Many cars, especially the German ones, hide their miles quite well (nice durable plastics/leather etc.) so watch out for any clocked ones.

50k on a MY03 will be about 6/7k per year so not unfeasible but they are good all round cars so will be a daily driver for many, unlike say convertibles, many of which are weekend cars.

Mainly it's about research, what are the common things to go wrong, does it affect many of them, is it about to hit some bills? You may get a 60/70k example that's had thousands spent on common issues which may well be a better buy than a 50k one that's about to need money spending. Check out Gadaffi's threads about his M5, some of the money spent on that is eyewatering (fortunately for him, mostly under warranty!)

Also, as many of Joe public think like you, this may inflate the price of the low mileage ones making that 70k one with a load of money spent all the better buy. Many low milers are asking ridiculous prices.

I don't know how affected by common issues, E46 M3s are hence needing the research. The low miler may be a great buy.

I guess he's looking at about £12/13k? Seem to be a few at that price. £15/16k for lower mileage newer ones etc.

 

completely agree

M cars invariably require lots spending on them when they hit 50K miles

I would far rather have a 60,000 miler with a big list of all the things that have been spent on it

than a 45,000 miler that hasn't had anything but routine servicing

the 45,000 miler is a ticking bomb

as an aside, I didn't know anything about the subframe issue either, but it sounds as if BMW are being more than fair about it

 

Rings true.

I bought an AUC one with 42k last year.

After the deal was done the salesman was explaining to me that despite them being snapped up quickly, they hated like selling cars like mine because of the cost of bringing them up to the right standard for the scheme.

Mine was obviously a well cared for example but it still needed new discs, calipers etc.

It's also had some rear suspension work under warranty (cracked springs IIRC).

It's still on the original clutch, my biggest worry but I knew the risk.

Still, you have to balance it up. It's one hell of a car for not a lot of money even if you do look like a drug dealer

 

who says he isn't ?

thanks to all for the replies

 

he's clearly not a very successful one if he's looking at six year old M3s

 

ah, but it could be a front

never judge a book by its cover

actually, he deals in paracetamol

 

Nasty, dangerous stuff!

Wants to deal in proper shit

 

I think those prices are a little high, these cars have come down a LOT in the last year.

I bought mine for £14,500 15 month ago, I would sell it tomorrow for £11k.

Mine is a 2003 with 63000 miles on it, good tyres, brakes etc..

Remember a set of tyres will cost you £1000 for decent ones, same again for brakes.

In the last year I have replaced the waterpump, rear trailing arm bushes and front wishbones - Including geo etc, that's about £2000 worth.

Mine has a slight sticking caliper that is getting replaced this week, again, another few 100 quid.

Mine is my daily drive, I spend £75 a week in fuel.

These are not cheep cars, but they are worth it - unfortunately mine is going to have to go to make way for an estate car!!

 

[QUOTE=S2000Si,Jan 21 2011, 06:11 PM] I was looking to get one and was put off by the chassis cracking issues at the rear subframe that are appearing more and more.

 

funny that, we're also looking at a 335i saloon tomorrow

it's a bit leggy at 69k and is advertised at £14k

apart from the obvious which would apply to any car is there anything specific to look for on these Steve ?

ta