ste300

Im considering an E46 M3 (after an old lady lost control in a car park and wrote of my impreza). Ive seen quite a few with around 70k for c.£15,000. My main concern is how quickly they will depreciate within the next year as i don't plan on keeping it too long. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
Steve

The Zohan

Have you thouht about a z3m coupe, do you need four doors/seats, these are pretty cars and with your price range, a bit more unusual and special than m3.

...would be on my shopping list

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

There's no accounting for taste!

Pretty wasn't my first thought to describe them, though I agree they are a bit different and the depreciation could be less:

BMW : Imola red 1998 BMW Z3M Coupe

slim_boy_fat

Eh exactly how can you write off a car in a car park (assuming it was worth more than £60!!)

Brendan Hughes

Not difficult if Imprezas can be bought for under 5k these days.

Z3M coupe... <wistful sigh>

bighead

iTrader: (1)

get the M3 CSL ...will not lose as much

ste300

M3 CSL no probs, any fancy a quick whip around for the extra 20k id need to buy one lol? As for how my car was written off, old woman - large audi - basically she said she lost control and floored it. She hit square on my B-pillar and pushed the car into a wall, hence the write off.

Terminator X

iTrader: (7)

£30k+ for the CSL's, was looking at some today. Nice cars mind ...

TX.

finchyboy

Problem with the Z3M is based on the previous generation E36 M3 and is likely to depreciate even more !!
Go for an E46 M3 but get the 6 speed manual not the SMG lovely car !!

Brendan Hughes

Au contraire. Z3M very rare collector's car, nothing like it. Prices went UP in the last two years. Z4M technically excellent but doesn't have the sense of humour of the 3. E46 M3 values about to get hit by release of new M3. Every IT bod and his dog will buy one.

Simon K

E46 M3 prices are crashing down as I type. The new E92 M3 has been released and the waiting lists are falling due to many customers cancelling. Price, looks, feel of the new M3 doesnt quite hit the mark. If you wanted a new M3, you could go into a dealer, order one, and have it buy Jan 08. Many people are now cancelling the £55K E92 M3 and buying year old M5's for £44K.

E46 M3 are starting to look good value.

The breadvan's, M coupes, with the later engines, S52 ??, are only 325bhp or somewhere like that. They are holding their values well. However, the old ones, R/S/T plates, with the S50 engines have a common problem with cracking chassis, in the rear, almost like the car is too powerful and breaking it into 2 parts.

Still, for the right price, good value.

SBK

scoobynutta555

Maybe she was a motoring journalist and was doing a piece on the car and wrote of it in her column.

Anyhow, M3 nice cars. I might get one someday

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

I have an M3 , its an SMG and I think its great , I would not swap it for a manual , its a bit like marmite , you love SMG or hate it , the only thing I dont like about the car is tramlining at low speeds on bumpy roads , I have the 19" CSL wheels on my car , the 18s and supposed to do this less , but I dont think they ' look ' right on 18's.

I dont think the prices are crashing down as mentioned , the price on a new M3 doesnt make any difference to me as I cant afford one , but I can a £20k one , bit like most I suppose , bit like any car really , they do drop in value , and you can pick up a well used one fairly cheap , a mate of mine sold a 51 plate 100k miler the others day , cloth interior , 18" whells , nothing special for £11k.

I have had most cars , and can say this is the best one I have had , I love it , may not be the fastest thing about , it is fast though , and very comfortable , has plenty of toys , and is very well built.

Here is my M3



This one was a lot more fun though




Cheers Ian

finchyboy

Bloody hell Ian that's pretty freaky !!


http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...9/P7110126.jpg

Simon K

Mmjmm lovely choice, estril blue, csl wheels. My respect goes out to you two. Ive got a E36 evo convertible, estril blue / black leather. Had it since new, so I fully understand what loosing money, depriecation is all about. I paid over £40K cash for mine, worth about £9K now !!!

It isnt the new E92 M3 that is making E46 M3 drop in price, its other factors. Fuel prices, road tax, the way BMW have reworked the warranty, has pretty much made the car loose their value. Out of warranty E46 M3 are dropping price, and in the trade, rumour has it that they are loosing £400 a month.

Thats all by the by though, if a good estril blue, cream leather, smg2, low mileage came up, for good money, I'll buy it today ! :-)

Out of interest, you two had an issue with owning your cars ?? rear springs ? engine problems ? smg issues ?


SBK

finchyboy

No real problem's rear suspension top mounts replaced under warranty. The levers to release the seat so you could get in the back both snapped off.
That's about it vet reliable wish i had gone for the manual though!!
Don't use continental tyres though i parked the car up for a couple of months and all 4 tyres became flatspotted and had to be replaced!!

Simon K

not a fun of SMGII ?? Before I brought my e36, I test drove a SMGI. Christ, that was an experience. Did put me off, but if buying a E46 M3 I would seriously consider a SMGII.

SBK

LG John

With SMG do you have to lift from the throttle when changing up or can you just keep it buried? I expect my problem with it would be the lack of a clutch pedal - I personally like to be able to control when power is and is not engaged. I'll no doubt try one some day but I fear it would just feel like an automatic - i.e. little driver control and involvement. Great for when you can't be bothered I suppose.

john banks

You don't have to lift. Makes for a good getaway from stationary without drivetrain wear - main limit is traction if wet. Nice to keep both hands on the wheel, and makes keeping the engine in the 6000-8000 RPM range easier. The throttle is sensitive and you feel entirely in control when the tyres are on the tarmac.

Devildog

My neighbour used to have one, until the floorpan area developed a crack.

Couldn't be fixed. BMW admitted liability and gave him an M3 to replace it.

Read into BMW admitting liability what you will, and I don't mean that it was a faulty weld/pressing.


edit - I see its been mentioned above

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

You can lift or flat change , make some funny noises at the back when flat changing , bit like my rally car does ,

I find SMG more like a manual than an auto , you pull off by just using the throttle , you still have a clutch , its just operated electronically , when you come off the throttle , the engine slows the car , it doesn't freewheel like an auto , the only time it works like an auto is when you pull up to a junction and dont change down , it then either goes into 2nd gear , or if you stop it will change into first , apart from that it works like a manual , it will only change gear when you want it to
Cheers Ian

ps , finchyboy , good choice

finchyboy

I just find hill starts and slow speed manoevering bit of a pain in the **** without the control of the clutch. As you said steve you can flat change but i prefer to lift in the name of mechanical sypathy. Flat out gearchanges feel so brutal on the fastest SMG setting !!!

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

on hillstarts , I just hold it using my left foot on the brakes , and feed the throttle in , left foot braking is second nature to me as I have done it for years rallying , do you use the hill start function ? thats pretty cool.

finchyboy

I assume you mean the launch control Ian ? lol the first time i used it i was turning right out of my local tesco's lots of tyre smoke and sideways action up the road it must of looked like something out of the smokey and the bandit films !!!

Godspeed Brakes

iTrader: (259)

No hill start , not as much fun as launch

If your stopped on a hill , pull the left hand paddle and hold it for 5 seconds , the engine revs will rise slightly and hold it on the hill to pull away , it lasts for about 5 seconds then switches off ,