Lee Reynolds

I have just taken a deposit on my Mk1 Escort. This was supposed to be a keeper after a long 3 year resto. This keeps happening with me I can't keep a car! . I love my Fords, and no doubt I will end up in another but before I do Im thinking of something different.
A car I always fancied was the E46 M3. Love the look and sound and still think they look nice today and are very affordable.

Are there any in particular 'ones to have'? And what should I look out for not just on the car but also work that should have been done in the history etc?

Would I be a complete fanny buying a cabby?

Lee Reynolds

Cars like this, to me , are just cheap as chips and nice.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M3-E46-CON...item1ea13a1714

maxest

iTrader: (1)

Running in service is a must
Subframes are a weak point

Yes, but you already are one for selling that beautiful escort

Mr--c

Not into smg ones. Tend to rip diff mounts and can be troublesome prefer manual every day. But decent enough motors. Had a few in my time

Twins

iTrader: (18)

Think what the escort would be worth in another 10 years

Harris.

Lee Reynolds

Who cares Dave. Could be dead in 5 mate its just metal. I dont buy cars for investments mate.

oibren85

Ł1500 for the Subframe repair done to a high standard. Mostly happen in the SMG but the manuals get it also.

Girlfriend just sold one and it was nice to drive and was relentless on speed, as something special to drive, probably not as much as the Escort.

Lee Reynolds

LOL I know Max. Wanted one for years. Got this how I want it and just not fussed mate.

Lee Reynolds

It's not something I expect to compare to the escort. Just fancying a change ! Unless someone else has any ideas of what to buy for a change? Before I end up with another Series 1 turbo!

Caddyshack

Check for the rear sub cracks, get all bushes inspected as e46 eats them, the vanos and gear boxes if manual are good but need checking. If smg then check, check, check.

My mate had a 5000 / 8000 value car inspected and the Indy BMW tech suggested a spend of Ł5000 to make it right.

Harris.

BMW repair the boot floor and sub frame under warranty .

maxest

iTrader: (1)

I think you just enjoy building them.. and your good at it; m3 will bore you to death; get a S1

Lee Reynolds

I do like restoring them but deffo no projects for a long time Max. Just want something I can use and not be over fussed on. Id leave an M3 parked at the coast, I wouldnt a S1. So makes it a little unuseable still

maxest

iTrader: (1)

MK1 focus RS..

gcfcos

I love the look of the e46 m3, never driven one though

Lee Reynolds

Its another consideration mate yes.

maxest

iTrader: (1)

Modern RST.. Still tinker with it... And not be bothered about leaving it parked up anywhere..

Caddyshack

They did but not now. They had to have 100% bang on time services every service interval but not now they are 10yrs plus.

daviddunlop83

iTrader: (7)

I bought an SMG one on Friday

Loving it so far. Sub frame is fine at the minute. Tempted to inject it with the structuring foam

The sound of it changing gear it's no wonder it wrecks duff mounts etc but do addictive

gcfcos

That is stunning.

gingeRS

ive been thinking about chopping in my focus RS for one for a while now

my E39 is an awesome car and would loved to own an M car (mine is a 530d)

been looking for a nice e39 M5 but they dont seem to come up (without a hefty price tag)

CrOwSoN15

SMG is poop, hefty bill when the pump fails too.
I think it's circa 100k the subframes can go.

Mate of mine had a nice black one on CSL wheels, full stainless sounded nutty.

AJC

iTrader: (6)

Agree there, I'd have another tomorrow

adsrs1

I nearly got one a few years ago the sound of them on full chat is great and if you change the air box for the csl one they sound even better . I would have one now but the only thing that puts me off is the sub frames

RSCossieGaz

iTrader: (6)

Last month i bought a E46 M3 manual coupe and i love it so far! Ive been wanting one for years as i have always liked the look and sound of them lol.

For me it had to be manual as i want a car i can drive not it drive me and i heard that when pumps go on the smg's there big money so didnt want anything like that.

Lets see how long the love affair lasts lol but so far its great......just need to get my cossie finished now 😉

Oranoco

Brother has one and everytime I drive it I get out smitten by it. His is an SMG car with a few tweeks; Remap with downshift throttle blips and popping on the over run. Eibach springs. Milltek rear box. It's such a gorgeous car to drive and well balanced.

He had subrame go and BMW did it under warantee with no messing. I beleive they only do this on cars up to 10 years old and sub 100k miles. BMW have been fantastic as a couple of small rust blips came up and they took the car in and sorted that also. Can you imagine a Ford dealer taking back a 9 year old Focus and painting it at their expense because of a bit of tin worm?

The only critisicm I can have is that it doesn't always feel fast. A few times I've opened it up and it felt like 90 and found I was well well into 3 figure speeds.

KSA-Cossie

iTrader: (4)

Sold my saph to buy one , wish I'd bought one years ago. Fitted an eventuri and the intake noise is immense, boot floors can be done for Ł800 now.

rik-rs

cheap?????:sho cked: :shoc ked:
lottery money to me that...

christ...

Lee Reynolds

What about these ?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-Ca...e73f6#viTabs_0

imnoteasy

M3 convertible. For me it would be a grey with champagne leather. Smg

Had a mk1 rs focus. Was boring. Sold it after a couple of months.

ajamesc

i couldn't think of a worse car lol crap gearbox hairdresser roof and champagne leather is nasty! Each to there own I guess.
I'd have a dark grey manual with black or red leather but it would have to have the smaller wheels the chrome 18's just look chav too me lol

Lee Reynolds

My preferred colour is Laguna Seca, Bryan - but rare.

Lee Reynolds

Everyone to their own mate. The small wheels look wank

Lee Reynolds

Didnt know youd sold that Kev!

ajamesc

wank lol I'd say there a million times better the biger ones are too bling and a bit chav these suit the car far more

andrewjswain

I have had a e36 m3
E46 manual & smg
E90 v8 manual & dct
Now on m4 dct amazing car
All fantastic cars but still can't sell my old fords
Looking for a e46 manual as a track car they go great and great value for money

Lee Reynolds

That pic confirms it for me. I would weigh them in straight away!

ajamesc

i can tell your a cream leather drop top chrome wheel type

Lee Reynolds

There is a reason those wheels are very rare!