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Went to look at a car

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Forum Name: BMW ///M Power
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URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=4559
Printed Date: 29-March-2024 at 15:40


Topic: Went to look at a car
Posted By: senny
Subject: Went to look at a car
Date Posted: 13-December-2003 at 20:49

Hi guys

Went to look at a car at James Paul in Bucks Green near Horsham. Saw a green 4 door 3.0lt. Looked good all round but when he started it, there was a quiet ticking noise coming from the engine. The engine was cold but the noise faded out after a while. Is this problem known to any of you guys?

I thought it was a bit over priced since it has done 99k and was going for £9995.

Has anyone heard anything about James Paul as well? the web site is http://www.jamespaul.co.uk - www.jamespaul.co.uk .

Cheers guys

Darren




Replies:
Posted By: MONO
Date Posted: 13-December-2003 at 23:14

Hey Darren,

Sounds a bit pricey to me, normal the 4 doors go for less. I saw one exactly the same as that on Ebay go for £7000 but it did have an extra 10K on the clock.

If you can knock him down on price abit, it might be worth it?

Normally go with your gut reaction.......if you aint happy with it walk away

 With the ticking noise, it could be the tappets....normally they will be a bit louder when cold as it takes time for the oil etc... to warm up, might be due for a service??



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Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 01:08

hi there mate,

Well the car hadnt been started for a while so i guess it just needed warming up. The car looks good inside and out, the only thing that puts me off is the price. i think 8500 could be a good price.

what do u think is a fair price. (100k 4 door green N reg 1995)

thanks again

darren



Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 08:29
Gotta say that green isnt my preferred colour but green 4 doors will certainly stand out against the more common colours.

The tapping does sound like the tappets-the vanos wouldn't stop on warming up.

Price wise it sounds v.steep for the miles. I know the coup Jct28 had had 68k on it and that was £9,995.

Are you getting a bit pigged off with looking around? I got a bit frustrated after looking at so many that were dogs with fleas but you will get there-I looked at 4 doors when I really wanted a coup and couldnt find a good 1 but didnt buy the 4 door as I knew I'd look at it later and think that I should have got the coup!!

Convinced the wife to try an E30 M today, this should be fun!!!

John

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 09:52

I can't give any specific advise on the 4dr but I backup Mono when he says if it doesn't feel right then walk away. I always go with the rule that your heart and your head must both say yes. If one doesn't then trust your instincts and walk.

John...please let us know how the E30 M3 drive went. Dogs with fleas doesn't even start to come close to describing some I looked at in my search.



-------------
Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible
'08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge)
’95 E34 M5
’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 11:40

i think ill leave that one then.

im sure ill find something soon



Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 13:11

is there a difference between motor sport leather and just leather? Like style of the seat?

darren



Posted By: Iain H
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 13:29
Originally posted by senny senny wrote:

Hi guys

Went to look at a car at James Paul in Bucks Green near Horsham. Saw a green 4 door 3.0lt. Looked good all round but when he started it, there was a quiet ticking noise coming from the engine. The engine was cold but the noise faded out after a while. Is this problem known to any of you guys?

I thought it was a bit over priced since it has done 99k and was going for £9995.

Has anyone heard anything about James Paul as well? the web site is http://www.jamespaul.co.uk - www.jamespaul.co.uk .

Cheers guys

Darren

 

I like to drive by !



-------------
Hartge H27 Convertible
http://community.webshots.com/photo/91116965/99362743lbLlEb - My Link


Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 19:30
Kevin

The E30 drive has been delayed-it was a drive in a mates E30 M3 at our pub meet to see if me (and especially the wife) want to go E30 or stay E36.

Just ran out of time today. Still, nice to see mine still gets the grins going round the dual carriageways and roundabouts that are Milton Keynes.

John

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 19:35
You (and your wife) will probably find LHD and the dogleg box very strange initally. It took me a while to get used to it but now it seems like home. I switch between the RHD M5 and the LHD M3 with ease now.

-------------
Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible
'08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge)
’95 E34 M5
’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto)


Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 20:34
Wife isn't going to be driving it!! Just need her opinion since 1/2 the cash is apparently hers too??!?

The M is only a weekend car , Mon-Fri is spent in a VW Bora so LHD may be a pain or may not, gonna try and drive it over Christmas.

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: Sohlman
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 21:36
Originally posted by senny senny wrote:

Hi guys

Went to look at a car at James Paul in Bucks Green near Horsham. Saw a green 4 door 3.0lt. Looked good all round but when he started it, there was a quiet ticking noise coming from the engine. The engine was cold but the noise faded out after a while. Is this problem known to any of you guys?

I thought it was a bit over priced since it has done 99k and was going for £9995.

Has anyone heard anything about James Paul as well? the web site is http://www.jamespaul.co.uk - www.jamespaul.co.uk .

Cheers guys

Darren

Sounds to me like you have been looking at one of the limited edition e36 M3's as the only one I know of that was in green was the M3 GT which will command a slightly higher price, but it has about 10BHP more a different spoiler and interior.  Price still sounds steep, ask them a question do they really want to sell a car this month and pull out £8000 in cash and see how they react. dealer on not when they see the money you can haggle more.



-------------
Sunday 10th July Brooklands Sharkfest and Big Coupe Day. http://635csi.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ - Coupe Events


Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 21:42
did they make a 4 door gt ?

-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 21:44

hi

it deffintly wasnt a GT, it was a 4 door 3.0lt. It looked really nice, but the only thing putting me off was the milage and the price.

 confused

Darren

 



Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 21:46
Definitely  i mean


Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 21:50
just remember its your cash ur gna spend , and u gotta buy the right car or u WILL regret it ! something most of us have done , also as a buyer at this time of year u have the upper hand ! DEMANDING a cheaper price whilst waving cash  normally works for me

-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 22:00

so do u think 8k - 8500 would be a fair price then?

darren



Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 22:21

is james paul the place built on a triangle shaped island in the road ?

 if it is i wanted to buy an 850 from them a year ago , it was red , it had had bodywork and was rustng in places , it was up for nearly ten grand so i offered em £8900 fo allow for the bodywork and getting the wheels refurbed , they didnt wanna no and said the best they could do was £9500 ,   which wasnt nearly low enuff .

   also my m8 bought a black 328 motorsport  from em , which he ended up not liking and took it back to em 10 days later to see  if  he could swap it for an m3 they had for the same price ,  they offerd him 8 grand for it  even tho he paid 13 grand  ten days b4 !  so i wouldnt deal wiv em outa principal  now , 

   But u might wanna give it a go !!

 Best of luck !!



-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 22:25

Yeah that would be the place! I would prefer a coupe with milage around 80k. I prefer the seats in the coupe's.

But thanks for letting me know about that place



Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 22:36
Senny

Just checked the website and could only find a 4 door Evo in green with 68000 miles at £12,995.

A search on BMW.co.uk has found a '96 dakar yellow evo with 110k at £12,995. Bit pricey but would be BM warranty.

Try this link to MRR http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/mrrindependent/

Or try exchangeandmart.co.uk.

What in an ideal world is it that you'd buy(price,colour,style,engine)?

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 22:37

aahh u mean the xtra headrest bit !!

   dont get me wrong ! other people have probably had nothing but good experiences wiv em  i just dont like em 4 my own reasons !!

   if u really want a coup then i would wait for the right one .

   is there any colour in particular u wanted ? its just a m8 of mine had an e36 m3 on his forecourt  a couple of weeks ago ,  i cant remember the age  and dont no anything about it,  i think it was black ! if u want i can give him a call 4u 2mrw  and see if hes still got it , and if so get some info !!



-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: MONO
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 22:59

Hey Dudes,

It wasnt an M3 GT, the one darren is lookin at is boston green, the GT is in a weird green colour

Personally I dont like that colour

You need to get yourself a nice Avus Blue coupe with grey leather, nice colour just like mine and John's

 



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Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 14-December-2003 at 23:45

Well im looking to spend about 10k with around 80k milage. It has to be leather and a 3.0lt. colours Avus Blue, Boston Green, Black and what ever's going . 4 door or coupe, not bothered if its a good one.

Daddy if u could give your contact a call that would be great if u could get some info.

thanks again guys

 



Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 08:55
Senny-found the following if they are any good:

1994 BMW M3 2dr Coupe
Avus Blue, Full Leather, ABS, FBMWSH, Recent Insp 1, Cat1 Alarm/Immob, 4 New Pzeros, Air Con, Immaculate & Original. 77000 miles. £9995 . Tel: 01666823473 or 07715760839

1995 BMW M3 2DR COUPE, 1995,
M reg. 74000 miles, Avus Blue, Silver/Grey leather, Cat 1 alarm, Tracker, air con, mini disc, computer, FBMWSH, just serviced, new tyres, excellent condition, moving abroad, must sell.. £10,000 . ono. Tel: 01268 511423 or 07879 840360

1994 BMW M3, 1994, M reg.
57000 miles, Dakar Yellow, 5 Speed Manual, Cat1 Alarm, C/L, E/W, Sunroof, Excellent Condtion, M3 Number Plate. £10,500 Tel: 0208 6513769

1994 L Reg BMW M3 Coupe
Petrol, Manual 5 speed, Silver Metallic, Coupe, 58,000 miles , 2 Doors. Full Dealer Service History, 17" light alloy wheels, ABS, sunroof electric, windows front electric, armrest, boardcomputer, bumper and mirror in color, central doorlocks with remote control, electric sunroof, mirrors electric, radio/cd-changer, rear spoiler, sport chairs, sport chassis, sport exhaust pipe, sport interior. £10,995.

Moto Ltd
Tel: (0870) 2421108

If its repeating what you've seen sorry but they are there.


-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 10:36

the 2nd one is the one im going to take a look at, at the weekend.

the 1st one looks good, where did u find that one?

darren



Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 10:43
Autotrader website search 200 miles around my Milton Keynes postcode.

The last one looked nice-silver is a very nice colour on these cars.

Makes mine look cheap at £11-£11.5k LOL!!

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: Eamo
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 11:43
Originally posted by MONO MONO wrote:

Hey Dudes,


It wasnt an M3 GT, the one darren is lookin at is boston green, the GT is in a weird green colour


Personally I dont like that colour


You need to get yourself a nice Avus Blue coupe with grey leather, nice colour just like mine and John's


 



The first M3 GT's were only available in British Racing Green

The second lot in Red.

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Posted By: M3PSM
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 12:59
A freind of mine recently bought a 944 from the same dealer. The price was slighlty over the top too but the car was immaculate, plus they resolved his minor quibbles without question. They were very helpful & had lots of other tasty cars in there.

One of the cars was a four door 3.0 M3 about 4 months ago I think. If I remember correctly it was on an 'N' plate. If it's the same one, they're obviously having trouble shifting it so that's your cue to make a cheeky offer. It looked good though.

My 3.0 coupe with similar makes the same light tapping noise on start up but it dissapears as soon as it starts to warm up. It also did it after a Sytner inspection 1 so I wouldn't worry about it as long as it does go away when warm.

Good luck.

Paul


-------------
Drive it like you stole it!
___________________________
1995 3.0 E36 Coupe
1989 E30 325 Touring
1992 Yamaha TDM 850
www.myallracing.co.uk


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:05

Yeah that would be the one your talking about. It was a N reg 4 door in green. The salesman said he had only had it a few days, i knew he was talking out his a*s cos i phoned about this one about 2 months ago. The ticking noise did fade out after it was started.

I might make an offer then around 8500. Should i be put of by the 100k milage? They did say if anything went wrong within 6 months they would fix it.

Darren



Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:13

Darren

  i just spoke 2 my m8 , the car i saw is still available BUT its a 328i sport coupe. metallic black , mtech suspension , full mtech spec,air con , leather,private plate and its an auto ,£8500

  seems a good price , but i sumhow think its not 4 u ! sorry dude i thought it was an m3 , its badged up as one with the wheels etc etc etc .

  Brad



-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:16
although sayin that ive just seen a n reg green one , for 6995  elsewhere so maybe it aint that cheap !!

-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:17
where where? 


Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:19
sorry m8 , shoulda said the green one is a 28 motorsport aswell !!

-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: daddy cool
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:23

just for info , the m3 gt has a different rear spoiler aswell as alcantara trim ! they are easy to spot , didnt no they did em in red tho , thought they were all BRG



-------------
e30 2.7 cab
e30 325i
e30 325 sport
e30 318 touring
e28 m5
e28 m535
e34 m5
e39 540
e36 318ti (green)
e36 318ti (mauve)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:33

thats ok m8 LOL

That garage have just called me. I said i was looking to spend around 8500 on a car like that. They must be keen to sell asap. bit strange how they would call to see if i was still interested after a couple of days.

What do u think guys? stay away, or buy and pray?

darren



Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 14:56
M3 GT1 was 295bhp variation on 3L M3-as said has alcantera trim and twin rear spoiler. Only available in British Racing Green, matt.

M3 GT2 was based on Evo but is really an individual Evo-no engine mods but upgraded trim and bits n bobs. No engine mods though but still a nice special edition.

Senny-if you have to ask then you already know the answer-I felt the same about most of the ones I saw til I saw the 1 I bought-got deal done on the spot cos I knew it was too good to miss.

John

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 16:10
Originally posted by senny senny wrote:

That garage have just called me. I said i was looking to spend around 8500 on a car like that. They must be keen to sell asap. bit strange how they would call to see if i was still interested after a couple of days.

What do u think guys? stay away, or buy and pray?

darren

My experience is that you'll know the one you want to buy once you see it.  If you are not certain that it's the car for you then don't buy it.  I saw two or three that I would not have wanted no matter how much the price came down, but when I saw the one I bought, it was just a case of agreeing a price. 

If it is the car for you then waving cash, as opposed to cheques, part exchange or a finance deal which will all get him a better profit - sometime in the future, in the face of the seller at this time of the year should work wonders, but only if you are sure that the car is for you.

If it was me, I'd go in there with £7750 in cash in one pocket and the balance of the maximum I was prepared to pay in another and do some nose to nose negotiation.  Best of luck.



Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 18:01
so you think its only worth 7750 or is that what you'd pay to get a bargin?


Posted By: Sohlman
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 19:33
Go in very low after all it's christmas and they are unlikely to sell untill about the end of january and they all want there Christmas Bonus. The advice above is very shroud. Go in make your silly offer and show then the money if they don't take it walk away and see if they have any reaction. If they react you will be buying a very cheap car. Try £7500 and be prepared to go to 8k and see what happens. But only do this if you like the car and feel it is genuine as i have herd of clocked cars from a Garage by that name from a friend in the trade who sold a 525 with 160k and saw it on offer with 80k about three weeks later. He was sure it was the same car he sold. If you have any doubt walk away as there are plenty of nice M3's about.

-------------
Sunday 10th July Brooklands Sharkfest and Big Coupe Day. http://635csi.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ - Coupe Events


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 20:49

The place im dealing with is James Paul

http://www.jamespaul.co.uk - www.jamespaul.co.uk

darren



Posted By: Sohlman
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 21:13

It does not seem to be the same place, please disregard my above post. Mind you my information was for a garage around there 8 years back!

 



-------------
Sunday 10th July Brooklands Sharkfest and Big Coupe Day. http://635csi.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ - Coupe Events


Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 22:03
Senny

You gotta go on gut instinct. I don't think theres anything wrong with 98k on clock but I'd consider paying a couple of k more for one with 60k on it based on the mileage I'll put on it before resale when I pass it on.

If it didnt grab you by the danglys and scream 'BUY ME OR YOU'LL REGRET THIS' then you shouldn't buy it.

I know when I was looking I said I didn't care if it was coup or saloon and looked at quite a few saloons. There were some good ones there and some that I considered buying but I knew I really wanted a coup and so was pointless buying a car just to stop the search for a good one.

Honestly? If it was me then I'd pass on it and ring some of the others I listed earlier. Sorry Senny, just my opinion.

John

-------------
Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea

Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 15-December-2003 at 22:06

I do agree with you, it was a very nice car. I will keep looking and see what the best one is. If it happens to be that one ill make an offer. I'll be looking at more this weekend so i'll be able to see the bigger picture then.

darren



Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 05:57

Originally posted by senny senny wrote:

so you think its only worth 7750 or is that what you'd pay to get a bargin?

No, I don't really know what it's worth, but if it's stickered at 10, it probably owes him somewhere between 7 and 8 and  I just think that if I was in the trade and had had a car on my lot for two months and a week before Christmas a guy came in and offered me my money back in cash, I'd probably have his arm off.  As the dealer, the question I'd be asking myself is, "What percentage of the UK car buying public with 8 grand to spend on a second hand car, the week before Christmas, wants to buy a nine year old M3?"

If you like it, make a daft cash bid, you have nothing to lose.  He'll want a clean deal though, you'll get no warranty, no new mats, no year's road tax etc. etc, none of the things that actually boost his profit margin, but make daft punters think they are getting a bargain.  What you might get is a nice clean M3 at trade money.

Best of luck.



Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 10:09

Are i c where you coming from now.

The thing is though, it comes with 6 months warranty. I'm gonna try and push that to 1yrs warranty. So i cant go too low with the bidding

 



Posted By: m3Cecotto
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 10:48

Don't be shy! Make a really cheap bid, backed up by a pocket full of folding and see what happens.

I have to say though that your hesitancy suggests that this probaly isn't the car for you.  If it were, you'd be driving it by now.

 

 



Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 11:02

Tbh i think im a little nervous about buying it, as i have never spent this much on a car before. I had a Golf Vr6 before that cost 5k and this car is up for double.

 



Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 19:04

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone out there had an m3 with around 100k on the clock. If so how does it run?

cheers

darren



Posted By: kevin
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 21:27
I assume you are still thinking of an E36?

-------------
Kevin
'04 E46 330Ci Convertible
'08 E61 535d Touring (TorqueMeister Towbarge)
’95 E34 M5
’89 E30 M3 (Cecotto)


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 22:10
yeah thats right


Posted By: sailorbaz
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 23:05

All M3 potential purchasers, especially Senny.

A mate of mine bought a modified M3 3.0lt about a year ago on an M reg. It had a remapped ECU, performance exhaust, split rim alloy amongst other things. He had bought it with Full BM Service history for about 8000 I think (Will get him on the boards at some point!) Has just had the car returned from a specialist after having to spend 4000 on stripping the engine down, 6 new pistons aswell as other major parts within the engine after having been told by a BM Dealer that the knocking noise he was hearing might have been the Vanos.

When the specialists drained the engine and began stripping it they found it was unbelievably 'crappy' and had in fact not been service properly in a long time. This made my mate check the service history and begin doubting it. I will ask him to call round the 'stamps' in the service manual and check them out. I've done this buying my and all service history fully checked out! Phew So just closely examine the Service Docs. And this weekend he has just replaced the Alternator which is something I've never heard of on an E36, an E30 maybe! I think his car has done about 70000 miles, not bad for a 95 I thought!

Mine is a 97 Evo and sounds tapitty on cold startup, but is due an Inspection I soon and will ask then. Hope its simple!

Good Luck Senny,



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http://www.bmwccscotland.co.uk/cars/e46/m3csl.html" rel="nofollow - My Car

2004 M3 CSL and 2009 E90 M3


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 23:07

Cheers for all that info, ill give the log book a good check



Posted By: sailorbaz
Date Posted: 16-December-2003 at 23:12

Darren,

I actually managed to get the guy to scan and e-mail me the service logbook and with a bit of PI work managed to actually check out the service prior to buying the car. Just a bit of bum kissing on the phone managed to get the guy whistling the service history down the phone and as the car had had all its servicing carried out at the one Main Dealer I infact had an accurate log of the cars history. Fan-tas-tic! Could try that one out for size mate!?!

Baz



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http://www.bmwccscotland.co.uk/cars/e46/m3csl.html" rel="nofollow - My Car

2004 M3 CSL and 2009 E90 M3


Posted By: senny
Date Posted: 17-December-2003 at 00:03

Its from a dealer so i shouldnt have too many problems.

I'll get that service hist checked



Posted By: sailorbaz
Date Posted: 17-December-2003 at 00:05
Good stuff mate!! Happy testing

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http://www.bmwccscotland.co.uk/cars/e46/m3csl.html" rel="nofollow - My Car

2004 M3 CSL and 2009 E90 M3



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