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      06-28-2010, 07:33 PM   #1
46m3csl
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What to know before buying the e46 m3 without warranty

Hi Guys
I think I found the car i been looking for a its a 2005 BMW m3 competition package with 6 speed manual with 33k miles for $28,500. The seller is a private seller, the cars out of warranty. What should I check before I buy it and it should be pretty strong right since it has only 33k miles on it. Is it reliable car, and anything i should know before buying, I will get the CPO warranty for the car If I buy it.
Thanks for the help Guys!
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      06-28-2010, 10:42 PM   #2
ito
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 46m3csl View Post
Hi Guys
I think I found the car i been looking for a its a 2005 BMW m3 competition package with 6 speed manual with 33k miles for $28,500. The seller is a private seller, the cars out of warranty. What should I check before I buy it and it should be pretty strong right since it has only 33k miles on it. Is it reliable car, and anything i should know before buying, I will get the CPO warranty for the car If I buy it.
Thanks for the help Guys!
I have a m3 e46 smg 2003 with only 43k miles. A month ago the car damage the vanos unit and the smg pump. Fortunately I have an extended warranty and they paid everything.
Think about it.
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      07-01-2010, 01:42 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 46m3csl View Post
Hi Guys
I think I found the car i been looking for a its a 2005 BMW m3 competition package with 6 speed manual with 33k miles for $28,500. The seller is a private seller, the cars out of warranty. What should I check before I buy it and it should be pretty strong right since it has only 33k miles on it. Is it reliable car, and anything i should know before buying, I will get the CPO warranty for the car If I buy it.
Thanks for the help Guys!
Check VANOS bolts. Mine sheared off on my 2006 Coupe at 41k miles with catastrophic results!
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      07-07-2010, 09:56 PM   #4
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Are the VANOS bolt failures common? I heard that it was a rare issue...
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      07-08-2010, 03:44 AM   #5
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I don't know about the vanos bolts, but my vanos packed it in at 85,000kms.
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      07-14-2010, 10:37 PM   #6
46m3csl
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Thanks guys, so how common is they, and what exactly is vanos, thanks
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      09-14-2010, 10:31 PM   #7
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^^^^^^^^^

i was thinking the same thing too
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      09-16-2010, 11:40 AM   #8
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Take my word, CPO it. you will thanks me later.
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      09-21-2010, 01:12 PM   #9
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make sure you have atleast 8k a year to maintain it.

suspension, brake, tires, vanos, subframe, alternator, etc....lot of money.
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      09-24-2010, 03:37 AM   #10
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I have an 04 M3 SMG. Within 6 years of driving it, I changed my cats 2 or 3 times, alternator once, and LSD Left seal twice. There's one belt I changed, I forgot what it was... too long ago. (These cost about 12,000CDN to replace under warranty).
The Cats alone were 6,000CDN...

After my aircare is done, I will not replace my cats if they fail on me again.

Do oil change at every 4500miles. Do spark plugs at every 40,000miles.
I did my 1st brake job at around 30,000miles. Now, I have around 65,000miles. I've done two brake jobs in total. Get CoolCarbon brake pads from EAS for lot less brake dust. OEM Brake pads are horrible for brake dust.
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      09-24-2010, 08:28 AM   #11
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I would NEVER NEVER own a lux car without warranty. I learned my lesson years ago when I had a MB S500. Cost of repair is ridiculous. One time I broke down and have the car towed to a dealer. It turned out it was defective altenator. The cost was $1600. Just a example....

You think that you are saving money by buying used car but if you do the math you will see that you lose more money on a used car than depreciation of a new car. Also the headache you will have dealing with it. Especially BMW is not known as reliable car, no where in the league of Japanese cars.

My advice is avoid it. If you can not afford a new M3, get a 335i whcih gives you equal performance if not better of E46, and you won't have to warry about repair cost.
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      09-24-2010, 12:53 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 46m3csl View Post
Thanks guys, so how common is they, and what exactly is vanos, thanks
to more simply put it, its bmw's version of vtec
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      09-25-2010, 03:34 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mpegripper View Post
to more simply put it, its bmw's version of vtec
lol
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      09-27-2010, 08:47 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mpegripper View Post
to more simply put it, its bmw's version of vtec
But you cant kill vtec
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Its because a lot of BMW owners are housewives or business professionals and know little about cars other than BMW's are a status symbol in their own circles so that have to have one. But exotic car owners know cars, that's why they are willing to spend for a killer car and they know something different when they see one.
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      10-21-2010, 11:04 PM   #15
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Have it inspected at an independent BMW shop to see whether it has been wrecked in the past. It'll be the best $50 you ever spend. I looked at two clean-title/clean carfax M3s before I bought mine and both had been wrecked badly and repaired poorly. My local shop saved me from making an expensive mistake not once but twice.
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      11-01-2010, 11:57 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mtla4 View Post
But you cant kill vtec
ever hear of toda camshafts? they run without vtec.
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2003 E46 M3 COUPE - With "bolt-ons"
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      12-14-2010, 10:59 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by graider View Post
make sure you have atleast 8k a year to maintain it.

suspension, brake, tires, vanos, subframe, alternator, etc....lot of money.


8k? A year?? Are you nuts?


Dude, just buy the car and have some bread on the side.

For crying out loud, this isn't a Lambo.
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      12-19-2010, 03:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 46m3csl View Post
Hi Guys
I think I found the car i been looking for a its a 2005 BMW m3 competition package with 6 speed manual with 33k miles for $28,500. The seller is a private seller, the cars out of warranty. What should I check before I buy it and it should be pretty strong right since it has only 33k miles on it. Is it reliable car, and anything i should know before buying, I will get the CPO warranty for the car If I buy it.
Thanks for the help Guys!
make sure the subframe it not crack... its known to happen and an official bulletin
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      12-30-2010, 02:18 AM   #19
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Also I was told at 60,000 miles the clutch needs to be replaced, so if a car is at that or near that mileage should one ask the owner if the clutch has been replaced?
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      01-08-2011, 09:38 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mylydiamy View Post
If you can not afford a new M3, get a 335i whcih gives you equal performance if not better of E46, and you won't have to warry about repair cost.
L O L. Since when does it give equal or better performance ?
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      02-02-2011, 10:21 PM   #21
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Hi I'm looking for one to, up in Canada so I'll use the thread to. is there any way of finding out past maintenance history of an m3?
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      02-02-2011, 10:55 PM   #22
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I sold my 2003 smg m3 with 34k miles last month. I owned the car for 6 years. No problems at all.
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