E46 M3 Convertible Buying Guide
E46 M3
Convertible Buying Guide
Hi, here we have the must have buying guide for the BMW E46 M3 Convertible
2001-2007, things to look for that I cannot find anywhere on the net!
Where to start,
Service history
Make sure that all stamps are genuine, phone the garages in the book and ask
them to confirm that the service was carried out and that the mileage was
correct, ***BEWARE*** all E46 M3's require a running
in check/service @ 1,200
miles, if it doesn't have this walk away!!!!! Or seriously haggle with the
person selling the car. (most engines do a 1,000 miles before they even go into
the car now a days, these engine go straight into the car without even being
started, so they have not been run in, BMW fill these engines with a
special grade oil when new, if it wasn't changed at 1,200 miles but only
changed at the first service at 11,000 to 12,000 miles the wear on the engine
will be the same as an engine that has done 35-40,000 miles!!!!!). BMW offer a
telephone service where you can ring them and they will tell you what specification
the car had when it was new and all the dealer visits it has had! The number is
09062 090001 it is a premium rate number and is quite frustrating when you
don’t get through the first time but remember, that this call might cost you
ten quid but you want to buy a nice car with proper history!
Other Checks
Always
HPI or Experian check a car before you purchase!!!!!
DVLA offer a service where you can check the cars MOT history here is the link
http://motinfo.direct.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp
To carry out this check you will need:
* Cars Registration number
*
MOT test number (top left hand side of the mot)
OR
* The Document Reference number from the front of logbook.
When you are calling the seller ask them for this information.
This is a free service operated by the DVLA!!!!!
This
will tell you what miles the vehicle had when it was MOT'd and when it had
those miles on it! Match these with the service history to see whether the
vehicle has ever had a "mileage correction" or been clocked!!!
This check will also tell you what the vehicle has failed on in the past, so
when you go to see the vehicle you know what to look out for!!!!! I have
personally brought Approx 70 of these cars this year. I have been to look at
somewhere between 120 and 130 of them and I can assure you that nice examples
of them are very few and far between!!!!!
General Car
These
cars in SMG or manual are amazing, I myself can convert even the toughest of
manual drivers to buy an SMG version as they are by far the better choice to go
for. I myself am a manual driver through
and through, but there is no way on this earth that you can change gear quicker
in manual than SMG and they are the same gear box, just the SMG pump is bolted
to the back of it! When you’re looking to purchase the SMG model select a gear
when driving, switch the gearbox to the fastest changing setting, when you
change gear the gear number will flash once, any more than that and that is a
sign that the clutch is on its way out!!!(expect a £600 bill) the same as a
manual!!!!) most SMG faults are curried by changing the SMG relay (salmon Pink)
under the bonnet close to the back of the bulk head!(£6.50+vat, from the main
agent) Ok so on the rare occasion that the SMG pump does fail it can be costly
expect £1,300 bill from main agent!!!! But this is rare on a car that has been
well looked after!!!!!(I Have never had one go)
Open the boot and lift up the carpet, they were never lacquered inside! If the
boot is shiny then chances are it has had some rear end paint work carried out,
personally I would walk away or haggle like mad, if it has been done to a
professional standard!!!!!
Also
with the boot open where the hinges are for the boot you will see a small spot
weld check that they are there!!! If not the car has had major body work (i.e.
rear wings!), again walk away.
Most
cars of this age have had some sort of paint work to them mainly superficial, this
is to be expect. However if you know what you are looking for then you can spot
it a mile off! Go to the front of the car
bend down and look down the side of
it, if it is rippled down the side near to the rear wings just in front of the
wheel arch chances are it has had a small repair!!!!! But I should think major!
Wheels and Tyres
Go
for one that has the 19" upgraded diamond cut wheels (just thinking of
resale value) most of them if unmarked have been refurbished, some people just
have them repainted as opposed to be diamond cut, however that is not a major
issue, contact "Spit and Polish" who will quote you happy and re-cut
them for you!!! Expect the tyre pressure monitor to pop up from time to time as
they are a pain to get to the correct
pressures! For help on resetting them contact me on 07921 856527
Inside the Car
SATNAV Harmon Kardon sound upgrade Heated seats and 19"s with bluetooth or
phone prep, only because they sell better than the low option cars!
If you have or are thinking of buying one, check the stereo as they tend to
only play through 1 or 2 speakers, if it does this then you will need to
replace the cars BM54 unit which you can buy new from a dealer at a cost of
£600, so it’s worth checking the fader and balance on the unit to make sure
that there is music from all speakers.
Bewarned
Don’t
be surprised to find that most and I do mean most of these cars have had 6+
owners!!!!!
If you are worried or just need some general advise on buying one of these cars
please do not hesitate to contact me by email: stupatch@gmail.com phone: 07921 856527
Last thing to remember is, you have spent a long time trying to find this
car..................enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stuart Patch
GP Cars
Sales Executive & Buyer
