kirium225 Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Sorry in advance if this topic has been covered before. I am looking to buy a M3 (04 onwards) in the next couple of weeks or so and i need some advice. I do not really want to buy from a main dealer as i feel there prices are to high, so it leaves me buying private or from a independent dealer. What i would like to know from you guys is have any of you bought from a independent dealer, or private. I been to see a independent dealer near to where i live and i must say he has some nice examples, at reasonable prices. Not to sure either about buying private. Your views much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 If its 04 onwards warrenty wont be a problem so thats one main dealer advantage out the window. Are you looking for coupe or cab? SMG or manual? other options? SMG and sat-nav keep prices high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 looking at a cab, with sat nav, SMG, and 19's a must. Not to sure on colour tough. Black with red leather seems appealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Make sure its had its "run in service" before 1600 miles. Check that any recalls have be carried out and software updates have been done. I like the Imola red leather. If you can hang on a couple of months cabs usualy drop a bit come winter. More experience guys will be along later to give more advice. MrMe or Gareth give this man a hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 I was thinking along the lines of October onwards to start looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Small question, what budget do you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 About 34k Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Should get a decent one in october for that. Lowish miles with a fair bit of kit. Dont you fancy silver, looks great with 19s. Lots love black but i dont. Just a personal thing. For that money in October i would think 05 plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Whats your view on buying private?. My only problem is if there has been any bodywork damage that i may not notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 Its difficult cause the car is sold as seen. You may get a little more for your money but a dealer may give you that extra piece of mind. At the end of the day you pays your money you makes ya choice, and i would buy it on the car not where its from. Just make sure if you do go private you go on a dry day and take your time looking round it. You are spending huge money so dont let the seller rush you. Go for a long test drive on different roads (seller will want you to go on nice smooth roads) with roof up and down. For the age and money the car should be perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Wait a bit longer and buy a CS, they're currently about £37k+ but are the best M3 other than a CSL. Interlagos blue with silverstone leather, with the 19" CSL style wheels, absolutely gorgeous car. Otherwise, stay clear of Carbon Black, way to common and with the M3 at the end of it's run, you want something a bit different to keep the value up come resale time. Silver Grey, Estoril Blue or Steel Grey are the best colours on a standard M3. Imola, silver, Kiwi and cinnamon are the best interior colours. SMG/Sat Nav/HK are a must for resale values too. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Wait a bit longer and buy a CS, they're currently about £37k+ but are the best M3 other than a CSL. Interlagos blue with silverstone leather, with the 19" CSL style wheels, absolutely gorgeous car. Otherwise, stay clear of Carbon Black, way to common and with the M3 at the end of it's run, you want something a bit different to keep the value up come resale time. Silver Grey, Estoril Blue or Steel Grey are the best colours on a standard M3. Imola, silver, Kiwi and cinnamon are the best interior colours. SMG/Sat Nav/HK are a must for resale values too. Good luck. [/ QUOTE ] I'm familiar with the CSL, but not with the CS. Can you enlighten me, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Wait a bit longer and buy a CS, they're currently about £37k+ but are the best M3 other than a CSL. Interlagos blue with silverstone leather, with the 19" CSL style wheels, absolutely gorgeous car. Otherwise, stay clear of Carbon Black, way to common and with the M3 at the end of it's run, you want something a bit different to keep the value up come resale time. Silver Grey, Estoril Blue or Steel Grey are the best colours on a standard M3. Imola, silver, Kiwi and cinnamon are the best interior colours. SMG/Sat Nav/HK are a must for resale values too. Good luck. [/ QUOTE ] I'm familiar with the CSL, but not with the CS. Can you enlighten me, thanks. [/ QUOTE ] The CS was introduced as the run out model of the E46 M3, it's the same engine etc, but has the sport button from the CSL, CSL style rims, bigger brakes, quicker steering rack from the CSL and an alcantara steering wheel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alastair_A3 Posted August 20, 2006 Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 See here kirium225 http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=100&i=13093 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 not to sure now whether to go for a coupe of a convertible... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billy2shots Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 If you are a serious driver go coupe, if you are a posser go cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wallachie Posted August 22, 2006 Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 [ QUOTE ] not to sure now whether to go for a coupe of a convertible... [/ QUOTE ] Coupe, ask MrMe - he's had both and speaks much more fondly of his coupe than cab. The handling is much better in the coupe, the cab loses a lot of it's rigidity due to losing it's tin top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirium225 Posted August 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If you are a serious driver go coupe, if you are a posser go cab. [/ QUOTE ] I'm both....... But seriously i think you lot are right, i do think a lot of the driving experience may be lost if i go for a convertible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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