So... Went to look at new BMW M3's

Have you looked here?



http://www.roadfly.org/bmw/classifieds/cars/listads.php?cat=208&pages=1&sortby=_PRICE&dir=ASC



Steve



LightngSVT said:
So driving home last night I noticed the local Checvy dealer has 2 Vettes out front. An 01 Z06 and an 03 Vert. The Z06 has 21000 miles and the vert has 330000 miles. Both are cheaper than what has been mentioned for prices for used M3's. Then theres the Ford dealer with the 04 Lightning for only $28k (I already know I like Lightnings). Thing Is I have always loved the M3's, but it seems like its going to be an extreme challenge to find one in the right condition for the right price. Im not sure I want to go through the "hassle"? Then ther is also the 06 SVT CObra Shelby with 450hp for under $40k new. Im confused now on what to do? Maybe its best that I take sometime to just think on it and look casually?
Click to expand...
 
Id really love the opportunity to drive an M3. I have driven the 325 and 330 (had an 99 325Ci ordered, didnt buy it) and they are very nice, if not overly powerful cars. The one thing I didnt like about the 330 was it was so smooth that it felt slower than it was. But the dynamics of the cars were great! Its hard to really say that "yes I want this" without driving it.



I breifly looked at the Roadfly link, amny M3 for sale, but the nice ones are still $40-ish. There was an 01 with 56k miles in MI (local) asking $31900. It looks great in the pics, but it is a "funky" blue color. IS this price about right for a 6 speed? Ill check out roadfly a bit closer.



I went and drove the Z06 at lunch today. Ehhh... I was surprised at how large those Corvettes really are! I mean ther car stopped and accelerated like mad, but Im not sure its totally me?



Do BMW Dealers general;ly allow test drives in new M3's? My local dealer has 3 in stock (As mentioned above). That make help narrow down the choice once and for all.



Thanks for all the suggestions and links so far everyone!!!
 
termigator said:
Any reason for them depreciating quickly?
Click to expand...



It seems to be a combination of many factors and this steep depreciation curve is not unique to the M3 but is becoming more and more common in higher end cars. The e46 M3 (especially the e46 model) is being produced in much larger numbers than it has in the past and is much more common and many are being leased, therefore basic supply and demand dictates lower prices in the used market. Also, many of the buyers of these cars just want the latest toy and really donâ€â„¢t buy the car for the car, this combined with fact that more and more manufactures are producing âہ“gotta haveâ€Â� toys results in the buyers changing cars more often as there are more cars that compete in the same type of category these days. These cars are expensive new and most of the buyers of these cars would rather buy new than used therefore the used prices suffer greatly initially until the prices reach a point where the enthusiast who really want the car but who canâ€â„¢t or donâ€â„¢t want to spend the money on a new car are willing to pay.



The e46 M3 has also suffered some serious reliability problems with the engine and questions surrounding the early SMG transmissions. There is a fear in the market (justified or not) of owning these cars out of warranty (even though BMW increased the warranty on the engine and claims to have solved the problem) therefore the price is driven down.



This is a great time to be an auto enthusiast because of the steeper depreciation of these high end cars A good example is Porsche. In 1997 a new Porsche Carrera would have a sticker price of something like $64k and a two year old car would still be selling for $60k. However, now a new Carrera depreciates $5k (but many more of the cars are produced). If you look at the e36 M3 and compare it to the e46 you see the same trend in the increased depreciation.
 
The funky blue ones go for a bit less, + the early 01's in Leguna Seca Blue were dealer demo's or something along those lines.



Steve

LightngSVT said:
Id really love the opportunity to drive an M3. I have driven the 325 and 330 (had an 99 325Ci ordered, didnt buy it) and they are very nice, if not overly powerful cars. The one thing I didnt like about the 330 was it was so smooth that it felt slower than it was. But the dynamics of the cars were great! Its hard to really say that "yes I want this" without driving it.



I breifly looked at the Roadfly link, amny M3 for sale, but the nice ones are still $40-ish. There was an 01 with 56k miles in MI (local) asking $31900. It looks great in the pics, but it is a "funky" blue color. IS this price about right for a 6 speed? Ill check out roadfly a bit closer.



I went and drove the Z06 at lunch today. Ehhh... I was surprised at how large those Corvettes really are! I mean ther car stopped and accelerated like mad, but Im not sure its totally me?



Do BMW Dealers general;ly allow test drives in new M3's? My local dealer has 3 in stock (As mentioned above). That make help narrow down the choice once and for all.



Thanks for all the suggestions and links so far everyone!!!
Click to expand...
 
Im confused? Didnt you just say that all the M3's in that color were demos? I have to assume that demos dont get treated as nicely as a personal car might. Still for thye price, it might be worth a look.
 
no, not necessarily a demo color.



I kinda of like that color actually. Its one of the few that really distingushes the M3. That and the yellow. They may not be the most attractive, but they are different and you know its an m3 when you see them.
 
Sorry to be confusing. some of the early 2001 m3's in LSB were demo cars, I am not sure what that means, only what I heard. Not all, but some.



Did a quick search and came up with this-



Read what is an E46



http://www.bimmerfest.com/faq/faq.php



Steve



LightngSVT said:
Im confused? Didnt you just say that all the M3's in that color were demos? I have to assume that demos dont get treated as nicely as a personal car might. Still for thye price, it might be worth a look.
Click to expand...
 
Do BMW Dealers general;ly allow test drives in new M3's? My local dealer has 3 in stock (As mentioned above). That make help narrow down the choice once and for all.





It doesn't hurt to call and ask. If you are really serious, I can't see why they wouldn't. It's all about customer service, right?
 
yes they do, but the engine computer does not allow the engine to rev about 5k, I think, , the limiter is removed when purchased. They have a 1200 mile break in period, then the engine, tranny and diff oil's are changed.



http://subscribers.wardsauto.com/mi...d=29125&pageid=5991&magazineid=1004&siteid=26



Steve



termigator said:
Do BMW Dealers general;ly allow test drives in new M3's? My local dealer has 3 in stock (As mentioned above). That make help narrow down the choice once and for all.





It doesn't hurt to call and ask. If you are really serious, I can't see why they wouldn't. It's all about customer service, right?
Click to expand...
 
Go for the corvette or mustang gt. more horsepower for the money and cheaper to service. I got a black 2005 gt for 26,900 and 300 hp, up to 525 with a 4,000 supercharger, or up to 70 more horses with a chip flash and cold air intake. plus it sounds better and stands out more than an m3.



an m3 is going to be a lot more refined, but if it's speed your after you can't go wrong with a gt and supercharger combo.
 
Looks like I have alot of BMW forums to read!



As for power, yes Im all for the power, hence the Vette or Cobra. But I do have a 11:1, 396 CID motor in my 93 Lightning and the 91 GT is just waiting for a new motor/trans (last one went 10.8's). I had thought about the 05 Mustang GT, but I know Id want to go all out on it so by the time you buy the car for $26k and add $15k+ in mods you've bought a $41k car. So while I definitely want performance, I also think I want something a bit more upscale that I could still track, detail and show.



I cant believe that a loaded M3 vert is over $70k!!???!!?!?!?!?!?!?! Werent the last M5's less than that new? Hmmm, I wonder what an M5 could be had for? But Im sure it doesnt have the balance of the M3. I think Ill call the dealer tomorrow if its not raiing and see if I can arrange a test drive. Best to do more research before I make any descisions.
 
So 05 Blackgt look at TDekany's pictures of my 05 M3 and tell me yours stands out better.....I am sorry there is no comparision. Yours is much faster in a straight line...Yes...cheaper to make faster defintly....cheaper looking well thats a personal opinion. However to say that the Mustang stands out more than say my car is ridiculous. DO A search fine my car ...let the forum be the judge.
 
CAB IN BLACK M3 said:
So 05 Blackgt look at TDekany's pictures of my 05 M3 and tell me yours stands out better.....I am sorry there is no comparision. Yours is much faster in a straight line...Yes...cheaper to make faster defintly....cheaper looking well thats a personal opinion. However to say that the Mustang stands out more than say my car is ridiculous. DO A search fine my car ...let the forum be the judge.
Click to expand...



Here, let me help you Bobbie... :)



tn_121_2123.jpg




tn_121_2121.jpg




tn_121_2120.jpg




tn_121_2117.jpg
 
OH wow is that car gorgeous!!! Its truely one of the best auto designs ever. While I love the new Mustang, the M3 just has a "mystiqu" about it.



You guys keep talking about BMW quality, etc and how it justifies the (sometimes) outrageous price. At the same time there is mention of recalls, problems and questionable long term reliablility. Im in no way meaning any of this as a flame, but Im wondering if besides materials used and assembly if the bmw's are that much better than "normal" cars?



Cab in black and 05blaqckGT, I know you are both passoinate about your cars but this really an apples to oranges comparison. Except in unusual cases (like myself) most people are fans of either one type of car or the other.
 
LightngSVT said:
OH wow is that car gorgeous!!! Its truely one of the best auto designs ever. While I love the new Mustang, the M3 just has a "mystiqu" about it.



You guys keep talking about BMW quality, etc and how it justifies the (sometimes) outrageous price. At the same time there is mention of recalls, problems and questionable long term reliablility. Im in no way meaning any of this as a flame, but Im wondering if besides materials used and assembly if the bmw's are that much better than "normal" cars?



Cab in black and 05blaqckGT, I know you are both passoinate about your cars but this really an apples to oranges comparison. Except in unusual cases (like myself) most people are fans of either one type of car or the other.
Click to expand...



Define "normal" car. According to the latest Consumer Reports, European cars, in general, have more problems than domestics or other imports. No one would question the refinement you get with a European car. Even the Volkswagens are really nice. However, you get the same refinements along with excellent reliability with the japanese vehicles. Domestics are more reliable nowadays (still not up to Japanese standards, though), but they're just not as refined. I know because I used to work for Hertz and I drove just about every domestic you can think of.

I would get a Japanese car if it came down to it, but I can't think of any Japanese car that is as beautiful or as driver oriented as the M3. I think it's going to come down to this: Is it all about the driving experience or is reliability your primary consideration? If it was me, I'd do the M3. If it was my wife, she'd get another Accord.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top