So close to buying an E46 M3... but....

Always wanted an M3 and I have found the exact spec but I am still a little nervous to complete the deal.

The car is an Sept 03 with all the toys inc TV and Sat Nav. Dealer is asking for £25K with 19K on the clock. If I can get it for £24K with warranty, serviced etc I'd be happy. But with the new M3 what's going to happen to depreciation? Will it really effect it, afterall the new M3 is a completely different market. Saying that I've lost £10K in two years on my Z4.

Other questions, how much is a SAT Nav update? Or rather what's the cost to a dealer, are they likely to just throw it in if I ask?

G

Don't think you need to be too concerned with the E92 M3 hitting residuals just yet as there sold out for this year and next (so I heard), so they will be fetching list, possibly a little more, even slightly used ones.

E.G.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/228945.htm

Until supply doesn't free up or demand calms down wouldn't worry about that, just buy at the right money.

The car your looking at doesn't sound to badly priced, especially with the low miles, although I'm sure there would be some movement.......JMO.

G...Don't think we've met but I (well H Fairbairns) am/are having a horrendous selling my M3. It's all the usual high spec'd and more but the car has been with them for almost 2 weeks now and they've had 2 test drives to date.

I feel people ARE concerned with the "outgoing" model either that be buying or selling. I myself am waiting in anticipation that I don't get the unfortunate result of having to take a huge hit on the car as I'm banking on some equity to help pay the deposit for the new M3(Sept delivery).

So, yes if you're in the market for an e46 you should be able to semi-dictate what you'd rather pay than the other way round. But and a big one at that is depending on how the ownerships(good or bad) of the new M3 go will imo have a significant influence on the prices of the e46. I believe and correct me if I'm wrong this was the case form the transition of the e36/e46. Prices were pretty stagnant for the outgoing as there were a lot of teething issues with early 46's.

FYI mine is a 2004,31000 miles and has a sticker price of £26995. I left all the bits on it including remapp so car is not "usual" m3...

Best of luck


Tiko

Let me apply a spanner to the works here !!!

Forgive me for suggesting it, but, for that money, unless you are hell-bent on a low-mileage car wouldn't you do well to think about a E46 CSL ?? If depreciation is a concern, it's a no brainer, sure you'd be looking at £32K+ for a decent example and there are already some rough cars to avoid... Most will still be in warranty (and from what I've heard that's a VERY good thing!) and are a better steer overall.

Despite the higher outlay, you need to look at what the period of YOUR ownership will cost you in depreciation. If you can stretch that little bit more, you might be onto a winner. Only problem apart from the extra cost, and lack of toys, would be the impact on the value by putting many miles on it, if of course you'll be doing that. If not, better still !! and then, there's the NOISE

2p

Nick.