PLEASE HELP - Looking at buying M3, need advice

[barlowrs]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post, I do not have an M3 but I am looking at changing that VERY soon.

I need some of your expert advice though. I am looking at a used 2005 M3 convertable at the moment but I am running into a few issuses and want to ask your opinions and advice.

First of all, the seller says that there is a factory defect (lemon) and that the brakes sqeak on it. The car is still under warranty, so is this something that will be fixed under warranty? Is this a known issue with 05 M3? Or is this a lemon and I need to stay away?

Secondly, The seller says it is white and has never been painted, however I am unsure if this is true. The engine bay is a different white. not matching the outside paint and all the bolts holding the front fenders inside the enginer bay are white (is this normal, or where they painted). Do all white M3 come like this? I am afraid maybe it was repainted due to an accident and he is trying to hide it from me.

Any advice would be VERY helpful. Thanks a lot!

[aus]

You're in the wrong section. You've got an E46 M3.

Try this: http://www.m3post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75
Or: http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/forumdisplay.php?f=9

[Deda]

good luck.

[PrinceSmooth]

seems like you need to look at a carfax report... that should cover all the history the cars been through... ask the selller to provide the report or don't even bother with him...

[HotLap]

I'll give it a shot

1) no idea about the brake squeeking - try you local BMW service dept. - they should know if there is an official BMW bulliten out on the M3 squeeking brakes.

2) Auto manufacturers do not clear coat the engine bay and genrally only use the base color coat under the hood - so it is generally NOT as shiny as the exterior paint that has the protective clear coat. It should look different. The fender bolts should be painted the same color as the fenders because the final paint is applied after the fenders have been attached to the car....what you need to be careful with is if the fender bolts have all been removed/replaced as evidenced by paint missing where the socket would make contact.

I wouldn't rely on a CarFax report either - if the car was repaired by it's owner or by a "buddy in a bodyshop" it may never have been reported as having been in an accident. CarFax Reports are great for what they show - but are worthless for those repair jobs that were not reported.

Good luck

[PortoM3]

you can take it to a dealer and pay a buyer's inspection fee, and they will tell you what needs to be done. also, take it to a local BMW shop and they will be able to tell you if hte car has been painted or not. just my advise, though, stay away from anything that has the word "lemon" in the conversation. It's not like you won't be able to find another 05 M3 for sale, mate. Find a better one. In my opinion, pay a bit more, and get something that you know the person who had it took very good care of it.

[09E92M34ME]

good luck

[Heat00]

two words: Test Drive

[MJC///M3]

that "factory defect" would leave me very disconcerted.

Good luck man.

[duk]

no thanks

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by Heat00

two words: Test Drive

+1

Also, why are you refering to a car with squeaky brakes as a 'lemon', is there more mechanical problems with the car than you are stating? Brakes need to be replaced eventually......please explain.

Good luck with the search.

E46 M3 Vert - one of my favorites!