BMW and M Power Owners

Soldato
Joined
12 Mar 2008
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22,862
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West sussex

I'd rather a higher mile non cat D. Will simply make it difficult to shift the car in the future, might have unknown problems and asking price is that of a decent higher mileage m3 that is not cat D.
 
Soldato
Joined
27 Nov 2009
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3,869
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Maidstone, Kent
As always with these things it's relative. There can be some very nice cars, which are a Cat D (look at mrk's as an example), and might be overlooked as a result. On the other hand, it might have been bodged back together and is hiding a load of quick fixes. Of course the same can be true of non marker cars - standards of work don't automatically improve or deteriorate just because it's a Cat D.

Usual things to look for would be pre accident and during repair documentation, and when the car was written off. As the values have been lowish for the last few years it could be very possible that the car was written off for something very minor. On the other hand, if it was written off as a £30k car there's a different complexion.

Judge the car on its merits, as always, but unless it's local and you can be fully satisfied and sure of what you're dealing with, I'd just look at a higher mileage example without the marker.

Good luck though as the E46 M3 market at £10k is a difficult one. Probably better off buying privately from an enthusiast or a specialist (if affordable).
 
Soldato
Joined
25 Dec 2002
Posts
2,862
As per the "Show us your car" thread

After numerous suggestions to buy everything from a Peugeot 308 GTi to a BMW M3 Coupe (and many, many more) I decided to go and buy this ugly, shoe-looking, hatchback.

(Yes, I know the garage door needs repainting)







M135i Auto with a smattering of options (Pro Nav, H&K, Driver Comfort Pack, Heated Seats, SP glass)
 
Soldato
Joined
25 Dec 2002
Posts
2,862
Nice car, but white :'( such a shame when you have some decent colours to pick.

Trying to find one in the spec I wanted for the price I wanted to pay was proving challenging, I decided colour was the one area I could compromise on and it's actually starting to grow on me now
 
Soldato
Joined
3 Apr 2007
Posts
7,262
Location
South of the Watford Gap!
What are the experts thoughts on this http://www.tanyardmotors.co.uk/used-bmw-3-series-manchester-lancashire-1211588

Has BMW warranty until 03/2018 and the price is firm according to the guy I spoke to but he may reduce by a few hundred? Cars been up for sale for weeks now, think it was originally at 25 or 26k.

EDIT: The only thing I'm a bit wary about is that for a similar price I could/should get one from a proper BMW dealer and therefore get a years warranty?
 
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Soldato
Joined
25 Dec 2002
Posts
2,862
What are the experts thoughts on this http://www.tanyardmotors.co.uk/used-bmw-3-series-manchester-lancashire-1211588

Has BMW warranty until 03/2018 and the price is firm according to the guy I spoke to but he may reduce by a few hundred? Cars been up for sale for weeks now, think it was originally at 25 or 26k.

EDIT: The only thing I'm a bit wary about is that for a similar price I could/should get one from a proper BMW dealer and therefore get a years warranty?

I've noticed that one on AT for a few months surprises me it hasn't sold which instantly sets alarm bells going! The steering wheel looks very well used for 30k, and the stop/start button looks to have fingerprint powder on it?
 
Soldato
Joined
3 Apr 2007
Posts
7,262
Location
South of the Watford Gap!
I've noticed that one on AT for a few months surprises me it hasn't sold which instantly sets alarm bells going! The steering wheel looks very well used for 30k, and the stop/start button looks to have fingerprint powder on it?

Yes, noticed the wear on the steering wheel, can't say I noticed anything on the start/stop button but does look grubby. They've also done some new pictures of it as I initially thought it was a different car until I clicked on their website and noticed the other cars with pictures up against the wall/door.
 
Caporegime
Joined
25 Nov 2004
Posts
25,812
Location
On the road....
What are the experts thoughts on this http://www.tanyardmotors.co.uk/used-bmw-3-series-manchester-lancashire-1211588

Has BMW warranty until 03/2018 and the price is firm according to the guy I spoke to but he may reduce by a few hundred? Cars been up for sale for weeks now, think it was originally at 25 or 26k.

EDIT: The only thing I'm a bit wary about is that for a similar price I could/should get one from a proper BMW dealer and therefore get a years warranty?

A quick google resulted in this, basically a warning on Scoobynet to avoid , https://www.scoobynet.com/non-scoob...eware-tanyard-motors-worseley-manchester.html

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1349596
Another....



Personally if I had the budget for a sub 30k mile 3 Series I would want a BMW approved used example with their warranty as back up.

Put it this way, a quick Google of your local BMW dealer won't result in a link to intimidating behaviour from the staff where this place does....

Yes those reviews are from 2014 but I'd avoid that place like the proverbial!!
 
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