Anyone know this E46 M3 FS?

http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/de...ort=LastUpdate

My brother had a look at it for me on Friday and says it presents immaculately, but it has done a fair few miles!

It seems to have been bought in Queensland, before moving down south at some point to Victoria.

I'll probably get an independant workshop in Melbourne (any suggestions?) to have a look at it once I've had a chance to get detailed service history for the car and it all checks out, but just thought I'd ask here first in case someone knows the car.

Ta in advance._a_

I bet there is a fairly high chance this is a written off in QLD...

That's the first thing I'd check.

The Carfacts check came back all clean. That's no indication of no accident history, just that it has never been written off.

It moved down to Melbourne before 90000ks, so it lived basically half its life in QLD and half in Vic. Last few services appear to have been done at independent workshops, there is only a signature, no stamp.

Note the moisture in both headlights? Good chance it's driven through some deep water at some stage for it to have moisture like that in both headlights.

God damn it guys. It's gorgeous.

BUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY IT.

Then DIY all your problems ;P

Originally Posted by trive2

God damn it guys. It's gorgeous.

BUYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY IT.

Then DIY all your problems ;P

It's had a good polish and the wheels are in good condition that's it. I spent 5 hours polishing my car on Saturday and it looks just as good

Originally Posted by DeclanM3

Note the moisture in both headlights? Good chance it's driven through some deep water at some stage for it to have moisture like that in both headlights.

It looks to me like the light hitting the headlights is giving that effect. Any moisture in the headlight covers would be well gone by now if it's been in a flood or whatever.

It looks too good to be true.

Originally Posted by steve.k

It looks too good to be true.

Well it has done a lot of ks, and being above 160000 there is no statutory warranty. It's also not got the full leather interior.

Basically though I'm worried about the big ticket items;

SMG (+clutch) - pump ever replaced? when was the clutch last replaced?
VANOS - any hassles?
Floor cracks (rear subframe) - done? inspected?

and so far my mind has not been put at ease for any of these.

The dealer is quite happy for a PPI to be performed, but needs a deposit before the car can be released.

It's got Harmon Kardon stereo . . .

Originally Posted by YGOAMG

It's got Harmon Kardon stereo . . .

Bin it.

Been on carsales for a while now, dealer started it at 32,980 then dropped to 31,980 then 30,980 then back to 32,980 and then back to 30,980. I'd be sus as to why he is trying to move it cheaply and why no one else has jumped on it since it's been on there for a good month at that price. I bet $100 that the subframe has hairline cracks at least with that many KMs if its never been replaced or repaired.

Originally Posted by WA_Matt

It looks to me like the light hitting the headlights is giving that effect. Any moisture in the headlight covers would be well gone by now if it's been in a flood or whatever.

I thought so too but you can see it in different angles. The moisture can stay in headlights for ages!

Originally Posted by DeclanM3

I thought so too but you can see it in different angles. The moisture can stay in headlights for ages!

Agree ^ there is some certainly in there. If it was light it would reflect off the headlights different depending on the angle of the photo taken. In every angle the "light" is exactly the same. It's definitely some kind of moisture in there. Could even be just the fact maybe the headlight was opened and not sealed correctly or moisture might have got in when it was opened and not cleaned out so just check it's out.

Originally Posted by WA_Matt

It moved down to Melbourne before 90000ks, so it lived basically half its life in QLD and half in Vic. Last few services appear to have been done at independent workshops, there is only a signature, no stamp.

Which workshop?

Tried calling them to ask?

Originally Posted by DeclanM3

It's had a good polish and the wheels are in good condition that's it. I spent 5 hours polishing my car on Saturday and it looks just as good

How do you know it's been polished? Warehouse/Lights like that make anything look good. It's probably rubbish up close.

I would be taking this to someone who knows BMWs and M3s - eg, Worx who won't bullsh1t you.
Run the usual checks and diagnostic equipment.
Also would have your paint/panel shop guys run their eyes over it too.
It's amazing what they will pick up

Ultimately, YOU are spending the money. Best to do all your checks before buying.

All i can say is i wouldn't buy anything from that dealer.

Originally Posted by M3N7AL

All i can say is i wouldn't buy anything from that dealer.

Even though it is "all you can say."

Why not? Fess up! Don't tell us half a story.

It XMAS ffs!

Graham

Originally Posted by M3 CS

How do you know it's been polished? Warehouse/Lights like that make anything look good. It's probably rubbish up close.

The way the lights reflect off some of the panels looks like the paint is in pretty good condition and freshly polished / sealed. I could be wrong and it could in fact just be the lighting but to me it looks pretty clean.

All i'm saying, in my opinion, if that dealership is located in port melb, on williamstown road, i wouldn't deal with them.

And yes, the lights in the place make the cars look better. Most car dealerships have lights that make the cars look good.