Thanks for the advice, lots of low mileage cars about with little history. They all seem to have been owned by mechanics.
It's getting to the point where only mechanics can afford to own them AND look after them. Finding the £15k is the easy bit.Thanks for the advice, lots of low mileage cars about with little history. They all seem to have been owned by mechanics.
Hi Gaz, I didn’t know you had bought yourself an M Car, Congrats.Just like buying any non-M Zed you really need to expect to have to replace things irrespective of mileage and/or condition. A high mileage car isn't a terrible proposition if you invest plenty of time on research, and then budget for things which either haven't been done or aren't in the service history. Picking with what Pingu says about cheap inspection services I totally agree, and these are the things you need to research - the general cost of ownership. You can of course take your new M in to any old garage for servicing, but the engines require specialised procedures so likely they'll just change your oil and filter and pat you on the back. I know my next service will be expensive as it will need the valve shims checked.
With what you are searching for you not only have to budget for the initial car, but also the increased cost of "M" related parts. "M tax" has become a meme recently but there is a serious side to it, most of the parts are just more expensive than non-M versions. In some instances you can find cheaper non-OE parts of course. Spend some time on realoem and paste random part numbers in to eBay and compare them with what you know you've changed on your previous 3.0.
Sorry if that all sounds patronising, and I'm not trying to put you off just giving some of my recent thoughts. I'm experiencing this first hand, didn't ever see myself becoming an M owner, but I now am. So, big outlay for car, expensive OE parts and expensive specialist servicing. It's been a real eye opener these last 6 weeks. Do I regret it? Hell no! Well, not yet anyway
Hi PinguIt's getting to the point where only mechanics can afford to own them AND look after them. Finding the £15k is the easy bit.
Just last month, mine saw the inside of a mechanic's garage for the first time in 15 years - other than for MOTs. That was only because I was 300 miles from home and the clutch master cylinder broke. The rest of it's life in my ownership it has been spannered by me.
The original owners had pockets deep enough to pay £40k in 1997, so they probably expected to lose £10-20k in three years of depreciation. If you can DIY, you can save £1k-2k of the £2k-3k annual running cost. Every litre is 10p-20p more than normal, and you only go 3/4 of the distance.
And don't forget to add in the price of facial reconstruction to wipe the smile off your face
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Hope you find one. A wonderful car, look forward to seeing you out & about in the area. If the missus is in the car, I’ll be driving like Miss Daisy, otherwise, catch me if you canHi Pingu
I am not the most mechanically minded person myself but I am willing to learn.
I have a very good mechanic who happens to be my brother in law.
He also owns an e46 M3 and also a 2018 M3 and therefore any issues I know he will be willing to help, especially if I add him to my insurance policy and let him use her now and again.
I also think its very important to keep up to the BMW service history for peace of mind and Future value.
I'm still only 47 so I'm hopping the Z3M will only help with the future wrinkles, not that I have to many as yet. (Plastic surgery not required Just G Force)
Thanks again for your advice.
Cheers
Kyle
Snap, its the same for me Pal. my better half acts like she's a driving instructor. I just pull up and say "do you want to drive" she then shuts up as she hates driving any of my cars.Hope you find one. A wonderful car, look forward to seeing you out & about in the area. If the missus is in the car, I’ll be driving like Miss Daisy, otherwise, catch me if you can
Snap, its the same for me Pal. my better half acts like she's a driving instructor. I just pull up and say "do you want to drive" she then shuts up as she hates driving any of my cars.
Hi Nile
If you could buy one and didn't, you'll regret it.
Thanks for that, most of the models I've been looking at are the S50 not the S54 so all pre March 2001.If you could buy one and didn't, you'll regret it.
Sounds like your eyes are open.
Go for it - your wallet might regret it, but your heart won't
If you get a pre March 2001 car, the VED is a lot less, but the car is just the same
268g/km...
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables/rates-for-cars-registered-on-or-after-1-march-2001
Go for it Kyle, if its what you want you've earned it.Thanks for that, most of the models I've been looking at are the S50 not the S54 so all pre March 2001.
I have worked hard to be in the position I am in now.
So why not, life is to short and I'm here to enjoy it.
people make there pleasure in different ways, but top of my list is my cars.
Thanks again.
Kyle