Bought an old BMW M3, filled with regret...
- Thread starter mrk
- Start date
My one? That's how it looks for the 24hrs after washing it before dust and rain ruins the dark paint 
My one? That's how it looks for the 24hrs after washing it before dust and rain ruins the dark paint
Yep. I know your pain. I have a 330ci vert in sapphire black myself lol. I wash it in the morning, come evening it has a layer of dust
Caporegime
Assuming you have waxed it properly, give it a rinse when it gets dusty! 
I now have Collinite 915 to apply when I get the car back in a few weeks.476s lasted as good as a year anyway and 915 is supposed to be even better for dark paint cars leaving the deep wet gloss look better.
AF Triple + 476s or 915 (if dark paint) = Possibly the most ideal long lasting paint protection without spending £lol.
AF Triple + 476s or 915 (if dark paint) = Possibly the most ideal long lasting paint protection without spending £lol.
Assuming you have waxed it properly, give it a rinse when it gets dusty!
I live in a flat, which means I have to get the hose out and go downstairs and wash the car in the middle of the street
Then have to deal with the aggro of water spots
@mrk that's what I've been using, tripple and 467. Did the car back in September, 3000 miles later and it still beads and sheets nicely. In the summer I'm going to go for a combo of black hole and natty paste. Apparently it will look even better.
Tried G1 on the hood and it didn't do a thing unfortunately
iPotato 5 photo
That's the problem with black, hard to tell in certain light!
Carbon Black has the bluey/purple tinge to it in daylight when the sun hits it, looks pretty sweet when clean
Carbon Black has the bluey/purple tinge to it in daylight when the sun hits it, looks pretty sweet when clean
I live in a flat, which means I have to get the hose out and go downstairs and wash the car in the middle of the street
Then have to deal with the aggro of water spots
@mrk that's what I've been using, tripple and 467. Did the car back in September, 3000 miles later and it still beads and sheets nicely. In the summer I'm going to go for a combo of black hole and natty paste. Apparently it will look even better.
Tried G1 on the hood and it didn't do a thing unfortunately
iPotato 5 photo
get yourself down to a local Sainsbury with a Jet wash you should be able to take a bucket with you and your favourite shampoo, Then as final blast of spray using Gyeon wet Coat and Rinse off. It will be sheeting for a very long time.
Found a guy selling an OEM exhaust that's done 30k miles only (his car has a full Milltek system) and has been garaged for years. Dropped from £250 to £150 due to no interest. It's the backbox and midpipe leading up to the cats, so perfect. Figured instead of going the Supersprint non lightweight route, stick to stock and 1) Save several hundred £, 2) Means the carbon airbox induction noise will be more prominent.
New OEM exhausts are still ETA March at the earliest... At 30k miles for this one, it's virtually new for pittance.
Everything is falling in place.
New OEM exhausts are still ETA March at the earliest... At 30k miles for this one, it's virtually new for pittance.
Everything is falling in place.
Caporegime
Soldato
Good stuff mrk.
Shall I loosely slap a 316i badge on it?
Soldato
Shall I loosely slap a 316i badge on it?
320d Badge is all the rage.
Let's not get too silly now
Evolve cf intake kit ordered, 599 with Cutters discount. Roof down drives are going to be even better now
Evolve cf intake kit ordered, 599 with Cutters discount. Roof down drives are going to be even better now
Man of Honour
Just caught up on the last few pages, I'm going to be gutted when this saga is over, it has made for very good morning reads
Despite having just read those pages, I'm still unsure about what it is you're doing? Have you made your mind up on buying it back? it's gone from asking about the M3 Housey knew of to ordering exhausts for your one
Your car is absolutely stunning to be fair, I'd be gutted in your situation. But I would have cut my losses with it being a Cat D as it would just be too much of a pain later on
Despite having just read those pages, I'm still unsure about what it is you're doing? Have you made your mind up on buying it back? it's gone from asking about the M3 Housey knew of to ordering exhausts for your one
Your car is absolutely stunning to be fair, I'd be gutted in your situation. But I would have cut my losses with it being a Cat D as it would just be too much of a pain later on
Aye dispite early doubts about how much power the insurer has, it turns out they are well within their right to write it off and as such, have done just that. Fair or unfair is open to discussion, but needless to say I have decided to buy it back and get it repaired locally.
It will be Cat D (Admiral state "beyond economical repair") of course, but it's not a car I wish to replace given the condition, time and money invested in it so will just enjoy the car once the bumper and boot have been repaired and new bits fitted.
It will be Cat D (Admiral state "beyond economical repair") of course, but it's not a car I wish to replace given the condition, time and money invested in it so will just enjoy the car once the bumper and boot have been repaired and new bits fitted.
Last edited:
Man of Honour
But obviously you do eventually plan on either selling it or using it as a part ex? Even if that's a long way away, that is your plan eventually?
Or are you just going to keep it until it dies and scrap it? In which case I can understand you not caring about the value after it's been declared Cat D
Or are you just going to keep it until it dies and scrap it? In which case I can understand you not caring about the value after it's been declared Cat D
If a super amazing car came up that I really liked in years to come then perhaps part ex might be an option. That's a big if though. But as mentioned, I'd be much happier keeping it and simply getting a 2nd car as and when needs grow.
I've looked at potential cars I can see myself running in years to come and none of them offer an all round package the same as the E46 does for my preferences. So realistically the M3 is for life, and I'll just get a nice electric car when the requirement for a more normal day to day car is needed.
I've looked at potential cars I can see myself running in years to come and none of them offer an all round package the same as the E46 does for my preferences. So realistically the M3 is for life, and I'll just get a nice electric car when the requirement for a more normal day to day car is needed.
Curiosity, how does CAT D repair stand up in Insurance terms ? If you had another impact would insurance need to look at state of repair's etc.. , Does this favour the other party, lawyers etc ? I assume a CATD is a one off or can it be repaired, re-insurance multiple times ?