Broken e46 M3 value

[Arctic///M3]

Quick question for you guys. What would you pay for the following e46 m3?

2004
90k - mileage
Silver on Black
SMG
Broken Vanos, possibly other bits and pieces related to the problem. (chain, gaskets, solenoids, etc)
Car idles and drives, poorly but drives.
Clean inside and out

Thanks in advance, just looking for a ballpark figure.

[Pelican Parts]

How many miles on the motors and transmission?

[Arctic///M3]

How many miles on the motors and transmission?

Sorry I knew I was forgetting something. 90k on motor and trans

[MassiveWalrus]

5k - 7k

[lmtfi]

$4-5k max.

[Arctic///M3]

Thanks for the input guys, keep them coming!

I am also wondering if you guys are considering other things needing replacement in this case scenario that the vanos failed, such as valve job, or if the prices you are listing only involve the vanos job itself.

[Pelican Parts]

I'm agreeing with lmtfi, $4-5k max. for this one.


-Dmitry

[XAlt]

Thanks for the input guys, keep them coming!

I am also wondering if you guys are considering other things needing replacement in this case scenario that the vanos failed, such as valve job, or if the prices you are listing only involve the vanos job itself.

I'd just ditch the VANOS altogether. But if it jumped timing and lost compression, 4k max.

[Arctic///M3]

Tying to do some quick math and think about some of the factors that play into the price points you guys are talking about.

A well maintained 04 M3 with SMG and 90k miles would cost roughly 17k
If the car in need of a vanos replacement is worth about 6k. Does it really make sense that the car would be 11k less to purchase?

I understand this is pretty obvious to everyone, but I am trying to lay it out in hopes of generating some more discussion. Looking at it from the owners perspective, I would find it extremely difficult to sell the car at a 3rd of its value. Additionally, I think the repair should not cost more than a few grand depending on the tools and parts you have available..

- - - Updated - - -

I'd just ditch the VANOS altogether. But if it jumped timing and lost compression, 4k max.

Thanks for the post. Great idea! I thought of the same thing.

Eliminating the vanos with a block off plate does seem like a viable option, but in my option it would be more applicable for a track car. The torque which the vanos helps with in the lower RPM range is a necessity to get around town without revving the engine out.

The car in question is derivable and does not seem to suffer from problems related to low compression. If it is just the vanos which needs work, would you still consider spending only 4k max on it?

[Butters Stoch]

Yeah, never seen a 5k e46 m3. Broken vanos or not, no one will let one go for that price.

[MauiM3Mania]

Has the repair cost been determined?

[lmtfi]

Yeah, never seen a 5k e46 m3. Broken vanos or not, no one will let one go for that price.

Just because an owner wants X price - doesn't make it worth that price.

Taking on someone's 3-legged broken dog as a project car has plenty of risks. Not the least of which is taking the owner's word that the car is otherwise just fine.

If the car is otherwise just fine - why doesn't the owner just fix it?

[Butters Stoch]

Just because an owner wants X price - doesn't make it worth that price.

Taking on someone's 3-legged broken dog as a project car has plenty of risks. Not the least of which is taking the owner's word that the car is otherwise just fine.

If the car is otherwise just fine - why doesn't the owner just fix it?

Have you bought an e46 m3 for 4-5k ? Or has anyone here bought one for 4-5k without serious body damage.

[Arctic///M3]

Has the repair cost been determined?

The owner claims it needs 2k in parts and 8k in labor saying it is in need of a camshaft.
The information sounds inaccurate at best and makes the price of the car that much more difficult to determine.

Just because an owner wants X price - doesn't make it worth that price.

Taking on someone's 3-legged broken dog as a project car has plenty of risks. Not the least of which is taking the owner's word that the car is otherwise just fine.

If the car is otherwise just fine - why doesn't the owner just fix it?

You make very strong points and I agree with you. The owner is asking for 10k, which is overpriced no matter what condition the car is in.

In order to facilitate more discussion I will try and take on the point you had mentioned.

You asked, why doesnt the owner fix the car? There are usually two kinds of car owners, the ones which work on their cars, and the ones that dont. I believe the owner of the car in question does not work on the car himself. The car is most likely out of warranty and to avoid high maintenance/repair costs he goes to mechanics with insufficient tools and capabilities. This leaves him with one option, going to the dealership and spending close to half the cars value to fix the issue, at which point he considers selling the car.

What I would like to know from you is this. What would you do if you were in the owners shoes? Imagine you had just purchased the car for say.. 18k, and this problem came up. The only option you had is going to the dealership and spending 5k+ out of pocket. What would you be willing to sell the car for at that point?

Have you bought an e46 m3 for 4-5k ? Or has anyone here bought one for 4-5k without serious body damage.

Butters whatcha doin here? This aint no FI section!

Thanks for the input. I'm with you, I think a 5k e46 m3 is pretty hard to come by which only makes this car so much more attractive. Regardless, for the purpose of the discussion to determine the price of the car, I will try and dispute your comments.

When I originally spoke to a buddy which has been working on these at the dealer for a long time, I was caught off guard when he mentioned the car would only be work about 5k. Coming from the e36 world I was overlooking some things. The prices on e46 m3 parts are significantly more expensive. A simple hub for the vanos can set you back $900 new.

Moreover, its hard to say whether the timing jumped or not, the car might have a bent valve, which would easily triple the price of the repair. As the other member mentioned, there could be more problems as there usually are, increasing the risk of purchasing the car at a higher price.

I think a few things can happen here. Either the car goes to a dealer, which will not pay more for the car than 5k. A knowledgeable person shows up and determines that the car might need vanos work and a possible valve job willing to pay in the ballpark of 5k. Otherwise, a less knowledgeable person would be willing to pay the same price not knowing whats involved in fixing the car.

So what do you say, still dont think its worth close to 5k?