Thoughts on a E46 M3 I'm Looking At?

[Kong Sheng Han]

Hi. I put a deposit down on a 2002 M3 with exactly 65,000 miles on it. The dealer provided an Autocheck report, but it only shows emissions and registration renewals. Would anyone with an extra carfax be willing to review the report for me and give their thoughts on it please? I want to know how it was maintained before I spend $200 on a PPI.

Is $15,500 a good deal if a PPI reveals no major issues?

WBSBL93432JR17359

Thank you

[akos]

I owned a 2003 BMW M3 for 7 years, form 2003-2010. I personaly would stay away from model years 2001-2003. I had my engine replaced in my car at around 8K miles. The engine spun a couple of its rod bearings. BMW put a replacement engine in my car and a couple of months later they had a national rod bearing recall on all model years 2001-2003 engines. Even my replacemet engine had the recall done as a percusion. They then gave all 2001-2003 owners 6/100K warranty on the engines.

The next big recall came a couple years later for subframe failure. I did not beat on my car so my car was fine, but I remember a lot of cars going into the dealers woth torn subframes.

You can find out if this car had the rod bearing recall or the subframe work by going to a BMW dealer and have them pull this M3's record. I would look for a clean 2006 since all these issues were resolved by then.

[ridin135]

Agree stay with 2003.5 and up. Also remember to check that rear subframe

[Kong Sheng Han]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I am committed to the car unless the PPI reveals a problem. It's the only way I'll be able to get my deposit back.

I have a list of things I specifically need inspected including the rod bearings and rear subframe.

Thanks