Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...
- Thread starter mrk
- Start date
Interesting name
Yes, I did even the old ones were only 2 years old max, when you hammer them off the arm, the rubber is compromised a bit so when the new arm is in the old bush, the fit isn't as tight as it should be. £80 odd a piece! But necessary really.
Thinking about buying an m3 close to me. Its SMG convertible. Its just had new clutch and flywheel, new tyres and new springs and shocks.
Wasn't keen on the idea of the smg but might give it a punt with all the recent work done to it.
Wasn't keen on the idea of the smg but might give it a punt with all the recent work done to it.
Got a link to it?
Hmm that’s quite comprehensive service, which makes it more of a shame seeing angle eyes and replica wheels on it. I did consider ksport brakes at one point as the price for the set was rather excellent, but reading reviews, a number complained about issues with them, noise being the main one.
Seems alright otherwise, you could remove the angel eyes and reps though.
Seems alright otherwise, you could remove the angel eyes and reps though.
it seems a lot better then a lot of m3's for sale at the minute, some are asking ridiculous prices for 130k milers.
I'm not too fussed about the rep wheels, he mentions they are a bit tatty anyways so depending if I go ahead with sale, I could always replace them.
I'm not too fussed about the rep wheels, he mentions they are a bit tatty anyways so depending if I go ahead with sale, I could always replace them.
It seems a fair price for sure. The ad mentions nothing about any sensors being replaced. AT 90-100k you could expect DSC pressure sensors, o2 sensors, MAF, oil pressure release valve (this starts to leak) and as I recently found, the power steering hose connecting the rack to pump also weeps. Factor those as potential things to see to if you are going to drive it regularly as they will likely show symptoms of being on their way during ownership.
Mine is now just over 110k and I've had it since 61k. Lots of miles in 3 years ownership, pretty much all leisure.
Not sure why he went for PSS tyres just months ago though when there are better tyres out there now for these cars that are also cheaper! But kudos for paying the price for otherwise good tyres, just not the best for the cold/wet really.
If you can factor in the Eventuri carbon intake, then you'll love the induction noise. That one for sale is a 2005, so already has the CSL manifold and will sound meaner than previous years models. The Eventuri puts it close to CSL induction noise, and puts smiles on faces (see sig!)
Mine is now just over 110k and I've had it since 61k. Lots of miles in 3 years ownership, pretty much all leisure.
Not sure why he went for PSS tyres just months ago though when there are better tyres out there now for these cars that are also cheaper! But kudos for paying the price for otherwise good tyres, just not the best for the cold/wet really.
If you can factor in the Eventuri carbon intake, then you'll love the induction noise. That one for sale is a 2005, so already has the CSL manifold and will sound meaner than previous years models. The Eventuri puts it close to CSL induction noise, and puts smiles on faces (see sig!)
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Other things not mentioned in the ad to keep an eye on as they wear and need replacing:
- Flex disc (guibo)
- Propshaft bolts can loosen over time, need checking
- Front wishbones ball joints, even small amounts of play translate to large amounts of knocking over bumpy surfaces and results in steering feel that isn't as composed as it should be
- Rear brake lines behind the fuel tank do corrode if left untreated/cleaned. This is quite a big job actually and typically the fuel tank has to come out
- Front arch rust from the inside. At this age they will all rust. A new wing is over £400 from BMW unpainted. Used wings will just rust sooner as they will all be of the same age.
Some other bits too which I've covered in this thread! With your kind of mileage though you probably won't see most of these issues.
- Flex disc (guibo)
- Propshaft bolts can loosen over time, need checking
- Front wishbones ball joints, even small amounts of play translate to large amounts of knocking over bumpy surfaces and results in steering feel that isn't as composed as it should be
- Rear brake lines behind the fuel tank do corrode if left untreated/cleaned. This is quite a big job actually and typically the fuel tank has to come out
- Front arch rust from the inside. At this age they will all rust. A new wing is over £400 from BMW unpainted. Used wings will just rust sooner as they will all be of the same age.
Some other bits too which I've covered in this thread! With your kind of mileage though you probably won't see most of these issues.
To be honest if those were the only issues I got with an M3, I'd be very happy, you could fix all the above for about a grand if you go with some lightweight FRP/Carbon wings, plus then you won't ever have to worry about them again. I've got the Streamline Aero ones as all the others I witnessed in person fitted aweful, the lines were not straight and the gaps were not equal. Whereas the ones on my car are pretty much the best your gonna get and about £400 for a pair delivered plus paint. The rest on that list £500 will cover easily.
Its the stuff such as rod bearings, head gasket, vanos, boot floor, differential are much more expensive and will all need doing at somepoint if not already done on a car closing on 100k miles. OK the differential you can leave it will just get slack and loose and as its a major part of the M cars handling on the limit its a good idea to refresh it if you drive the car hard, if your just pootling around as most do in convertibles not something to worry about so much.
These cars at this age cost big money to keep in tip top shape, it is also why a rough car and a good car can easily be separated by as much as ten grand.
I've spent as much as I bought the car in servicing and maintenance in those 50k odd miles. Granted a good portion of that cost has been labour intensive stuff like all bushes overhaul, all brakes, front wing (OEM) and the little items that end up being quite costly like MAF, DSC pressure sensors and the like. Servicing alone has been over £3k in those 3 years inc parts and labour for worn parts to be replaced where needed.
Put miles on these, the wallet takes a beating. But on the same measure, they're meant to be driven and enjoyed often so... There is that.
Put miles on these, the wallet takes a beating. But on the same measure, they're meant to be driven and enjoyed often so... There is that.
Pics?
Will do mrk,
Absolutely love it, the lad i bought it off was a very decent chap who just threw money at it and you can really tell, the engine bay is spotless as well as the rest of the car.
With the MOT running out next month i made him a resonable offer, i originally said i wouldn't walk away with a car without a fresh MOT but after negotiating we both agree'd on a fair price.
The wheels are scabby so not sure how to go forward at the minute, repair or buy new and keep them for track tyres?.
As i get a bit more time behind the wheel, ill write a mini review.
With the top down i managed 34mpg on the way home. I did not expect that!. Thats over 120 miles i was expecting high 20's at best.
Absolutely love it, the lad i bought it off was a very decent chap who just threw money at it and you can really tell, the engine bay is spotless as well as the rest of the car.
With the MOT running out next month i made him a resonable offer, i originally said i wouldn't walk away with a car without a fresh MOT but after negotiating we both agree'd on a fair price.
The wheels are scabby so not sure how to go forward at the minute, repair or buy new and keep them for track tyres?.
As i get a bit more time behind the wheel, ill write a mini review.
With the top down i managed 34mpg on the way home. I did not expect that!. Thats over 120 miles i was expecting high 20's at best.
Caporegime
When I picked up my e38 last year on my leisurely drive back I got 35mpg on my OBC, it’s never been anything like that since and I guess you’ll find the same - especially with that fantastic lump awaiting your right foot
Must say it looks like you’ve bagged a lovely example, enjoy it!
My long term average is 22MPG, on a motorway run I could get 32MPG if I simply cruised and barely overtook anyone.
But why would you do that?
Stick on Waze to avoid the £££ makers and make use of ample mile slashing progression
I'm actually really pleased with how my car drives now. With PS4S tyres, new front control arms, all round bushes and the like, the ride is just much more composed than the past year of the ball joints slowly eating themselves.
But why would you do that?
Stick on Waze to avoid the £££ makers and make use of ample mile slashing progression
I'm actually really pleased with how my car drives now. With PS4S tyres, new front control arms, all round bushes and the like, the ride is just much more composed than the past year of the ball joints slowly eating themselves.