Need your opinion re M3 value

///MG · 12-16-2010, 10:06 PM

Hey all,

I'll admit, I haven't really been around the forums lately (since I shipped my M3) to Europe and been driving a Camry around... *sigh* but I've been really good this year so I'm thinking of treating myself once again to an M3... but this time upgrade from the E36 to the E46.

I've been following the prices of these cars for a while now and one in particular... the LSB convertible thats been in Mississauga for almost 2 years. I remember the original price 2 years ago was in the $40s and now the asking price is $30K. Considering it's an 04, SMG and has around 110K I'm really not sure what to make out of it. I know LSB is a hate it/love it colour... I like it. I'm not particullarly fond of the SMG but I heard that it takes a while to "grow on the user".

I guess what I'm looking for is YOUR opinion as to how much you think the car is worth. I'm thinking a reasonable price (especially considering the fact that e92s are already available for mid 50s) is somewhere in the range of 25-26K.

I always respect your opinions and input so please, what are your thoughts?

twboy1999 · 12-16-2010, 10:21 PM

is probably worth $22000-25000

u can get e46m3 depend on age and millage all the way from high 1xxxx to 29xxx

///MG · 12-16-2010, 10:59 PM

I'vse seen those high teens but they're all early e46 (2002/2003) and high mileage. I'd like to get this one for 24-25.

twboy1999 · 12-16-2010, 11:12 PM

24-25k is about right for a 2004 with 110k
maybe slightly high

Ramps · 12-17-2010, 04:27 PM

I had been looking for over a year before I bought my 2003 M3 coupe (manual trans) this past spring. Mine is loaded and had 95,000kms on it and I paid $28,500. That was a little high for the year but it was mint, no chips or dents, all original, clean carfax, never winter driven, came with a BMW car cover and brand new BBS wheels with fresh toyo T1-R rubber. I know there were tons of converts and SMGs for sale and they were a lot cheaper. I could have got a 2003-2004 convertible SMG in good shape with about 100K on it for about $24,000-$26,000.

I also looked into ones that were only $20,000 and they were beat to shit, stone chips, driven by heat bag kids...you could tell they'd been abused.

///MG · 12-17-2010, 04:35 PM

28.5 sounds like a lot for on 03 even last year.

I've seen a number of the M3s in the high teen and low 20s and like you said, most of them are really beat and high mileage. As a preference, I try to stay away from 02/03 M3s. I rather not buy cars that are in the 1st 2 years of production and there doesn't seem to be that much of a price difference. There was actually an 06 M3 (140km) posted for about 26K and looked really reasonable - but not a fan of the red leather interior.

It seems like the 24-25K seems like a reasonable price then.

This LSB has been hunting me for years now (literally). It's been at the Mississauga Auto Center for 2 years, always in the showroom. There's a Timmies across the street so whenever I'd go for coffee I'd cross the street to look at the car too.. lol

For whatever reason they're not really trying to push the car either. I guess they lost so much already (it's been there for 2 years) that they're indifferent to keeping it an extra few months. I'll attempt another approach for my b-day (January) or find another one.

Thanks for your feedback guys! Much appreciated.

Ramps · 12-18-2010, 05:32 PM

Keep in mind that a lot of 05-06 have had the loose VANOS bolt problem which can be very expensive to fix and only effected the newer S54 engines because it was a bad batch of bolts that BMW got. I think the 2003.5 and 2004 are the best years because they have the fewest issues and they have the LED tail lights and bluetooth.

///MG · 12-19-2010, 11:44 AM

I didn't know about this. Thanks Ramps.

Goran E46-M3 · 12-29-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramps

Keep in mind that a lot of 05-06 have had the loose VANOS bolt problem which can be very expensive to fix and only effected the newer S54 engines because it was a bad batch of bolts that BMW got. I think the 2003.5 and 2004 are the best years because they have the fewest issues and they have the LED tail lights and bluetooth.

I have a 2002 M3 and my vanos failed hence the year is not important

Ramps · 12-30-2010, 10:05 AM

But was it the loose vanos bolt problem or was it a failure of the solenoids or something? I've only ever heard of the loose bolt problem on later models. Vanos failure is not uncommon but it seems on cars that were maintained properly and have had the vanos filter changed and regular oil changes with Castrol TWS it's far less common.

Goran E46-M3 · 12-30-2010, 11:30 AM

The failure itself has nothing to do with vanos. In my case the cog gear prong broke off and caused alot of damage. I found alot of cases on m3 forum. I think the vanos itself gets damaged from the cog gear breaking off.

pitcrew · 01-20-2011, 11:30 PM

If you're interested I'm thinking of selling my 05 M3 6spd 51k grey/black. Car is a mint shape with taste full upgrades. Lowered to CSL euro specs with Bilstein PSS10 kit. H&R front and rear roll bars. Eisenmann rear silencer. 10mm H&R front wheel spacers and 5mm rear spacers with new Michelin PS2 tires 245 front 275 rear. I can also convert back to OEM condition since I have all the parts. FYI BMW was offering me $25k on a trade in, I would rather see it go to enthusiast rather than a dealer.

canuckder · 01-21-2011, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitcrew

If you're interested I'm thinking of selling my 05 M3 6spd 51k grey/black. Car is a mint shape with taste full upgrades. Lowered to CSL euro specs with Bilstein PSS10 kit. H&R front and rear roll bars. Eisenmann rear silencer. 10mm H&R front wheel spacers and 5mm rear spacers with new Michelin PS2 tires 245 front 275 rear. I can also convert back to OEM condition since I have all the parts. FYI BMW was offering me $25k on a trade in, I would rather see it go to enthusiast rather than a dealer.

that sounds like a great deal,

considering he has great parts, those pss10s are amazing.

330Hi · 01-21-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitcrew

If you're interested I'm thinking of selling my 05 M3 6spd 51k grey/black. Car is a mint shape with taste full upgrades. Lowered to CSL euro specs with Bilstein PSS10 kit. H&R front and rear roll bars. Eisenmann rear silencer. 10mm H&R front wheel spacers and 5mm rear spacers with new Michelin PS2 tires 245 front 275 rear. I can also convert back to OEM condition since I have all the parts. FYI BMW was offering me $25k on a trade in, I would rather see it go to enthusiast rather than a dealer.

Coupe or Convertible?

pitcrew · 01-21-2011, 12:21 PM

Coupe - that was $25k (with out the upgrades ) not including HST savings towards new purchase from the BMW dealer. I hoping to get somewhere between $32 - $33k. Since there is no wholesale value listed for the car and it's a private sale the tax is minimal!