what do you guys think of this car?

they seem to be dropping in price, and am curious if any of you fellow BAICers have had one, or know things like

reliability
tunability
drive
etc

just curious at this point....one sexy car imho

thanks

josh

 

http://forum.e46fanatics.com

 

will this be your DD or 2nd (weekend) car?

 

mine has been reliable so far, you can def. tune it but it's going to cost you a pretty penny, fun car to drive but if i can go back i would prob. buy a M5 instead of the M3. it is def. a nice car though. PM me if you have any other questions.

 

They are expensive to run. I would look into an E90(2) 335i, more power, more tunability, etc.

 

kspek - did you get 6 spd manual or SMG?

 

Smg

 

it would be my second car. just dreaming right now....

and thanks for the link.

i understand they are proly pricey to maintain/tune (they ARE a bmw...). i am thinking about what car to get to race, or to just get a kart and see what happens. i am pretty petrified of the maint. costs over time. especially cuz i DRIVE my cars. what about high milage cars? bad idea?

my sti will remain my dd for a while at least. i just have been jonsin for a german car again.

thanks!

josh

 

I was thinking of picking one up as a DD as well. Kspek you mind if I pm you with questions?

 

feel free to pm me, i will try to do my best to answer whatever questions you guys might have.

 

I would not buy an existing high mileage M3, however if you have one with miles that you have put on it and maintained it properly you should have no problems. I know its not an M car, but my brother has a 2003 325i, spent 2 years in Boston, maintained as it should have been according to the factory guide and the only problem he has had in 100+ miles is a failed fuel pump. So when properly maintained a BMW will run for a long time with minimal problems.

 

Some friends had an early E46 M3 (before moving on to a Carrera 4S). It was a good thing it was leased, because that thing ended up on a flatbed half a dozen times and cost BMW a few K in maintenance. Still, I'm sure they aren't all like that, and it was a hell of a fun car.

 

Fun cars. Maintenance headaches. One of my best friends is a BMW mechanic at an independent Berkeley shop and he'll be the first to tell you such.

-Brian

 

thanks brian

i have been reading a bunch and the headaches make me cringe. such a bummer cuz i think they are sexy as all get....

now i am thinking about b5 audis again (an avant of course) and restoring to an rs4 with the fenders and all...man i am a sicko...

josh

 

Haven't owned an Audi but I hear they are worse than the beemers. In the e46's defense, there are a ton of resources to help you maintain and fix that car. If you get an SMG pray that pump doesn't fail and the subframe doesn't crack.