HOW TO GET ONE IN YOUR GARAGE
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Today prices start at around £12,000
for a car which cost from £51,000
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USED CARS
14 AUGUST 2019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 77
An expert’s view
JAGS BHAMRA, FOUNDING
DIRECTOR, BMSPORT
“I prefer the saloon to the coupé and
convertible. It’s more discreet as well
as practical, but all three are reliable.
There’s the occasional leaky gearbox
sump and failing throttle actuators,
but otherwise they’re tough. If any are
troublesome it tends to be those that
h ave b e e n ove r - c a r e d fo r, a s i n va l e te d
and detailed every weekend. You’re
better off with one that looks like it’s
rarely seen a bucket and sponge. As
long as it’s had its oil and fluid changes,
it’ll be fine. The only mod I might make
is a fruitier exhaust, something like a
S u p e r s p r i nt. A l s o co n s i d e r a c u sto m
remap to improve driveability.”
Buyer beware
QENGINE
Some specialists report failing big
ends. It’s not mileage-related and the
advice is to have them replaced before
they fail – it costs around £1500.
Infrequent oil changes is a possible
reason. Poor throttle response could
be failing throttle actuators, uneven
tickover is faulty ignition coils and
lumpy acceleration a faulty injector.
Check the oil level using iDrive.
QTRANSMISSION
Manual and DCT gearboxes are tough
but extreme driving modes for the
transmission and rear diff stored in the
iDrive system suggest a hard-driven
car, so check all works as it should. The
DCT is sealed for life but a 60,000-
mile oil and filter change doesn’t hurt.
In any case, its plastic sump becomes
brittle over time and weeps oil. A fluid
and sump change costs around £500.
QSUSPENSION AND BRAKES
Check the optional EDC dampers for
leaks. The M3 is heavy so feel for worn
bushes and general looseness over
bumps. Check rear brakes for seized
pistons; check tyres for uneven wear.
Factor in the cost of a geometry check
of the fully adjustable suspension.
QBODYWORK
Any rust suggests a crash repair.
Check wing bolts for fresh paint, lift
the boot carpet and check for buckling
and examine the headlights for water
ingress (it’s increasingly common).
The V8 makes 414bhp,
or 444bhp in later
special-edition models
Crucial service info
and history can be
displayed on the dash
One we found
BMW M3 4.0 V8 COUPE,
2008/08, 58K MILES,
£13,995
Manual coupé in ‘very good condition’
with mix of main dealer and specialist
history. Much-vaunted first service
carried out. Finished in black with
upgraded red fox leather interior.
QINTERIOR
Make sure all the modes and driver aids
(throttle response, steering, gearshift,
EDC damper control, traction control)
operate. Key settings reveal a lot about
the previous owner’s driving style.
Also worth knowing
You can check the service status of
the oil, brake pads and fluid and cabin
microfilter via the dash information
centre on early cars and iDrive on later
ones. The key also stores the service
history: put it in the ignition and check
what’s been done and what’s due.
How much to spend