E46 M3 buying tips?

[dhdev (Oli)]

I wouldn't touch an smg anyhow, I detest auto's. I'm in no rush, I might save a few more k and move up a couple of years or look for a csl.

Good luck with finding a manual CSL

I don't understand the SMG bashing, I have driven a CSL and thought the SMG was great. I appreciate the shift ferocity is remapped slightly in that, but general functionality is the same. I also have a friend who owns a standard M3 SMG2 and he loves it. I'm currently looking for an e46 M3 and intend to get an SMG!

Boot floors are definitely a problem on the M3s, BMW will only carry out a goodwill repair on cars upto 10years old, after that the very large bill is your own.

You can afford to be fussy, the market for sellers is ****e at the moment.

[Saloony]

As above, dont care for the cars much at all, just shocking at how thin the metal is on the underside allowing the rear subframes to break free from the car. Seen thicker metal on a rusty nova.

[Will F]

I wouldnt bother with one tbh - go for a E90 diesel - they are awesome. You prob cant quite get a 330d though, let alone a 335d, which would prob show up an E46 M3 anyhow (with a remap)

The M3's running costs and fuel consumption are epic (for the wrong reasons) and whilst they go and corner quite well, they arent that fast - and if I were spending ££ per year keeping something on the road, I would want something to show for it...

My mate had one for 7 months - he loved it for about 2 of those, but then had it serviced (including disks and pads), then couldnt afford to keep it!

[paul080803]

Boot floor is a problem on E46 M3s right up to 06 plate. However with full dealer history and a standard car you can get it done under goodwill by BMW for cars under 10 years old.

SMGII is fitted to the E46, much better than the SMG fitted to E36. However it is not unheard of going wrong. They are not auto's, it is a automatic clutch on a manual box. They are quicker than a manual.

Spec is massively important for resale value. Sat Nav is ok, Harmen Karden is ok but add good value when you come to sell it.

I had a 02 convertible for 9 months, it was great, not the quickest but returned 27mpg over those 9 months. Servicing is not that expensive, BMW do great deals on cars over 4 years, but you need to ask for it.

If you dont like attention then do not get one. If you dont like everyone on the road trying to race you dont get one, and I mean everyone. If you dont like getting stopped by the police dont get one!!!!!!

If you can afford a CSL then that is what you need, more power, lighter and just completely fantastic. I was lucky enough to drive one and it was brilliant.

[Stuart]

Wasnt the CSL only lighter in pure off the shelf trim, before most people added back in what the normal M3 had?

A friend of mine was hunting for a normal M3 in manual without the shatnav and it took him months to find one (and paid over the odds) as there was only a handful in that spec and half of them were in that gash piss yellow colour

[Stoo]

The CSL had carbon roof, carbon airbox, carbon trim and recaro pole positions with no rear seats.

Even with extras re-added, it weighed less than a full fat M3, and boy do they sound good!!

[mayhem]

There porn, but can be beaten by a xe nova

That gash yellow is the best colour! Or black with red leather.

[Novasport]

Slightly rarer CSL....

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C249915

Gotta love the size of the intake on CSL's

[MK999]

Slightly rarer CSL....

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C249915

I'll take 2

[Ben]

The csl is a no go for me, forgot they were only 2 seaters. Will go test drive a few see how I get on!