8 months into M3 ownership

[peppernick]

With the recent depreciation across the E46 range, the M3 has held it's value better than the rest of it's brethen, maybe except the 330D. A lot of these cars have dropped below the £25k mark, making them more affordable to buy.

However, buying an M3 is only the beginning. The big bite comes from running it, especially if you use it for day to day commuting. I only use my car on weekends, and still have racked up 8000 miles because this car is just so addictive to drive.

On average, a tank of petrol lasts me 200-250 miles. Nearly £60 for a tank of Optimax. Although it has done 8000 miles form the oil service, indicator is now showing 1950 miles to Inspection 1. That will be at least £600-800 from a dealer if it is a straight forward service. I've just renewed my insurance. Because of the claim I made on my 330 hit and run (http://forum.bmwcarmagazine.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19243&SearchTerms=hit%2Crun), 3 points and my address in London, cost me £1450 to renew. Rear tyres after Nurburgring, are probably due for replacement before the year end (brand new in January), that's at least £450 for pair of 19".

So that's £2400 on fuel, £1450 insurance, £700 Inspection 1, £450 tyres. Grand total running cost for say 10-12 months motoring = £5050 :eek: :eek: :eek: And I don't have to extend the warranty yet, that's another £750 in 18 months.

So buying an E46 M3 may be very enticing but remember to factor in the running cost! Still worth it though [ok

[BigFas]

BLOODY HELL!!!!!! Fair play to you bro I will be sticking with my 4-pot for a few more years :) New house then my dream car! CL55amg!

[BigFas]

BTW. What was the outcome of the hit and run? Didn't you ever trace the audi that hit you? You had the number and a witness right?

[peppernick]

Yep still argueing after all this time. Can you believe it, 15 months and no solution yet. Eitherway, even if I do win, I'll get back my excess which was £250 on the 330. The premium will still be inflated eitherway (not a lot £115 on top) because I've made a claim regardless whether it's my fault or others (insurers don't give a toss as they will still charge you because they have to sort out the paperwork).

[peppernick]

CL55amg!
Again running cost! But by then we should be able to have one as a play thing [ok I still want that Gallardo!

[Doc Matt]

Yep, can agree with Nick but when i test drove my m3 for the first time, the whole maintanance affordability went right out the window :D

I just HAD to have it :D

[BigFas]

That's not right. I made a claim when someone went into the back of me, but my insurance company recovered every penny from the other guys insurance and it was marked as no-claim. didn't affect my premium or NCB status. That was with Elephant. I would double check that, paperwork should have no bearing on your NCB status as long as they recover the cost of repairs

[jcross]

That's really useful advice Peppernick. I'm thinking about getting an M3 next year and it's good to know the costs involved.

I've had my 330ci for about 6 months now and it gives about 350 to the tankfull on average. I've done 12000 miles already but only costs £50 to fill up (Bigger tank on M3?). 12000 / 350 * 50 = £1714. I've had servicing costs of about £500 so far. The biggest killer is depreciation, I paid £19k and reckon it's worth £15k now. That's £6214 in 6 months :eek: Maybe I'd better keep it for a couple more years now. Nice cars but definitely not cheap to keep.

[peppernick]

Whilst they are finalising the claim, I have to pay. And it might drag on for years! I understand form the NCB point of view, mine is not currently affected but my premium is because of the claim I lodged.

[InvIs Inc]

With the recent depreciation across the E46 range, the M3 has held it's value better than the rest of it's brethen, maybe except the 330D. A lot of these cars have dropped below the £25k mark, making them more affordable to buy.

However, buying an M3 is only the beginning. The big bite comes from running it, especially if you use it for day to day commuting. I only use my car on weekends, and still have racked up 8000 miles because this car is just so addictive to drive.

On average, a tank of petrol lasts me 200-250 miles. Nearly £60 for a tank of Optimax. Although it has done 8000 miles form the oil service, indicator is now showing 1950 miles to Inspection 1. That will be at least £600-800 from a dealer if it is a straight forward service. I've just renewed my insurance. Because of the claim I made on my 330 hit and run (http://forum.bmwcarmagazine.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19243&SearchTerms=hit%2Crun), 3 points and my address in London, cost me £1450 to renew. Rear tyres after Nurburgring, are probably due for replacement before the year end (brand new in January), that's at least £450 for pair of 19".

So that's £2400 on fuel, £1450 insurance, £700 Inspection 1, £450 tyres. Grand total running cost for say 10-12 months motoring = £5050 :eek: :eek: :eek: And I don't have to extend the warranty yet, that's another £750 in 18 months.

So buying an E46 M3 may be very enticing but remember to factor in the running cost! Still worth it though [ok

yeah but not every1 has to pay silly dealers prices like u guys do in suckersville (london) lol [bang

im sure every1 that has bought an m3 on this forum will manage fine considering prob most of them moved up from a 330.

Nick i have 2 say ur a baaad man.. i wonder how many bubble's uve just burst with this post.

well the costs dont bother mean i dont waste my money on drunken nights out take drugs, kids etc so im happy 2 waste my money on something i enjoy :D
rather that than 100+ quid a night on the same crap night out over and over lol

nick would u say its money well spent?

[peppernick]

Have to do it to mantain exclusivity........LOL

Money well spent? Oh yes, most definitely :cool: What's the point of having money stashed up in the bank if you don't know how to spend it? ;)

[Tin]

well the costs dont bother mean i dont waste my money on drunken nights out take drugs, kids etc so im happy 2 waste my money on something i enjoy :D
rather that than 100+ quid a night on the same crap night out over and over lol



so true.. spent $hit loads on my car, and love it, drove it yestaday after spending 2 weeks in turbo town ;) and it was just brillant, so relaxed, solid, smooth,quiet'ish, love it.

[InvIs Inc]

so true.. spent $hit loads on my car, and love it, drove it yestaday after spending 2 weeks in turbo town ;) and it was just brillant, so relaxed, solid, smooth,quiet'ish, love it.

i'm glad some1 agree's with me on that 1.. i say that 2 freinds and they look at me as if just pulled down my keks and farted in their face lol sorry for graphic discription but its true lol

u must be well chuffed with ur latest mods i kno i would be :D any diff in sound?

nick i swear when i read that post that was the first thing i thought of! lol nick trying 2 fend off the compitition at the first hurdle... that being buying an m3 lol

Nick, Tin got a Q for ya..

If you had to downgarde what would u downgrade to? you only have a 22k budget.

i would go for a 350z

cris

[Afif]

8k mileage.... pssh if i did that little id have one :cool:. Coming up to 18k since i got mine :D :eek:...im scared to workout petrol costs.

[M5 SC]

im scared to workout petrol costs.

You know that mate, lol..... :D

[mysticm3]

you forgot to add all the mods money mate :p

[rossi46]

[QUOTE=invisible_kid69]
Nick i have 2 say ur a baaad man.. i wonder how many bubble's uve just burst with this post.
QUOTE]
you've just burst my bubbles!!! :(
still concidering whether to get a M3, M3 vert or 330CD vert or even a CLK 270 CDI or 240 maybe. ( hence missus like a merc )
trying to decide. if i buy a M3 then i will buy a second car probably a toyota corolla version diesel for everyday use.
what do you guys think?
i don't drive alot, i own my car for 2years 9 months, and just manage to do 10k miles.

[MistaSmiff]

:eek: Fookin Hell!, no way i'm buying an M3 now ..

[Chaos]

Done just over 5k miles in mine in, what, 4 months. About 15-16k a year on average so I'm on track for a regular year. £677 for an Inspection I a fortnight ago, and that was the cheapest quote I could get. Rear tyres have about 3-4k left on them before they're gonna need swapping, and like Nick says that's gonna be the best part of a monkey for some decent shoes. Extended warranty due to begin in 8 months.. Yup, she's a pricey old girl.

Still wouldn't change it. http://sankeys.demon.co.uk/images/smilies/cool.gif

[MistaSmiff]

Chaos any pics of your M3 ?

[Raj]

...my car for 2years 9 months, and just manage to do 10k miles.

:eek: :eek: :eek:

I've clocked up 15K since I bought her in October last year (and I have plenty of scratches and stone chips to prove :( ).

[InvIs Inc]

[QUOTE=invisible_kid69]
Nick i have 2 say ur a baaad man.. i wonder how many bubble's uve just burst with this post.
QUOTE]
you've just burst my bubbles!!! :(
still concidering whether to get a M3, M3 vert or 330CD vert or even a CLK 270 CDI or 240 maybe. ( hence missus like a merc )
trying to decide. if i buy a M3 then i will buy a second car probably a toyota corolla version diesel for everyday use.
what do you guys think?
i don't drive alot, i own my car for 2years 9 months, and just manage to do 10k miles.

dude get 1!!! u'll be fine just dont feed the kids for a few weeks. :D

[Chaos]

Chaos any pics of your M3 ?http://sankeys.demon.co.uk/showpost.php?p=21064&postcount=24

http://sankeys.demon.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1694&highlight=transformation - some pics missing now tho.

It's all pre-splitter destruction :(, but while I'm deciding what to do next I'll be changing the rims for what I think may be a forum first.. ;)