Thoughts and opinions on used 2012 M3 E92

[Gregrobin]

I've been looking to buy one for a few months now, I've test driven three. This one is my favorite

https://www.catoctinautomotivegroup....bmw/m3/797710/

A previous owner modified the suspension with coilovers, I'm told Ohlin. So in my opinion that kind of negates the competition package. EDC is no longer functional.

It's got a small crack in the plastic fender above the driver's wheel. Not a deal breaker for me.

I do like the look of the carbon roof, the white is not my favorite color.

Seems to run strong, handles well, thoughts and opinions?

[spammysammich]

I don’t see the point in buying a car in a color that you don’t like.

[MineralWhiteF80]

At that price point, assuming you are OK with a $39,000 E92, there are plenty of fish in the sea to choose from. Dont buy a color you aren't excited about (unless price is too good to care).

I would be looking at M3list.com to see what is out there that catches your eye more:
https://m3list.com/listings/?chassis...vant&view=card

Your suspension picture looks like the car has KW suspension on it, which is normally a dead giveaway because of the bright purple spring adjuster and yellow spring. Ohlins doesn't use purple anything. If anything, you could buy EDC suspension used, sell the KW coilovers, and make money if you wanted an all-OEM car that you don't plan on modifying.

Also, it looks like there is white paint overspray on the subframe in your picture so it's likely that car has had some 'parking lot reconditioning' by a dealer sometime in the past.

[Gregrobin]

Agreed on not buying a color that's not my favorite, I do like the way the white looks on this car offset by the black. My challenge is I'm not finding a color combo I like for a reasonable price.

This car has five previous owners and not one service record on Carfax, which is a concern as well.

Yes I've been actively checking M3 list, not much has showed up recently especially in my area of the country.

[MineralWhiteF80]

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

Agreed on not buying a color that's not my favorite, I do like the way the white looks on this car offset by the black. My challenge is I'm not finding a color combo I like for a reasonable price.

This car has five previous owners and not one service record on Carfax, which is a concern as well.

Yes I've been actively checking M3 list, not much has showed up recently especially in my area of the country.

I'm biased because I think Alpine white on black is the best combo (what I have, and I spent almost a year trying to find the right specimen).

Five owners and not a single thing on the Carfax can be concerning but not absolutely a deal breaker. I'd have a BMW dealership show you the repair history while it was under factory warranty. The car has low mileage, so really, all someone would want to see is eight oil changes, and a couple of brake fluid flushes outside of the warranty.

I highly recommend you expand your search range and be ok with driving far away to find right vehicle and not take your chances on what is local to you. This is not the car to simply buy one. It is very beneficial to get a car that you know the history and maintenance of.

Speaking of maintenance, at 64,000 miles and 12 years old, you are getting into the window of the big ticket maintenance items of rod bearings, throttle actuators, valve cover gaskets, etc. which is going to cost a lot ($6000-9000 dollars if you had a shop do it). So you should be weighing in these maintenance factors that ALL e9x m3 cars will 100% need. Finding a car that may have a few more miles but all of these big services already completed may save you some time, money, and heartache.

[kolosy]

dude. consolidate to one thread (hopefully this is it). there's like 3 threads right now where you're asking the same question.

38k for that car is too much. looks like BaT is still running an average of about 40. Here's a super low mileage stick IB that just sold for 43. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2009-bmw-m3-coupe-32

[Gregrobin]

Originally Posted by kolosy

dude. consolidate to one thread (hopefully this is it). there's like 3 threads right now where you're asking the same question./url]

That is why I started this post, to consolidate.

I followed that auction, very nice car I don't need a pristine 16K M3. This will be a weekend driver, maybe try tracking it, car.

[Gregrobin]

Originally Posted by MineralWhiteF80

I'm biased because I think Alpine white on black is the best combo (what I have, and I spent almost a year trying to find the right specimen).

Five owners and not a single thing on the Carfax can be concerning but not absolutely a deal breaker. I'd have a BMW dealership show you the repair history while it was under factory warranty. The car has low mileage, so really, all someone would want to see is eight oil changes, and a couple of brake fluid flushes outside of the warranty.

I highly recommend you expand your search range and be ok with driving far away to find right vehicle and not take your chances on what is local to you. This is not the car to simply buy one. It is very beneficial to get a car that you know the history and maintenance of.

Speaking of maintenance, at 64,000 miles and 12 years old, you are getting into the window of the big ticket maintenance items of rod bearings, throttle actuators, valve cover gaskets, etc. which is going to cost a lot ($6000-9000 dollars if you had a shop do it). So you should be weighing in these maintenance factors that ALL e9x m3 cars will 100% need. Finding a car that may have a few more miles but all of these big services already completed may save you some time, money, and heartache.

I drove 7 hours roundtrip to look at this one and another one the dealer has, so yes I have started to expand my search. Glad I did, I almost purchased the other one sight unseen.

Agreed on big ticket maintenance. Rod Bearings/Motor mounts alone, in my area, are $5k.

Would any dealership be able to pull that maintenance with a VIN? I'd want to get a Pre Purchase Inspection as well.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

That is why I started this post, to consolidate.

I followed that auction, very nice car I don't need a pristine 16K M3. This will be a weekend driver, maybe try tracking it, car.

my point is that a 16k mile car in a premium color and transmission went for 43k, and the average is hovering around 40. 38 for a car with those body issues seems high.

[Gregrobin]

Originally Posted by MineralWhiteF80

I'd have a BMW dealership show you the repair history while it was under factory warranty. The car has low mileage, so really, all someone would want to see is eight oil changes, and a couple of brake fluid flushes outside of the warranty..

This was good advice, see the attached, seems all fluids were changed regularly prior to the car going out of warranty.

[kolosy]

Here you go -- just popped up. Given the BaT crowd, this'll go for mid-high 30s. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2013-bmw-m3-coupe-88/

[Gregrobin]

I just saw that one as well. By the time I buy roundtrip airfare to go look at it, pay the BAT Fee plus Transit, I am at ~$4000 plus the sale price. Plus the red interior, I can't do it :-)

I have come to the conclusion I can't buy one of these without first putting my hands on it.

If I could get this 2012 White one for ~$32K, do folks feel it's a fair deal? He's offered to deliver it, waive all of his fees and decrease the price.

[kolosy]

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

I just saw that one as well. By the time I buy roundtrip airfare to go look at it, pay the BAT Fee plus Transit, I am at ~$4000 plus the sale price. Plus the red interior, I can't do it :-)

I have come to the conclusion I can't buy one of these without first putting my hands on it.

If I could get this 2012 White one for ~$32K, do folks feel it's a fair deal? He's offered to deliver it, waive all of his fees and decrease the price.

heh, fair.

32 feels like a reasonable number for what's visible, though I'd still take a paint meter to it before committing. also surprising to have a dealer come down by $6K on a car which to me is a flag on its own.

[Gregrobin]

Originally Posted by kolosy

heh, fair.

32 feels like a reasonable number for what's visible, though I'd still take a paint meter to it before committing. also surprising to have a dealer come down by $6K on a car which to me is a flag on its own.

For clarity I didn't say the dealer would come down that much, I said he seems willing to negotiate.

The coilovers do indeed appear to be KW, and they are adjustable. Does that add value, decrease value, or is it a wash on the value of the car?

[spammysammich]

Depending on the model of the KWs it could be a nice upgrade but I would never consider aftermarket mods a value add to a used car. A seller could claim they are but I seldom agree with shit other people do to their cars. Figure out what they are and decide if you can live with them. Consider the cost of returning it to stock if that’s what you prefer. I like KW as a brand.

[Gregrobin]

I decided to walk away from this one.

[Honda]

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

I decided to walk away from this one.

Why? It seems nice example

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by kolosy

dude. consolidate to one thread (hopefully this is it). there's like 3 threads right now where you're asking the same question.

38k for that car is too much. looks like BaT is still running an average of about 40. Here's a super low mileage stick IB that just sold for 43. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2009-bmw-m3-coupe-32

Thrilled while waiting for a 4th...

[omgzirra_exe]

I do have knowledge of 2 alpinewiess / fox red interior cars for sale. both manual.. one with average miles and one with slightly high miles under 90K miles.

one is OEM+ with ohlins and some wheels... but has re-done pillars and headliner in Alcantara. - average mile car i think under 40K miles IIRC. it's in storage in SoCal.. owner lives in Germany so it doesn't get driven much, but when he does visit the car gets driven every day till he leaves.

the other is, mildly built.. supercharger, cae shifter, 2 way coilovers, titanium exhaust... etc. under 90K ish miles, but has the important maintenance done already. RB, RS Bushings, TA, Valvecovers, etc..

both cars are in the sub 40k price range.

although both are pre-LCI models.