanks!

He's dropping it off on Saturday. Counting down the minutes.....!!!