Running Costs for an E46 M3

[MistaSmiff]

I'm considering purchasing an M3, what would be the top 10 things to look out for, i.e mechanically and mainenance wise..:cool:

..or would a Supercharged 330 be a better move ??

[lee330sport]

Depends what your budget is. Buy a newish one and your still under warranty so its not much of an issue.

Other than that insurance varies wildly it seems and its pretty heavy on juice around town.

[lee330sport]

You added that SC bit at the end.:)

From personal experience.......M3 is a better option;)

[Juber]

Mmmmmmmm, how much for your Boxter if youre selling up mate ;)

[MistaSmiff]

Mmmmmmmm, how much for your Boxter if youre selling up mate ;).Do you homework then PM me an offer ;)

[finnie]

Things to look out for. Only had the car a year but know about the following

Rear Springs tend to snap,
Make sure the car was serviced and stamped at 1500 miles or else warranty void
Pads and discs not cheap from a dealer
Check all recalls been done - though BMW will still do these even if not still fully serviced.
Diff is noisy on just about every car, especially if you are a bit sharp going into reverse/first when maneurvering.
Traction control light may come on for time to time, this is just one of the wheel sensors playing up.
The engine isn't as smooth as the 325/330 unit, in fact when cold it's pretty rough and will always sound more mechanical than those two. But you have to remember it does have over 100BHP per litre and so is basically a race engine.

As for running costs I don't find it too bad. I try to get any work I need doing at a good indy with genuine parts. So far I have had rear top mounts and a front strut need replacing. Insurance can be interesting alright. I'm lucky and am paying just £700 a year with Admiral but most others are quoting over £1200 if not £1800 which is the most common quote. Fuel consumption depends on your right foot but I drive it in sport mode 100% of the time and my guage reads 27mpg right now. I did a 250 mile country drive yesterday and the rest of the time is sub urban and city driving so I think that is pretty good. I challenge a Focus ST to manage that! Servicing can be a killer, an inspection II can cost upwards of £800 so watch what needs doing next. Bonus is that each service generally only needs doing every 15000 miles.

[Juber]

.Do you homework then PM me an offer ;)
Cool nice one Smiffy I may well be interested, I just need more info on your car - is it’s the Boxter S, 2.5, 2.7? what options year etc (if you could PM me that this would be smashing) the most important of all is to do my homework on insurance costs etc, as that’s the stinger for me.
Nice one.

[jordan3054]

I drive it in sport mode 100% of the time and my guage reads 27mpg right now. .

Wow that does sound really impressive!! I would have thought the M3 would get much less than that seeing as its what my 318 is reading now (all town driving tho)

[lee330sport]

Mine usuall reads around 20mpg combined. With Sport on and a heavy right foot ( damn that airbox). Around town only 11-13mpg sounds about right.

Managed 35mpg on the mway for 200miles though, which was pretty impressive.

[MistaSmiff]

Wow that does sound really impressive!! I would have thought the M3 would get much less than that seeing as its what my 318 is reading now (all town driving tho)MPG is my worry as I was only getting approx 23mpg in my 325, on the same run my Porsche does 29mpg.

On the way to Santa Pod last sunday it dropped to 25mpg, but it was fun! :D

[MistaSmiff]

Mine usuall reads around 20mpg combined. With Sport on and a heavy right foot ( damn that airbox). Around town only 11-13mpg sounds about right.

Managed 35mpg on the mway for 200miles though, which was pretty impressive.is the fuel consumption more on your CSL than a standard M3 ?, I don't think I could live with anything less than 20mpg :eek:

[MistaSmiff]

Cool nice one Smiffy I may well be interested, I just need more info on your car - is it’s the Boxter S, 2.5, 2.7? what options year etc (if you could PM me that this would be smashing) the most important of all is to do my homework on insurance costs etc, as that’s the stinger for me.
Nice one.Jubs, I've got your email addy so will email you :cool:

[Mehmet]

You cant drive a big car like that and complain about petrol, thats what the M stands for 'money' LOL :D

[lee330sport]

is the fuel consumption more on your CSL than a standard M3 ?, I don't think I could live with anything less than 20mpg :eek:

I dont think so. I remember Nick saying he only got similar figures? I would have said its better being a lighter car................maybe im just kidding myself.lol

[tbmeech]

Things to look out for. Only had the car a year but know about the following

Rear Springs tend to snap,
Make sure the car was serviced and stamped at 1500 miles or else warranty void
Pads and discs not cheap from a dealer
Check all recalls been done - though BMW will still do these even if not still fully serviced.
Diff is noisy on just about every car, especially if you are a bit sharp going into reverse/first when maneurvering.
Traction control light may come on for time to time, this is just one of the wheel sensors playing up.
The engine isn't as smooth as the 325/330 unit, in fact when cold it's pretty rough and will always sound more mechanical than those two. But you have to remember it does have over 100BHP per litre and so is basically a race engine.

As for running costs I don't find it too bad. I try to get any work I need doing at a good indy with genuine parts. So far I have had rear top mounts and a front strut need replacing. Insurance can be interesting alright. I'm lucky and am paying just £700 a year with Admiral but most others are quoting over £1200 if not £1800 which is the most common quote. Fuel consumption depends on your right foot but I drive it in sport mode 100% of the time and my guage reads 27mpg right now. I did a 250 mile country drive yesterday and the rest of the time is sub urban and city driving so I think that is pretty good. I challenge a Focus ST to manage that! Servicing can be a killer, an inspection II can cost upwards of £800 so watch what needs doing next. Bonus is that each service generally only needs doing every 15000 miles.

I 2nd what Finne has said with the addition of:

Diff can be clonky / noisy on changing up especially from 1st - 2nd, again this depends on driving style / car.

Tyres - I get about 10-12k out of my Falkens, thats daily commuting, + 3-4 trackdays out of them, if you get Falkens they are roughly £450 a set + fitting, wheras you can pay up to £850 for Michelins / Pirellis, I usually get through 2 sets a year due to the mileage I do in the car.

Clutch - if you need to replace the clutch its approx £850.

Servicing Inspection 1 Costs can vary, from £350-650, Inspection 2 is the killer £750+ with quotes of over £1000 from some dealers.

Standard exhaust sounds like its falling off when it is cold, its horrible and a very metallic noise, some people like it, I hate it.

Car is rough as a badgers backside when it is cold, not nice to drive at all for the first 5 minutes.

I get about 17/20 mpg out of mine, I drive mainly a / b roads, and I drive fairly quickly (imo), if I use the motorway I usually get approx 28 mpg.

My servicing comes around every 8000-10000 miles, so i'm on 2 services a year, its pretty pricey, and with the fuel consumtion its not a cheap car to run, but I love driving it, and i'd only swap it for a CSL or a GT3.

IMO a M3 will feel more special than a S/C'd 330

Funny thing is, it's actually cheaper to run a 996 for the miles I do! scary!

[madmatt m3]

make sure its had its first oil service at the 1250 miles mark, without that BMW wont warranty the engine.

Rear shock mounts and springs seem to be a bit of a weak spot mine has been done twice before I bought it

[tbmeech]

make sure its had its first oil service at the 1250 miles mark, without that BMW wont warranty the engine.

I thought it was 1750 for the 1st service?

Mine was done at 2050, and BMW still replaced my engine at 39,000 miles when my shells failed, I think its more dependant on the garage who is looking after the car, but I think I was fairly lucky.

[MistaSmiff]

finnie / tbmeech

Good points covered there :cool: , I don't have a problem with affordability it's just that I don't want to spent that kind of money running a car ;) , clutch replacements sounds scary, i've never had to replace a clutch on any of my cars but i've heard of this mentioned many times before.

Correct me if i'm wrong but out of all the cars in this forum the M3 seems to be the most troublesome, maybe not a good move ..

hmm..330D or 330Petrol :rolleyes: ;)

[finnie]

Oh yeah forgot about the noisy exhaust, yes it does sound like it's falling off in the morning!

Glad to hear others are getting similar economy. I'm not that light with my right foot. I do like to boot it quite a bit but certainly don't thrash it. I zeo'd my gauge two weeks ago and so far have travelled about 600 miles since then mix of city and country roads with one blast up to 120 (on a track of course) and yesterday on my way up the road (I stopped at a runway) and took her to 150 and still the guage reads 27.1mpg since reset. Don't think anyone can complain about that from a 3.2

[finnie]

finnie / tbmeech

Good points covered there :cool: , I don't have a problem with affordability it's just that I don't want to spent that kind of money running a car ;) , clutch replacements sounds scary, i've never had to replace a clutch on any of my cars but i've heard of this mentioned many times before.

Correct me if i'm wrong but out of all the cars in this forum the M3 seems to be the most troublesome, maybe not a good move ..

hmm..330D or 330Petrol :rolleyes: ;)

All in my car has cost me for one years driving:
Parts and labour on broken bits £320
Insurance £700
Petrol Who knows I only do 9000 miles a year but probably less than I spent with my scooby
Polishes to keep it sweet looking - maybe £250 including Porter cable

[madmatt m3]

running cost are the m3's downfall unfortunately everything for it just seems to be so expensive.

mine is due for inspection 1 in a couple of thousand miles and have been quoted £683 at Rydale Central (with a bit of discount from the lovelly Sarah on sevice reception)

If you like to drive them hard and covr some milage then it will be in for service twice a year without fail. On a manual getting 2nd is pig first thing in a morning when the oil is cold and it sounds horrible till its warmed up a bit but I wouldnt swap it for anything. It will cruise round town at 30mph all day or sit on the motorway at 160mph without breaking a sweat. One of the most satisfying cars ive ever owned

[tbmeech]

Mista,

Thats the thing, when it goes wrong its very expensive to fix, but then you might buy a car thats bulletproof in your time of ownership.

Personally, the driving experience of the M3 is fantastic, I love driving mine, and I love being in it, it still gets admiring looks, it still feels quick, it still feels special, its a fantastic car, and if you can stretch to it to run one financially its worth it imo of course :)

330D or 330 Petrol? i'd have a 330D with a DMS map on it ;)

[madmatt m3]

Oh yeah forgot about the noisy exhaust, yes it does sound like it's falling off in the morning!

Glad to hear others are getting similar economy. I'm not that light with my right foot. I do like to boot it quite a bit but certainly don't thrash it. I zeo'd my gauge two weeks ago and so far have travelled about 600 miles since then mix of city and country roads with one blast up to 120 (on a track of course) and yesterday on my way up the road (I stopped at a runway) and took her to 150 and still the guage reads 27.1mpg since reset. Don't think anyone can complain about that from a 3.2

how do you get that out of yours? :eek: mine is doing 23mpg average. on a long motorway run I can see 34mpg if im lucky but usually get somewhere between 21 & 25mpg!!!

[mystic sport]

My MPG is anywhere between 22 and 28 depending on my mood. Sport mode is addictive :p . Other than servicing I have not found the M3 too much more to run than my 330, obviously spending a little more on fuel but not a big amount more, maybe another £20 a month in real terms and that is with me doing 30,000 a year in it. Reliability is no worse than any other 3 series, you mention the possibility of a 330D so just make sure that the car you might view has had the upgraded turbo fitted as these can let go very dramtically and then M3 ownership suddenly becomes very affordable in comparison :p .

I love my M3, I always enjoy each and every drive and the most important thing is that when I get the key out to take it for another drive I start smiling - alot :D .

[Gary]

Not cheap to run, but nor is any car these days. Just had my Inspection II done and that cost £950. Insurance is expensive and an extended warranty will cost you over a grand a year, so that is probably £2,000 before you even drive it! But it is all worth it for the way they drive.
A few people have mentioned the running in service, correct me if I'm wrong, but believe this one is in km rather than miles (that's what my dealership told me when i queried whether mine had been done in time).
They can sound very noisy, but this doesn't mean anything is wrong. Was worried mine was getting slower but service didn't show any problems so must just be that I'm getting used to the speed of it!

[mnathan]

You added that SC bit at the end.

From personal experience.......M3 is a better option

You know i`ve got to disagree respectfully:D

Old ASA superchargers needed you to rev up for proper boost but with the twin screw full boost on tap by 4000rpm........now that saves your engine in the long run and my MPG is 30-35 :cool: Inspection 1 servicing costs £153 and insurance £700. With the 8.5psi pulley and cam shafts the 330 should be pushing past 370bhp.
The car feels like a lazy V8 and with plenty more torque than the m3......its a different story in the CSL though

[MistaSmiff]

You know i`ve got to disagree respectfully:D

Old ASA superchargers needed you to rev up for proper boost but with the twin screw full boost on tap by 4000rpm........now that saves your engine in the long run and my MPG is 30-35 :cool: Inspection 1 servicing costs £153 and insurance £700. With the 8.5psi pulley and cam shafts the 330 should be pushing past 370bhp.
The car feels like a lazy V8 and with plenty more torque than the m3......its a different story in the CSL thoughHow much was the Supercharger ?

[MistaSmiff]

My MPG is anywhere between 22 and 28 depending on my mood. Sport mode is addictive :p . Other than servicing I have not found the M3 too much more to run than my 330, obviously spending a little more on fuel but not a big amount more, maybe another £20 a month in real terms and that is with me doing 30,000 a year in it. Reliability is no worse than any other 3 series, you mention the possibility of a 330D so just make sure that the car you might view has had the upgraded turbo fitted as these can let go very dramtically and then M3 ownership suddenly becomes very affordable in comparison :p .

I love my M3, I always enjoy each and every drive and the most important thing is that when I get the key out to take it for another drive I start smiling - alot :D .Are all M3's the same?, i.e is a Yplate the same as a 52plate ..etc ???

[Mikey_Bwoy]

M3 Facelift's were de-tuned a tad I do believe. Not sure what year the facelift happened though. Around 2003 I think?

[mnathan]

How much was the Supercharger ?

Here you go bud........

Check out ESS (http://www.esstuning.com/)

[lee330sport]

You know i`ve got to disagree respectfully:D

Old ASA superchargers needed you to rev up for proper boost but with the twin screw full boost on tap by 4000rpm........now that saves your engine in the long run and my MPG is 30-35 :cool: Inspection 1 servicing costs £153 and insurance £700. With the 8.5psi pulley and cam shafts the 330 should be pushing past 370bhp.
The car feels like a lazy V8 and with plenty more torque than the m3......its a different story in the CSL though

Hahaha Max here we go. lol

I totally agree, the ESS twin screw is leagues ahead of the ASA kits in terms of performance, and ive no doubt at all it has the grunt to match the M3, only with better economy.

I was talking more in the terms of the full package though, which for the money, i think the M3 is better value. Which is basically what Paul is asking.

[mnathan]

I understand what you mean wrt the whole package.......

Costs with the 330 have escalated with brakes upgrade, suspension and exhaust .......but its the thrill of modding and having something very different..:D

Also love the look on the face of M3 owners when i cane them.......:p ( no disrespect intended)

[Doc Matt]

I love my M3, I use it weekends and for 'ring trips.

Have done 6000 miles in the last 12 months

The last 12 months bills consist of;

New back discs and pads £350
Insurance £1200
Change front lower arm £200
Change floppy cams for new ones £2790
Oil service £130


£4670 for 6000 miles LOL :eek: :D

[MistaSmiff]

I love my M3, I use it weekends and for 'ring trips.

Have done 6000 miles in the last 12 months

The last 12 months bills consist of;

New back discs and pads £350
Insurance £1200
Change front lower arm £200
Change floppy cams for new ones £2790
Oil service £130


£4670 for 6000 miles LOL :eek: :D

LOL..I was wondering when you'd reply to this thread ..lol :p , see now that scares the fook outta me.

How did the Cams go Matt?, was it User Error or Wear and Tear ?? :)

[lee330sport]

Whats your budget though? Why not go for a nearly new M3 CS or a low miles 55 reg, that way youve got your warranty and not much besides fuel to worry about.

[MistaSmiff]

Whats your budget though? Why not go for a nearly new M3 CS or a low miles 55 reg, that way youve got your warranty and not much besides fuel to worry about.Yeah would give me some peace of mind but I think I might bail on this, M3 will have to wait..been looking at a few other alternatives but nothing as powerfull as an M3. :)

[lee330sport]

Just get the VF SC kit for the Boxster, then youve got the power and the handling to match.

Just dont go blocking garage exists ore it'll get written off:rolleyes: ..........lmao

[benny boy]

No kit avialable for the boxer did any one see the new maxpower with Porsche with vf kit on cost $50,000 vf made specialally for him :eek:

[lumus]

I love my M3, I use it weekends and for 'ring trips.

Have done 6000 miles in the last 12 months

The last 12 months bills consist of;

New back discs and pads £350
Insurance £1200
Change front lower arm £200
Change floppy cams for new ones £2790
Oil service £130


£4670 for 6000 miles LOL :eek: :D


just think of it as 77p per mile...

in which case it would cost me £1.50 to nip to the store and back.
£69 to drive to the office in huddersfield and back :eek:
£23 to go to see my dad and back :/
etc etc etc

think i'll stick with the 330 :p

or get and m3 and a VERY comfortable push bike...

oh and those prices of course DONT include petrol!!

[Raj]

Just dont go blocking garage exists ore it'll get written off:rolleyes: ..........lmao

LOL. So true..

[MistaSmiff]

LOL. So true..LOL..If it wasn't for you and Lee admiring the poorly fitted Zorst I wouldn't have had to :p

[Raj]

LOL..If it wasn't for you and Lee admiring the poorly fitted Zorst I wouldn't have had to :p

Erm, think you'll find you had already parked up before we started to look at it (especially as you were standing next to us)....:p :D

[simon]

all i can say is vanos lol

[kpkpkp]

My M3 costs a fucking fortune to run, drinks fuel like a bastard, what money I dont spunk on tyres goes on mods and if it didnt the misses would only buy more shoes.

My car is a money pit - think of it as your own personal black hole that is situated somewhere near your bank account.

Insurance takes up another truck load of cash as does the servicing.

THAT SAID IT IS THE BEST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD AND IT REMINDS ME OF THIS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT

Would not have it any other way.

It is the bollix

Love u baby - sorry just looked out my window and there it is sat on my drive looking minty - see even when I am not in it it still gives me pleasure - something I cant say about the wife :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Kp

[lumus]

see even when I am not in it it still gives me pleasure - something I cant say about the wife :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Kp

:eek: whatever you do dont let her read that... it will be divorce next, and you know just KNOW she take the M3 lol

[MistaSmiff]

..ok.. back on track now..:cool: :cool:

£18K to spend and I want one with no more than 45K on the clock, is that asking for too much??, 51plate onwards...:cool:

Has to be Black because black cars are faster :)

[Gary]

Just looked on Auto Trader (seeing how much mine was worth) and not much on there for that price with that mileage, especially if you want full service history and extended warranty (well worth having).
Manuals tend to be a bit cheaper than an SMG.

[acezak]

Mine usuall reads around 20mpg combined. With Sport on and a heavy right foot ( damn that airbox). Around town only 11-13mpg sounds about right.

Managed 35mpg on the mway for 200miles though, which was pretty impressive.

I get 37mpg on the motorway run 80/90mph (showing on the clock:) )

and 24mpg around town, i switch from ratio 3/4 and sports.

better on fuel than my 2005 330ci oh yes

[Chosun Wan]

I get 37mpg on the motorway run 80/90mph (showing on the clock:) )

Sure you didn't buy a *cough* diesel *cough* with a 'kit? :p

[acezak]

Sure you didn't buy a *cough* diesel *cough* with a 'kit? :p


don't you swear at me pal:)

[Chaos]

I get 37mpg on the motorway run 80/90mph (showing on the clock:) )
I hope that's a typo, cos there is no way on God's green earth that you'll ever get a sustained 37mpg at 90mph. Either your OBC is miles out or your memory is. ;)


My M3 costs a fucking fortune to run, drinks fuel like a bastard, what money I dont spunk on tyres goes on mods and if it didnt the misses would only buy more shoes.
Can I just say that, as a paid-up crew member, if we ever decide to make a Quotes sticky (and we may well), that is going in there as one of the most poignant M3-ownership quotes to ever grace this board. That's the stuff of legend!

[acezak]

I hope that's a typo, cos there is no way on God's green earth that you'll ever get a sustained 37mpg at 90mph. Either your OBC is miles out or your memory is. ;)


Can I just say that, as a paid-up crew member, if we ever decide to make a Quotes sticky (and we may well), that is going in there as one of the most poignant M3-ownership quotes to ever grace this board. That's the stuff of legend!


thats cos i didn't say 90 i said 80/90 in sixth in laxy man mode:p

[Denz]

[QUOTE=kpkpkp]My M3 costs a fucking fortune to run, drinks fuel like a bastard, what money I dont spunk on tyres goes on mods and if it didnt the misses would only buy more shoes.

My car is a money pit - think of it as your own personal black hole that is situated somewhere near your bank account.

Insurance takes up another truck load of cash as does the servicing.

THAT SAID IT IS THE BEST CAR I HAVE EVER HAD AND IT REMINDS ME OF THIS EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT

Would not have it any other way.

It is the bollix

Love u baby - sorry just looked out my window and there it is sat on my drive looking minty - see even when I am not in it it still gives me pleasure - something I cant say about the wife :D :D :D :D :D :D :D


Great post!! I was having a $hit day until i read that!!! i'm still Giggling to myself now!!! Thanks for cheering me up:D

[MistaSmiff]

I hope that's a typo, cos there is no way on God's green earth that you'll ever get a sustained 37mpg at 90mph. Either your OBC is miles out or your memory is. ;)


Can I just say that, as a paid-up crew member, if we ever decide to make a Quotes sticky (and we may well), that is going in there as one of the most poignant M3-ownership quotes to ever grace this board. That's the stuff of legend!LOL :D ..37MPG ..your trip computer MUST be out :o

[acezak]

LOL :D ..37MPG ..your trip computer MUST be out :o

you lot can't read!:D

[Chaos]

Oooooohhh, not 90... 80/90....that makes all the difference! :rolleyes:

[simon]

if i drive mine like a girl on the motorway i can just get 30mph and thats downhill:D

[Chaos]

ROFL...I do hope you mean 'mpg' or you've got a bigger problem than fuel consumption!! :D

[simon]

sorry wot a d**k head mpg !

[acezak]

:) :)
if i drive mine like a girl on the motorway i can just get 30mph and thats downhill:D

hehe:D did a slough run today Paul kindly sorted my TV and sat nav today (thanks Paul)

80mph 35.6 mpg nice so i took a pic of it :) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s77/acezak/DSC08192.jpg

[M_Hunter]

niiice what were you doing to get that MPG for that MPH

Martyn

[acezak]

niiice what were you doing to get that MPG for that MPH

Martyn

Driving like a lady :p didn't last for long specially after a Skyline went by :)

[Chaos]

Either you got that going downhill for half a mile in 6th (hardly a benchmark), or your trip computer has the same disease as my missus when she says she's 3 inches from the kerb and I step out and find myself 4 feet from the pavement. ;)

[acezak]

Either you got that going downhill for half a mile in 6th (hardly a benchmark), or your trip computer has the same disease as my missus when she says she's 3 inches from the kerb and I step out and find myself 4 feet from the pavement. ;)

Cars fine thankyou :mad:

[M_Hunter]

i got 50 out the 316 (well it said so on the MPG counter thing) and i was really shocked as my dads 325 gave me the impression that bmw's drank petrol like i drank vodka.....

[acezak]

i got 50 out the 316 (well it said so on the MPG counter thing) and i was really shocked as my dads 325 gave me the impression that bmw's drank petrol like i drank vodka.....

to be honest i couldn't care less how good or bad it was on go go juice, you don't buy a M3 if your worried about how much money you put in the tank:p

[M_Hunter]

to be honest i couldn't care less how good or bad it was on go go juice, you don't buy a M3 if your worried about how much money you put in the tank:p


exactly :P if i could afford the insurance i would be perched on my m3 right now.. any hoo nice day so im going to drop the top down on my 325 and see what some go go juice can do for me :D

Martyn

[acezak]

exactly :P if i could afford the insurance i would be perched on my m3 right now.. any hoo nice day so im going to drop the top down on my 325 and see what some go go juice can do for me :D

Martyn

go for it dude, been doing that all day :D

[M_Hunter]

go for it dude, been doing that all day :D


my girlfriend takes mine i think shes regretting turning down her piece of a bimmer rag top and buying the hairdryer of an excuse for a smart roadster :)

Martyn

[MistaSmiff]

my girlfriend takes mine i think shes regretting turning down her piece of a bimmer rag top and buying the hairdryer of an excuse for a smart roadster :)

Martyn..Thanks for hijacking my thread guys...:rolleyes:

[M_Hunter]

..Thanks for hijacking my thread guys...:rolleyes:


Sorry Mr Smith... *holds hand out*

[imu]

MPG aside, there is no better car than the M3:D

My advice would be to buy the *best* M3 you can for your budget, personally, I would want warranty cover on an M car, so unless it's coming from a dealer then i would budget extra for either third party warranty or a slush account for maintenance.

All the usual M3 specific checks should be all over this site...

Good luck:)

[Chaos]

18k for a 51 plate isn't far out Paul, it's the 45k-max miles that you may have to tinker with, that's low mileage for a 5/6 year old car but if you're patient then hopefully one will turn up :).

PS: Nick, can you resize your new sig please.

[acezak]

18k for a 51 plate isn't far out Paul, it's the 45k-max miles that you may have to tinker with, that's low mileage for a 5/6 year old car but if you're patient then hopefully one will turn up :).

PS: Nick, can you resize your new sig please.

give me a min

[Chaos]

..ok.. back on track now..:cool: :cool:

£18K to spend and I want one with no more than 45K on the clock, is that asking for too much??, 51plate onwards...:cool:

Has to be Black because black cars are faster :)
Paul, it's a little over your budget as it's a 52 plate and at a dealer, but the dealer is tried and tested by people on here, it has a Miltek pipe on it already, and you'd get a warranty with it presumably (which you could maybe negotiate off if funds were critical).

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/138167.htm

As said, not sure how firm your 18k budget is, but if it's flexible and if it's cash then it may be worth a phone call to them to see how much they'll move.

[MistaSmiff]

Chaos, I spotted that one yesterday too :D

Can you buy warranty from another company then?, if so any suggestions?

What about buying privately?, I know it's always a risk but there are so many out there for 18K. Would a full RAC/AA inspection cover the troublesome things always talked about with M3's ?

[Chaos]

You can buy 3rd party warranties for sure, Warranty Direct do them and seem to have one of the better reputations, but buying from a dealer does always give you the added benefits of consumer protection. If you couldn't stretch to the whole amount, but you could make 23 flat and they offered it you for that with no warranty, the option is there to buy one later on when some funds present themlseves. At least if it's a lemon when you get it you can go back and demand your money back under the Sale of Goods Act and/or get it fixed - you can't if you buy privately.

[Sargey]

Well I can give yoou a quick update after my first 2 weeks.

Im 36 full NCB and insurance is £850, you then need a tracker I have a horizon so thats £300 plus £125 per year for the pleasure of their cover.

Tax £250 for 12 months, put at least £800 aside for tyres,£800 for service, plus your initial capital outlay of between £18-20K works out 350 a month if you loan it - I didnt cash is king.

then expect £64 a week for 280 miles if your still playing.

You will want better sounds even if it is HK so £500 for a good alpine plus the goodies.

Once youve got all that you spend £100 on cleaning goodies and touch up kits.

So on the whole expensive but oh my god so bloody worth it.

To coin a phrase (Its not perfect but it has bloody great parts !)

[Black Sabbath]

Sargey that is an excellent price up of M3 ownership,straight to the point as well

[Raj]

Paul, all this talk of M3's..... Just buy a D, you know it makes sense... and you won't have to worry about fuel consumption and the like. Insurance renewal this month was £391, fuel consumption is always over the 35mpg mark (even when canning it...:D ), you can mod it to get the extra performance, there are plenty out there for ya budget with lower mileage and as everyne knows....... Diesels are gonna take over EvoT.........:p :p :D :cool: Good luck with the M3 search buddy...:D

[madmatt m3]

[QUOTE=Sargey]then expect £64 a week for 280 miles if your still playing.[QUOTE]

must take the lead weight out of my right shoe im at a little over £100 a week at the mo and have had it for 3 months! i bought it drive it tho not to look at it haha

Paul, mine was up for £21k at a dealer in Dorchester but bought it just after Christmas and managed to get it for £18k with full BM history and 52k on the clock.

its expensive but well worth every penny!!

[MistaSmiff]

Paul, all this talk of M3's..... Just buy a D, you know it makes sense... and you won't have to worry about fuel consumption and the like. Insurance renewal this month was £391, fuel consumption is always over the 35mpg mark (even when canning it...:D ), you can mod it to get the extra performance, there are plenty out there for ya budget with lower mileage and as everyne knows....... Diesels are gonna take over EvoT.........:p :p :D :cool: Good luck with the M3 search buddy...:D
Holy Shit!..Raj, when did you fit that bumper :cool:

Next time we meet you will have to take me out for a spin, Simon is taking me out in his M3 at the meet so I can compare.

[mysticm3]

to be honest if you don't do a lot of miles over the years the fuel cost won't be that different between a D and a P. D models sometimes cost more to buy secondhand say few grand, and this few grand can buy you a lot of petrol over years!

my m3 was constantly averaging 21 to 22.8mpg with induction kit and centre pipe and exhaust modified. mainly town driving. a full tank 49 quid worth of petrol last for about 250 miles approx.

by the way Paul whats mpg you getting from the baby porker? mine returns 24 :D

[Raj]

Holy Shit!..Raj, when did you fit that bumper :cool:

Next time we meet you will have to take me out for a spin, Simon is taking me out in his M3 at the meet so I can compare.

LOL. Here ya go Clicky... (http://forum.evotechnik.net/showthread.php?t=13996)

No probs with a blast. You gonna make the 13th (Star City)?

[MistaSmiff]

to be honest if you don't do a lot of miles over the years the fuel cost won't be that different between a D and a P. D models sometimes cost more to buy secondhand say few grand, and this few grand can buy you a lot of petrol over years!

my m3 was constantly averaging 21 to 22.8mpg with induction kit and centre pipe and exhaust modified. mainly town driving. a full tank 49 quid worth of petrol last for about 250 miles approx.

by the way Paul whats mpg you getting from the baby porker? mine returns 24 :DI'm averaging 25.2 :D with BP ULtimate 97RON, with Shell Optimax I get 27mpg but I find my car idles too low on Optimax, ironically 98RON is recommended by Porsche :confused: .

I do about 10K a year maximum Teddy so I really don't need a diesel. :)

[madmatt m3]

to be fair Paul mine is returning 25.2mpg on tesco super unleaded around town and it managed 30 the other day on the m42 so I dont think you will notice much difference from you boxter. not sure what the servicing costs are like on the boxter but mine is heading for inspection 2 in a few weeks which i have managed to bargain down to £734 from £850.

I dont think there will be much in the running costs mate but i might be wrong!

[MistaSmiff]

to be fair Paul mine is returning 25.2mpg on tesco super unleaded around town and it managed 30 the other day on the m42 so I dont think you will notice much difference from you boxter. not sure what the servicing costs are like on the boxter but mine is heading for inspection 2 in a few weeks which i have managed to bargain down to £734 from £850.

I dont think there will be much in the running costs mate but i might be wrong!

Hmm....servicing is about the same, my oil service was £300+ last year.

[madmatt m3]

you see ive been quoted £210 for oil service £611 for inspection 1 and £870 is average for inspection 2 but that is only every 60k miles

doesnt look much in it to me mate lol (but then im biased)