M3 buying advise

[DriveS]

So I have started to look for am M3.

I have a 335d with 415/730 power, some suspension mods and some fake "M3" sound pumped through the speakers. I love the car and was planning on keeping it another 2 years so have done loads of recent mods to it. But I have always wanted an M car and as circumstances have changed, have decided to go for it.

I am after a M3 CP 16-17 plate, less than 30K miles, in either the light blue colour OR one of the silver shades. I want it to have the full M-performance kit on it. Not too bothered about other options, apart from dont want the carbon brakes. I will be paying cash. Budget 40K.

Where is the best place to look for a good one and what shall I look out for? I normally buy private from Autotrader as the price is less. Came across on the other day an FB group and read the guy had been doing track days, which put me off.
I am not in a hurry so have plenty of time to pick a good one. I am thinking to get one that does not have performance modifications as this could be a sign that its been driven harder.

What do you think?

[itrocks4u]

The buy/sell forums might be a good place to start. You'll find the guys here tend to be more car enthusiast and maintain the car better (relative).

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=625

[jninja]

What is "full M-performance kit" ? Maybe you mean ZCP :

[icegrill]

Are you in uk?

[DriveS]

Originally Posted by jninja

What is "full M-performance kit" ? Maybe you mean ZCP :

Hi. I dont know what the Z stands for?

By the kit, I mean - Front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and spoiler.

[DriveS]

Originally Posted by itrocks4u

The buy/sell forums might be a good place to start. You'll find the guys here tend to be more car enthusiast and maintain the car better (relative).

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=625

I am in the UK. Was expecting UK members to reply to this as its posted in the UK regional forum?
I looked at the buy/sell forum but could not see one UK car on the first few pages, so did not use it.

[Slips]

Might get a better response over on M3 Cutters forum.

I bought mine from BMWAUC over 2 years ago and never had any issues, just keep the warranty running so I have stress free M3 ownership. I’ve always bought private before but for me 40 odd thousand is a lot of money so wanted a bit more protection of buying from my local BMW dealer.

[DriveS]

Originally Posted by Slips

Might get a better response over on M3 Cutters forum.

I bought mine from BMWAUC over 2 years ago and never had any issues, just keep the warranty running so I have stress free M3 ownership. I’ve always bought private before but for me 40 odd thousand is a lot of money so wanted a bit more protection of buying from my local BMW dealer.

Definitely a consideration going AUC. However there are no M3s in the entire UK BMWAUC search at this time.

[Silico91]

I would also go for Approved Used, my dealer said they could get one in from anywhere in the UK if I spotted one I liked when I was looking. My old 3 series was also approved used.

I managed to haggle and get the AUC warranty extended to 2 years, and you can continue to pay for it upto I think 100k miles if you want. (Do monthly payments so there's no 60k+ price jump if you intend to go that route).

I've never had any serious lemons, and most issues were covered under warranty within the first few months, you still need to do your own checks though.

[Tengocity]

I'd probably got approved used in your situation. A lot of used cars will have been modified, as the owners are often car enthusiasts. Whilst a AUC is no guarantee that a car is unmodified it would give you some more comeback. I expect you'd need to get the M Performance parts fitted yourself.

[DriveS]

Thanks for the advise guys.

I found this video...

Also thinking that the UK BMW stock of used M3s is about to rocket as its almost september ???

[Slips]

I looked for almost a year before my perfect spec and colour appeared on the BMWAUC and couldn’t believe my luck when it was at my local dealer as well!
Test drove and bought the day the car came up on BMWAUC, also had a 5 year service pack so in 2 and a half years ownership only spent out on front tyres and one MOT. Recently had the large spark plug service which was free😀

[DriveS]

Originally Posted by Slips

I looked for almost a year before my perfect spec and colour appeared on the BMWAUC and couldn’t believe my luck when it was at my local dealer as well!
Test drove and bought the day the car came up on BMWAUC, also had a 5 year service pack so in 2 and a half years ownership only spent out on front tyres and one MOT. Recently had the large spark plug service which was free😀

You must have wanted a rare combination? How many cars tend to cycle through the AUC system?

I am hoping that there will be many to choose from shortly as many of the 66 plates will be out of warranty come September?

[Slips]

Originally Posted by DriveS

You must have wanted a rare combination? How many cars tend to cycle through the AUC system?

I am hoping that there will be many to choose from shortly as many of the 66 plates will be out of warranty come September?

I was looking for Sakhir with under 10,000 miles but with lots of options and only had a budget of 45k. I think at the time the very cheapest manual F80 M3 was just dipping under 40k. First owner optioned mine up to 74,500 and it’s a 64 plate so comp pack wasn’t available as an option. Just missing the TV option. I’ve never seen another with as many options as mine, very happy with it.

These were the optional extras over and above standard equipment that the 1st owner specced.

Full leather dash and door card tops etc
M Carbon Ceramic brakes
Comfort access
Carbon interior trim inserts
Park assist
Heated rear seats
Sun protection glass
Surround view cameras
Driving assistant
Adaptive LED headlights
High beam assistant
Speed limit display
Dynamic safety
Online entertainment
M double clutch transmission
Heated steering wheel
Harmon Kardon loudspeaker system
Rear electric window blind
Extended storage
Lane change warning system
Active security package
Black inserts on the 437M alloys
Front arm rest with sliding adjustment
Head up display
Advanced parking package
Reversing assist camera
Concierge services
Real time traffic info
Blinds for rear side windows

That lot came to about £18K.

Don't think I would have found another with this spec in my price range.

[DriveS]

Originally Posted by Slips

I was looking for Sakhir with under 10,000 miles but with lots of options and only had a budget of 45k. I think at the time the very cheapest manual F80 M3 was just dipping under 40k. First owner optioned mine up to 74,500 and it’s a 64 plate so comp pack wasn’t available as an option. Just missing the TV option. I’ve never seen another with as many options as mine, very happy with it.

These were the optional extras over and above standard equipment that the 1st owner specced.

Full leather dash and door card tops etc
M Carbon Ceramic brakes
Comfort access
Carbon interior trim inserts
Park assist
Heated rear seats
Sun protection glass
Surround view cameras
Driving assistant
Adaptive LED headlights
High beam assistant
Speed limit display
Dynamic safety
Online entertainment
M double clutch transmission
Heated steering wheel
Harmon Kardon loudspeaker system
Rear electric window blind
Extended storage
Lane change warning system
Active security package
Black inserts on the 437M alloys
Front arm rest with sliding adjustment
Head up display
Advanced parking package
Reversing assist camera
Concierge services
Real time traffic info
Blinds for rear side windows

That lot came to about £18K.

Don't think I would have found another with this spec in my price range.

I think I will be a little easier to please..... The options from that list I would want are -



Adaptive LED headlights
High beam assistant
Dynamic safety
Online entertainment
M double clutch transmission
Heated steering wheel
Harmon Kardon loudspeaker system
Extended storage
Active security package
Front arm rest with sliding adjustment
Reversing assist camera
Real time traffic info


And essential

CP
Under 30K miles
2 owners max, preferably 1
YMB or Silver
M performance body trim (could ask them to fit as part of deal)

[Slips]

Silverstone is a classy colour, looks great on the M3. Loads of YMB ones to choose from, gone right off YMB myself.

Good luck in finding the right one they are fun cars.

[too hot]

Apparently Harry Fairbairn are doing M4’s for £50k might be worth a look.

[Ryanf80M3]

Buy mine if you can settle for 44k miles 🤣 Yas blue full m performance kit aswell as the exhaust. Looks and sounds incredible. Missus told me she was pregnant 2 weeks after I bought it just over a year ago, now my little girl is here it’s a pain in the arse trying to get a buggy in and out lol