Help on purchasing an m3 please

barton2002 · 05-24-2011, 02:54 PM

Hi:

I saw this m3 on autotrader.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/u.../sort/priceasc

Is this any good? Price is very good. I know it has 3 owners and Im going to be the forth. As long as the car is in good state then I am fine with it. But are there any known issues with m3? Because I own an e92 335i msport right now, I saw the prices of m3 are coming down and I found this. Any possible suggestions of why people keep selling this particular m3? Could it be that it has a mechanical issue? But it says it has full bmw history, so issues should be sorted, right?

Also, since I am driving an auto 335i now. How is it like comparing to driving a manual m3? I have driven the e46 m3, normal driving is fine but once I was in the congestion, I found it tough as the biting point was quite high?

Please give me some guidance.

SenorFunkyPants · 05-24-2011, 03:31 PM

Whats your budget?

ed335d · 05-24-2011, 04:09 PM

It's ok, with average mileage for the age.

It does not, however, have any significant or desirable options such as EDC, USB or an updated hifi. It does have front PDC, although this isn't listed.

I would have a look at the BMW site, there are cars on there that are not too much more and will come with a 1 year AUC warranty.

It will be a 57 plate.

barton2002 · 05-24-2011, 05:31 PM

Is EDC desired? I always thought that it comes as standard on m3... sigh... Anyway, I have been driving my 335i with no EDC so...maybe I think I will be used to it?

My budget isnt too high, around 28k would be my max, I need to spend money on a bit of mods and insurance anyway... Also, house purchasing as well soon! So no much money allowed on cars. If not, I would prefer DTC, EDC everything man, lol!

jonasaurus · 05-25-2011, 12:31 AM

Unless you are getting a decent px based on no EDC I'd hold out for EDC. Business Hi-Fi versus Harmon Kardon is probably a personal choice.

CardinalZeus77 · 05-25-2011, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

It's ok, with average mileage for the age.

It does not, however, have any significant or desirable options such as EDC, USB or an updated hifi. It does have front PDC, although this isn't listed.

I would have a look at the BMW site, there are cars on there that are not too much more and will come with a 1 year AUC warranty.

It will be a 57 plate.

I would agree with Ed on the EDC, USB and updated hifi options making the car more desirable.

I have had my one for 2.5 years and have never had any issues with it so reliability is very good. As to the manual vs auto that will be personal choice. If you are used to an auto you may get tired of the gear changes in traffic.

SenorFunkyPants · 05-25-2011, 07:43 AM

I've had my non EDC E92 M3 for a couple of years and the lack hasn't bothered me in the slightest...sure if you can find one with EDC then thats better but if not I wouldn't let it put you off if all the other "boxes are ticked".

M3-FAST · 05-26-2011, 04:23 AM

+1 on the EDC - who actually uses it?

Hard setting is way too hard for UK roads and really for track only, and who wants an M3 on soft setting? The normal setting rides virtually the same as a non-EDC M3.

I have lowered mine with Eibach Sportsline springs and the ride is superb. With the geometry properly set up (they are CRAP from the factory!) the car handles and rides superbly and I have never once in 2 years thought (I wish I had EDC)

I would say the DCT is fantastic, and personally would never spec an M3 without it - the settings are variable so in traffic just set it to D1 (using the small rocker by the gearstick) and the car pulls off in second and becomes a pussy cat, changing gear at low revs etc. - The early software settings had a lot of bad press but most cars will have been updated by now.

At under 25k that car seems a great buy and has a decent amount of options, certainly not all, but shadowline and tints help the exterior out a lot

Reliability is spot on - mine is just over 2 yrs old and have had very few issues, none serious. It has just had it's first service at 14k miles which at 2 years is pretty good on a performance car like this.

If it had EDC and a couple more options it would be nearer 30k and not quite the bargain it it is now IMO.

Ant Man · 05-26-2011, 02:51 PM

Barton,

I switch setting on EDC every time I drive and think it's great. Though if having never driven one with, it's likely that you won't miss it.

Never a fan of the DCT due to the continual software issues. Now having recently driven one, it took some of the driving pleasure and engagement away and I felt less involved. I could see it would be helpful on track so that both hands could be kept on the wheel.

The manual box in the M3 is great, mechanical and very positive in action.

Do your research before buying and if you don't know what to look for an car not under warranty, get in professionally inspected.

M3 are fairly robust though some people have had issues with clutches and dual mass flywheels.

Join M3 cutters and search the site

05-24-2011, 02:54 PM	#1
barton2002 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 271 Posts Drives: E92 ZCP M3 Frozen Grey Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bath & Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Help on purchasing an m3 please Hi: I saw this m3 on autotrader. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/u.../sort/priceasc Is this any good? Price is very good. I know it has 3 owners and Im going to be the forth. As long as the car is in good state then I am fine with it. But are there any known issues with m3? Because I own an e92 335i msport right now, I saw the prices of m3 are coming down and I found this. Any possible suggestions of why people keep selling this particular m3? Could it be that it has a mechanical issue? But it says it has full bmw history, so issues should be sorted, right? Also, since I am driving an auto 335i now. How is it like comparing to driving a manual m3? I have driven the e46 m3, normal driving is fine but once I was in the congestion, I found it tough as the biting point was quite high? Please give me some guidance.
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05-24-2011, 03:31 PM	#2
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Whats your budget?
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05-24-2011, 04:09 PM	#3
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	It's ok, with average mileage for the age. It does not, however, have any significant or desirable options such as EDC, USB or an updated hifi. It does have front PDC, although this isn't listed. I would have a look at the BMW site, there are cars on there that are not too much more and will come with a 1 year AUC warranty. It will be a 57 plate. __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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05-24-2011, 05:31 PM	#4
barton2002 Second Lieutenant 32 Rep 271 Posts Drives: E92 ZCP M3 Frozen Grey Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bath & Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	Is EDC desired? I always thought that it comes as standard on m3... sigh... Anyway, I have been driving my 335i with no EDC so...maybe I think I will be used to it? My budget isnt too high, around 28k would be my max, I need to spend money on a bit of mods and insurance anyway... Also, house purchasing as well soon! So no much money allowed on cars. If not, I would prefer DTC, EDC everything man, lol!
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05-25-2011, 12:31 AM	#5
jonasaurus Brigadier General 76 Rep 3,178 Posts Drives: E90 M3 [Sold] Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Unless you are getting a decent px based on no EDC I'd hold out for EDC. Business Hi-Fi versus Harmon Kardon is probably a personal choice. __________________ ///M3 \| E90 LCI \| Space Grey \| Fox Red with CF Structure \| 6MT \| 260M \| My build
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05-25-2011, 07:43 AM	#7
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I've had my non EDC E92 M3 for a couple of years and the lack hasn't bothered me in the slightest...sure if you can find one with EDC then thats better but if not I wouldn't let it put you off if all the other "boxes are ticked".
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05-26-2011, 04:23 AM	#8
M3-FAST Defected to the dark side..... 210 Rep 5,795 Posts Drives: BMW M5 LCi Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stafford, UK iTrader: (11) Garage List 2009 E90 M3 [10.00] 2007 325i M-sport C ... [9.00]	+1 on the EDC - who actually uses it? Hard setting is way too hard for UK roads and really for track only, and who wants an M3 on soft setting? The normal setting rides virtually the same as a non-EDC M3. I have lowered mine with Eibach Sportsline springs and the ride is superb. With the geometry properly set up (they are CRAP from the factory!) the car handles and rides superbly and I have never once in 2 years thought (I wish I had EDC) I would say the DCT is fantastic, and personally would never spec an M3 without it - the settings are variable so in traffic just set it to D1 (using the small rocker by the gearstick) and the car pulls off in second and becomes a pussy cat, changing gear at low revs etc. - The early software settings had a lot of bad press but most cars will have been updated by now. At under 25k that car seems a great buy and has a decent amount of options, certainly not all, but shadowline and tints help the exterior out a lot Reliability is spot on - mine is just over 2 yrs old and have had very few issues, none serious. It has just had it's first service at 14k miles which at 2 years is pretty good on a performance car like this. If it had EDC and a couple more options it would be nearer 30k and not quite the bargain it it is now IMO.
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05-26-2011, 02:51 PM	#9
Ant Man Major 75 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Individual Edition Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Anglia iTrader: (1)	Barton, I switch setting on EDC every time I drive and think it's great. Though if having never driven one with, it's likely that you won't miss it. Never a fan of the DCT due to the continual software issues. Now having recently driven one, it took some of the driving pleasure and engagement away and I felt less involved. I could see it would be helpful on track so that both hands could be kept on the wheel. The manual box in the M3 is great, mechanical and very positive in action. Do your research before buying and if you don't know what to look for an car not under warranty, get in professionally inspected. M3 are fairly robust though some people have had issues with clutches and dual mass flywheels. Join M3 cutters and search the site
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