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  • porksboy

    Feb. 14, 2010 12:19 p.m. porksboy Dork

    So with the recent demise of my Ranger I am thinking about a replacement. An M3 might be in the works, just need to tell my "source" what I want and go from there.

    This would probably wind up being driven my my wife once I get it where she and i are happy with it. She is a damn good driver, just try and keep up with her in her 2000 Altima. She has wanted a stick shift for a while. That is all we had as kids and when we first got together.

    So tell me what years and traps to look for. I know "look for the best example you can afford" I know there is a buyers guide article but I cant find it right now is it online?

  • njansenv

    Feb. 14, 2010 12:34 p.m. njansenv Reader

    What generation M3? The E46's have way more motor, and nicer interiors, but have been accused of being too soft...and they are significantly harder on fuel and need valve adjustments periodically. The E36 doesn't have the power, but is slightly more nimble and has a simpler drivetrain that can get 28mpg without too much effort.
    What do you need/want?

    IF I could get an E46 sedan, it would be our next family/allrounder car. We LOVED our E36 M3 sedan...and may very well pick another up in the future.

  • 4cylndrfury

    Feb. 14, 2010 12:50 p.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

    E36 based on looks alone. Not to mention Id much rather have to outdrive someone on a course than out pedal them. Gimme performance over speed any day!

  • porksboy

    Feb. 14, 2010 1:02 p.m. porksboy Dork

    E36 is probably closer to my price range. I like to keep things simple also. What type of valve adjustment does the E46 chassis have? Is it bucket over shims?

  • Keith

    Feb. 14, 2010 1:15 p.m. Keith SuperDork

    Just for fun, ask your insurance agent for a quote. Turns out my insurance company doesn't usually even insure M5s, the only reason they'd cover mine was because of the number of cars we have with them.

  • wcelliot

    Feb. 14, 2010 3:28 p.m. wcelliot Reader

    I used a 5sp M3 convertible for a daily driver for a few years. Stock except for a cold ait intake and some really aggressive brakes pads. Realtively inexpensive insurance (compared to other cars in the same performance range), handling and power were more than sufficient for any street situation, relaibility was excellent, and economy was exceptional. I basically got tired of it and wanted something else, but have regretted selling it ever since. Likely the best all around street car I've ever owned.

    Bill

  • nderwater

    Feb. 14, 2010 3:53 p.m. nderwater Reader

    My E36 M3 mas proved a supremely capable and athletic daily driver. It's even better hauling stuff than my wife's E39 because the rear seats fold down. That said, my sister-in-law's E46 M3 is in another league in terms of speed and sophistication. It's also much more expensive for her to insure and maintain, but it's still a hell of a car.

  • Rusnak_322

    Feb. 15, 2010 12:16 p.m. Rusnak_322 Reader

    I saw this on craigslist last night. Have they really dropped that much??? It looks like a legit place. Too bad it is silver and no clutch pedal.

    http://cleveland.craigslist.org/ctd/1597969198.html

    www.autoworldusainc.com

    2002 BMW 3 Series M3

    Price: $16833 Mileage: 86670 Stock No: P1288 Vin: WBSBL93462JR15489 Engine: 3.2L (195) DOHC 24-valve I6 engine Transmission: 6 Speed Manual Warranty: Vehicle has an existing warranty

  • Giant Purple Snorklewacker

    Feb. 15, 2010 1:38 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

    Some of this is just silly but there is good info in here to get you started:

    E36 M3 FAQ

  • rogerbvonceg

    Feb. 15, 2010 3:28 p.m. rogerbvonceg New Reader

    Rusnak_322 wrote:

    I saw this on craigslist last night. Have they really dropped that much???

    Yes. Tempting, but you have to consider the cost of ownership.

  • porksboy

    Feb. 15, 2010 7:43 p.m. porksboy Dork

    What is maintanance like? Are M3 parts that much more expensive than most? I was a Mercedes line tech for a major dealer ship back in the mid 80's to the early 90's so I dont think I need to pay someone else to do the work for me.

  • jefmed2

    Feb. 15, 2010 9:34 p.m. jefmed2 New Reader

    Maintanance on these cars is fairly straight forward stuff . there is alot of info online . Ive owned my e36m3 for 8 years and only had to bring it to the dealer to read codes for me (1995 does not have OBD2 connector). As far as the E46 M3 i find it has way more understeer then the e36 and I just do not dig the sound of that engine . the only car i would trade my car for would be the e46 ZHP performance package way more balance and sounds better to me , also available in four door.

  • jeffmx5

    Feb. 16, 2010 12:24 p.m. jeffmx5 Reader

    As much as I would love to daily an E46 M3, the running costs (tires, brakes and insurance) scare me.

  • RandyS

    Feb. 16, 2010 12:57 p.m. RandyS Reader

    I've had an E36 sedan 3.2L as a DD for over a year now. Great car, great gas milage (21-22 town, 26-28 hwy), sits 4 adults, cheap insurance, fits like a glove... It's a 4 door Miata.

    Replacement parts are cheap. There are only a handful of parts that are unqiue to the M3 so most other parts prices are brought down by the fact that all E36's use them.

    I recently wanted to get a new windshield cowl cover. I paid $31 new from an online BMW dealer, for a Miata the same part is over $100. The transmission is the same ZF that is in the 328 and 528 so it is regularly in the $300-500 range.

    The only part that is really expensive to replace is the engine - Usually in the $1500-3000 range (pristine vaders seem to hold their value too). There is nothing really unusual about the engine though so a rebuild price is about the same as any other engine. The intake cam and the crank/pistons are the only major things that make the engine different from a standard small six. As usual for any maker that keeps tolerances and QA tight, the engines tend to last 150-200k if maintained.

    I paid $5500 for mine from a roadside used car dealer that didn't know what he had.

  • AutoXR

    Feb. 16, 2010 3:51 p.m. AutoXR Reader

    I drove my lowered E36 M3 2 door winter and summer. Including trips 2 hrs north of Toronto Ontario in the dead of winter. car worked great. In the summer I daily'd it with Toyot RA1's

    great all purpose car.

  • njansenv

    Feb. 16, 2010 5:08 p.m. njansenv Reader

    To add to what has been said: Because the car IS at the bottom of it's depreciation curve, it can be VERY cheap driving if you do the maintenance/repairs yourself. Prices are much more likely to be effected by condition (no one wants an unmaintained BMW) than by mileage, so bought well (and kept up) it can be a great purchase.

    Never mind how much fun it is to drive....

    Nathan

 
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