Few 2003 M3 Questions

[kattansf]

Hi guys,

First of all I would like to say Hi and introduce my self. My name is Salman and I'm an engineer working in the oil industry in Saudi Arabia for a bit over a year now.

My topic here is basically of two parts. First, the offer I got yesterday. Then general M3 parts and running cost questions.


Here is the deal. Yesterday I found a silver/red leather coupe 2003 M3 with about 10K miles on it with pretty much all the options: SMG, roof, Navi., you name it, for $36K. By the way, we don't pay sales taxes here so it will be $36K period.

The only problem with the car is that the upper side airbag from the driver's side popped out when a small metal pipe fell of a truck and hit the upper door trim from out side causing a very small din that is not visible.

Should I consider the deal? The air bag was not fixed but was put back inside and covered. You can't tell if you're sitting inside that there is anything wrong with the airbag. That area looks clean and exactly like the passenger's perfect side.

Will the other airbags work with this one not functioning? How much will it cost to repair that airbag?



Now to my second part of the thread:

How much do braek pads cost?
What are major and minor problems with 2003 SMG M3?
If I'm a clean and mature driver, what budget should I expect for regular maintenance?
Any other issues that I should be aware off?



Regards,
Salman

***************************

 

[Tom]

Hello Salman, sounds like a great deal to me. In the US maintenance should be free for the first 4 years. The only thing you have to pay for are intermittent oil changes.

In terms of brake pads, are you thinking of upgrading or replacing the stocks?

 

[kattansf]

Hi Tom,

Sorry I was not clear enough. I was talking about replacing stock ones. But now that you've talked about upgrading, how much will the upgraded ones cost?


Great deal even with the airbag issue?

 

[kattansf]

Any more comments guys? I still have 5 more days to make up my mind.

 

[Dinan55]

If I were you, I'd run out and get it right now.

 

[frayed]

Brake pads are inexpensive. I consider the Axxis Ultimates to a nice upgrade from stock: better warm bite, 1/2 the dust, and better feel.

A quick search at www.mpactmotorsports.com shows they are $59.

I run them on my E36 M3 all around and love them.