E46 M3 for a DD??
Feb 28, 2011, 09:19 PM
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E46 M3 for a DD??
Hey guys, looking for some advice/input. As my Evo becomes more and more of a Track car and less of a street car, coupled with it needs to be down for some time to have some minor body work, fender replaced, bumper/door sprayed to match. I have been looking at buying an E46 M3 as a DD. I know most people don't own an AWD as a toy and buy a RWD for a DD.
The current car I am looking at is a 2003 M3 Convertible, Carbon Black on Black with 44000 miles I got the dealer to $25000 but still seems a bit high. Anyone with experience with these? What should I look for? How is the maintenance compared to an Evo? Will I still have $$ to spend finishing up my Time Attack car or is the E46 going to break me in repairs? Any tips, suggestions would be helpful. Thanks Guys!
The current car I am looking at is a 2003 M3 Convertible, Carbon Black on Black with 44000 miles I got the dealer to $25000 but still seems a bit high. Anyone with experience with these? What should I look for? How is the maintenance compared to an Evo? Will I still have $$ to spend finishing up my Time Attack car or is the E46 going to break me in repairs? Any tips, suggestions would be helpful. Thanks Guys!
Feb 28, 2011, 10:03 PM
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bmw are awesome, i love them to death, i think they are beautiful.... but i would not own one that didnt have a warranty, and my buddy who owns one will tell you the same. Car crapped out with just a few minor problems, headlight needed to be replace (which also involes resetting the computer) or something and like one other small thing. He got the warranty from the shop he got it from, the used extended warranty (whatever they are called). It was like $2,000 i think, but just that one trip to the BMW shop made it worth it.... and that has not been the only trip. If you get it, more power to you, and i will be jealous of you, but make sure you get a warranty or it will quite possibly become more of a money hog than the evo.
Feb 28, 2011, 10:13 PM
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Good tip, I will ask if they can do a warranty as they will most likely certify the car...they just got it in inventory hasn't been inspected yet. The Evo mainly soaks my money in making it faster lol. Thats my one worry is that it will cost me a fortune if something goes wrong. I would rather spend the money on the Evo, and be able to drive the BMW.
Last edited by casper980; Feb 28, 2011 at 10:15 PM.
Feb 28, 2011, 10:18 PM
#4
Well I was looking for an E46 M3 but instead I got an Evo. I know that with the E46 M3 most electrical parts and body panels are interchangeable with the 3 series.
The thing is if you go to the dealer for maintenance prepare to get charged way more for little parts just because of the M3 badge.
The SMG automatic transmissions not only make the car way heavier they break. I would get a manual trans because they are way more reliable.
Convertible not a good reliable choice because more moving parts means future maintenance costs. Plus the coupe version feels a lot stiffer when turning.
IMO, 25,000 is way too high a price for a 03 convertible.
All the dealers in CA cant sell convertible M3s as fast as coupe M3s. Probably different market attitude in your area but I would look elsewhere for an M3.
An example would be when I came across a 02 IR coupe M3 with 17k miles at a dealership. This was an immaculate car and I would have been able to buy it for 24k OTD. Alas, I wanted to wait a week to gather my finances and check out other prospects. BIG MISTAKE!!! I later found out that M3 was sold by the next hour.
The thing is if you go to the dealer for maintenance prepare to get charged way more for little parts just because of the M3 badge.
The SMG automatic transmissions not only make the car way heavier they break. I would get a manual trans because they are way more reliable.
Convertible not a good reliable choice because more moving parts means future maintenance costs. Plus the coupe version feels a lot stiffer when turning.
IMO, 25,000 is way too high a price for a 03 convertible.
All the dealers in CA cant sell convertible M3s as fast as coupe M3s. Probably different market attitude in your area but I would look elsewhere for an M3.
An example would be when I came across a 02 IR coupe M3 with 17k miles at a dealership. This was an immaculate car and I would have been able to buy it for 24k OTD. Alas, I wanted to wait a week to gather my finances and check out other prospects. BIG MISTAKE!!! I later found out that M3 was sold by the next hour.
Last edited by deylag; Mar 1, 2011 at 10:37 AM.
Feb 28, 2011, 10:26 PM
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Yea, I actually emailed about a different M3, it was sold the dealer said he just got this one in, so I went and looked at it with a quickness as they don't last around here either, I liked it so I put a deposit so it doesn't go missing. I would rather have a coupe, but I do like the M3 Convertible too. He originally told me $29k and I blew him up! I am hoping to get a little better price on it, and try to get the payments reasonable. If I don't get the pricing/payment I want, I will walk away quickly. Maybe I can get him to throw in a warranty and one of those M3 Jackets for that price.
If I look farther distance there are more options but driving 10hrs or flying somewhere to look at a car doesn't interest me. Maybe I can find the cars I am interested in and have Evom members that are close test drive them for me and give me their feedback. Community car buying program FTW!
If I look farther distance there are more options but driving 10hrs or flying somewhere to look at a car doesn't interest me. Maybe I can find the cars I am interested in and have Evom members that are close test drive them for me and give me their feedback.
Community car buying program FTW!
Last edited by casper980; Feb 28, 2011 at 10:29 PM.
Mar 1, 2011, 10:51 AM
#7
The 01 E46 M3 models have had factory recalls. The good thing about this is most of them have been repaired by now. You can always check the carfax to see if the recall has been performed.
BMW fixes them even if the warranty is expired.
You should test drive both a M3 convertible and a M3. See which one you like better.
BMW fixes them even if the warranty is expired.
You should test drive both a M3 convertible and a M3. See which one you like better.
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Mar 1, 2011, 11:09 AM
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Devils advocate - for the least expensive M daily driver, E36 M3 cars, parts, and mods are less expensive. While slower in a straight line than an E46 M3, they have a more "connected" driving experience, and can be had with a 5 speed and 4 doors. Even really nice E36's can be found for under $14K and they don't have such expensive potential problems.
The E46 has potential issues with:
You have to spend a LOT of money to make an E46 faster, unless you take the weight reduction route.
The E46 has potential issues with:
- early build cars had badly toleranced rod bearings - most had complete engine replacement under warranty
- rear trunk floor tearing at subframe mounts - class action suit was won, and many cars had warranty repair, but unrepaired cars are out there
- SMG failure (usually its not the actual transmission, but external parts in the control and actuation system)
- 12 small Torx bolts which attach the VANOS gear plates to the camshafts back out - results in bolts shearing, camshafts stop rotating, and bent valves. Service replacement bolts now have threadlocker applied.
- LSD failure
You have to spend a LOT of money to make an E46 faster, unless you take the weight reduction route.
Mar 1, 2011, 07:06 PM
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Devils advocate - for the least expensive M daily driver, E36 M3 cars, parts, and mods are less expensive. While slower in a straight line than an E46 M3, they have a more "connected" driving experience, and can be had with a 5 speed and 4 doors. Even really nice E36's can be found for under $14K and they don't have such expensive potential problems.
The E46 has potential issues with:
You have to spend a LOT of money to make an E46 faster, unless you take the weight reduction route.
The E46 has potential issues with:
- early build cars had badly toleranced rod bearings - most had complete engine replacement under warranty
- rear trunk floor tearing at subframe mounts - class action suit was won, and many cars had warranty repair, but unrepaired cars are out there
- SMG failure (usually its not the actual transmission, but external parts in the control and actuation system)
- 12 small Torx bolts which attach the VANOS gear plates to the camshafts back out - results in bolts shearing, camshafts stop rotating, and bent valves. Service replacement bolts now have threadlocker applied.
- LSD failure
You have to spend a LOT of money to make an E46 faster, unless you take the weight reduction route.
Anyways, now I am on plan B, looking for the following:
Evo X (found a 2008 for $23000 low miles...cant remember how many)
STI (found 2007 waiting on dealer to call)
5 Door WRX
128i
135i
330i
335i
I want a warranty so I don't have to worry about it so all newer models. Even considering a lease 2011 128i, I would prob buy it when lease is up.
Or plan C, find another 240sx for $3000...I do love them so and miss my old one.
Plan D, rent a car while Evo is in the shop
Any suggestions/opinions?
Jun 5, 2011, 02:41 PM
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Well I was looking for an E46 M3 but instead I got an Evo. I know that with the E46 M3 most electrical parts and body panels are interchangeable with the 3 series.
The thing is if you go to the dealer for maintenance prepare to get charged way more for little parts just because of the M3 badge.
The SMG automatic transmissions not only make the car way heavier they break. I would get a manual trans because they are way more reliable.
Convertible not a good reliable choice because more moving parts means future maintenance costs. Plus the coupe version feels a lot stiffer when turning.
IMO, 25,000 is way too high a price for a 03 convertible.
All the dealers in CA cant sell convertible M3s as fast as coupe M3s. Probably different market attitude in your area but I would look elsewhere for an M3.
An example would be when I came across a 02 IR coupe M3 with 17k miles at a dealership. This was an immaculate car and I would have been able to buy it for 24k OTD. Alas, I wanted to wait a week to gather my finances and check out other prospects. BIG MISTAKE!!! I later found out that M3 was sold by the next hour.
The thing is if you go to the dealer for maintenance prepare to get charged way more for little parts just because of the M3 badge.
The SMG automatic transmissions not only make the car way heavier they break. I would get a manual trans because they are way more reliable.
Convertible not a good reliable choice because more moving parts means future maintenance costs. Plus the coupe version feels a lot stiffer when turning.
IMO, 25,000 is way too high a price for a 03 convertible.
All the dealers in CA cant sell convertible M3s as fast as coupe M3s. Probably different market attitude in your area but I would look elsewhere for an M3.
An example would be when I came across a 02 IR coupe M3 with 17k miles at a dealership. This was an immaculate car and I would have been able to buy it for 24k OTD. Alas, I wanted to wait a week to gather my finances and check out other prospects. BIG MISTAKE!!! I later found out that M3 was sold by the next hour.